If you’re looking into HELOCs in California, one of the top national lenders is always an option. That said, local banks and credit unions may offer faster valuations, smoother underwriting, and a more personal approach, often with competitive rates. Today, we highlight a few California-focused HELOC providers worth considering.
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What to know about HELOCs in California
Before getting a HELOC in California, consider these factors specific to the state.
- Home Equity Loan Disclosure Act: HELDA is a California law that protects homeowners. It states that lenders must disclose the key terms (interest rates, costs, fees, etc.) of the loan or HELOC when the borrower applies.
- Borrowing restrictions. All loans backed by a property, including first mortgage, home equity loans, and HELOCs, can only be up to 100% of the property’s market value.
- House prices tend to be high. California’s median home price is currently in the mid-$800,000s. This means homeowners could tap into larger equity, but lenders may require more detailed appraisals to confirm property value.
Local lender recommendations
Wescom Financial Credit Union
Why we picked it
Established in 1934, Wescom Financial is active in 21 counties, mainly in Southern and Central California. UCLA alumni can become members regardless of location. The credit union has 30 branches and offers full digital banking services.
Besides a generous introductory offer and no origination fees, Wescom allows borrowers to convert to a fixed-rate HELOC (minimum APR 6.00%) and get a 0.5% APR rate discount on an outstanding balance of $15,000 or more. Borrowers may hold up to three fixed-rate converted balances on their HELOC, which adds control and flexibility.
| Service area | Southern and Central California |
| Intro offer | 3.99% APR for the first 12 months |
| APR | 7.50% – 11.50% variable, with option to convert to fixed (min. 6.00%) |
| Max. LTV | 90% (80% to enable introductory rate) |
Golden 1 Credit Union
Why we picked it
Golden 1 is one of the largest credit unions in California, with 70 branches throughout the state. Membership is open to anyone living or working in California.
Their HELOC terms seem attractive, with fairly competitive rates, a borrowing ceiling of up to $700,000, and no annual or upfront fees. However, the advertised rates assume a FICO score of at least 780, an LTV of 60%, and a first-lien position for the line of credit, so in practice, many borrowers won’t qualify for the best terms.
Like with many other lenders, Golden 1 borrowers can choose between a standard variable-rate HELOC and converting part or all of their balance to a fixed rate for maximum stability.
| Service area | Statewide |
| Intro offer | 4.99% APR for the first six billing cycles (residential homes only) |
| APR | From 7.125% (variable) or 7.440% (fixed-rate conversion) |
| Max. LTV | 80% |
SchoolsFirst FCU
Why we picked it
SchoolsFirst FCU, California’s largest credit union, serves state residents who work in the educational system, retired educational system employees, and college students in certain programs. Members’ family is also eligible to join SchoolsFirst.
SchoolsFirst offers two HELOC plans: Standard and Rate Advantage (a fixed rate for the first five years, then a variable rate). Note that the introductory offer is only available for the Standard HELOC. The borrowing limit is $500,000 for owner-occupied primary homes and $150,000 for non-owner-occupied properties.
Borrowers make interest-only payments for the first 10 years, and must pay off the remaining principal plus interest within the remaining 15 years.
| Service area | Statewide |
| Intro offer | 4.99% APR for 6 months |
| APR | From 6.50% APR (standard, variable) or 7.000% – 10.500% (Rate Advantage) |
| Max. LTV | 80% |
Heritage Community Credit Union
Why we picked it
Heritage CCU serves Greater Sacramento. Membership is open to those who live, study, work, or worship in the counties the credit union covers, and to the immediate family of existing members.
Heritage CCU’s HELOC limit is comparatively low, only $200,000, but they offer an especially generous intro APR of 2.99%. This could be great for those who plan to draw heavily upfront and repay the balance fairly quickly, as the credit union charges no prepayment penalties.
HELOCs are only available for owner-occupied residential homes. According to the credit union, approval takes 2-4 weeks.
| Service area | Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, and San Joaquin counties |
| Intro offer | 2.99% APR for the first 6 months |
| APR | From 6.75% (LTV 80%) or 7.75% (LTV 85%), variable |
| Max. LTV | 85% |
Exchange Bank
Why we picked it
Exchange Bank is a local Sonoma County bank that has served Northern California for the past 135 years. The bank’s introductory rate and post-intro APR don’t appear very competitive. However, Exchange Bank offers especially high line credit limits, up to $1,000,000 for owner-occupied primary residences, which could appeal to homeowners who need to access large amounts.
