Lender review
Dart Bank review: what Michigan borrowers should know
Best for: mid-michigan and rural buyers using mshda or usda
- Headquarters
- Mason, MI
- Founded
- 1925
- NMLS
- #406384
- Min. credit score
- 620
- Min. down payment
- 3%
Dart Bank has served mid-Michigan from Mason for a century, and its mortgage arm leans into exactly the programs the region needs: MSHDA down-payment assistance, USDA Rural Development, and construction loans, delivered through its iQ Mortgage platform. It's a community bank with local decision-making — a good fit for Ingham County and rural buyers who want a familiar name.
A century in Mason, Michigan gives Dart Bank a read on mid-Michigan that statewide brands rarely earn. Its mortgage arm, running through the iQ Mortgage platform, leans into exactly what the region asks for: MSHDA down-payment assistance, USDA Rural Development loans, and construction financing for buyers building outside the subdivisions.
Local decision-making is the quiet advantage. As a community bank, Dart underwrites its construction loans in-house rather than routing them through a distant desk, which matters when an Ingham County or rural file needs a human who understands the property. Buyers who want a familiar name over a national logo find that reassuring.
The reach is deliberately narrow. Branches cluster in mid-Michigan, so a buyer in Marquette or Traverse City gains little from the local angle, and the brand simply doesn't carry the recognition of a statewide or national lender. Rates are set locally and quoted on request rather than posted for comparison.
What works
- Century-old mid-Michigan community bank
- Strong MSHDA and USDA Rural Development focus
- In-house construction loans with local underwriting
What to watch
- Branch footprint concentrated in mid-Michigan
- Less brand reach than statewide or national lenders
- Rates set locally rather than posted online
Loan programs at Dart Bank
Which core Michigan loan types Dart Bank offers, with the typical minimum down payment for each program. Program floors are industry standards — Dart Bank's own minimums or credit overlays may run higher.
| Loan program | Offered | Typical min. down |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | ✓ Yes | 3% |
| FHA | ✓ Yes | 3.5% |
| VA | ✓ Yes | 0% |
| USDA | ✓ Yes | 0% |
| Jumbo | ✓ Yes | 10–20% |
| Construction | ✓ Yes | 5–20% |
Where Dart Bank's credit bar sits
Dart Bank's roughly 620 minimum sits in the good credit range. Below, that 620 floor is plotted against the four broad credit tiers and the 620 median for the 55 Michigan lenders we track.
| Dart Bank | Michigan median* | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Min. credit score | 620 | 620 |
| Loan programs offered | 6 | 5 |
| Michigan-headquartered | Yes | — |
*Median across the 55 Michigan lenders in our catalog.
How Dart Bank's rates and offers compare
Before committing, pull a same-day quote from at least two competitors — pricing gaps of 0.25% are common for identical borrowers. Start with Mortgage 1, Success Mortgage Partners or Independent Bank, then compare Loan Estimates line by line. Today’s Michigan averages live in our Michigan rate table.
Dart Bank: frequently asked questions
What are Dart Bank's mortgage rates in Michigan?
Dart Bank doesn't post one rate — like every lender, its pricing turns on your credit score, down payment, loan size and the day you lock. Ask for a personalized quote to see the number you'd actually get. The reliable move: pull a written Loan Estimate from Dart Bank and set it beside this week's Michigan averages in our rate table, comparing on the same day.
Is Dart Bank a legitimate mortgage lender?
Yes. Dart Bank is a licensed mortgage lender registered under NMLS #406384 and lending since 1925. That license and its full regulatory history are public at NMLS Consumer Access. Our unpaid editorial review rates it 4.0/5 for Michigan buyers — no lender pays for placement.
What credit score do you need for a Dart Bank mortgage?
Dart Bank generally looks for a credit score around 620 on its most common loans. Its FHA loans can go lower — often to 580, or 500 with a larger down payment — while conventional and jumbo loans usually want higher scores. Loan type and overlays move that number, so confirm your own threshold before counting on 620.
Does Dart Bank offer FHA, VA and USDA loans?
Dart Bank offers FHA, VA and USDA loans to Michigan borrowers. It covers the full government-loan menu. Its complete Michigan lineup is Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, Construction.
Does Dart Bank lend in Michigan?
Yes — Dart Bank is headquartered in Mason, MI and is a Michigan-based lender, so Michigan purchases, refinances and state programs such as MSHDA down-payment assistance are everyday business rather than an afterthought.
Will Dart Bank sell my mortgage after closing?
Often not. Dart Bank is noted for keeping servicing in-house rather than selling it, so the company you send payments to is more likely to stay the same after closing — a real plus if servicing transfers frustrate you.
Independent and unpaid — Dart Bank did not pay for placement. How we score every lender (and where our rate data comes from) is set out in our editorial policy. Figures reflect public information as of 2026-07-01 and can change; the only rate that binds a lender is a written Loan Estimate. Verify the license at NMLS Consumer Access (#406384).