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Best FHA Lenders of December 2025
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Best FHA Lenders of December 2025

Abby Badach Doyle
Johanna Arnone
Abby Badach Doyle
+1
Written by 

Abby Badach Doyle

Edited by 

Johanna Arnone

Written by 

Abby Badach Doyle

 and 
Last updated 10/30/2025
FHA loans are backed by the government through the Federal Housing Administration, and can offer more flexibility to qualify with a lower credit score and down payment.
 

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Best for digital experience

Rocket Mortgage, LLC

NMLS#3030

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

Our take on Rocket Mortgage, LLC

The Nerdy headline

Rocket Mortgage was the largest lender, by volume, of FHA loans in 2024. Affordable borrowing options include a 1% down payment loan.

What we like
  • Major FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance.
  • Borrowers can apply via mobile app.
What we don't like
  • Average FHA origination fees are on the high side.
  • No physical branches.
Read our full review of Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Best for low average mortgage rates

NBKC

NMLS#409631

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

4%

Our take on NBKC

The Nerdy headline

NBKC stands out for its attractive FHA interest rates and fees, and is primarily an online lender — though its app does not have mortgage features.

What we like
  • Big FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Low average FHA origination fees compared to other lenders.
  • Big FHA lender, by loan volume.
What we don't like
  • FHA loans represent a small share of total home lending for NBKC.
  • Customer service is only accessible over the phone for many mortgage customers.
Read our full review of NBKC

Best for fixer-uppers

New American Funding

NMLS#6606

NerdWallet rating

4.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on New American Funding

The Nerdy headline

New American Funding is a major FHA lender, with a focus on this loan type, but its average FHA rates and fees are less competitive than some lenders.

What we like
  • FHA loans make up a large share of New American's total home loans.
  • Major FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers a strong variety of FHA loan types for purchase and refinance.
What we don't like
  • FHA mortgage rates are on the high side.
  • Average FHA origination fees are on the high side.
  • Personalized mortgage rates are not available on the website without providing contact information.
Read our full review of New American Funding

Best for fast preapproval

Rate

NMLS#2611

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

Our take on Rate

The Nerdy headline

Rate is a major FHA lender with options for a variety of FHA loan borrowers and a streamlined application process, but average FHA fees are on the high side.

What we like
  • Major FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers a strong variety of FHA loan types for purchase and refinance.
What we don't like
  • Average FHA origination fees are on the high side.
  • FHA loans represent a somewhat small share of total home lending for Rate.
Read our full review of Rate

Best for credit union experience

FourLeaf Federal Credit Union

NMLS#449104

NerdWallet rating

4.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

Our take on FourLeaf Federal Credit Union

The Nerdy headline

FourLeaf Credit Union, formerly known as Bethpage, is easy to join. Its average FHA origination fees are low, but FHA rates may be on the high side.

What we like
  • Low average FHA origination fees compared to other lenders.
  • Well rated mobile app.
  • Offers conventional loans for manufactured homes.
What we don't like
  • FHA mortgage rates are on the high side.
  • Online rate quote is light on detail and doesn’t let you customize.
Read our full review of FourLeaf Federal Credit Union

Best for low average mortgage rates

First Federal Bank

NMLS#408902

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on First Federal Bank

The Nerdy headline

First Federal Bank is a big FHA lender by loan volume. It stands out for low average FHA rates and its emphasis on government loans.

What we like
  • Big FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers low FHA mortgage rates compared with other lenders.
  • Strong experience in FHA and VA lending.
What we don't like
  • No mobile app.
  • Does not offer renovation loans, but does offer construction loans.
Read our full review of First Federal Bank

Best for manufactured home loans

AmeriSave

NMLS#1168

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

500

Min. down payment

3.5%

Our take on AmeriSave

The Nerdy headline

Amerisave is a big FHA lender by loan volume, and average FHA rates are on the low side but average FHA origination fees are high.

What we like
  • FHA loans make up a large share of Amerisave's total home loans.
  • Offers low FHA mortgage rates compared with other lenders.
  • Accepts borrowers with credit scores as low as 500 for certain loan types.
What we don't like
  • Average FHA origination fees are on the high side.
  • No mobile app.
  • Getting custom rates and applying for mortgage preapproval both require contacting a loan expert.
Read our full review of AmeriSave

Best for credit challenged borrowers

Flagstar

NMLS#417490

NerdWallet rating

5.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

Our take on Flagstar

The Nerdy headline

Flagstar is a big FHA lender by loan volume, with low average FHA rates. But take note that Flagstar has reduced its mortgage business as part of corporate restructuring.

What we like
  • Big FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers low FHA mortgage rates compared with other lenders.
  • Offers down payment assistance programs to borrowers in qualifying areas.
What we don't like
  • Branches are only available in nine states.
  • Sold its mortgage servicing business last year, meaning you’re likely to make payments with a different company.
Read our full review of Flagstar

Best for traditional lending experience

PNC Bank

NMLS#446303

NerdWallet rating

4.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

600

Min. down payment

3.5%

Our take on PNC Bank

The Nerdy headline

PNC Bank has a wide selection of loans (even for lower credit scores) and could be a good pick for first-time home buyers seeking a streamlined digital experience. FHA rates may be on higher than some lenders.

