Stuart Clamp, First Horizon — Best Physician Mortgage
Dr. Home Finance
TLDR
Choosing the right lending partner matters more than just comparing rates—physicians need expertise, strategy, and guidance tailored to complex income structures and career transitions.
Physician mortgage loans offer flexibility like low or no down payment, portfolio-based structuring, and options designed around physician income, contracts, and long-term financial planning.
Experienced physician mortgage lenders anticipate underwriting challenges early, review contracts thoroughly, and provide clarity before issues arise—helping ensure a smoother, more predictable process.
A strategic approach—focused on liquidity, long-term alignment, and tailored loan structure—helps physicians make smarter decisions beyond just rate comparisons.
Connect with a physician mortgage specialist at First Horizon Bank to get started
Stuart Clamp (NMLS 437068) learned what medical training demands the hard way — his wife went through medical school and residency while he built his career in mortgage lending. "I started physician lending because I understood what they were going through." More than 28 years in, with over 20 focused on medical professionals, Stuart works with doctors through First Horizon Bank.
Who Stuart Clamp works with
Stuart serves physician borrowers in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee — residents, fellows, and attendings across a broad range of designations (MD, DO, DDS, DMD, DPM, DVM).
The employment contract could be the problem
One of Stuart's most useful observations: a signed contract doesn't automatically mean the income can be used to qualify. A contract with a guaranteed salary — or an hourly rate with a minimum number of hours — gives a lender a number to work with. A pure RVU contract with no guaranteed minimum can leave underwriting without a figure it can use. "A physician's earning potential and the income a mortgage lender can use aren't always the same number." That's why he wants to review the contract during the job-offer process, not after it's signed.
When other lenders had already said no
Stuart recalls a physician declined by several lenders over student loans and credit. Evaluating her under First Horizon's physician program — which calculated her student-loan obligation differently — he was able to offer 100% financing when others couldn't, and she qualified for a higher purchase amount than she expected. Her finances hadn't changed; how they were evaluated did.
The First Horizon Bank physician program
At First Horizon, physician mortgages are portfolio loans — which allows relationship-driven pricing and tailored structuring:
Low- and no-down-payment options without PMI for qualified physicians
Flexible treatment of student loans and future/contract income
Portfolio flexibility for high-net-worth attendings, surgeons, and practice owners
Strategy beyond "zero down" — liquidity, opportunity cost, and ARM vs. fixed
Why work with a specialist
"When picking a loan officer, it's not always about the best rate. It's about finding someone you connect with." Stuart's approach is methodical — review the contract early, address underwriting questions upfront, and keep the process calm during a demanding relocation. For the fundamentals, see our guide to how physician mortgages work.
Get connected with Stuart Clamp
Financing a home in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee? Get matched and Dr. Home Finance will connect you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states does Stuart Clamp serve?
Stuart Clamp serves physician borrowers in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Does a signed contract guarantee my income will qualify?
Not always. Stuart notes that a contract with a guaranteed salary or an hourly rate plus minimum hours gives underwriting a figure to use, while a pure RVU contract with no guaranteed minimum is harder to qualify. He recommends reviewing the contract during the job-offer process, before it's final.
What does First Horizon's physician program offer?
First Horizon's physician mortgages are portfolio loans, which allows relationship-driven pricing and flexible, tailored structuring — including low- and no-down-payment options without PMI for qualified physicians. Specific terms vary by borrower and are confirmed with the lender.
Dr. Home Finance is an educational and lender-matching resource and is not a mortgage lender. Loan programs, rates, and terms vary by borrower, bank, and state and are subject to change. Nothing here is an offer to lend.
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