If you need to borrow above the standard 80% combined loan-to-value ceiling, Figure and Spring EQ are the two most widely available lenders going to 95% CLTV, Navy Federal matches that for eligible military members, (learn more about what is village capital? mortgage lender overview | rateroots) (learn more about what is probably yes? mortgage lender overview | rateroots) and Aven reaches 90% with a credit minimum as low as 620. True 100% CLTV HELOCs exist but come almost exclusively from small regional credit unions with membership (learn more about how to refinance a mortgage: the complete step-by-step guide (2026)) and geography limits. We ranked five options by maximum CLTV, credit requirements, (learn more about best adjustable-rate mortgage (arm) lenders in 2026: 7 options compared) (learn more about how to qualify for a home equity loan?) (learn more about fha loan vs conventional loan in 2026: which is better for you?) and who can actually qualify. For context, the national average HELOC rate was 7.29% as of September 2, 2026 — and every tier you climb above 85% CLTV costs you more than that average.
How We Ranked These Lenders
High-LTV lending is a narrow market, and the differences that matter are access, not marketing.
| Criteria | Weight | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum CLTV | High | The entire reason you are on this page. A 95% cap unlocks roughly three times the draw of an 80% cap on the same home. |
| Who can qualify | High | A 100% CLTV product from a credit union you cannot join is not an option. |
| Credit minimum | High | Above 85% CLTV, lenders tighten score and DTI requirements sharply. |
| Speed and process | Medium | Digital lenders fund in days; credit unions often take weeks. |
| Draw and repayment terms | Medium | Draw period length, rate structure, and fees determine long-run cost. |
Data sources: lender-published CLTV and credit requirements, Bankrate's September 2026 HELOC rate survey, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau guidance on home equity lending.
Why CLTV Matters More Than Rate Here
Combined loan-to-value is your first mortgage balance plus your new line, divided by your home's appraised value. On a $400,000 home with a $280,000 mortgage:
- 80% CLTV gives you a $40,000 line
- 90% CLTV gives you a $80,000 line
- 95% CLTV gives you a $100,000 line
That is a 2.5x difference in borrowing power from the same equity position. Which is why, for people in this situation, the CLTV cap usually outweighs a quarter-point of rate. It is also why lenders price the risk: above 85% CLTV, expect a higher margin over prime, a stronger credit score requirement, and tighter debt-to-income limits.
1. Figure — Best Overall for 95% CLTV
Maximum CLTV: Up to 95%
Best for: Borrowers who want a high line and fast funding
Process: Fully digital
Figure allows combined loan-to-value up to 95% and runs an entirely online application and closing process, with funding measured in days rather than weeks. For borrowers who need a large line quickly and have the credit profile to support it, it is the most straightforward high-LTV option on this list.
Pros
- One of the highest CLTV caps available without a membership requirement
- Fully digital application, appraisal, and closing
- Fixed-rate draw structure, which removes the rate-reset risk of a pure variable line
Cons
- Higher CLTV tiers require stronger credit than an 80% line would
- Fixed-rate draws mean less flexibility than a traditional revolving HELOC
- Origination fees apply and vary by state
Who This Is Best For
Homeowners with good-to-excellent credit who need to tap most of their equity and want the process finished in under two weeks. Not the right choice if you want a classic revolving line you draw and repay repeatedly at a floating rate.
2. Spring EQ — Best for Documentation Flexibility at 95%
Maximum CLTV: Up to 95%
Best for: Self-employed and non-W-2 borrowers
Process: Digital application with human underwriting
Spring EQ also lends up to 95% CLTV and is known in the market for working with borrowers whose income does not fit a standard W-2 box. That combination — high CLTV plus documentation flexibility — is unusual, since most lenders tighten both at once.
