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2026 Independent Comparison

Best church lenders in 2026

A comprehensive comparison of 19 top church lenders: extension funds, credit unions, brokers, and banks. Independent methodology, transparent scoring, and no paid placements.

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Choosing the right church lender is one of the most consequential financial decisions a congregation makes, and it is one of the hardest to research independently. Most online “best lender” lists are written by lenders themselves or by affiliates with undisclosed referral relationships. This page takes a different approach: we evaluate every major church lender on a consistent public methodology, take no payment from any lender on the list, and explain why a given lender is best for a specific situation rather than for everyone.

This guide covers the 19 active U.S. church lenders that meet our minimum criteria: denomination extension funds, faith-based credit unions, church specialty brokers, and commercial banks with active church-loan programs. Use the sortable comparison table below to filter by lender type or denomination, browse the eight “best for” categories to see top picks for your specific situation, and read the methodology section to understand exactly how we score each lender. If a traditional bank is your preferred route, our companion guide to banks for church loans goes deeper on that lender type. When you are ready, the free readiness assessment scores your church on the seven factors lenders underwrite, so you know where you stand before you approach any lender on this list. New to the process? Start with our complete guide to church loans to see how loan types, rates, and qualification work before you choose a lender.

All 19 church lenders compared

Listed alphabetically. ChurchLend has no lender partnerships, and no lender pays for its position.

LenderTypeAction
AdelFi
All Christian
By inquiry
Credit UnionCheck your fit →
AGFinancial
Assemblies of God
$250K to $50M+
Extension FundCheck your fit →
BCLC (Baptist Church Loan Corporation)
Baptist and like-minded evangelical
By inquiry
Extension FundCheck your fit →
CDF Capital
Christian Churches / Churches of Christ
By inquiry
Extension FundCheck your fit →
Christian Financial Resources
Independent Christian Churches (Restoration Movement)
By inquiry
Extension FundCheck your fit →
Church Capital Corporation
Note: Private-money lender: rates are typically well above extension funds and banks. Usually considered only after conventional lenders decline.
Multi-faith
By inquiry
BrokerCheck your fit →
Church Capital Resources
All Christian
By inquiry
BrokerCheck your fit →
Cornerstone Fund
United Church of Christ
$10K to multi-million
Extension FundCheck your fit →
CR Funding Group
Multi-Denomination
$100K – $5M
BrokerCheck your fit →
Emerging Capital Funding
All Christian
$200K to $65M
BrokerCheck your fit →
Faith Based Funding
All Christian
By inquiry
BrokerCheck your fit →
Farmers & Merchants Bank
All Christian and other faiths
By inquiry
BankCheck your fit →
First Citizens Bank
All Christian and other faiths
By inquiry
BankCheck your fit →
Griffin Church Loans
Note: Two tracks: on private money Griffin lends its own capital (up to 60% LTV, priced above conventional, not offered everywhere); conventional loans are placed with other church lenders.
All Christian
$50K to $35M
BrokerCheck your fit →
Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)
Lutheran (LCMS)
By inquiry
Extension FundCheck your fit →
Solomon Foundation
Christian Churches / Churches of Christ
$250K to $25M+
Extension FundCheck your fit →
Thrivent Church Financing
All Christian
By inquiry
BankCheck your fit →
UCC Church Building & Loan Fund
United Church of Christ (open to any Christian church)
$10K to $5M
Extension FundCheck your fit →
Wesleyan Investment Foundation
Wesleyan and Wesleyan-Holiness
By inquiry
Extension FundCheck your fit →
Browse all lender profiles →

Top picks by category

Eight situations where the “best” church lender is unambiguous.

