loanDepot
Irvine, CA
States Licensed: All 50 states
Total VA Loans Closed in 2023 by lender: 8,352
Why does this lender serve those who serve to protect?
Supporting our nation’s heroes for all they sacrifice is embedded in loanDepot’s DNA. We recognize the VA mortgage loan as one of the most powerful tools our veterans and active-duty service members have earned and we are committed to ensuring they are aware of the benefits of this outstanding product, which enables them to purchase a home and build long-term financial security.
And as such, serving the military community is a key pillar of loanDepot’s Vision 2025 strategic plan, which focuses on supporting first-time and diverse homebuyers. To deepen our commitment to this community, we appointed former Army Sergeant David Smith as Vice President of National VA Lending earlier this year. He leads loanDepot’s VA Council, a dedicated group of leaders who are veterans and veteran spouses themselves.
Members of the Council serve as subject matter experts who are responsible for educating loanDepot’s originators, industry professionals, and consumers around the country. They answer questions and offer advice on the benefits, nuances, and misconceptions surrounding VA mortgage products to increase awareness, understanding, and utilization. They also provide individual support to loanDepot’s originators and underwriters, who may be working through VA loans with unique circumstances.
Over the last several years, Smith has trained more than 28,000 real estate agents and consumers on the nuances and benefits of the VA’s powerful home loan program.
Why is this lender the best at supporting the military/military borrowers?
loanDepot leads with education. VA loans are underutilized because misconceptions persist among real estate and mortgage professionals, and they are either misunderstood or unknown to those who have earned them.
We want our originators, realtor partners, and our nation’s heroes to be educated and understand the true power of the VA loan. That’s why we are training each segment every single day. In addition to offering our originators a VA Masterclass, which provides them with the knowledge and skills to address the unique challenges of serving our customers, the company offers free public online training. These include two other unique masterclasses for real estate professionals and consumers, aimed at increasing awareness, explaining the benefits, and dispelling misconceptions.
loanDepot’s VA Council is also on call every day, answering questions from underwriters and originators who encounter complicated VA loan scenarios. This often means finding a path to homeownership for military customers whose applications may have been too complicated and misunderstood by other lenders.
On the product front, the company offers an expansive VA product portfolio, including programs with a 520 minimum FICO score, and was the first lender to offer a VA renovation loan, which veterans can use to renovate or adapt their homes to make them accessible.
loanDepot also has a proprietary tool for its originators that identifies in-market real estate professionals with strong veteran client connections so they can establish relationships and lend their expertise to support the homeownership journey of even more deserving service members across the country.
Movement Mortgage
Indian Land, SC
States Licensed: All 50 states
Total VA Loans Closed in 2023 by lender: 6,286
Why does this lender serve those who serve to protect?
At Movement Mortgage, we deeply recognize and honor the sacrifices made by military personnel and veterans. Serving those who protect our country is not just a commitment, but a mission rooted in our core values. We have over 100 employees who are veterans, countless military spouses, children, and parents of veterans. Additionally, we have a VA Advisory Board that includes veterans, veteran spouses, and dedicated advocates who closely serve the military community.
Our specialized VA loans offer favorable terms, including 100% financing without requiring mortgage insurance, leading to significant savings for borrowers. Our VA-focused loan officers are passionate in navigating the unique challenges that military families face, ensuring a seamless homebuying experience.
We are continuously improving to better serve this community. Recently, we hosted our first-ever VA Summit with over 100 attendees, where we gave away a service dog to an incredibly inspiring and deserving veteran. The summit also provided valuable education to our loan officers on how to better serve the community and included firsthand insights from veterans themselves.
Additionally, we actively partner with organizations like the USO and The Warriors Journey to provide comprehensive support beyond just loans. At Movement Mortgage, serving those who serve is about more than business; it’s about expressing our gratitude and ensuring that military families receive the support and opportunities they deserve.
By focusing on the unique needs of military personnel and veterans, offering specialized products, and providing dedicated support, we demonstrate our strong commitment to those who serve to protect our country.
Why is this lender the best at supporting the military/military borrowers?
Movement Mortgage stands out as the premier choice for supporting military borrowers for several compelling reasons:
Expertise: Processing over 10,000 VA loans annually, we bring extensive experience and a deep understanding of the unique needs of military borrowers.
Efficiency: Our VA loan-specific processing is fast and efficient, helping veterans and military members cut through red tape and move into their homes more quickly.
Comprehensive Support: From the initial application to closing, we provide detailed resources, guides, and checklists to simplify the homebuying process for military personnel.
Specialized Refinancing Options: Our VA IRRRL and VA Cash-Out refinancing programs are tailored specifically to the needs of military borrowers, offering flexible and beneficial refinancing solutions.
Community Involvement: We actively partner with esteemed organizations like the USO and The Warriors Journey, enhancing our support network for service members and their families.
Flexible Eligibility: Competitive minimum FICO score requirements and high maximum loan amounts, we accommodate a wide range of military borrowers, ensuring more service members can benefit from our VA loans.
At Movement Mortgage, our dedication goes beyond providing loans. We strive to create a supportive, efficient, and beneficial experience for military families, underscoring our commitment to those who serve our country with honor and bravery.
Pennymac
Westlake Village, CA
States Licensed:All 50 states
Total VA Loans Closed in 2023 by lender: 58,515 units
Why does this lender serve those who serve to protect?
As a top 2 mortgage lender in the U.S., Pennymac understands the unique sacrifices made by active duty servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Our commitment to this community goes beyond providing home loans; it’s about recognizing their service and ensuring they have the tools and support to achieve the dream of homeownership. We specialize in VA Loans, offering competitive rates and flexible terms designed to meet the needs of military borrowers.
Pennymac actively partners with organizations that support veterans and their families, contributing to their overall well-being. We believe that everyone who has served deserves a place to call home, and we’re honored to play a role in making that happen.
Why is this lender the best at supporting the military/military borrowers?
Pennymac’s dedication to the military community goes beyond offering VA loans. We have a dedicated Veterans Recruiter in our Talent Acquisition department and a robust SERVE BRG (Business Resource Group) leadership team that actively plans events and initiatives to engage and support military-connected employees and the broader military community. Throughout the year, we host events to honor and celebrate those who have served. These include:
• Patriot Day events that pay tribute to the sacrifices made on 9/11 and highlight organizations like Honor Flight that support veterans.
• Veterans Day virtual celebrations featuring a color guard, pledge of allegiance, and heartfelt messages of thanks. We also partner with organizations like Operation Gratitude to increase awareness of their important work.
• Women’s History Month events specifically highlighting the unique contributions and challenges faced by women veterans.
• Memorial Day observances that honor the memory and sacrifices of fallen service members through shared stories and tributes.
Our commitment extends beyond our internal community. We proudly partner with Honor Flight, sponsoring employee guardians to accompany veterans on these life-changing trips. We actively participate in their welcome home celebrations, and our employees write heartfelt letters to veterans expressing gratitude and respect. Additionally, we partner with Habitat for Humanity, contributing to their mission of building homes for veterans and their families.
Through these combined efforts, Pennymac demonstrates an unwavering commitment to supporting military borrowers and the broader military community, not just through financial products, but through meaningful engagement, recognition, and active contributions to their well-being.
