Serving Those Who Served

Honoring lenders who make homeownership possible for our nation’s heroes

By National Mortgage Professional

Serving Those Who Served

Honoring lenders who make homeownership possible for our nation’s heroes

By National Mortgage Professional

For those lenders who work with military members and veterans, it’s not just about profits and losses. Rather, it’s an opportunity to serve the heroes who served all of us. For many lenders, finding homes for these heroes is the most meaningful part of their careers.

Help us celebrate those lenders who go above and beyond to serve military members, their spouses, and veterans.

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CMG Home Loans

San Ramon, California

States Licensed: All 50 U.S. States and Washington D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

Total VA loans closed in 2024 by lender: 6,908

Why does this lender serve those who serve to protect?

Those who serve deserve more than just our gratitude—they deserve a lender that shows up for them like they’ve shown up for us. At CMG Home Loans, we believe in honoring the commitment of military service members, veterans, first responders, and law enforcement by providing mortgage solutions built to support their goals, their families, and their futures. It's our way of saying thank you — with action, not just words.

Why is this lender the best at supporting the military/ military borrowers?

We proudly offer a full suite of VA loan products, including VA purchase loans up to $5 million, VA cash-out refinance options, and streamlined VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans (IRRRLs), to help military borrowers maximize their earned benefits and long-term financial stability.

CMG was also recognized as one of Scotsman Guide’s top wholesale VA lenders, underscoring our depth of experience in this space. Most notably, we introduced the VA Renovation Loan, which allows eligible borrowers to finance non-structural home updates — such as accessibility improvements — directly into their mortgage. This product innovation reflects our broader mission: to remove barriers, simplify the path to homeownership, and honor those who protect and serve with practical, meaningful solutions.

To further increase accessibility, CMG participates in the Homes for Heroes program and offers the FRESH Start Program to help improve credit and expand eligibility.

What contributions is this lender making to the military community?

CMG Home Loans supports the military community through both charitable giving and active community engagement. A primary beneficiary of our efforts is the Gary Sinise Foundation, which provides specially adapted smart homes, mobility assistance, and reintegration support for wounded Veterans and their families. In 2025, our 10th annual Wine Tasting & Charity Auction raised more than $1.3 million, with a significant portion — estimated at $500,000 or more — contributed to the Gary Sinise Foundation. Over $331,000 of that total came directly from CMG employees through an internal fundraising contest, reflecting the deep commitment our team shares for this cause.

Beyond financial support, CMG invests in military-focused education and community partnerships, and actively prioritizes Veteran hiring and career development within the organization. These efforts reflect our mission to honor service not just in words, but through real, lasting action.

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Fairway Home Mortgage

Madison, Wisconsin

States Licensed: All 50 U.S. States

Total VA loans closed in 2024 by lender: 6,095

Why does this lender serve those who serve to protect?

Fairway serves those who serve because they’ve already given us more than we can ever repay. These men and women raise their hands to defend our freedoms, running toward danger when the rest of us run from it. They endure physical, emotional, and invisible wounds. They miss birthdays, holidays, and first steps. They carry the weight of sacrifice on our behalf, and they do it without asking for recognition.

They have earned the right to use the VA home loan benefit. But more than that, they’ve earned our deepest respect, and our unwavering commitment to stand by them long after the uniform comes off.

Fairway’s mission to serve veterans and first responders is not a marketing strategy, it’s a moral one. Through the American Warrior Initiative (AWI), Fairway has funded over 400 service dogs, awarded hundreds of grants to veterans in need, and trained over 38,000 real estate professionals to better serve military homebuyers. Fairway covers all overhead for AWI so that 100% of donations go directly to those who served.

This is not about charity. It’s about honor. It’s about responsibility. It's about making sure those who protect our homes can own one of their own.

Because, while we can never fully repay them, we can show them they are seen, valued, and never forgotten.

Why is this lender the best at supporting the military/ military borrowers?

Fairway isn’t just VA loan-approved; it’s VA loan-committed. What sets Fairway apart is not only deep expertise in the VA home loan process, but a company-wide culture of respect, advocacy, and action for those who serve.

Fairway understands the complexity and power of the VA loan benefit and works tirelessly to ensure military borrowers aren’t misinformed, underserved, or overlooked. Through its Military Mortgage Specialist certification, Fairway trains its loan officers and real estate partners to recognize the unique financial needs, service timelines, and benefits that military clients bring. Over 38,000 professionals have completed this training, raising the standard across the industry.

