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11 Best FHA Lenders of May 2026
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11 Best FHA Lenders of May 2026

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

Abby Badach Doyle

,  Edited by 

Johanna Arnone

Written by 

Abby Badach Doyle

 and 
1 other
Last updated 04/30/2026
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 a 3.5% minimum down payment. Here are our picks for the best FHA home lenders.
 

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How to qualify for an FHA loan

To qualify for an FHA loan, you’ll need to meet your lender’s basic requirements and provide details about your finances, such as your income, employment and debts. If you qualify, many lenders — including those on our list — make it easy to get mortgage preapproval online.
In general, you’ll need:
  • A credit score 580 or higher to qualify for the minimum 3.5% down payment. If you have a score of 500 to 579, you’ll need a down payment of at least 10%.
  • A debt-to-income ratio of about 50% or less.
FHA loans have more flexible credit requirements than many other mortgages, but they also come with extra costs. Borrowers typically pay FHA closing costs of about 2% to 6% of the loan amount, plus FHA mortgage insurance, which includes an upfront fee and monthly payments. If your down payment is less than 10%, that insurance usually lasts for the life of the loan.Your mortgage will also have to conform to FHA loan limits. The maximum amount that you can borrow varies depending on where you live; you can look up the limit in your county on the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website.
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Best for FHA specialization

Pennymac

NMLS#35953

NerdWallet rating

5.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

GET MY RATE

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
  • You can't shop rates without giving the lender your contact information first.
  • No construction or renovation loans.
Read our full review of Pennymac

Best for low-income borrowers

Wells Fargo

NMLS#399801

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3.5%

GET MY RATE

Our take on Wells Fargo

The Nerdy headline

Wells Fargo offers a variety of FHA loans and a robust mobile app, though the lender doesn't provide sample rates for FHA loans online.

What we like
  • Offers both FHA purchase, streamline refinancing and cash-out refinancing options.
  • Offers closing cost assistance, as well as home buyer grants.
  • The lender's mobile app incudes mortgage banking features, such as application and prequalification.
What we don't like
  • FHA loan rates aren't shoppable online.
  • Prospective borrowers may be put off by the lender’s past legal issues.
Read our full review of Wells Fargo

Best for low rates and fees

SoFi

NMLS#696891

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

GET MY RATE

Our take on SoFi

The Nerdy headline

SoFi offers competitive FHA rates and fees along with a strong customer experience, including a variety of contact options and ways to apply.

What we like
  • Offers competitive FHA rates and fees.
  • FHA loans are accessible to a range of financial profiles.
  • Offers a variety of options for reaching customer support, including a live chat feature on the lender's site.
What we don't like
  • FHA loans represent a somewhat small share of total home lending for SoFi.
  • You'll need to provide contact details in order to get customized rates.
Read our full review of SoFi

Best for variety of FHA loan types

Real Genius

NMLS#2389303

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

N/A

GET MY RATE

Our take on Real Genius

The Nerdy headline

Real Genius is a smart pick for a do-it-yourself online quote, with a wide variety of FHA loan products on offer. We’re impressed with its detailed, “no fine print” approach and options to sort and customize APR and fees.

What we like
  • Easy and transparent online rate quote tool.
  • Offers a strong variety of FHA loan types for purchase and refinance.
  • Closes loans in an average of 30 days (faster than industry average).
What we don't like
  • Federal data isn’t available for us to objectively compare this lender with others.
  • Not currently lending in U.S. territories.
Read our full review of Real Genius

Best for variety of FHA loan types

loanDepot

NMLS#174457

NerdWallet rating

5.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

520

Min. down payment

3.5%

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Our take on loanDepot

The Nerdy headline

LoanDepot, one of the country’s largest mortgage lenders, offers a wide range of FHA mortgages, including the harder-to-find FHA 203(k) renovation loan.

What we like
  • FHA loans make up a large share of LoanDepot'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
  • No mortgage rates posted online.
  • Recent headlines have damaged consumer trust.
Read our full review of loanDepot

Best for low rates and fees

U.S. Bank

NMLS#402761

NerdWallet rating

5.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

3.5%

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Our take on U.S. Bank

The Nerdy headline

US Bank offers a competitively low combination of FHA rates and fees, though FHA loans make up a relatively small share of the lender's business.

What we like
  • Offers competitive FHA rates and fees.
  • Detailed FHA sample rates are customizable by state online.
What we don't like
  • FHA loans represent a small share of total home lending for U.S. Bank.
  • Does not offer FHA renovation loans.
Read our full review of U.S. Bank

Best for FHA specialization

Rocket Mortgage, LLC

NMLS#3030

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

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Our take on Rocket Mortgage, LLC

The Nerdy headline

Rocket Mortgage was the largest lender, by volume, for FHA loans in 2025. Rocket makes FHA loans accessible to a range of financial profiles, though the lender's combination of rates and fees leaves us unimpressed.

