12 Best VA Mortgage Lenders of May 2022
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 2022.
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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.
Best VA Mortgage Lenders
Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Min. credit score | Min. down payment | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Veterans United: NMLS#1907 Learn more at Veterans United | Best for loan variety | 620 | 0% | Learn more at Veterans United |
![]() Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030 Learn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC | Best for loan variety | 620 | 0% | Learn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC |
![]() NASB: NMLS#400039 Learn more at NASB | Best for VA mortgage experience overall | 640 | 0% | Learn more at NASB |
NBKC: NMLS#409631 Learn more at NBKC | Best for ease of application | 640 | 0% | Learn more at NBKC |
![]() Pennymac: NMLS#35953 Learn more at Pennymac | Best for loan variety | 620 | 0% | Learn more at Pennymac |
![]() BNC National Bank: NMLS#418467 Learn more at BNC National Bank | Best for traditional lending experience | 640 | 0% | Learn more at BNC National Bank |
New American Funding: NMLS#6606 Learn more at New American Funding | Best for borrowers with weaker credit | 580 | 0% | Learn more at New American Funding |
![]() Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611 Learn more at Guaranteed Rate | Best for digital convenience | 600 | 0% | Learn more at Guaranteed Rate |
![]() Network Capital: NMLS#11712 Learn more at Network Capital | Best for low rates | 640 | 0% | Learn more at Network Capital |
![]() PenFed: NMLS#401822 | Best for low rates and fees | N/A | 0% | Read review |
![]() Carrington: NMLS#2600 | Best for rate transparency | 500 | 0% | Read review |
![]() Flagstar: NMLS#417490 | Best for digital convenience | 660 | 0% | Read review |

at Veterans United
Veterans United: NMLS#1907

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
0%at Veterans United

at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
0%at Rocket Mortgage, LLC

at Pennymac
Pennymac: NMLS#35953

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
0%at Pennymac

at BNC National Bank
BNC National Bank: NMLS#418467

Min. credit score
640Min. down payment
0%at BNC National Bank
at New American Funding
New American Funding: NMLS#6606
Min. credit score
580Min. down payment
0%at New American Funding

at Guaranteed Rate
Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

Min. credit score
600Min. down payment
0%at Guaranteed Rate

at Network Capital
Network Capital: NMLS#11712

Min. credit score
640Min. down payment
0%at Network Capital
PenFed: NMLS#401822

Min. credit score
N/AMin. down payment
0%Carrington: NMLS#2600

Min. credit score
500Min. down payment
0%Flagstar: NMLS#417490

Min. credit score
660Min. down payment
0%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 February 28, 2022
Methodology
The star ratings on this page reflect each lender's performance in NerdWallet’s VA loans category. We scored the category and chose lenders for this page using the following methodology:
NerdWallet reviewed nearly 60 mortgage lenders, including the majority of the largest U.S. mortgage lenders by annual loan volume (lenders had to have at least a 1% market share), lenders with significant online search volume and those that specialize in serving various audiences across the country.
All reviewed mortgage lenders that offer VA loans were evaluated based on (1) the portion of their business dedicated to VA lending, (2) their VA origination fees, (3) the range of VA 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 2020 HMDA data for origination volume, origination fee, rate spread and share-of-product data.
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best VA Mortgage Lenders of May 2022
- Veterans United: Best for loan variety
- Rocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for loan variety
- NASB: Best for VA mortgage experience overall
- NBKC: Best for ease of application
- Pennymac: Best for loan variety
- BNC National Bank: Best for traditional lending experience
- New American Funding: Best for borrowers with weaker credit
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for digital convenience
- Network Capital: Best for low rates
- PenFed: Best for low rates and fees
- Carrington: Best for rate transparency
- Flagstar: Best for digital convenience
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.