Best for new construction: AGFinancial

Construction loans are the hardest church loans to underwrite, because there is no finished building to appraise, draw schedules require active project oversight, and timelines slip. AGFinancial has lent to churches for 75+ years and offers a two-step construction structure: interest-only during the build, then conversion to an amortizing loan. For Assemblies of God churches, this is the default choice. Non-AG churches should evaluate Cornerstone Fund (United Church of Christ), LCEF (Lutheran), and Solomon Foundation (Restoration Movement) for their respective denominations, or Griffin Church Loans for non-denominational construction.

Best for refinancing: AdelFi

Refinancing is rate-sensitive, fee-sensitive, and timeline-sensitive, and the value of the refinance erodes quickly if any of the three goes wrong. AdelFi (formerly ECCU) is the largest faith-based credit union in the U.S. and has lent to ministries since 1964. It does not publish a church rate sheet, and loan size and timing are by inquiry, so get its quote in writing early. AdelFi serves churches across all denominations, which makes it the best default refinance lender for non-denominational churches. Denomination-affiliated churches should still quote their extension fund alongside AdelFi to compare rates.

Best for small churches under $500K: BCLC Church Lending

Most commercial banks and credit unions have $500K–$1M minimum loan amounts because the underwriting cost makes smaller loans uneconomic. Extension funds fill this gap. BCLC (Baptist Church Loan Corporation) starts at $200K with zero origination fees and zero prepayment penalties, the cheapest possible small-loan structure for Baptist churches across 30+ states. For United Church of Christ congregations, Cornerstone Fund and the UCC Church Building & Loan Fund both list loans from $10K. Wesleyan Investment Foundation sets loan size by inquiry. Non-denominational churches under $500K should contact a broker to find which extension funds will accept them outside their primary denomination.

Best for large churches over $5M: First Citizens Bank

Loans over $5M change the lender calculus. Extension funds may not have the capital deployment capacity for a single large loan, and brokers earn less on large deals. Commercial banks become more competitive at this size because they have the balance sheet to fund the loan and the institutional appetite for the larger relationship. First Citizens Bank, a top-20 U.S. bank with about $230B in assets, makes commercial mortgages to religious nonprofits. It has no dedicated church lending division and does not publish a loan range, so expect standard commercial underwriting. Farmers & Merchants Bank is the second-strongest commercial option in the $1M–$15M range. For very large deals ($20M+), AGFinancial and Solomon Foundation are the extension funds with the deepest balance sheets.

Best for Assemblies of God churches: AGFinancial

AGFinancial is the lending arm of the Assemblies of God denomination and the largest church extension fund in the U.S. with $10.2B+ in assets under management and a 75+ year track record financing AG churches. For any AG congregation, AGFinancial should be the first quote and the default choice unless rate or process pushes you elsewhere. The relationship runs deeper than pricing: AGFinancial coordinates with district leadership, understands the AG governance and property structure, and offers retirement and giving programs alongside lending. The trade-off is a more advisor-driven (slower, relational) process than a credit union or broker.

Best for a tight deadline: private money or a fast fund

Speed matters when there is a seller deadline, an interest rate window, or an expiring entitlement. Private money is usually the fastest route, at a higher cost: Griffin Church Loans lends its own capital on its private-money track and has closed in as little as two weeks once due diligence was complete, which Griffin says is not typical. Its conventional loans, which it places with other church lenders, typically close in 45 to 60 days. Among funds, BCLC quotes about 4 to 6 weeks. For truly time-sensitive deals, a private-money option, Emerging Capital Fund, and a credit union belong on the same shortlist.

Best for non-denominational churches: AdelFi or Griffin

Most extension funds require denominational affiliation, which leaves non-denominational churches with a smaller lender pool. The two strongest defaults are AdelFi (credit union, all denominations, loan size by inquiry) and Griffin Church Loans (private money and conventional placement, $50K to $35M, flexible on complex deals). Solomon Foundation also lends to many non-denominational churches with theology compatible with the Restoration Movement. Commercial bank options include First Citizens and Farmers & Merchants for larger amounts. Non-denominational churches should typically quote at least three of these four lender types to triangulate competitive pricing.

