is Investopedia’s choice for the best mortgage lender because of its high customer satisfaction ratings, competitive range of mortgage options, an🍬d well-designed online application and approval process.
Each featured lender offers borrowers multiple loan options, co൲mpetitive interest rates, and solid customer service. We’ve identified lenders specializing in specific types of buyers (like vet🌺erans or first-time buyers), and we’ve included lenders that excel in certain parts of the process (such as rapid approval and fast closing).
We researched 38 leading lenders, including major banks, credit unions, and non-bank lenders. We evaluated them on several factors, including rates, eligibility requirements, customer service, typical loan closing times, and more. Because eve💃ry home purchase is unique, we focused our ratings on lenders that provide the best customer experience.
Best Mortgage Lenders
- Best Overall, Best for Customer Experience, Best for First-Time Homebuyers: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: Rocket Mortgage
- Also Good for Customer Experience: Chase
- Best for Fast Closing, Best for Range of Loan Types: Rate
- Also Good for a Range of Loan Types: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: U.S. Bank
- Best Big-Bank Mortgage Lender: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: Bank of America
- Best for Bad Credit: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: American Pacific Mortgage
- Best for Veterans: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: Veterans United Home Loans
- Best Credit Union Mortgage Lender: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网: PenFed Credit Union
Best Overall, Best for Customer Experience, Best for First-Time Homebuyers : Rocket Mortgage
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Rocket Mortgage
- Online Application: Yes
- Loan Types: Conventional, FHA, Jumbo, VA
- Days to Closing: 37.5 days, on average
Rocket Mortgage is a multiplꦅe winner in our roundup: Best Overall, Best for Customer ♛Service, and Best for First-Time Homebuyers. The lender earns high customer satisfaction ratings, offers a well-designed online application and approval process, and features a helpful collection of tools and resources to help borrowers feel confident about their loan and their lenders.
Highly rated for customer service
Digital application process
Does not offer USDA loans
Higher than average APRs
Rocket Mortgage placed 6th (out of 22) in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study, and second in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Mortgage Servicer Satisfaction Study. Our researchers gave Rocket Mortgage’s website top marks for online experience and educational resources ♔(5 out of 5 for both).
Every borrower’s situation is different, but you’ll generally need a credit score of 620 or higher to qualify for a conventional loan. Borrowers with lower credit scores may opt for an FHA loan, which features lower credit score requirements but higher down payments. As part of our research, we tracked lenders' advertised interest rates, and Rocket Mortgage’s rates were above average. However, its lender fees were slightly lower than average.
Rocket Mortgage offers an easy-to-use online application and approval process. However, it’s not entirely digital: 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:closing and document signatures still happen in person. To keep things moving, the le൩nder employs nearly 4,500 loan officers and has 250 branch locations in the 50 states.
Rocket Mortgage is the nation’s largest mortgage lender, depending on how you measure it and when you ask. The lender was founded in 1985 and is h꧙eadquartered in Detroit, Michigan.
Additional Details
Minimum Credit Score | 580 |
---|---|
Average Advertised APR | Higher than Average |
Loan Servicing | Yes |
Overall Customer Service Rating | 4.8 out of 5 |
Also Good for Customer Experience : Chase
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- Online Application: Yes
- Loan Types: Conventional, FHA, Jumbo, VA, DreaMaker
- Days to Closing: 21 days, on average
Chase scored well in both the customer experience and operational features parts of our mathematical model. That means youꦍ can expect Chase to be both helpful andও efficient.
Potential for lower rates for Chase customers
On-time closing guarantee
Low down payment loan options
No USDA loans
Some loan details like fees are not disclosed
Some of the process must be done in person
Chase ranks well in online mortgage review sites like Zillow, and Investopedia’s researchers gave the bank 4 out of 5 for its online experience and educational resources. In J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study, Chase placed eighth (out of 22). And in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Mortgage Servicer Study, it ranked third (out of 34). The bank offers conventional, jumbo, FHA, and VA loans. For 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:first-timers and l♛ower-income borrowers, it offers grants and a more accessible “DreaMaker” loan program.
