11 Best USDA Mortgage Lenders of June 2026
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11 Best USDA Mortgage Lenders of June 2026

Taylor Getler
Abby Badach Doyle
+1
Taylor Getler
+2
Written by 

Taylor Getler

Co-Written by 

Abby Badach Doyle

Edited by 

Dawnielle Robinson-Walker

Written by 

Taylor Getler

 and 
Last updated 06/01/2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers zero-down-payment USDA loans to borrowers buying properties in eligible areas who meet certain income requirements. This is our list of the top-rated mortgage lenders that offer USDA loans.
 

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What's a USDA loan?

If you’re buying a home in a rural area (or even a suburb), a USDA loan may be an option.
In addition to having no down payment requirements, USDA loans also typically have lower interest rates than conventional loans — making them an attractive option, particularly for first-time homebuyers.
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Best for military borrowers

Veterans United

NMLS#1907

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on Veterans United

The Nerdy headline

Veterans United originates more VA mortgages than any other lender. With average APRs being lower than competitors, it’s a solid pick for veterans and military borrowers.

What we like
  • Offers a range of VA mortgages, including refinance, energy-efficient and jumbo.
  • Website has helpful information comparing USDA and VA loans.
  • Average time to close is 35 days, faster than the national average.
What we don't like
  • No renovation loans.
  • No live chat feature on website.
Read our full review of Veterans United

Best for first-time home buyers

PNC Bank

NMLS#446303

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

640

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on PNC Bank

The Nerdy headline

PNC Bank offers a wide selection of loans and refinance options, with a streamlined digital experience and comprehensive rates tool.

What we like
  • Low-down-payment loan options include FHA, VA, USDA and PNC Community Loan.
  • Website has helpful information on USDA loans.
  • Customizable mortgage rates are posted online.
What we don't like
  • In-person service is not available in every state.
  • Mobile app has limited mortgage features.
Read our full review of PNC Bank

Best for Flagstar customers

Flagstar

NMLS#417490

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on Flagstar

The Nerdy headline

Flagstar Bank stands out for having a wide variety of home loan options, including harder-to-find products. But take note that Flagstar has reduced its mortgage business as part of corporate restructuring. For now, Flagstar is most likely to appeal to existing customers.

What we like
  • Website helps you compare USDA loans alongside other government-backed options.
  • Offers down payment assistance programs to borrowers in qualifying areas.
  • Reported average time to close (25 days) is faster than industry standard.
What we don't like
  • You can't apply for preapproval or prequalification online.
  • Customer service options are limited.
Read our full review of Flagstar

Best for overall mortgage experience

Truist

NMLS#399803

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on Truist

The Nerdy headline

With a standout combo of low rates and fees, and a strong product lineup, Truist is worth a look for financing a home purchase. Preapproval and customer care happen mostly offline. Despite the human touch, however, customer satisfaction ratings are notably low. Most likely to appeal to borrowers looking for affordable home loans.

What we like
  • Offers a wide range of mortgage options focused on affordability.
  • Low mortgage rates and fees, compared with competitors.
  • Generous grants for qualifying home buyers in select locations.
What we don't like
  • Website has limited info about USDA loans.
  • Getting custom rates and applying for mortgage preapproval both require human contact.
  • For borrowers who prefer to apply in person, branches are limited mostly to the South and East.
Read our full review of Truist

Best for credit union experience

Andrews Federal Credit Union

NMLS#410421

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on Andrews Federal Credit Union

The Nerdy headline

Andrews Federal Credit Union is on the smaller side, but offers big value through low rates and good customer support. Its online rate quote tool is exceptionally informative. Renovation loans aren’t available.

What we like
  • Has a robust and user-friendly tool for customized mortgage rates.
  • Easy to qualify for credit union membership.
What we don't like
  • Website doesn’t have much detail on USDA loans.
  • Physical branches in the U.S. are limited to Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
  • Does not offer some less common mortgage types, like renovation or construction home loans.
Read our full review of Andrews Federal Credit Union

Best for borrowers with credit challenges

First Federal Bank

NMLS#408902

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

640

Min. down payment

N/A

Our take on First Federal Bank

The Nerdy headline

First Federal Bank stands out for its competitive APRs and its emphasis on government loans. Most likely to appeal to borrowers shopping for low rates and fees.

What we like
  • Average APRs are competitive, according to the latest federal data.
  • Strong experience in government-backed mortgages.
  • Website has helpful information on USDA loans.
What we don't like
  • Closing cost assistance is limited to borrowers in Florida.
  • Home equity lending is not a priority.
Read our full review of First Federal Bank

Best for fast closing potential

Northpointe

NMLS#447490

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on Northpointe

The Nerdy headline

In addition to conventional and government-backed loans, Northpointe Bank’s mortgage portfolio includes rarer offerings like doctor loans, condo loans and investment property loans. However, average fees and rates tend to be comparatively high.

What we like
  • Closes most loans within 24 business days, faster than the industry standard.
  • Easy to customize a mortgage rate quote online.
What we don't like
  • Website mentions USDA loans, but detail is sparse.
  • Average rates and fees are higher than competitors’, according to the latest data.
  • Bank’s mobile app isn’t useful for mortgage borrowers.
Read our full review of Northpointe

Best for rates shopping

U.S. Bank

NMLS#402761

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on U.S. Bank

The Nerdy headline

U.S. Bank offers a broad selection of mortgages, including niche options like loans for manufactured homes. Rates and fees tend to be higher than many of our surveyed lenders. The bank offers helpful tech for rate shopping and live chat, though its online application could be smoother. Low-income borrowers who qualify can get down payment and closing cost assistance.