Best for first-time church borrowers: AdelFi or your denomination’s extension fund

First-time borrowers benefit most from a lender with educational support and patient underwriting. Extension funds excel here because their mission includes developing the financial maturity of affiliated churches. They will walk you through the documentation process, explain what underwriters need, and often work with a borderline applicant rather than declining outright. Outside the extension-fund world, AdelFi serves every denomination, which makes it a practical first call. First-time borrowers should avoid leading with brokers or commercial banks, because both expect you to arrive with complete financials, a clear loan request, and at least one prior banking relationship.

How we evaluate church lenders

Every lender on this page is compared on the same considerations below, applied consistently to every lender. Each lender profile also follows the review criteria on our methodology page. ChurchLend has no partnerships with any lender on this page, no lender pays to be listed or ranked, and the comparison table is alphabetical. If that ever changes, the affected rows will be labeled, as our advertiser disclosure describes.

Which lender fits also depends on your tradition, because polity decides who owns the building and who has to approve the loan. Our church loan guides by denomination cover that for 15 traditions, and the full church lender directory lists every lender we profile, filterable by type and tradition.

Track record and capital strength. We weight years in the church-lending market, total assets under management or loans funded, and regulatory or denominational governance structure. AGFinancial ($10.2B AUM, 75+ years), LCEF ($1.8B+, 100+ years), and Solomon Foundation ($1.1B, rapid growth) all score highly here. Newer or smaller lenders are not penalized but receive more scrutiny on underwriting consistency.

Rate competitiveness. Most church lenders quote by inquiry, so we compare what each lender publishes against our current estimates by lender type, built from the 10-year Treasury: extension funds 6.25% to 8.00%, credit unions 6.75% to 8.50%, brokers 7.25% to 9.50%, and banks 7.75% to 10.50%. Extension funds usually sit at the low end for qualified borrowers.

Loan product fit. Not every lender offers every loan type. We track which lenders offer construction-to-permanent, refinance, purchase, renovation, and bridge products, and which exclude specific situations (multi-site, ground-up construction, faith communities outside their charter). This consideration drives the “best for” category recommendations above.

Process transparency and speed. We score documentation clarity, underwriting timeline, and post-close servicing. Brokers and credit unions consistently win on speed; extension funds win on relational depth and first-time borrower support. Commercial banks vary widely.

Borrower fit signals. Denomination, loan size, financial profile, and church size all interact with lender appetite. We note each lender’s stated sweet spot from its published materials. Separately, the free readiness assessment scores your church, not the lender, on 7 factors (loan-to-value, debt service coverage, organizational stability, cash reserves, congregation size, giving trend, and capital campaign), so you can compare your profile against those stated criteria. That score is a different framework from this lender comparison; see how we score the 7 factors.

Methodology changes are tracked in the page edit history. The lender data is refreshed quarterly; the editorial recommendations above are reviewed for any material lender change (new product, leadership change, capital event) within 30 days.

