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Bank Statement Guide

Are Reserves Required for a Bank Statement Loan?

Yes — most bank statement Non-QM programs require liquid reserves equal to months of PITIA left after closing, separate from your down payment and closing costs.

Reserves Are Post-Close Liquidity

Not the same dollars as your down payment — investors want cushion left after you fund.

Months of PITIA

Reserves are usually measured as months of principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA dues on the subject loan.

After cash to close

Underwriters verify balances remaining after earnest money, down payment, and closing costs clear.

Liquid assets preferred

Cash and near-cash accounts count cleanest. Illiquid equity rarely helps until converted.

Overlays raise the bar

Lower credit, investment occupancy, or larger loan amounts can push reserve months higher.

Typical Reserve Ranges

Common Non-QM bank statement patterns — your matched investor may differ.

Primary residence

Often 2–6 months

Stronger files may land near the low end

Second home

Often higher

Two housing payments drive cushion needs

Investment

Often 6+ months

Plus other financed property overlays

What counts

Liquid accounts

Brokerage and retirement haircuts apply

Gift funds

Limited for reserves

Borrower-owned cash preferred

Timing

Seasoned balances

Fresh large deposits need LOX

Reserve months and eligible asset types are investor-specific and can change without notice.

How We Size Your Reserve Gap

Ryan & Steve map down payment, closing costs, and reserve months against your actual accounts before you write an offer.

We flag retirement haircuts, business-account ownership proof, and large-deposit seasoning so underwriting does not stall mid-file.

If reserves are thin, we look at larger down payment trade-offs, a different occupancy program, or timing to build cash — not a surprise denial later.

Reserve checklist

  • — Separate down payment cash from post-close reserves
  • — Recent statements for every reserve account
  • — Document large deposits and transfers
  • — Confirm investor months of PITIA before you offer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are reserves required for a bank statement loan?

Yes — most bank statement Non-QM investors require months of PITIA reserves remaining in liquid accounts after closing. Typical ranges run about 2–6 months depending on loan size, occupancy, and credit. Guidelines vary by investor.

What counts as reserves?

Checking, savings, money market, and brokerage accounts usually count. Retirement accounts may count with a haircut. Funds used for down payment and closing costs do not also count as reserves.

Do investment purchases need more reserves?

Often yes. Investment and second-home bank statement files commonly require more months of PITIA or higher total reserve dollars than a primary residence.

Can gift funds cover reserves?

Sometimes for down payment, but many investors still want borrower-owned reserves after closing. Gift documentation rules are product-specific — we confirm before you rely on gifted cash.

Not Sure How Much Cash You Need After Closing?

Ryan & Steve will size your bank statement reserve requirement against your real accounts before you apply.