Exchange Bank charges no upfront fees on lines up to $400,000 for properties that meet certain requirements, like an Automated Valuation Model (AVM) and a limited title policy. For larger loans, third-party fees (like title and appraisal fees) may add thousands of dollars to the loan’s total cost.
Unlike some lenders, who waive prepayment penalties entirely, Exchange Bank does charge an early closing fee ($500 to $5,000) if the borrower closes the account within 35 months.
| Service area | Sonoma County and the North Bay |
| Intro offer | 7.49% for the first 6 months |
| APR | 9.125% (for lines of $250,000 – $400,000) |
| Max. LTV | 80% up to $500,000, 70% for $500,000 – $1 million |
Tri Counties Bank
Why we picked it
Headquartered in Chico, Tri Counties Bank has 75 locations across California, focusing on Northern CA and Central Valley.
The bank offers a fairly modest introductory rate of 5.75% fixed APR for the first six months, but only for those who take an initial advance of at least $25,000. They charge closing costs of $450 to $2,500 on HELOCs and a prepayment penalty of $500 or 2% (whichever is lower) if the borrower closes the credit line within three years.
Tri Counties Bank HELOCs can act as a first or second lien. HELOCs are available for second homes as well, but only with an LTV up to 60%.
| Service area | Statewide |
| Intro offer | 5.75% APR for the first 6 months |
| APR | 7.50% – 11.50% variable |
| Max. LTV | 80% for primary, 60% for second homes |
Sierra Central Credit Union
Why we picked it
Sierra Central CU serves Northern California, specifically Yuba, Sutter, Butte, Glenn, Shasta, Lassen, Tehama, Placer, El Dorado, and Nevada counties. Their HELOC comes with an attractive introductory rate, a fair regular rate following the intro period, and no closing costs.
The offer is available for both primary and second homes (up to $250,000) and investment properties (up to $100,000), excluding condos and manufactured homes. One major drawback is the minimum initial advance: $50,000, which is higher than lenders typically require.
| Service area | Northern California |
| Intro offer | 4.5% for the first 6 months |
| APR | 7.750% – 8.25% |
| Max. LTV | Not disclosed |
Why choose a local HELOC lender?
Many California homeowners choose local HELOC lenders because regional banks and credit unions often offer a more tailored borrowing experience than large national lenders.
- Better knowledge of the California housing market, which may mean quicker appraisals and approvals
- Potentially advantageous member-only terms (when working with a credit union)
- More flexibility
- A more personal approach
- An established, community-oriented presence that fosters trust
I generally encourage clients to shop both local and national lenders to find the best combination of rate, repayment terms, and available credit. That said, if a client has a complex income profile or prefers a more personalized, relationship-based approach, I often recommend working with a local lender.
The best national HELOC lenders for California
Still, when shopping around for a HELOC, top-rated nationwide lenders are also worth considering. They’re well-known, broadly available, and widely reviewed. They often advertise competitive terms and attractive offers. Here are our top recommendations for California homeowners.
Recap
Many regional banks and credit unions in California offer attractive HELOC plans tailored to the local housing market. If you like the idea of working with a community-focused financial institution, we suggest researching HELOC providers in your area to see how their products stack up against leading national lenders.
Article sources
At LendEDU, our writers and editors rely on primary sources, such as government data and websites, industry reports and whitepapers, and interviews with experts and company representatives. We also reference reputable company websites and research from established publishers. This approach allows us to produce content that is accurate, unbiased, and supported by reliable evidence. Read more about our editorial standards.
- Wescom Financial, Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
- Golden 1 Credit Union, Home Equity Product
- SchoolsFirst FCU, Home Equity Lines of Credit
- Heritage Community Credit Union, Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
- Exchange Bank, Home Equity Line of Credit Rates and Fees
- Tri Counties Bank, Home Equity Line of Credit
- Sierra Central, Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
About our contributors
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Written by Anna TwittoAnna Twitto is a money management writer passionate about financial freedom and security. Anna loves sharing tips and strategies for smart personal finance choices, saving money, and getting and staying out of debt.
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Edited by Amanda HankelAmanda Hankel is a managing editor at LendEDU. She has more than seven years of experience covering various finance-related topics and has worked for more than 15 years overall in writing, editing, and publishing.
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Reviewed by Erin Kinkade, CFP®Erin Kinkade, CFP®, ChFC®, works as a financial planner at AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust. Erin prepares comprehensive financial plans for military veterans and their families.