Specialty
Self-Employed & Bank Statement Loans
Self-employed borrowers often look better than their tax returns suggest. Bank statement and alt-doc programs tell a fuller story.
Who it's best for
- Business owners and 1099 earners
- Borrowers with strong deposits but heavy write-offs
- Complex or seasonal income profiles
At a glance
- Income docs
- Bank statements or alt-doc
- Review
- Hands-on, scenario-based
- Best timing
- Earlier is better
Eligibility Snapshot
The numbers that matter for a self-employed & bank statement loans
General guidelines. Your exact terms depend on your full profile. We confirm current figures for your scenario before you rely on any of them.
How It Works
Your self-employed & bank statement loans, step by step
- 1
Early scenario review
We look at your deposits and structure before you are under contract.
- 2
Choose the doc type
We pick the program that tells your income story best: bank statement, P&L, or asset-based.
- 3
Pre-approval
We calculate qualifying income from deposits and issue a pre-approval you can shop with.
- 4
Application & disclosures
You apply and provide statements; we build the income picture for underwriting.
- 5
Underwriting to clear-to-close
A hands-on review of deposits and business health; we clear conditions.
- 6
Closing
You sign and close, often qualifying for more than your tax returns alone would show.
Be A Sharp Borrower
What to ask any lender about this loan
Good questions get you better answers, and a better loan. Bring these to any conversation, including ours.
Should I qualify on personal or business bank statements, and how many months?
How will you calculate my qualifying income from my deposits?
Would waiting to file (or amend) my taxes change my options?
Is a bank-statement program or a full-doc conventional loan cheaper for me?
Common Questions
Self-Employed & Bank Statement Loans FAQs
- Why is self-employed income harder to qualify for a mortgage?
- The tax write-offs that lower what you owe also lower the net income a conventional lender can count. Bank statement programs solve this by qualifying you on actual deposits instead of your net tax income.
- What is a bank statement loan?
- It is a mortgage that qualifies self-employed borrowers using 12–24 months of bank statements to establish income, rather than W-2s or tax returns. It is ideal when your returns understate your true cash flow.
- What documents will I need as a self-employed borrower?
- Typically 12–24 months of personal or business bank statements depending on the program, plus proof you have been in business (often 2+ years). We tell you exactly what fits your situation.
- How is my income calculated on a bank statement loan?
- Lenders average your qualifying deposits over the statement period and apply an expense factor. We walk through the math with you so you know your number before you shop.
- Do bank statement loans have higher rates?
- They can price a bit higher than full-doc conventional loans because of the flexible documentation. We always compare both so you choose the lower true cost for your situation.
- When should I start the process if I am self-employed?
- As early as possible. Self-employed files benefit from a careful review before you are under contract, so we can structure the income the right way.
Other programs
Let’s find the loan that fits your situation.
Apply online in minutes, or call and talk it through.