Safe Rate Rankings

Best VA Mortgage Lenders in Florida

Updated June 4, 2026

Rankings are a starting point, not a verdict. Safe Rate recommends speaking with 2-3 lenders to find the right fit for your home loan!

⚖️ The 4 PsRankings are calculated based on observed lender differences on closed loans across Pricing, Pull-through, Product, and Place.
🛡️ No Pay to PlayLenders cannot buy their way to the top. Rankings are 100% earned.
📊 HMDA 2024Built using publicly available originated loan data from the federal government.
🎯 Peer BenchmarkedPerformance is normalized and benchmarked against peer institutions.
Total Lenders604
Total Loans290,958
Median Rate Spread0.31%
Florida Market Insights
  • United Wholesale Mortgage is Safe Rate's top-ranked VA lender in Florida, leading on pricing, pullthrough, VA product expertise, and local knowledge.
  • There is often a pricing vs. pullthrough tradeoff in mortgage lending. In Florida, Navy Federal Credit Union and Fbc Mortgage scores highest on VA pricing while University Bank and Fbc Mortgage leads on likelihood to close. That is why we encourage speaking with multiple lenders.
  • United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) ranks #1 in Florida, serving as the platform behind many independent local brokers who live and work in the community. A local broker knows the neighborhoods, the local market, and is personally invested in your outcome. Real estate agents often prefer referring local brokers for their accessibility and responsiveness, qualities that matter when a deal is moving fast. Pricing and experience can vary by broker.
  • Popular names in Florida: Rocket Mortgage (#16) and United Wholesale Mortgage (#1).

Explore Rankings by Type

Overall Rankings

All lenders in Florida

Need rankings for a different loan product?

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RankLenderOverallPricingProductPull ThroughPlaceAvg FeesRate Spread# of LoansAction
1
UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale
Exceptional
Strong*
Exceptional
Exceptional
Exceptional
$3,415Fees
0.281%Above
38,081
2
FBC MORTGAGE, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Exceptional
Exceptional*
Exceptional
Exceptional
Exceptional
$2,642Fees
0.055%Above
2,836
3
NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Credit UnionDirect
Exceptional
Exceptional
Exceptional
Sound
Exceptional
$828Fees
0.499%Below
3,310
4
JET HOMELOANS, LP
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Exceptional
Exceptional
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
$2,062Fees
0.562%Below
841
5
University Bank
BankDirect
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
$2,326Fees
0.092%Above
796
6
GUARANTEED RATE, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,471Fees
0.244%Above
2,579
7
VANDERBILT MORTGAGE AND FINANCE, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
$2,523Fees
0.631%Below
631
8
CMG MORTGAGE, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Sound
Exceptional
Exceptional
Exceptional
$3,473Fees
0.263%Above
2,971
9
Ameris Bank
BankDirect
Strong
Strong
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
$2,570Fees
0.236%Above
1,655
10
MATTAMY HOME FUNDING, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Strong
Strong
Exceptional
Strong
$566Fees
0.275%Above
1,062
11
FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Strong*
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$2,662Fees
0.118%Above
4,424
12
INSPIRE HOME LOANS INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Strong
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$1,584Fees
0.417%Above
808
13
LAKE MICHIGAN CREDIT UNION
Credit UnionDirect
Strong
Strong
Strong
Strong
Strong
$1,393Fees
0.071%Below
726
14
First Horizon Bank
BankDirect
Strong
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
Strong
$1,584Fees
0.108%Above
685
15
First Federal Bank
BankDirect
Strong
Exceptional
Exceptional
Sound
Strong
$1,711Fees
0.052%Below
651
16
ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Acceptable*
Exceptional
Exceptional
Exceptional
$4,427Fees
0.268%Above
21,334
17
LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Sound*
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$2,500Fees
0.023%Above
5,290
18
MOVEMENT MORTGAGE, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Sound
Exceptional
Exceptional
Exceptional
$3,407Fees
0.378%Above
3,386
19
AMERICAN FINANCIAL NETWORK, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Strong*
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,176Fees
0.635%Above
1,353
20
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
BankDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Strong*
Exceptional
Sound
Exceptional
$2,670Fees
0.197%Above
4,800
21
PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Strong*
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$1,895Fees
0.181%Above
3,538
22
U.S. Bank National Association
BankDirect
Strong
Strong
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$910Fees
0.042%Above
1,658
23
SouthState Bank, National Association
BankDirect
Strong
Strong
Strong
Strong
Strong
$2,520Fees
0.231%Above
1,255
24
GUARANTEED RATE AFFINITY, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Strong
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,319Fees
0.270%Above
1,103
25
ARK-LA-TEX FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Sound*
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
$2,162Fees
0.266%Above
652
26
Flagstar Bank, N.A.
BankDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Sound*
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$3,266Fees
0.357%Above
2,796
27
NFM, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Acceptable
Exceptional
Exceptional
Exceptional
$3,103Fees
0.021%Above
2,022
28
Truist Bank
BankDirect
Strong
Strong
Strong
Sound
Strong
$1,221Fees
0.078%Above
1,767
29
M/I FINANCIAL, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Sound
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
$4,595Fees
0.123%Below
1,261
30
KIND LENDING, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale
Strong
Strong*
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,914Fees
0.359%Above
1,134
31
Fifth Third Bank, National Association
BankDirect
Strong
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
Strong
$831Fees
0.071%Above
872
32
FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Acceptable
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
$3,798Fees
0.481%Above
2,782
33
THE LOAN STORE, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale
Strong
Sound*
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,123Fees
0.368%Above
1,516
34
PRIMELENDING, A PLAINSCAPITAL COMPANY
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Sound
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
$3,285Fees
0.349%Above
760
35
SWBC MORTGAGE CORPORATION
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Sound
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
$2,915Fees
0.405%Above
742
36
ALKAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Strong
Exceptional
Strong
$6,763Fees
0.416%Above
631
37
CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Acceptable
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$4,161Fees
0.526%Above
7,983
38
NEWREZ LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Sound*
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$2,830Fees
0.390%Above
3,238
39
USAA Federal Savings Bank
BankDirect
Strong
Strong
Exceptional
Sound
Strong
$1,724Fees
0.152%Below
821
40
Mortgage Research Center, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Acceptable
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$2,164Fees
0.455%Above
4,175
41
Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Sound*
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$3,991Fees
0.608%Above
3,535
42
Plains Commerce Bank
BankWholesale
Strong
Sound*
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$3,381Fees
0.426%Above
1,767
43
RMC HOME MORTGAGE, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Sound
Strong
Strong
Exceptional
$4,148Fees
0.107%Above
1,176
44
FIRST COMMUNITY MORTGAGE, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Acceptable*
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
$2,762Fees
0.489%Above
626
45
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
BankDirect
Strong
Sound
Exceptional
Sound
Exceptional
$2,202Fees
0.023%Below
2,427
46
Regions Bank
BankDirect
Strong
Sound
Strong
Sound
Exceptional
$2,339Fees
0.216%Above
2,282
47
UNION HOME MORTGAGE CORP.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Acceptable*
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,300Fees
0.457%Above
1,846
48
JMAC LENDING, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale
Strong
Sound*
Strong
Strong
Strong
$2,785Fees
0.359%Above
613
49
GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Acceptable
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,651Fees
0.404%Above
1,626
50
CARDINAL FINANCIAL COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Acceptable*
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,222Fees
0.329%Above
1,310

