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Best FHA mortgage lenders in 2025

David McMillin Katie Lowery
Written by
David McMillin,
Edited by
Katie Lowery
Published on January 27, 2026 | 4 min read

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Credit: Marje/Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate

FHA loans — those insured by the Federal Housing Administration — have played a critical role in supporting homebuyers in today’s increasingly unaffordable housing market. FHA loans come with more flexible financial requirements than conventional loans, making them especially attractive to first-time homebuyers and those with lower incomes or credit scores. While the FHA sets eligibility requirements, lenders can set tighter qualifications, and loan interest rates can vary significantly.

Not sure how to find the best FHA mortgage lender for you? Bankrate has made shopping easier for you by reviewing dozens of mortgage lenders on several key criteria:

Best FHA loan lenders

Lender Credit score minimum Down payment minimum Bankrate Score
Rate 620 for conventional loans 3% for conventional loans; 3.5% for FHA loans; none for VA loans 4.3
Rocket Mortgage 620 for conventional loans, 680 for jumbo loans, 580 for FHA loans, 580 for VA loans 3% for conventional loans, 10%-15% for jumbo loans, 3.5% for FHA, none for VA loans 4.5
loanDepot 620 for conventional loans and VA loans; 700 for jumbo loans; 580 for FHA loans 5% for conventional loans; 3.5% for FHA loans; none for VA loans or USDA loans 4.3
Pennymac 620 for conventional loans and VA loans; 580 for FHA loans 3% for conventional loans; 3.5% for FHA loans; none for VA loans or USDA loans 4.8


Rate

Rate

Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Learn more in our Bankrate review
    • Availability: All U.S. states
    • Loan products: Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA
    • Credit requirements: 620 for conventional loans
    • Down payment requirements: 3% for conventional loans; 3.5% for FHA loans; none for VA loans


rocket mortgage logo

Rocket Mortgage

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Learn more in our Bankrate review
    • Availability: All U.S. states
    • Loan products: Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, refinancing
    • Credit requirements:620 for conventional loans, 580 for FHA loans, 580 for VA loans, 680 for jumbo loans
    • Down payment requirements: 3% for conventional loans, 10%-15% for jumbo loans, 3.5% for FHA, none for VA loans


LoanDepot

loanDepot

Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Learn more in our Bankrate review
    • Availability: All U.S. states
    • Loan products: Conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, 203k renovation loan
    • Credit requirements: 620 for conventional loans and VA loans; 700 for jumbo loans; 580 for FHA loans
    • Down payment requirements: 5% for conventional loans; 3.5% for FHA loans; none for VA loans or USDA loans


pennymac logo

Pennymac

Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Learn more in our Bankrate review
    • Availability: All U.S. states
    • Loans offered: Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA (streamline refinance only)
    • Credit requirements: 620 for conventional loans and VA loans; 580 for FHA loans
    • Down payment requirements: 3% for conventional loans; 3.5% for FHA loans; none for VA loans or USDA loans

How to get an FHA loan

FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration, but the FHA doesn’t loan funds directly to borrowers. Instead, you can get an FHA loan from an FHA-approved mortgage lender, such as a bank or an online company. Here’s how to get one:

  1. Check your credit. FHA loans are known for being more flexible. While they have a lower credit score minimum to qualify, you’ll still need at least a 500, and with some lenders, you might need higher than that. Before comparing FHA lenders, check your credit reports and scores to know where you stand. If your score doesn’t meet the FHA minimum, now’s the time to spruce it up. Here are our top tips to improve your credit score.
  2. Shop around with more than one FHA lender. While FHA loans follow the same general guidelines, the interest rates and fees vary by lender. You can check current FHA loan rate offers on Bankrate.
  3. Contact your lender. If your credit score is at least 580, you will only be required to put 3.5% down. However, that may be difficult if you are on a tight budget or live in an expensive area. Once you’ve found an FHA lender you like, look into down payment assistance. Your loan officer might point you to a special grant or state housing finance agency program.
  4. Gather your financial documents. Now that you’ve taken care of your credit and down payment, it’s time to get preapproved. Gather up relevant paperwork, including income-verifying documents like bank statements and W-2s, as well as debt documents like car or student loan statements.
  5. Consider locking your rate. The preapproval assumes a specific loan amount and interest rate. If it takes longer than expected to find a home, you might end up paying a higher (or lower) rate than the one you were quoted. That’s why locking your mortgage rate makes sense. Here’s more information on how to decide if it’s the right move.

Qualifications for FHA loans

Here are the basic requirements for an FHA loan. You must:

  • Borrow no more than $541,287 for a one-unit property in most areas (there are higher limits in higher-priced areas); you can find your area’s loan limit here
  • Carry a credit score of at least 580 with a 3.5% down payment, or as low as 500 with a 10% down payment
  • Have no higher than a 43% DTI ratio (with some exceptions)
  • Provide proof of employment and steady income from the past two years
  • Wait one year after a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, two years after a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and three years after a foreclosure, if applicable
  • The home must also meet minimum safety and livability standards and be evaluated with an FHA-approved appraiser

Who are the largest FHA lenders in the U.S.?

Here are the top FHA mortgage lenders in the U.S. based on total FHA volume in 2025:

  1. United Wholesale Mortgage 
  2. Rocket Mortgage 
  3. DHI Mortgage Company 
  4. Freedom Mortgage 
  5. CrossCountry Mortgage
  6. loanDepot
  7. Guild Mortgage
  8. Fairway Independent Mortgage
  9. Lennar Mortgage 
  10. Pennymac

Frequently asked questions

  • No. FHA loans are often associated with first-time homebuyers because of their lower income, credit score and down payment requirements. However, they can be used by anyone who meets the eligibility criteria.
  • FHA loans make homeownership more accessible to borrowers with lower credit scores, moderate income or limited savings. Lower down payment options make is easier to buy a home without needing a large amount of cash upfront. FHA loans have fixed interest rates, making your monthly mortgage payment more predictable. You could also qualify for a more competitive rate than you would with a conventional loan, even if you have less-than-perfect credit.
  • In addition to the FHA’s primary home loan option for purchasing a new home, which comes in fixed- and adjustable-rate formats — there are other FHA loan products. 203(k) renovation loans help with the cost of repairing and renovating a home. FHA’s energy-efficient mortgages are for properties that are more environmentally friendly and reverse mortgages (HECMs) are for homeowners who are 62 or older.
  • To determine the best FHA mortgage lenders, Bankrate periodically evaluates more than 75 lenders for factors relating to affordability, availability and borrower experience, assigning each a Bankrate Score out of five stars. The best FHA mortgage lenders generally have a Bankrate Score of 4.2 stars or higher. Learn more about our methodology.
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David McMillin Arrow Right Icon
Contributor, Personal Finance