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
  • Does not offer the best combination of rates and fees.
  • No physical branches.
Read our full review of Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Best for FHA loan accessibility

AmeriSave

NMLS#1168

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

500

Min. down payment

3.5%

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Our take on AmeriSave

The Nerdy headline

Amerisave stands out for making FHA loans available to a range of financial profiles across the country, though FHA rate info isn't available.

What we like
  • Large FHA lender by loan volume.
  • FHA loans are available to a range of financial profiles across the country.
What we don't like
  • No information online about FHA rates.
  • No FHA renovation loans.
Read our full review of AmeriSave

Best for variety of FHA loan types

First Federal Bank

NMLS#408902

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

GET MY RATE

Our take on First Federal Bank

The Nerdy headline

First Federal offers a range of FHA loans, including harder-to-find options. However, the lender doesn't post sample rates online.

What we like
  • Offers a variety of FHA loans, including renovation loans and energy-efficient mortgages.
  • Reported average time to close is faster than many competitors.
What we don't like
  • Does not post rates online.
  • First Federal is primarily focused on VA loans.
Read our full review of First Federal Bank

Best for FHA specialization

Guild Mortgage

NMLS#3274

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

540

Min. down payment

3.5%

GET MY RATE

Our take on Guild Mortgage

The Nerdy headline

Guild is a major FHA lender by loan volume, with options for a variety of FHA loan borrowers, but loans aren't available in every state.

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
  • Mortgage rates aren’t posted online.
  • Licensed in most states, but not all.
Read our full review of Guild Mortgage
PenFed

NMLS#401822

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

N/A

GET MY RATE

Our take on PenFed

The Nerdy headline

PenFed Credit Union is a major FHA lender, with low average FHA rates. Getting a custom rate requires sharing contact information, and membership is mandatory — though anyone can join.

What we like
  • Big FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers low FHA mortgage rates compared with other lenders.
  • Offers fully-underwritten preapproval with the option of a 60-day rate lock.
What we don't like
  • FHA loans represent a small share of total home lending for PenFed.
  • Getting customized mortgage rates requires providing contact information.
Read our full review of PenFed

How we chose the best FHA loan lenders

Our team of mortgage experts follows an objective, consumer-first methodology to assess FHA lenders and pick the best.

40

Lenders reviewed

We review 40 lenders, including major banks, credit unions, and online lenders operating across multiple states.

12

Categories assessed

Each lender is evaluated across 12 weighted categories covering FHA share of business, overall share of the FHA loan market, rates and fees, product accessibility, types of FHA loans offered, rate transparency and customer experience.

11,000+

Data points analyzed

Our team tracks and reassesses thousands of data points annually for reviewed lenders, ensuring up-to-date, accurate comparisons across multiple loan types.

Star rating categories

We evaluate the following categories and carefully weigh how each factor impacts your experience.
For inclusion on this roundup, lenders must achieve a high rating for FHA loans.
NerdWallet rates FHA loan lenders based on what matters most to eligible borrowers: FHA loan rates and fees, the variety of FHA loan options, how much of a lender’s business is dedicated to FHA loans, the lender’s FHA loan market share, product accessibility, customer experience and rate transparency.
We review more than 40 lenders and score FHA loan lenders using a weighted system that prioritizes affordability and experience with FHA products. Lenders earn higher scores for offering lower borrowing costs, a wider range of loan options, strong participation in the FHA lending market, broad availability and clear, accessible rate information, along with a smooth borrowing experience from application through closing.
We use a mix of lender-provided information, publicly available data and our own analysis to evaluate each lender. Recent regulatory actions may affect a lender’s score.
🤓

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.
» MORE: FHA loan requirements

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 FHA-qualified 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.
» MORE: How to choose a mortgage lender
Video thumbnail

Should I get an FHA loan as a first-time home buyer?

Any qualified buyer can get an FHA loan, not just first-time home buyers. But if this is your first go at homebuying, lower minimum credit score and down payment requirements make FHA loans a good fit — especially if you have shaky credit or a tight budget.
» MORE: How to qualify for first-time home buyer benefits

Pros and cons of FHA loans

Like any loan type, FHA loans come with benefits and drawbacks.
Pros
  • Flexible credit score and debt requirements.
  • Low down payment requirements.
Cons
  • You might have to pay for private mortgage insurance for many years, up to the entire life of the loan.
  • There are limits on the amount you can borrow, which vary depending on where you live.
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.