Chase doesn’t share details on lender fees, but it does offer a frequently updated rates page, so you can shop around (you can also get pre-qualified to compare offers from other lenders). 𒅌We tracked lender rates during our research process and found Chase’s to be lower than average.
You can start your loan application online with Chase, but you’ll work with a lending advisor throughout most of the process. Since Chase has more than 20,000 lending advisors, so you shouldn’t worry about efficient service. Chase also operates nearly 5,000 branches nationwide. Compared to other lenders we researched, 🔯a mortgage with Chase closes relatively quickly: 21 days,꧂ on average.
JPMorgan Chase, Chase Bank’s parent, traces its history back to the nation’s ༒founding. It is headquar🎃tered in New York, New York.
Additional Details
Minimum Credit Score | 620 |
---|---|
Average Advertised APR | Lower than Average |
Loan Servicing | Yes |
Overall Customer Service Rating | 4.0 out of 5 |
Best for Fast Closing, Best for Range of Loan Types : Rate
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Rate
- Online Application: Yes
- Loan Types: Conventional, FHA, Jumbo, VA, Interest-Only, Specialty Loans (non-QM, Physician), Reverse Mortgage
- Days to Closing: 18
Rate 🌄offers nearly every type of mortgage, including non-QM and🧸 reverse mortgages (but not USDA loans), and its average closing time of 18 days is the fastest of any lender we researched.
Loan options for many types of buyers
Closing is faster than average
Online process from application to closing
Lower-than-average customer satisfaction ratings
Recent regulatory actions
Investopedia’s researchers gave Rate’s website a 4 out of 5 for navigation and usability and 5 out of 5 for its collection of educational resources and tools like affordability calculators and checklists. The lender also rates well on Zillow Loans. However, in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Mortgage Originator Study, the lender placed in the lower quarter of the 22 lenders surveyed.
Like most lenders, Rate requires a minimum credit score of 620 for a conventional loan (that’s why it’s called a conventional loan). It also originates FHA loans, which have lower minimum credit score requirements, and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:non-QM loans, which are 🦄even more flexible. If you need help with your down payment oᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚr closing costs, Rate offers several affordability programs. Lender fees are right about average. Advertised APRs are also right about average, too.
Rate offers an almost fully online digital loan application and closing process. Borrowers will only need to sign a few documents in person at a scheduled appointment. Rate says it can sometimes approve and fund a mortgage in a single day. This streamlined process means Rate can forgo hiring thousands of༺ loan advisors like many mortgage lenders do: according to our research, Rate employs just 2,000 of them. Rate is licensed in all 50 U.S. states.
Most home sales close in about 30 days. Learn about some 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:common obstacles homebuyers face ꧂and what you can do to prevent delays on your💫 next home closing.
Rඣate, founded in 2000, is head𝄹quartered in Chicago, Illinois.
Additional Details
Minimum Credit Score | 620 |
---|---|
Average Advertised APR | About Average |
Loan Servicing | Yes |
Overall Customer Experience Rating | 4.1 out of 5 |
Also Good for a Range of Loan Types : U.S. Bank
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U.S. Bank logo
- Online Application: Yes
- Loan Types: Conventional, FHA, Jumbo, VA, USDA, Investment Property, New Construction
- Days to Closing: Not disclosed
U.S.🧸 Bank offers practically every type of mortgage loan, even USDA loans. You can apply online or visit one of the bank’s many briꦇck-and-mortar branches.