What we like
  • Wide variety of mortgages, including some harder-to-find types.
  • Website has good detail about USDA loans.
  • Offers up to $17,500 in assistance (income/location requirements apply).
What we don't like
  • Rates shown online don’t reflect your credit score.
  • Contact form interrupts online application before you can complete it.
  • Few mortgage options for borrowers with low/bad credit.
Read our full review of U.S. Bank

Best for credit scores in the 500's

Carrington

NMLS#2600

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

550

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on Carrington

The Nerdy headline

Carrington Mortgage offers specialty loans for people who might have trouble getting a mortgage elsewhere, like self-employed borrowers or those with heavy debt. However, average rates and fees are higher than competitors.

What we like
  • Considers borrowers with bad credit, foreclosure or bankruptcy.
  • Options for self-employed borrowers and alternative income documentation.
  • Website has a good amount of detail on USDA loans.
What we don't like
  • Average APR, which measures a combination of rates and fees, is higher than competitors, according to the latest federal data.
  • Rates are posted online, but website navigation is clunky.
Read our full review of Carrington

Best for competitive APRs

Alliant

NMLS#197185

NerdWallet rating

5.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on Alliant

The Nerdy headline

Alliant Credit Union allows you to see a wide range of customized mortgage rates without sharing your contact information, and offers competitive loan products for first-time home buyers.

What we like
  • Offers a competitive combination of low rates and fees.
  • Mortgage borrowers do not need to become members of the credit union until reaching the closing process.
  • Sample rates are displayed upfront, and it's easy to get detailed, personalized rates without providing any personally identifying information.
What we don't like
  • Website doesn’t have much detail on USDA loans.
  • Mobile banking app doesn't offer mortgage features.
Read our full review of Alliant

Best for customer service

Network Capital

NMLS#11712

NerdWallet rating

4.5

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

640

Min. down payment

0%

Our take on Network Capital

The Nerdy headline

Network Capital stands out for its focus on borrowers with lower credit score, and offering competitive refinance products.

What we like
  • Reported average time to close is 20 days, far below the industry average.
  • Products like non-QM loans and ITIN loans make borrowing more accessible.
What we don't like
  • The lender’s website offers limited USDA loan details.
  • Home buyers should know the lender doesn’t specialize in purchase loans.
Read our full review of Network Capital

How we chose the best USDA mortgage lenders

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

40+

Lenders reviewed

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

10

Categories assessed

Each lender is evaluated across 10 weighted categories and selection requirements, covering rates and fees, types of home 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. Read more about how we determine those ratings.
The star ratings on this page reflect each lender's rating for home loans overall. We scored the category and chose lenders for this page using the following methodology:
NerdWallet reviewed 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.
For inclusion in this roundup, lenders must offer USDA loans and earn 4.5 stars or above for home loans overall, according to NerdWallet experts.
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 the most recent available HMDA data for origination volume, origination fee, average interest rate and share-of-product data.

What's the difference between a USDA guaranteed loan and a USDA direct loan?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers two main types of USDA mortgages — guaranteed loans and direct loans. The main difference is where you’ll get the loan from.
  • Guaranteed loans: You'll work with a USDA-approved lender (like the ones on this list) to get a USDA guaranteed loan. In addition to our top picks here, a list of all approved lenders organized by state is available on the USDA website.
  • Direct loans: USDA direct loans come straight from the USDA rather than a mortgage lender. These home loans are for borrowers who are otherwise unable to qualify for home loans and whose household incomes are below the low-income threshold in the areas where they're buying. To find out if you are eligible for a USDA direct loan, contact your state's USDA Rural Development Office.
Did you know...USDA mortgages are backed by the USDA, meaning if you were to default on the loan, the agency would repay your lender. This helps lenders make low- or no-down-payment loans to borrowers who may have lower credit scores or limited income.
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Basic requirements for USDA guaranteed loans

Both you and the property you want to buy must meet several qualifications to be eligible for a USDA guaranteed home loan.
  • Income: USDA mortgages are meant for low- and moderate-income borrowers, so your household income must be below 115% of the area's median household income. The income threshold is adjusted depending on how many people are in your household. Check the USDA's website to see if your income qualifies.
  • Location: Since the USDA's home loan programs are focused on revitalizing rural America, the property you're buying must be in a designated area. You can use the address lookup tool on the USDA's website to see whether the home you're interested in will qualify.
» MORE: Learn more about USDA loan requirements
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Frequently asked questions

  • Can any lender do a USDA loan?

    Not all lenders offer USDA financing. The USDA maintains a list of approved lenders, which includes online lenders and banks with branches nationwide, as well as small-town banks and credit unions. Apply for preapproval with more than one lender to get the best USDA loan rate.
  • Who qualifies for a USDA loan?

    To qualify for a USDA-guaranteed loan, the property must be located in an eligible area. USDA loans also have maximum income limits based on where you live and how many people are in your household. If your income is too low for a USDA guaranteed loan, you may be able to qualify for a USDA direct loan.
  • Is it hard to get a USDA guaranteed loan?

    USDA guaranteed loans don’t require a minimum down payment, but other requirements are highly specific. You must be unable to qualify for a conventional loan without private mortgage insurance. Your projected mortgage payment cannot be more than 29% of your gross monthly income. And though the USDA does not have a minimum credit score requirement, lenders may set their own guidelines.
  • How can I get approved for a USDA loan?

    To get approved for a USDA guaranteed loan, reach out to a USDA-approved lender and provide information about your income, assets and debts. Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for USDA loans, so you may need to provide proof of that status as well.