Lender review
Dart Bank review: what Michigan borrowers should know
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.
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%
- MSHDA MI Home Loan
- Approved lender
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
The full picture on Dart Bank
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.
Programs the region needs
Dart focuses on the loans that fit rural and mid-Michigan buyers building outside the subdivisions.
The reach is narrow
Branches cluster in mid-Michigan, so a buyer in Marquette or Traverse City gains little from the local angle.
The brand doesn't carry the recognition of a statewide or national lender, and rates are set locally and quoted on request rather than posted.
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.
Compare: Mortgage 1 Success Mortgage Partners Independent Bank This week's Michigan rates
Dart Bank: frequently asked questions
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. That 620 is a floor, not a promise: every lender layers on its own overlays, and approval still turns on your income, debts and the property.
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 2026-07-16 and can change; the only rate that binds a lender is a written Loan Estimate. Verify the license at NMLS Consumer Access (#406384). MSHDA status reflects the state's MI Home Loan lending-partners list dated June 12, 2026, which changes over time.