Pre-qualify with a soft credit check
Offers loan types that aren’t availa꧒ble w💦ith other lenders
Discounts for U.S. Bank customers
No online chat support
💎Advertised rates are based on very high down payments
Down payment assistance program i🉐s limited to 31 states
U.S. Bank has earned high marks from Zillow loan reviewers and placed near the top in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Mortgage Servicers Study. However, it placed in the bottom half of J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Mortgage Originators Study. Our reviewers gave the lender’s website a 4 out of 5 and its educational resources a 3 out of 5. Our evaluati🥀on mode✨l gave the bank a 3.7 out of 5 for its overall customer experience. Still, U.S. Bank offers all the customer service tools a borrower needs, including a current rates page, a mobile app, and telephone and email support.
U.S. Bank’s advert﷽ised APRs a𒈔re about average. Lender fees are not disclosed. Minimum credit score requirements are also not disclosed, but borrowers should expect they align with the rest of the industry: 620 for conventional loans and 580 with an FHA loan.
U.S. Bank sets itself apart by offering a wide variety of mortgage types: fixed-rate conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, adjustable-rate, jumbo, investment pr🌳operty, and new construction loans. The bank also♕ offers loan programs for lower-income borrowers or for borrowers who buy in underserved regions. These programs feature low down payments, closing cost assistance, and flexible underwriting. Existing customers can get a credit for up to $1,000 to apply toward closing costs.
U.S. Bank is also ahead of its traditional bank peers when it comes to online application and approval process. Through it, you can manage docume💦nts and track your loan through underwriting. U.S. Bank also gives you the option of working directly with a loan advisor (it has more than 14,000 of them).
U.S. Bank, the fifth largest bank in the nation, was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Additional Details
Minimum Credit Score | Not Disclosed |
---|---|
Average Advertised APR | About Average |
Loan Servicing | Yes |
Overall Customer Service Rating | 3.7 out of 5 |
Best Big-Bank Mortgage Lender : Bank of America
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- Online Application: Yes
- Loan Types: Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, Doctor
- Days to Closing: 30
Bank of America was the highest-rated traditional bank inไ our scoring methodology. It offers the most common mortgage types, lots of educational resources and tools, multiple ways to reach customer service, borrower benefits and grants, and more.
Relationship discounts
Low down payment mortgage available
Borrowers can pre-qualify and apply online
Limited information about fees
Does not offer USDA loans
Consumer Financial Protec🗹tion Bureau lawsuit in 2023
Bank of America scored well in our rating model for customer experience. It offers its borrowers helpful educational resources, a navigable and easy-to-use online experience, several ways to contact customer service, and the option of a digital application experience supported by a loan officer. In J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Mortgage Originators Study, the bank placed third (out of 22); in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Mortgage Servicers Study, it placed sixth (out of 34). Zillow Loans reviewers also rate it highly.
Bank of America doesn’t disclose lender fees. According to our analysis of advertised rates, its APRs are higher than average. Existing Bank of America customers can get lender fee reductions or rate discounts. Applican༺ts will need credit scores of at least 660 to qualify for a conventional loan and have cash reserves of at least two🌳-and-a-half months. Pre-qualification is available to help you see if you’re eligible and to compare offers.
Bank of America offers a digital application and approval process. It also employs more than 20,000 loan officers and has 3,700 branches, so you can seek out the kind of help with your mortgage that suits you. The bank doesn’t offer as many loan types as competitors, but you’ll still find conventional, VA, and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:FHA loans and a “Doctor” loan meant for medical professionals. It also offers a 3% down payment mortgage option and a couple of home grant programs with lender credits of $7,500 or $10,000ဣ.
Bank of America was founded in 1904 in San Francisco (as the Bank of Italy) by an Italian-American entrepreneur. In 1930, it became Bank of America. Today, it is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the nation’s second-largest bank.