Behind the numbers is a mission-driven team. From pushing back against discrimination in the market to showing up at closings and community events with veterans and their families — Fairway walks the walk.

Through one of its nonprofit arms, the American Warrior Initiative, Fairway goes beyond the loan, funding service dogs, business grants, and emergency aid for veterans and first responders. And because Fairway covers 100% of AWI’s operating costs, every dollar donated goes directly to a warrior in need.

In short: Fairway doesn't just support the military. It leads in supporting them, with precision, heart, and a promise to always go above and beyond.

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loanDepot

Irvine, California

States Licensed: All 50 U.S. States

Total VA loans closed in 2024 by lender: 8,028

Why does this lender serve those who serve to protect?

Supporting our nation’s heroes is embedded in loanDepot’s DNA. We recognize the VA loan as one of the most powerful tools available to Veterans and active-duty service members, helping them achieve homeownership and long-term financial security. Yet, this benefit remains underutilized due to widespread misconceptions and lack of awareness.

We’ve made strategic investments to build a best-in-class VA lending program, backed by industry-leading expertise and outreach. In 2024, we welcomed U.S. Navy Veteran Bryan Bergjans as National Director of Military Growth and Strategy, joining U.S. Army Veteran David Smith, VP of National VA Lending. Together, they lead our VA Council — a team of Veterans and Veteran spouses who provide daily guidance to originators and underwriters navigating complex VA loan scenarios.

The Council also serves as a national education force, training originators, real estate professionals, and consumers on the benefits and nuances of VA loans. Their mission: increase awareness, correct misconceptions, and ensure more military families access the opportunities they’ve earned.

In the last 12 months alone, Smith and Bergjans have hosted 50 masterclasses across the country and educated thousands of agents and consumers nationwide, empowering those who serve to protect with the knowledge and support needed to build generational wealth through homeownership.

What contributions is this lender making to the military community?

As one of the country’s largest providers of VA loans, loanDepot is committed to serving the military and Veteran community in any number of ways:

loanDepot Founder and Board Chair Anthony Hsieh created War Heroes On Water (WHOW) in 2018 to help combat-wounded veterans heal from the emotional and physical wounds sustained during their tours of duty. We have been a primary sponsor since its inception, which includes donating thousands of volunteer hours to execute the event.

In its seven-year history WHOW has directly served 550 veterans on the water, and raised more than $7 million for 501c3 partner Freedom Alliance to support thousands more through the organization’s year-round therapeutic services and scholarships for combat-wounded service members and their families.

loanDepot annually sponsors the VFW’s National Convention, working to educate the thousands of veterans in attendance on the benefits of VA loans.

loanDepot understands that military spouses are the quiet force that keep families grounded, and supported the 2025 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year Congressional Reception in Washington, DC.

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Pennymac

Westlake Village, California

States Licensed: All 50 U.S. States

Total VA loans closed in 2024 by lender: 54,912

Why is this lender the best at supporting the military/ military borrowers?

At Pennymac, our commitment to the military community is deeply integrated into our corporate culture. We have a dedicated Veterans Recruiter and a dynamic SERVE (Business Resource Group) that supports military-connected employees and the broader community. Throughout the year, we host key events to honor and celebrate their service, including:

Patriot Day: Paying tribute to the sacrifices of 9/11 and highlighting veteran-focused organizations like Honor Flight.
Veterans Day: A virtual celebration featuring a color guard, the pledge of allegiance, and messages of thanks. This event also serves to amplify our partnership with groups like Habitat for Humanity and Feeding America.
Women's History Month: A dedicated observance to spotlight the unique contributions and experiences of women veterans.
Black History Month: A dedicated observance to highlight the contributions of Black veterans who served our nation with courage and resilience.
Memorial Day: A solemn occasion to honor the memory and sacrifice of fallen service members through shared stories and heartfelt tributes.

Our commitment extends externally through proud partnerships with organizations like Honor Flight, where we sponsor employee guardians for life-changing trips and participate in welcome home celebrations. Our employees also write heartfelt letters to veterans. Recently, Pennymac team members built playhouses for military families at a special SERVE event and hosted food drives with Feeding America to combat food insecurity. Through these efforts, Pennymac demonstrates an unwavering commitment to supporting military borrowers and the broader military community through meaningful engagement, recognition, and active contributions to their well-being.

What contributions is this lender making to the military community?

