NerdWallet Announces Winners of Its 2026 Best-Of Awards for Mortgage Lenders

Key Terms

home mortgage disclosure act regulatory

A U.S. law that requires banks and mortgage lenders to collect and report basic data about loan applications, approvals, denials and pricing so regulators and the public can spot patterns such as discrimination or unequal access to credit. For investors, the law makes lending activity more transparent and can reveal portfolio risk, market share shifts, compliance costs and reputational exposure—information that affects valuations and outlooks for financial firms and mortgage-related businesses.

fha loans financial

FHA loans are U.S. government‑insured mortgages designed to let buyers qualify with smaller down payments and more flexible credit standards than many conventional loans. They matter to investors because changes in FHA lending affect homebuying demand, the health of banks and mortgage companies, and the risk and supply of mortgage-related securities—like a safety net that makes the housing market accessible to more people and shifts where money flows in the housing sector.

va loans financial

VA loans are home mortgages guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible military veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and certain surviving spouses. They matter to investors because the government guarantee reduces lender risk and can boost housing demand for eligible buyers; that influence changes the size and risk profile of mortgage lending, mortgage-backed securities and banks’ loan portfolios—similar to how an insurance policy makes lenders more willing to lend.

home equity lines of credit financial

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a revolving loan that lets a homeowner borrow against the value built up in their house, similar to a credit card where the home serves as collateral. It usually has a variable interest rate and a set draw period, so changes in rates or property values can alter monthly payments and borrowing capacity; investors watch HELOC activity because it influences banks’ lending risk, consumer spending, and the broader housing market.

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NerdWallet Recognizes Top Mortgage Lenders to Help Borrowers Choose With Confidence

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NerdWallet, Inc. (Nasdaq: NRDS), which provides trustworthy financial guidance to consumers and small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), today announced the winners of its 2026 Best-Of Awards for Mortgage Lenders.

This award recognizes the top mortgage lenders meeting the needs of home buyers and homeowners. To determine this year’s winners, seven NerdWallet mortgage experts with more than 30 years of combined experience evaluated 48 lenders across 12 categories. Three distinctive sources shaped every decision:

• The newly released federal dataset from the 2025 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (published March 31, 2026)
• A detailed survey of lenders on loan products and customer service
• First-hand research by NerdWallet's editorial team into the borrower experience

New this year, NerdWallet introduced two new categories: Best Mortgage Lender for Manufactured Home Loans and Best Mortgage Lender for Second Home Loans.

See the full list of winners, methodology and to meet the NerdWallet editorial team behind the research, visit: https://www.nerdwallet.com/l/awards-mortgages-2026

NerdWallet’s Best Mortgage Lender Winners for 2026:

• Best Mortgage Lender Overall: Truist
• Best Mortgage Lender for First-Time Home Buyers: Rocket Mortgage
• Best Mortgage Lender for Refinancing: Truist
• Best Mortgage Lender for Cash-out Refinancing: Wells Fargo
• Best Mortgage Lender for FHA Loans: LoanDepot
• Best Mortgage Lender for VA Loans: Navy Federal Credit Union
• Best Mortgage Lender for Jumbo Loans: Bank of America
• Best Mortgage Lender for Home Equity Lines of Credit: Truist
• Best Mortgage Lender for Home Equity Loans: Better Mortgage
• Best Mortgage Lender for Low Credit Scores: Real Genius
• Best Mortgage Lender for Manufactured Home Loans: U.S. Bank
• Best Mortgage Lender for Second Home Loans: Truist

About NerdWallet

NerdWallet (Nasdaq: NRDS) is on a mission to provide clarity for all of life’s financial decisions. As a personal finance website and app, NerdWallet provides consumers with trustworthy and knowledgeable financial information so they can make smart money moves. From finding the best credit card to buying a house, NerdWallet is there to help consumers make financial decisions with confidence. Consumers have free access to our expert content and comparison shopping marketplaces, plus a data-driven app, which helps them stay on top of their finances and save time and money, giving them the freedom to do more. NerdWallet is available for consumers in the U.S. and Canada.

“NerdWallet” is a trademark of NerdWallet, Inc. All rights reserved. Other names and trademarks used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260504582030/en/

Media Contacts:
Nicole Markowski
press@nerdwallet.com

Source: NerdWallet, Inc.