Safe Rate Rankings

Best USDA Mortgage Lenders in Kentucky

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 Lenders229
Total Loans45,654
Median Rate Spread0.35%
Kentucky Market Insights
  • United Wholesale Mortgage is Safe Rate's top-ranked USDA lender in Kentucky, leading on pricing, pullthrough, USDA product expertise, and local knowledge.
  • There is often a pricing vs. pullthrough tradeoff in mortgage lending. In Kentucky, Victory Mortgage and Liberty scores highest on USDA pricing while First Community Mortgage and Ruoff Mortgage Company leads on likelihood to close. That is why we encourage speaking with multiple lenders.
  • United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) ranks #1 in Kentucky, 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.

Explore Rankings by Type

Overall Rankings

All lenders in Kentucky

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
Strong
Exceptional
$2,197Fees
0.428%Above
3,600
2
Liberty
Credit UnionDirect
Exceptional
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$1,087Fees
0.376%Above
1,083
3
RUOFF MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$1,939Fees
0.361%Above
685
4
ARK-LA-TEX FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Strong*
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$1,775Fees
0.513%Above
746
5
VICTORY MORTGAGE, L.L.C.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$897Fees
0.033%Above
782
6
Magnolia Bank, Incorporated
BankDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Sound*
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$1,615Fees
0.307%Above
671
7
Fifth Third Bank, National Association
BankDirect
Strong
Exceptional
Strong
Sound
Exceptional
$904Fees
0.353%Above
740
8
Truist Bank
BankDirect
Strong
Exceptional
Exceptional
Sound
Strong
$1,079Credit
0.293%Above
397
9
FIRST COMMUNITY MORTGAGE, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Sound*
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
$2,920Fees
0.395%Above
206
10
GoPrime Mortgage, Inc.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Exceptional*
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$1,521Fees
0.509%Above
95
11
NEWREZ LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Strong*
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,298Fees
0.410%Above
215
12
GERSHMAN INVESTMENT CORP.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Strong
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$1,025Fees
0.451%Above
177
13
STOCKTON MORTGAGE CORPORATION
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Acceptable
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$2,888Fees
0.437%Above
2,284
14
SOUTH CENTRAL BANK, INC.
BankDirect
Strong
Strong
Strong
Strong
Exceptional
$1,173Fees
0.186%Above
455
15
INTERLINC MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Sound
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,509Fees
0.596%Above
328
16
KIND LENDING, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale
Strong
Sound*
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$1,773Fees
0.539%Above
274
17
U.S. Bank National Association
BankDirect
Strong
Strong
Exceptional
Sound
Exceptional
$985Fees
0.356%Above
1,087
18
Equity Prime Mortgage LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Acceptable
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,402Fees
0.841%Above
248
19
Guardian Savings Bank
BankDirect
Strong
Sound
Strong
Exceptional
$1,190Fees
0.159%Above
756
20
GENEVA FINANCIAL, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Acceptable
Exceptional
Exceptional
Strong
$2,955Fees
0.269%Above
308
21
Renasant Bank
BankDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Sound*
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,138Fees
0.146%Above
129
22
ATLANTIC BAY MORTGAGE GROUP, L.L.C.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Mediocre
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,366Fees
0.493%Above
463
23
GUARANTEED RATE, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Acceptable
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$1,791Fees
0.246%Above
428
24
LOWER, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Acceptable*
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,104Fees
0.390%Above
357
25
T2 FINANCIAL LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Acceptable
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,778Fees
0.360%Above
294
26
Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Sound*
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,351Fees
0.521%Above
223
27
German American Bank
BankDirect
Strong
Strong
Strong
Sound
Strong
$1,010Fees
0.307%Above
204
28
Peoples Exchange Bank
BankDirect
Strong
Exceptional
Sound
Strong
$734Fees
0.036%Above
165
29
FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Mediocre
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,800Fees
0.634%Above
492
30
UNION HOME MORTGAGE CORP.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale
Strong
Mediocre*
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$2,204Fees
0.498%Above
612
31
Mortgage Research Center, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Acceptable
Exceptional
Sound
Exceptional
$1,949Fees
0.626%Above
1,311
32
Bank of England
BankDirect
Strong
Acceptable
Exceptional
Sound
Strong
$3,142Fees
0.499%Above
328
33
CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Mediocre
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,776Fees
0.551%Above
604
34
AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale
Strong
Mediocre*
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,525Fees
0.619%Above
191
35
DAS Acquisition Company, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Mediocre
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,827Fees
0.577%Above
136
36
NEW AMERICAN FUNDING, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Mediocre
Exceptional
Strong
Exceptional
$3,278Fees
0.670%Above
709
37
POLARIS HOME FUNDING CORP.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Mediocre
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,986Fees
0.705%Above
110
38
AMERICAN PACIFIC MORTGAGE CORPORATION
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Strong
Mediocre
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,391Fees
0.691%Above
103
39
MOVEMENT MORTGAGE, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Sound
Mediocre
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,233Fees
0.618%Above
131
40
EVERETT FINANCIAL, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Sound
Mediocre
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,684Fees
0.802%Above
266
41
Ixonia Bank
BankDirect
Sound
Mediocre
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$2,848Fees
0.707%Above
146
42
BAYSHORE MORTGAGE FUNDING, LLC
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Sound
Acceptable
Exceptional
Sound
Strong
$3,590Fees
0.749%Above
109
43
SUCCESS MORTGAGE PARTNERS, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Sound
Mediocre
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$4,554Fees
0.539%Above
131
44
REPUBLIC STATE MORTGAGE CO.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Sound
Sound
Sound
Sound
Strong
$2,957Fees
0.470%Above
246
45
Click n' Close, Inc.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Sound
Mediocre
Exceptional
Sound
Strong
$3,872Fees
1.730%Above
100
46
PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE, INC.
Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect
Sound
Mediocre
Exceptional
Strong
Strong
$3,743Fees
0.664%Above
95
47
Edmonton State Bank
BankDirect
Sound
Mediocre
Strong
Sound
Exceptional
$1,983Fees
0.718%Above
222
48
Forcht Bank, National Association
BankDirect
Sound
Acceptable
Sound
Strong
$929Fees
0.319%Above
154

Frequently Asked Questions

How are mortgage lenders ranked in Kentucky?+

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 Kentucky), 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 Kentucky?+

Based on 2024 HMDA data, 229 lenders originated a combined 45,654 loans in Kentucky. Safe Rate's rankings evaluate all of them — not just a curated shortlist.

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

Rate spread measures how much above the Average Prime Offer Rate (APOR) a lender charges. The median rate spread in Kentucky is 0.35%. 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 Kentucky'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.