What we like
  • Online rate quotes are informative and easy to customize.
  • Offers down payment grants and no-PMI loans for low-income borrowers.
What we don't like
  • FHA loans represent a small share of total home lending for PNC Bank.
  • FHA mortgage rates are on the high side.
Read our full review of PNC Bank

Best for FHA loans overall

Pennymac

NMLS#35953

NerdWallet rating

5.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

Our take on Pennymac

The Nerdy headline

Pennymac, known for government loans, has low average FHA rates. Best for FHA borrowers looking for low rates and an efficient digital experience.

What we like
  • FHA loans make up a large share of Pennymac's total home loans.
  • Major FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers low FHA mortgage rates compared with other lenders.
What we don't like
  • Details about some FHA loan types are not listed online.
  • No construction or renovation loans.
Read our full review of Pennymac

Best for self-employed borrowers

Network Capital

NMLS#11712

NerdWallet rating

4.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

540

Min. down payment

3.5%

Our take on Network Capital

The Nerdy headline

Network Capital offers low average FHA rates. The lender stands out for its focus on refinancing, especially cash-out transactions — only 6% of Network Capital customers got a purchase mortgage last year.

What we like
  • Offers low FHA mortgage rates compared with other lenders.
  • Has an uncommon specialty: cash-out refinance.
What we don't like
  • Average FHA origination fees are on the high side.
  • Home buyers should know the lender doesn’t specialize in purchase loans.
  • Borrowers must be contacted for a quote before completing an online application.
Read our full review of Network Capital

Best for refinance loans

Wells Fargo

NMLS#399801

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3.5%

Our take on Wells Fargo

The Nerdy headline

Wells Fargo has significantly shrunk its mortgage business in the past two years, but it was still a major FHA loan originator last year. Average FHA rates are on the low side.

What we like
  • Big FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers low FHA mortgage rates compared with other lenders.
What we don't like
  • FHA loans represent a small share of total home lending for Wells Fargo.
  • Prospective borrowers may be put off by the lender’s past legal issues.
Read our full review of Wells Fargo
The star ratings on this page reflect each lender's performance in NerdWallet’s FHA loans category. We scored the category and chose lenders for this page using the following methodology:
NerdWallet reviewed more than 40 mortgage lenders, including the majority of the largest U.S. mortgage lenders by annual loan volume (measured among lenders with at least a 1% market share), lenders with significant online search volume and those that specialize in serving various audiences across the country. We rated them on criteria including rate transparency, loan types offered, ease of application and more.
Some of the providers are NerdWallet partners, but this did not influence our selections.
All reviewed mortgage lenders that offer FHA loans were evaluated based on (1) the portion of their business dedicated to FHA lending, (2) their average FHA loan origination fees and mortgage rates, (3) the range of FHA loans offered, (4) their rate transparency and (5) the ease of their online application. The highest scoring lenders appear on this page.
NerdWallet solicits information from reviewed lenders on a recurring basis throughout the year. All lender-provided information is verified through lender websites and interviews. We also utilized 2023 HMDA data for origination volume, origination fee, average interest rate and share-of-product data.

FHA loan preapproval: What you need

To get preapproved for an FHA loan, you need to meet the lender’s requirements. If you qualify, many lenders — including those on our list — make it easy to get preapproved online. Just like any mortgage preapproval, you’ll need to provide details about your employment and finances.
Some lenders may offer a bit more flexibility. But in general, you'll need to meet these requirements to qualify for an FHA loan:
  • A credit score between 500 and 579 with a 10% down payment.
  • A credit score of at least 580 for the lowest FHA down payment of 3.5%.
  • A debt-to-income ratio of 50% or lower.
Having easier requirements means that FHA loans come with some additional costs. You’ll need to pay FHA closing costs, which include an upfront payment of 2%-6% of the loan amount. FHA mortgage insurance is also required, with both an upfront fee and monthly payments. If your down payment is less than 10%, you'll have to pay FHA mortgage insurance for the life of the loan.
🤓

Nerdy Tip

You might need a higher credit score than the minimum requirements to get an FHA loan. That’s because FHA-approved lenders set their own standards, which can be stricter. If you have credit challenges, take a look at our list of the best home loans for bad credit to explore more options.

Where to get an FHA loan

To find the lowest interest rate and save money on your loan, try to get preapproved by at least three lenders. You can start with the lenders we list here. If you're looking for an FHA lender near you, check out the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's searchable list of approved FHA lenders.
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Are FHA loans only for first-time home buyers?

You do not need to be a first-time home buyer to use an FHA loan. Lower minimum credit score and down payment requirements make FHA loans attractive to first-time home buyers, but current homeowners are eligible, too.

Can you get an FHA loan if you have student loans?

You can get an FHA loan if you have student loan debt, as long as you meet FHA debt-to-income requirements. If your payments are currently deferred or in forbearance, your lender will consider your "monthly obligation" to be 0.5% of your total student loan balance.
More from NerdWallet

Frequently asked questions

  • Where do I get an FHA loan?

    To apply, you'll work with a Federal Housing Administration-approved lender. Many banks, credit unions and mortgage lenders offer FHA loans.
  • How do I get preapproved for an FHA loan?

    FHA loan preapproval is similar to other mortgage types, though you have to work with an FHA-approved lender. To get preapproved, you'll need to provide financial information like your employment history, bank statements and any current loan payments. Applying for mortgage preapproval with multiple lenders lets you compare interest rates, fees and loan terms to find the best deal.
  • How do I choose an FHA lender?

    FHA mortgage rates and fees vary by lender, so it's a good idea to compare at least three FHA lenders to find the best deal. While the FHA sets minimum qualifications, lenders can require higher credit scores or lower debt-to-income ratios. Using an FHA mortgage calculator can help you estimate your monthly payments.