Additional Details
Minimum Credit Score | 660 |
---|---|
Average Advertised APR | Higher than Average |
Loan Servicing | Yes |
Overall Customer Service Rating | 4.0 out of 5 |
Best for Bad Credit : American Pacific Mortgage
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- Online Application: Yes
- Loan Types: Conventional, FHA, Jumbo, VA, USDA, Specialty, New Construction
- Days to Closing: 21, on average
Most lenders🎃 featured here can accommodate borrowers with weaker credit, usually with an FHA loan. American Pacific Mortgage offers those and other loan products for borrowers with credit scores as low as 560.𒉰
Loan programs for all levels of credit score
Mobile app and online chat available
No pre-qualification or customized rates without providing contac♏t info
Rate and fee information is not disclosed
Not available in New York
Our researchers gave American Pacific Mortgage’s online experience a 3 ou💖t of 5 and its educational resources a 5 out of 5. For borrowers unsure about the home-buying process, APM provides a wealth of resources, including calculators, checklists, blog posts, and ebooks. The lender also scores well with reviewers on Zillow loans. In our scoring model, APM earned a 4 out of 5 for customer experience.
Despite its strengths, the lender has a couple of glaring customer-support misses. It does not provide loan pre-qualification, which can be a valuable shopping tool, nor does it provide ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚa “rates page” where potential borrowers can get a sense of loan costs. Origination fees are not disclosed either.
American Pacific Mortgage shines with its wide range of loan options, from conventional loans to “Specialty” loans for borrowers with unconventional financial pictures—income from self-employment or 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:lower credit scores. APM also offers a 1% down paymen🐻t program, which includes a grant of up to $4,500 to help with affordability.
American Pacific Mortgage, founded in 1996, is licensed to operate in 49 states🐲 (all but New York).
Additional Details
Minimum Credit Score | 560 |
---|---|
Average Advertised APR | Not disclosed |
Loan Servicing | Yes |
Overall Customer Service Rating | 4.0 out of 5 |
Best for Veterans : Veterans United Home Loans
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Courtesy of Veterans United Home Loans
- Online Application: Yes
- Loan Types: Conventional, FHA, Jumbo, VA, USDA
- Days to Closing: 32
Veterans United Home Loans is the largest VA loan originator in the nation. Among lenders that offer support and proꦉgrams specifically for Veterans, it scored the highest in our evaluation model.
VA Loan specialist
Free credit counseling
Lower-than-average APRs
Few details about other mortgage options
Limited online functionality
Veterans United earned a stellar score of 793 (out of 1,000) in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Mortgage Originators Study, and Zillow reviewers give it high marks, too. Investopedia researchers rated its online experience a 3 out of 5 and its educational reso🌠urces a 4 out of 5.🧸 Informed borrowers make more confident choices, and our ranking model rewards lenders that provide accurate information and advice.
Veteꦬrans United’s advertised APRs are lower than average. Its lender fee, $3,500, is on the high end. The minimum required credit score is 620.
This lender specializes in VA loans and offers conventional, FHA, and USDA loans. The lender's website provides few details on those options. However, it does offer helpful educational resources and calculat💜ors to help borrowers understand the home-buying process in general and VA loans in particular, which have some quirks. Borrowers can apply and track their loans online (or through a smartphone app) and will work with a loan 𓂃officer.
Vetera♛ns United Home Loans was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Columbia, Missouri.
Additional Details
Minimum Credit Score | 620 |
---|---|
Average Advertised APR | Lower than Average |
Loan Servicing | Yes |
Overall Customer Service Rating | 3.4 out of 5 |
Best Credit Union Mortgage Lender : PenFed Credit Union
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PenFed Credit Union personal loans
- Online Application: Yes
- Loan Types: Conventional, FHA, Jumbo, VA
- Days to Closing: Not disclosed
Because of their focus on membership, credit unions can often offer lower mortgage costs and better customer service. PenFed was the𝓰 highest-performing credit union in our scoring model, and it might be the easiest to join.