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Church lender FAQ

There is no single "best" church lender. The right lender depends on your denomination, loan size, project type, and financial profile. For Assemblies of God churches, AGFinancial is the largest and most experienced extension fund. For non-denominational churches, AdelFi (credit union) and Griffin Church Loans (broker) are the strongest options. Lutheran (LCMS) churches should start with LCEF; Restoration Movement churches with Solomon Foundation; United Church of Christ churches with Cornerstone Fund or the UCC Church Building & Loan Fund; Methodist and Wesleyan churches with Wesleyan Investment Foundation. The methodology section below explains how we evaluate every lender on a consistent scorecard.
Denomination-affiliated extension funds are usually the lowest-cost option because they are mission-driven nonprofits with a low cost of capital. Our current estimate for the category is 6.25% to 8.00%, the 10-year Treasury plus the spreads on our rates page. Most extension funds, including AGFinancial, LCEF, Solomon Foundation, BCLC, and Cornerstone Fund, quote by inquiry rather than publishing a rate sheet. The trade-off: you typically need to be affiliated with the sponsoring denomination, and the underwriting process is slower and more relational than a commercial bank.
If your church is denomination-affiliated, start with your denomination's extension fund. It is usually the lowest-cost option and the lender already understands your governance. If you are non-denominational, have credit challenges, or have a complex deal (construction, multi-property, or fast close), a broker like Griffin Church Loans, Emerging Capital Fund, or Faith Based Funding can take your request to several capital sources and surface options you would not find on your own. The trade-off is broker fees built into the rate spread, typically 0.5–1.5%.
No. Most church-focused lenders (extension funds, credit unions, and church-specialty brokers) do not require personal guarantees from pastors, elders, or Board members. The church entity is the borrower and the property is the collateral. Traditional commercial banks are more likely to require personal guarantees, particularly for newer churches, smaller loan amounts, or higher loan-to-value requests. If avoiding personal guarantees is a priority, lead with extension funds and faith-based credit unions.
Minimums vary widely by lender. Cornerstone Fund and the UCC Church Building & Loan Fund list loans from $10,000. Griffin Church Loans lists $50,000. AGFinancial and Solomon Foundation list $250,000. LCEF, Wesleyan Investment Foundation, and AdelFi set loan size by inquiry. Commercial banks often prefer larger loans, so if your need is under $500K, start with extension funds, because the underwriting cost makes small loans less attractive to banks.
Sometimes. AdelFi (formerly ECCU) is a credit union that serves all denominations, including non-denominational churches. Solomon Foundation, while rooted in the Restoration Movement, lends to many non-denominational churches with similar theology. Most other extension funds (LCEF, AGFinancial, Cornerstone, BCLC) require denominational affiliation. Non-denominational churches should typically lead with AdelFi or a broker, then explore commercial banks like First Citizens or Farmers & Merchants for backup options.
Closing timelines range from a few weeks to six months or more. Among lenders that publish a timeline, BCLC quotes about 4 to 6 weeks, Solomon Foundation and Emerging Capital Fund 30 to 90 days, AGFinancial 60 to 90 days, and Griffin Church Loans 45 to 60 days for conventional loans. Extension funds can take longer when board approval cycles or denominational review are involved. Construction loans take longer everywhere, so plan on 90 to 180 days. Complex deals (multiple properties, large amounts, ground-up construction, or credit issues) add time on every channel.
Three to five is the right number. Fewer than three and you cannot tell whether a quote is competitive. More than five wastes time, since church lender pricing tends to cluster within 0.5% by category. The right shortlist depends on your profile. Denomination-affiliated churches should quote their extension fund + a credit union + a broker for backup; non-denominational churches should quote AdelFi + 1–2 brokers + 1 commercial bank. Our free assessment shows which parts of your church’s profile to strengthen before you request quotes.
Start with the lender methodology section below, which compares every lender on track record and capital strength, rate competitiveness, loan product fit, process transparency and speed, and borrower fit (denomination, loan size, and church size). That tells you which lenders suit your situation. Separately, our free 5-minute readiness assessment scores your church, not the lender, on 7 factors (loan-to-value, debt service coverage, organizational stability, cash reserves, congregation size, giving trend, and capital campaign), so you can see where you stand and what to strengthen before you approach a lender.
Slightly. Church loan rates typically run 0.5–1.5% above conventional commercial real estate rates because churches have nonstandard collateral (purpose-built buildings with limited resale market), nonstandard income (donations rather than rent), and tax-exempt status that limits some lender programs. The best church lenders price this risk competitively for well-qualified borrowers. Strong giving, manageable LTV, and proven leadership tenure all compress the spread.

Best church lenders by state

State-specific rankings that weigh local bank coverage and regional extension funds.

TexasCaliforniaFloridaNew YorkNorth CarolinaGeorgiaPennsylvaniaOhioIllinoisTennessee

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Common qualification questions