Pennymac is honored to extend our support beyond the VA loan program by continuing to aid the recruitment of active, reserve, veteran, and retired military employees. Pennymac is proud to support the U.S. Army veterans as they transition into the civilian workforce, and has done so by joining forces with the Army PaYS Program. By working with the PaYS program, Pennymac is dedicated to guaranteeing job interviews to all qualified participants for open positions in various areas, including sales, loan servicing, customer service, human resources, and technology.

For our veterans and military family members, we support sustainable homeownership through our Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan Program. Through this program, eligible service members and veterans are able to take advantage of several benefits such as lower interest rates, and no requirements for down payments or monthly mortgage insurance premiums, depending on the mortgage type. In the first quarter of 2025, Pennymac provided $5.18 billion in financing to veterans. We also provide ongoing resources to inform buyers of resources such as the Military Housing Assistance Fund and the Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program.

As the #3 VA Loan Servicer in the U.S., Pennymac continues to make charitable donations to veteran-focused organizations, including Honor Flight Southland, Operation Gratitude, Inc., Wounded Warrior Project, Military Warriors Support Foundation, Team Rubicon, and Operation Homefront.

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Planet Home Lending

Meriden, Connecticut

States Licensed: All 50 U.S. States and Washington D.C.

Total VA loans closed in 2024 by lender: 14,551

Why does this lender serve those who serve to protect?

They serve our nation, so we serve them: Active duty, veterans, military spouses, and reservists. Planet Home Lending is proud to offer VA purchase home loans with no money down and refinance mortgages with great rates. Like they keep their commitments, we keep the majority of the loans we make. Our Mortgage Servicing Team truly understands the unique needs of customers who protect us around the nation and around the globe.

Why is this lender the best at supporting the military/ military borrowers?

Communication, compassion, and mutual understanding define the Planet Home Lending customer experience. We ensure every step in the process is covered, every question answered, and every variable considered. Our VA customers know their options and feel at ease and empowered throughout the process. Whether they serve at home or abroad, VA borrowers have easy access to tools, technology, and resources that deliver a superior end-to-end experience worthy of their service.

What contributions is this lender making to the military community?

We’re a company made up of people looking to make a difference, so we partner with people who feel the same way. Planet is proud to complement our VA loan products by endowing a scholarship via the Army Scholarship Foundation of Dallas, TX. Their mission to provide scholarships to the children of current or former Army service members and spouses of current Army service members echoes our own belief in supporting those who’ve served our nation.

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Rocket Mortgage

Detroit, Michigan

States Licensed: All 50 U.S. States and Washington D.C.

Total VA loans closed in 2024 by lender: 27,197

Why is this lender the best at supporting the military/ military borrowers?

Rocket Mortgage is a leading VA-approved lender that proudly supports military organizations at the local, state, and national level. With unmatched scale, speed, and experience, Rocket helps thousands of veterans and service members access the benefits they have earned. We understand that military life brings unique challenges. Our innovative technology simplifies the experience and our team members provide personalized guidance, no matter where clients are stationed or how demanding their schedules may be.

Rocket also supports veterans through our robust hiring program. We’re proud to be recognized by Military Friendly, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, and Military Times as one of America’s top employers for veterans. Our specialized and dedicated recruiting team — made up of veterans themselves — helps service members and their spouses successfully transition to civilian life.

Our Tour of Duty program offers transitioning service members the opportunity to gain hands-on experience before starting a new career. Participants can explore different roles and business areas to better understand what aligns with their strengths and skills. The program often leads to full-time opportunities within our organization.

All veterans and team members in the reserves are also encouraged to join the Veteran Team Member Resource Network to connect with one another about their military service experiences.

What contributions is this lender making to the military community?

As one of America’s largest VA lenders, we’re proud to have helped thousands of veterans realize the dream of homeownership. Rocket Mortgage believes everyone, especially those who have sacrificed to serve our country, deserve a safe and secure place to call home. That’s why Rocket Mortgage joined Built for Zero in 2018 and became a lead sponsor of this national movement to end chronic and veteran homelessness.

Through Built for Zero, 90 communities are proving that an end to veteran homelessness is possible. In 2023, our support helped Built for Zero house more than 7,751 homeless veterans across the country. In our home community of Detroit, we’ve helped drive a 54% reduction in veteran homelessness.

During the 2025 Rocket Classic, we teamed up with Folds of Honor, an organization that provides scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military members. As part of this partnership, we hosted Folds of Honor Friday at the tournament and committed to funding 26 academic scholarships. This contribution ensures that the families of those who served have the resources and support they need to build a bright, secure future.

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