Frequently Asked Questions

How are mortgage lenders ranked in Florida?+

Safe Rate ranks lenders using the 4 Ps framework, derived entirely from HMDA (Home Mortgage Disclosure Act) data: Pricing (how competitively a lender prices loans vs. the market benchmark), Pullthrough (how effectively a lender closes applications), Place (the lender's depth of expertise in Florida), and Product (performance on specific loan types). Each lender receives a composite Safe Rate Score from 0–100. No lender pays to appear in the rankings.

What is the Safe Rate Score?+

The Safe Rate Score is a 0–100 composite index measuring a lender's performance across Pricing, Pullthrough, Place, and Product. Scores of 80 or above earn Champion status; scores of 60–79 earn Superstar status. All scores are calculated from verified HMDA data — no lender can pay to improve their position.

How many mortgage lenders are active in Florida?+

Based on 2024 HMDA data, 604 lenders originated a combined 290,958 loans in Florida. Safe Rate's rankings evaluate all of them — not just a curated shortlist.

What does the rate spread tell me about a lender in Florida?+

Rate spread measures how much above the Average Prime Offer Rate (APOR) a lender charges. The median rate spread in Florida is 0.31%. Lenders in Safe Rate's top rankings consistently price below this median, meaning borrowers typically pay less interest over the life of their loan.

What is HMDA data and why does Safe Rate use it?+

HMDA (Home Mortgage Disclosure Act) is a federal law requiring every mortgage lender to disclose every loan application annually — including rates, amounts, approvals, and denials. Safe Rate uses HMDA because it is government-verified, covers all lenders equally, and cannot be gamed. It is the most objective foundation available for lender rankings.

Does Safe Rate accept payment from lenders to appear in rankings?+

No. Safe Rate rankings are strictly data-driven. No lender can pay to appear in or improve their position in Safe Rate's rankings. The only factor that determines a lender's rank is their verified HMDA performance data.

What is the difference between a bank, credit union, and independent mortgage company?+

Banks and credit unions offer mortgages alongside checking, savings, and other products. Independent Mortgage Companies (IMCs) focus exclusively on originating loans and often offer more product variety and speed. In Florida's rankings, all three institution types are evaluated on the same HMDA performance metrics.

How We Rank Lenders

Our rankings use a weighted average of scores across equally-weighted categories to evaluate lenders on a linear, raw performance scale.

Our Point System (Max 40 Points)

10
Pricing
Rate and fee competitiveness (25%)
10
Pull Through
Reliability in closing loans (25%)
10
Product
Specialization in the loan type (25%)
10
Place
Local market expertise (25%)

Data Integrity & Updates

Data is updated quarterly based on the latest HMDA filings and proprietary SafeRate analysis. All metrics are calculated using standardized methodologies to ensure fair comparison across lenders.

⚖️ Licensing & Disclosures

Lender rankings and market statistics are created by Dylan Hall, licensed mortgage loan officer (NMLS #1658740). Safe Rate is a mortgage technology platform; mortgage lending services are provided by PartnerOwn LLC dba Safe Rate Mortgage, a licensed mortgage broker and lender (NMLS #1590949). Safe Rate Mortgage is a lending partner of some of the lenders ranked on this page, and Safe Rate Inc. has software or service customers on this list; however, all rankings are calculated using objective, public Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) datasets, completely independent of any corporate partnerships, client relationships, or compensation.