Pros
- 95% CLTV without a membership or geographic requirement
- More accommodating of self-employment and variable income than most high-LTV lenders
- Offers both HELOC and fixed home equity loan products
Cons
- Underwriting is slower than a pure digital lender
- Rate and fee structure varies more by borrower profile
- Not available in every state
Who This Is Best For
Self-employed borrowers, contractors, and anyone with 1099 or bank-statement income who has been turned down elsewhere despite strong equity. Less compelling if you have clean W-2 income and want maximum speed.
3. Navy Federal Credit Union — Best for Military Members
Maximum CLTV: Up to 95% for eligible members
Best for: Active duty, veterans, and eligible family
Process: Credit union underwriting
Navy Federal offers combined loan-to-value up to 95% for eligible military members. Credit union pricing is often more favorable than bank pricing at the same CLTV, and membership at Navy Federal covers a large population.
Pros
- 95% CLTV with credit union pricing
- Broad eligibility across military service, veterans, and family members
- Long-standing lender with an established home equity program
Cons
- Membership eligibility is a hard gate — no military connection, no access
- Underwriting timelines are longer than digital-first lenders
- Terms vary by property state and occupancy
Who This Is Best For
Anyone eligible for Navy Federal membership should price it before anything else on this list. It is simply not an option for everyone else.
4. Aven — Best for Lower Credit Scores
Maximum CLTV: Up to 90%
Minimum credit score: As low as 620
Best for: Borrowers whose credit falls short of high-LTV norms
Aven pairs a HELOC with a credit card, letting you draw against your line by swiping. It reaches 90% CLTV with a credit minimum reported as low as 620, which is meaningfully more accessible than the 700-plus most 95% CLTV programs expect.
Pros
- Accessible credit minimum for a high-LTV product
- Fully digital process with fast decisions
- Card-based access makes small, frequent draws practical
Cons
- 90% cap, not 95% — less borrowing power than Figure or Spring EQ
- Card-based structure makes it easy to spend equity casually
- Availability varies by state
Who This Is Best For
Homeowners in the 620–700 credit range with real equity who have been declined at the 95% tier. The card format is a convenience for some and a temptation for others — be honest about which you are.
5. Regional Credit Unions at 100% CLTV — Best If You Truly Need Every Dollar
Maximum CLTV: Up to 100%
Examples: Tower Federal Credit Union (DC, Maryland, Virginia), Vision Federal Credit Union, AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union
Best for: Members inside a specific footprint
A small number of credit unions advertise HELOCs at 100% combined loan-to-value. These are the only realistic path to borrowing your entire equity position, and they are constrained by membership rules and service areas.
Pros
- The highest CLTV available anywhere
- Credit union rate structures are often competitive
- Personal underwriting, which can help borderline files
Cons
- Membership and geographic eligibility exclude most borrowers
- Underwriting at 100% CLTV is strict — expect a high credit score requirement and a low DTI ceiling
- At 100% CLTV you have zero equity cushion, so any decline in home value puts you underwater immediately
Who This Is Best For
Members of these institutions with excellent credit and a specific, high-return use for the money. For everyone else, the honest answer is that 100% CLTV is a risk position, not a product to chase.
Quick Comparison
| Lender | Max CLTV | Credit minimum | Membership required | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figure | Up to 95% | Good to excellent | No | Days |
| Spring EQ | Up to 95% | Good | No | 1–3 weeks |
| Navy Federal | Up to 95% | Varies | Yes — military eligibility | 2–4 weeks |
| Aven | Up to 90% | As low as 620 | No | Days |
| Regional credit unions | Up to 100% | High | Yes — membership + geography | 2–6 weeks |
What High CLTV Actually Costs You
The national average HELOC rate was 7.29% as of September 2, 2026, per Bankrate's survey — but that survey assumes a $30,000 loan, a 700 FICO, and an 80% CLTV. Push above 85% and three things change:
- Your margin over prime widens. High-LTV lines price above the average, not at it.
- Your score requirement climbs. Above 85% CLTV, expect lenders to want well north of 700, and in some cases 760 or higher.
