Flagstar and Huntington Bank’s physician loan programs both offer up to 100% PMI-free financing, but their loan limits, credit score requirements, and state coverage vary enough to determine which option is best for your purchase.Â
Flagstar vs. Huntington Comparison
Both lenders offer up to $1,000,000 in down payment financing. Above that amount, Huntington’s Physician Loan program page shows that financing continues up to $1,750,000 at 95% and up to $2,500,000 at 89.99%, while Flagstar’s Professional Loan page caps its 95% portion at $1,500,000.
If you need a loan over $1.5 million, Huntington’s structure gives you more room without having to make a larger down payment.
| Feature | Flagstar Bank | Huntington Bank |
| 100% financing up to | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 95% financing up to | $1,500,000 | $1,750,000 |
| Max financing tier | 95% LTV / $1.5M cap | 89.99% LTV up to $2,500,000 |
| Credit score for 0% down | 720 | 700–720 (as low as 680 with more down) |
| Eligible degrees | MD, DO, DDS/DMD, OD, DPM, DVM, PharmD, plus CPA, PA, RN, NP, attorneys, ATP pilots | MD, DO, DMD, DVM, DDS |
| Availability | All 50 states | Roughly 43 states |
| Cash-out refinance | Not a standard feature of the program | Up to $250,000 |
Neither lender has set a minimum credit score as a requirement, but both typically prefer a score of 720 for the best no-down payment loan terms, and in some cases, they offer flexibility up to scores above 600 in exchange for a larger down payment.
What does Physician Loan actually do?
A physician loan (sometimes called a Doctor Loan) is a type of mortgage that is designed to grow based on your income rather than your current savings. Lenders waive the typical 20% down payment and also waive private mortgage insurance (PMI) because they are counting on your future earning capacity, not your current bank account balance.
This advantage is most important in the first few years after you graduate, when your income is growing but your savings and credit history haven’t yet grown. Both Flagstar and Huntington are designed for this exact time frame.
Flagstar Physician Loan Program
Flagstar has established itself as one of the largest players in the physician loan market. Its list of eligible individuals extends far beyond MDs, DOs, and DDS/DMDs to include optometrists, podiatrists, veterinarians, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, CPAs, attorneys, and even ATP-certified pilots.
To qualify, you must have been in your profession for a maximum of 10 years, according to LeverageRx’s review of various lenders. The program covers the purchase or rate/term refinance of a primary residence, including single-unit homes, warrantable condos, and planned unit developments (PUDs).
Flagstar Down Payment Levels
- Â 0% Down Payment, No PMI, on loans up to $1,000,000 with a credit score of 720 or higher
- Â 5% Down Payment on loans up to $1,500,000, typically requiring a credit score of 700 or higher.
- Â Available in all 50 states and includes H-1B and Green Card holders.
Broker Note: Flagstar sends your entire file for Underwriting from the start and does not issue a Soft Pre-Approval first. This results in fewer hard credit pulls early in the process, which is a benefit if you are considering multiple lenders and want to protect your credit score.
Huntington Bank Physician Loan Program
The Huntington program is more restrictive in terms of qualifying degrees, and includes MD, DO, DMD/DDS, and DVM. According to LeverageRx’s review of Huntington Physician Loans, the program typically does not extend to nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs). This narrower list is offset by higher loan limits for medical professionals who need more money.
Huntington Down Payment Levels
- Â 100% financing, no PMI, for loans up to $1,000,000
- Â 95% financing for loans up to $1,750,000
- 89.99% financing for loans up to $2,500,000, which is the program’s maximum limit.
In addition to the purchase and rate/term refinance options, Huntington also offers cash-out refinances of up to $250,000, a feature that Flagstar doesn’t advertise.
Huntington’s coverage spans about 43 states and, unlike Flagstar, isn’t nationwide, so make sure your state is covered before you commit to a property.
A Real-World Comparison: Which Loan Dr. Patel Chose
Dr. Patel, a third-year medical resident with a signed fellowship agreement and a credit score of 715, was looking to buy a $1.2 million home in a state where both lenders operate. At Flagstar, he didn’t meet the minimum score of 720 for the best loan level, so he would have been at 95% and would have had to make a down payment of about $60,000.
At Huntington, his loan amount would still be at 95%, but because Huntington was more flexible for scores below 720, he was able to get terms closer to Flagstar’s best rates without having to wait another six months to improve his credit score, an offer the Flagstar loan officer had given him.
The final difference was about $1,100 per month in savings from eliminating PMI and also the lower rate lock, which over five years, in both cases, would more than cover closing costs.
Ultimately, his decision came down to the lender’s geographic coverage; Since his new job was in the state where Huntington worked, this option was an easier route for him.
Loan Types, Terms, and Current Rates
In addition to fixed-rate loans, Flagstar also offers adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) in 5/6, 7/6, and 10/6 structures. Huntington offers a similar range of ARMs, including 15/6, 10/6, 7/6, 5/6, 3/6, and 1/6, as well as 15-year and 30-year fixed-rate loans.
Rates on physician loans follow the general mortgage market and are typically slightly higher than conventional loans to compensate for the lack of a down payment. According to Freddie Mac’s weekly rate survey, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage through July 2, 2026, is 6.43%, down from 6.49% the previous week.
Expect your physician loan offer to be slightly higher than that, and your exact rate will depend on factors like your credit score, loan amount, and down payment level.
Where does each lender operate?
Flagstar Physician Loans are available in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., making it an easier choice if you’re looking to relocate to a less popular area. Huntington covers about 43 states and has historically had a stronger presence in the Midwest and parts of the East Coast.
If you already know which state your new job will be in, be sure to check with your loan officer about that state’s coverage status before you commit to buying a property. Geography is the quickest factor that can eliminate either program from your options.
Which program is best for you?
-  If your loan amount is over $1.5 million: Huntington’s higher cap gives you more room to move before you have to make a larger down payment.
-  If you’re a non-physician medical professional (such as a PA, NP, RN, or pharmacist): Flagstar’s broader list of eligible individuals is more likely to meet your needs.
-  If you’re planning to refinance with a cash-out in the future: Huntington’s in-house cash-out option of up to $250,000 is worth factoring into your decision now.
-  If you’re planning to relocate outside of Huntington’s service area: Flagstar’s nationwide coverage in all 50 states eliminates this risk entirely.
- Â If your credit score is in the upper 600s to early 700s: Get quotes from both lenders. The level you fall into can make one of these two options a better deal than the other.