Competitive interest rates
Credit union membership is open to anyone
“Power Buyer” pre-approval option h🎃elps buyers compete
Pre-qualification rates require email
USDA loans are not offered
Higher credit score requirement
Investopedia’s researchers were impressed with the scope of the educational resources PenFed offers on its website. In our scoring model, lenders are rewarded for providing potential applicants with tools and resources to help them understand home-buying and borrowing. The credit union also enjoys strong reviews from Zillಞow Loans and Trustpilot. PenFed’s engaging online experience shows its focus on customer support. Borrowers have plenty of ways to get in touch if they need more help: telephone, chat, email, and mobile app.
PenFed’s advertised APRs are lower than average. For conventional loanꦚs, origination and lender fees are capped at $1,995. Borrowers must have a credit score of 650 or higher to qualify. For FHA loans, PenFed requires a credit score of 620; many lenders will offer FHA loans to borr💝owers with credit scores as low as 580.
PenFed offers an online application and tracking tool, and you’ll work with a loan advisor. Although you must join the credit union to get a mortgage, membership is open to everyone. If you work with a PenFed Realty agent, you can save up to $2,300 on closing costs. PenFed offers low down payment and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:adjustable rate opti♔ons 𒊎for first-timers and others looking for an affordable home purchase.
Pentagon Federal Credit Union (“PenFed”) is the nation's second-largest credit union, established in 1935. Its headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.
Additional Details
Minimum Credit Score | 650 |
---|---|
Average Advertised APR | Lower than Average |
Loan Servicing | Yes |
Overall Customer Service Rating | 4.4 out of 5 |
Compare the Best Mortgage Lenders
Lender | Overall | Loan Types Offered | Operational Features | Customer Experience | Costs & Requirements | Reputation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket Mortgage | 4.8 | 3.1 | 3.0 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 4.8 |
Rate | 4.6 | 4.8 | 2.9 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 3.3 |
Bank of America Mortgage | 4.5 | 3.1 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 3.1 | 3.5 |
Chase Mortgage | 4.3 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.6 |
Veterans United | 4.3 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 4.5 |
American Pacific Mortgage | 4.2 | 4.8 | 2.8 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 3.0 |
PenFed Credit Union Mortgage | 4.1 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 4.4 | 3.3 | 3.5 |
US Bank Mortgage | 3.8 | 4.8 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 1.6 | 3.5 |
Investopedia star ratings are on a scale of 1-5 and calculated from hundreds of data points in each ratings category. Weightings vary across catego♛ries, which influences the overall star rating.
Why Trust Us
Investopedia collected and analyzed over 2,000 key data points from 38 leading mortgage lenders to evaluate the most importওant factors for readers looking for a mortgage loan. We used this data to review each company based on customer experience, reputation, cost, and other factors. Investopedia developed this process to provide an unbiased, comprehensive review to 🅷ensure our readers make the right decision for their needs. Investopedia launched in 1999 and has been helping readers find the best mortgages since 2020.
How We Choose the Best Mortgage Lenders
To begin our research, we conducted a consumer survey of 500 current or prospective homebuyers and mortgage borrowers. We aꦑsked them 41 questions about their home-buying and mortgage-shopping experience and learned what features and services were most important to t❀hem. Our analysis of survey results guided us in our selection of 38 mortgage lenders to research and 55 criteria to include in our rubric.
We then collected over 2,000 data points, surveying mortgage lenders and gathering data via websites, media contacts, and customer service contacts. To develop our list of the best mortgage lenders, we weighted 36 of the 55 individual criteria, giving higher weight to those criteria that mean the most to borrowers. The score for each company’s overall star rating is a weigh🐠ted average of those criteria in the following categories:
- Customer Experience: 48%
- Operational Features: 16%
- Reputation: 14%
- Loan Types: 11%
- Loan Costs and Requirements: 11%
To maintain the integrity of the data following collect🐎ion and analysis, Investopedia’s compliance team monitors changes to key details, like interest rates and fees. Compliance team members then update our pages to ensure they are accurate as of the date onꦿ the byline.
Read more about our process in our full 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:mortgage lender methodology.
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Investopedia / Tara Anand
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