- Your DTI ceiling tightens. Lenders compensate for thin equity by demanding more income headroom.
If you do not need the full amount, borrowing at 80% CLTV and paying the average rate is usually the better trade. High-LTV lending exists for borrowers who genuinely need the higher line — not as a default.
Should You Use a HELOC At All?
If you are pulling equity for a one-time expense with a known cost, a fixed home equity loan or a cash-out refinance may cost less than a variable line. Our comparisons of the best home equity loan lenders of 2026 and the best cash-out refinance lenders of 2026 cover those paths, and our cash-out refinance vs. HELOC breakdown walks through which structure fits which situation.
The general rule: HELOCs win for uncertain or staged costs, fixed loans win for a known lump sum, and cash-out refinancing wins only when the new first-mortgage rate is close to what you already have.
How We Researched This
We compared lender-published maximum CLTV limits, credit score minimums, and eligibility requirements as of September 2026, and used Bankrate's September 2, 2026 national HELOC rate survey for market context. We excluded home equity investment products, which are not loans and carry entirely different terms, and excluded lenders capping at 85% CLTV or below, since they do not address the question this guide answers. We did not rank by advertised APR, because high-LTV pricing is heavily borrower-specific and any quoted rate would mislead. Rates, CLTV caps, and state availability change frequently — get quotes from at least three lenders before committing. Last updated: September 2026. We review this guide quarterly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest LTV HELOC available in 2026?
A small number of regional credit unions — including Tower Federal, Vision Federal, and AmeriChoice Federal — advertise HELOCs at 100% combined loan-to-value. Among lenders open to the general public, 95% CLTV from Figure and Spring EQ is the practical ceiling.
Can I get a 100% CLTV HELOC?
Yes, but almost exclusively from credit unions with membership and service-area restrictions, and only with strong credit and low debt-to-income. At 100% CLTV you have no equity cushion, so a decline in home value leaves you underwater.
What credit score do I need for a high-LTV HELOC?
It rises with CLTV. Aven reports a minimum as low as 620 at 90% CLTV, while pushing above 85% CLTV commonly requires a score well above 700 — in some programs 760 or higher.
How is CLTV calculated?
Add your existing mortgage balance to the new credit line, then divide by your home's appraised value. A $280,000 mortgage plus a $100,000 line on a $400,000 home is 95% CLTV.
Are high-LTV HELOC rates higher?
Yes. The national average HELOC rate of 7.29% as of September 2026 reflects an 80% CLTV assumption. Lines above 85% CLTV carry a wider margin to compensate for the reduced equity cushion.
Do high-LTV HELOCs require mortgage insurance?
No. Unlike a first mortgage above 80% LTV, HELOCs do not carry PMI. Lenders price the added risk into the rate and the underwriting standards instead.
Is a home equity loan or a HELOC better at high LTV?
It depends on the expense. A fixed home equity loan gives you a locked rate and a known payment, which is safer at high CLTV. A HELOC gives you flexibility but leaves you exposed to rate increases on a large balance.
Can I get a high-LTV HELOC on an investment property?
Rarely at these levels. Most high-CLTV programs are limited to primary residences, and investment property caps are typically well below 80%.
How long does approval take?
Digital lenders like Figure and Aven can fund within days. Credit unions and lenders with manual underwriting commonly take two to six weeks, particularly at higher CLTV tiers.
What happens if home values fall after I borrow at 95%?
You could owe more than the home is worth. Lenders can also freeze or reduce an unused line if your property value drops materially — a right they retain in the agreement.
Important Disclosures
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Rates, combined loan-to-value limits, credit requirements, fees, and state availability change frequently and vary by borrower. The rate figures cited reflect published survey averages on the dates noted and are not offers. Borrowing against your home puts it at risk of foreclosure if you cannot repay. Consult a licensed mortgage professional before making a decision. Some links on this page may be affiliate links; this does not influence our rankings, and our methodology is described above.
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