Meet Neal K. Smith

Neal has been serving the Sacramento area since 1992 as a Certified Mortgage Planner. He has a degree in Real Estate Finance from California State University, Long Beach. A proud graduate of Jesuit High School, Neal believes wholeheartedly in growing others, as well as sharing gratitude with his community. Through his speaking and coaching work with Michael Maher, Neal has helped others to thrive personally and professionally. NKS Financial also offers and supports numerous events and fundraisers each year in an effort to spread generosity within the community. This includes our signature Cheers to Charity wine events.

Clients rely on Neal because he cares.

He cares about each client’s situation, goals and life circumstances. Neal understands that a home is one of the biggest purchases most people make. The process can become overwhelming with the amount of documentation, different options, terms and language that may be unfamiliar to a client. Every home is different. Every loan is different. With a client-focused approach, Neal is able to offer a custom-tailored service to specifically meet client needs while helping to demystify the mortgage process.


Why NKS Financial

Your Lender for Life.

NKS Financial, founded by Neal Smith in 2002, is a trusted mortgage lender based in Sacramento, California, specializing in home loans, refinancing, and reverse mortgages. We help homebuyers, homeowners, and retirees secure the best mortgage solutions tailored to their needs.

Our client-first approach simplifies the home loan process, ensuring clarity, transparency, and personalized service. Whether you’re purchasing a home, refinancing for better rates, or exploring reverse mortgage options, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Our team is ready to help you achieve your mortgage goals!

Meet the Team

  • Neal Smith

    Certified Mortgage Planner,
    Owner & Founder

    With over 30 years' experience, Certified Mortgage Planner Neal Smith and NKS Financial assist clients with all mortgage needs. Neal's relationship focus and NKS Financial's client service are top-tier in Sacramento. A CSU Long Beach Real Estate Finance graduate and Certified Mortgage Planner, Neal was a 2021 Top 1% Mortgage Originator (Mortgage Executive Magazine, Scotsman’s Guide). He and his wife, Angie, are newly empty nesters and live in East Sacramento with their cat, Frisco and dog, Shimmer.

  • Gina Ketcher

    Operations Coordinator

    Gina Ketcher joined NKS Financial in 2020 as Operations lead. She brings over 10 years in computer consulting and 20 years leading Northern California non-profits. Gina holds a BBA in Information Systems from Oklahoma and an MBA from Wyoming. She and her husband, Keith, live in East Sacramento and are empty nesters, but have a fat cat named Bandit and a new rescue puppy named Li’l Snoop. Gina is an avid Oklahoma football and Sacramento Kings fan, and enjoys Formula 1, horse racing, and travel.

  • Hallie Smith

    Processing and Compliance Manager

    Hallie Smith, our Processing and Compliance Manager, brings over 20 years of industry experience. She manages the entire loan process, from collecting financial documents and submitting the application to underwriting, to clearing conditions and coordinating closing with escrow. Known for her impeccable customer service and constant communication, Hallie resides in San Diego with her family and pets, enjoying beach time and her children's sports activities.

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What Industry Professionals say about Neal Smith and NKS Financial

katie Butler
Katie Butler Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate, Masters Club Life Member

"Neal Smith and his team were able to fund the loan on time when many other lenders were falling behind. The best lenders know how to solve problems under any circumstance and not blame outside forces."

Rich Cazneaux
Rich Cazneaux Coldwell Banker, Top 1% Producer, Sacramento-Tahoe Region

"When working with lenders, I often look for consistency and clear communication. Neal Smith offers these qualities throughout a transaction. He sets the appropriate expectations right out of the gate and frequently picks up the phone to have conversations with agents and clients involved in a transaction. Furthermore, he is able to get the deal across the finish line without any issues and in a seamless manner."

Jamie Rich
Jamie Rich House Real Estate, Masters Club Life Member

“Neal is a class-act! He is organized, creative, helpful and a great communicator...all the pieces required for a seamless transaction. It’s nice to trust that Neal always has his client's best interests at heart. I look forward to working with him again!”

Claudia Fernandez-Niedzielski
Claudia Fernandez-Niedzielski RE/MAX Gold, Real Estate Consultant & Mentor / #1 Amazon International Best-Selling Author / Jack Canfield Success Principles Certified Trainer and Coach

“Neal Smith has extensive experience in lending, exhibits genuine interest in helping others and most importantly, truly and honestly cares about his clients. His experience and ability to find the best scenario for clients based on their overall financial situation makes him one of the best choices when selecting a lender.”

Neal K. Smith Financial

Your Lender for Life

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Why choose NKS Financial

All Loan Programs

NKS Financial offers a breadth of loan products to meet your specific needs. We exist to help clients achieve their financial goals.

Strategic Borrowing

Our team will help you to choose the right program for your loan. We’ll analyze your finances, assets, goals and plans for the future and with that information will craft the perfect loan for you.

Competitive Interest Rates

Interest rates can be a huge source of stress during the mortgage process. We remove the uncertainty and bring you competitive interest rates.