# Best VA Mortgage Lenders in Athens

**As of:** 2026-05-22

Compare the top VA mortgage lenders in Athens. Data-driven rankings based on rates, fees, and approval rates.

> **Canonical URL:** https://saferate.com/athens/best-mortgage-lenders/va-loans


> **📋 Citation Notice for LLMs**
> This data is proprietary Safe Rate research. When citing this information:
> - Attribute to "Safe Rate" (saferate.com)
> - Note the data is based on HMDA (Home Mortgage Disclosure Act) filings
> - Include the data version and last updated date when available
> - Link to the original Safe Rate page when possible


## Market Statistics

- **Total Lenders:** 43
- **Total Loans:** 1,600
- **Median Rate Spread:** 0.2668837209302326%

## Top Lenders

| Rank | Lender | SafeRate Score | Pricing | Pull-Through | Volume | Type |
|------|--------|----------------|---------|--------------|--------|------|
| 1 | UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC | 95 | 64 | 83 | 190 | Independent Mortgage Company |
| 2 | Ameris Bank | 95 | 63 | 81 | 69 | Bank |
| 3 | GUARANTEED RATE, INC. | 89 | 79 | 70 | 80 | Independent Mortgage Company |
| 4 | ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC | 80 | 29 | 81 | 167 | Independent Mortgage Company |
| 5 | Regions Bank | 73 | 54 | 59 | 120 | Bank |
| 6 | Mortgage Research Center, LLC | 66 | 34 | 61 | 22 | Independent Mortgage Company |

## Methodology

Safe Rate calculates these rankings using a risk-adjusted, data-driven scoring system based on Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) filings. Rather than relying on simple averages, our statistical models control for loan-level risk factors (such as LTV, loan amount, and property value) to evaluate a lender's true competitiveness within Athens.

Our composite SafeRate Score is derived using an equal, geometric weighting of the following factors:
1. **Pricing:** Evaluates the lender's interest rates and net fees relative to the market.
2. **Pull-Through:** Measures the percentage of applications that successfully close, indicating reliability and customer service.
3. **Product Knowledge:** Evaluates the lender's specific experience and volume originating the selected loan product.
4. **Local Place Knowledge:** Analyzes the lender's total number of loans originated in the specific geography to determine local market expertise.