BEST OF
9 Best VA Mortgage Lenders of April 2021
VA loans for current and veteran military members don't require a down payment or mortgage insurance. Compare our picks for best VA mortgage lenders of 2021.
VA mortgage lenders vary in the products and services they offer and their financial requirements for borrowers, so it's important to shop around for a VA loan lender that meets your needs.
NerdWallet picked some of the best VA mortgage lenders in a variety of categories to give you a head start.
VA mortgage lenders vary in the products and services they offer and their financial requirements for borrowers, so it's important to shop around for a VA loan lender that meets your needs.
NerdWallet picked some of the best VA mortgage lenders in a variety of categories to give you a head start.
Summary of Best VA Mortgage Lenders of April 2021
Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best for traditional lending experience | 640 | 0% | at BNC National Bank | |
Best for traditional lending experience | 660 | 0% | at NBKC | |
Best for online VA mortgage experience | 620 | 0% | at Quicken Loans | |
Best for loan variety | 640 | 0% | at Veterans United | |
Best for VA mortgage experience overall | 640 | 0% | at NASB | |
Best for borrowers with weaker credit | 640 | 0% | at New American Funding | |
Best for online VA mortgage experience | 640 | 0% | at Fairway Independent Mortgage | |
Best for loan variety | 660 | 0% | Read review | |
Best for VA mortgage experience overall | N/A | 0% | Read review |
at BNC National Bank
BNC National Bank: NMLS#418467
Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at BNC National Bank
at NBKC
NBKC: NMLS#409631
Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at NBKC
at Quicken Loans
Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030
Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at Quicken Loans
at Veterans United
Veterans United: NMLS#1907

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at Veterans United
at NASB
NASB: NMLS#400039

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at NASB
at New American Funding
New American Funding: NMLS#6606
Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at New American Funding
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Veterans First Mortgage: NMLS#449042

Min. Credit Score
Min. Down Payment
Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

National / Regional
Min. Down Payment
Qualifying for a VA loan
VA home loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and provided by private lenders. VA loans require no down payment or mortgage insurance and have competitive mortgage rates compared to other types of home loans.
Active-duty military members and veterans who meet length-of-service requirements may apply for a VA loan. Some surviving spouses may also be eligible for a VA loan.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on April 7, 2021
Methodology
NerdWallet's star ratings for mortgage lenders are awarded based on our evaluation of the products and services each lender offers to consumers who are actively shopping for the best mortgage. The five key areas we evaluated include the variety of loan types and products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data. To ensure consistency, our ratings are reviewed by multiple people on the NerdWallet Mortgages team.
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best VA Mortgage Lenders of April 2021
- BNC National Bank: Best for traditional lending experience
- NBKC: Best for traditional lending experience
- Quicken Loans: Best for online VA mortgage experience
- Veterans United: Best for loan variety
- NASB: Best for VA mortgage experience overall
- New American Funding: Best for borrowers with weaker credit
- Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for online VA mortgage experience
- Veterans First Mortgage: Best for loan variety
- Navy Federal: Best for VA mortgage experience overall
Frequently asked questions
All VA loans are subject to rules and guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Individual VA lenders vary by the services and options they offer as well as the requirements they set for borrowers, such as minimum credit scores, however. This is why it's important to shop around to compare mortgage rates and qualification requirements.
VA mortgage rates fluctuate daily, just as rates for other loans do. Rates also vary by lender, and the rate you're offered will depend on a variety of factors, such as your credit score. When shopping VA lenders, compare the annual percentage rate, or APR, to get a complete picture of the true costs. The APR includes the interest rate, fees and other costs of the loan.
The Department of Veterans Affairs doesn't set a minimum credit score for VA loans. But lenders can have their own requirements, which typically range from 580 to 620. VA lenders will also look at other factors, such as your debt-to-income ratio, to evaluate your ability to repay the loan.
You may be denied a VA home loan if you don't meet the basic VA loan eligibility requirements or don't meet a lender's financial requirements. An FHA loan, insured by the Federal Housing Administration, might be an alternative if you have a lower credit score.