Table of Contents
How we picked
Data-driven packs for U.S. buyers
Finding the right mortgage lender is one of the biggest financial decisions most buyers will make. At the national level, choices range from digital-first companies to nonprofit credit unions to long-established banks. Each brings different strengths — and not all deliver the best rates and savings.
To highlight the best options, we reviewed 2024 HMDA origination data alongside TrueRate analysis of closed-loan pricing for 30-year fixed conventional purchase mortgages. To make the cut, lenders had to:
- Operate in 15 or more states
- Deliver below-median rates (a negative delta compared to 2024 market averages)
Spotlight Profiles
1. AimLoan — Trusted Digital Originator
- HQ: San Diego, CA
- Rate advantage: ~0.33% below median (TrueRate, 2024)
- Typical fees: ~$995
As one of the first online lenders, AimLoan has built trust through consistency since 1998. Its automation-driven model keeps costs low and rates competitive, earning it the top spot for rate advantage among national lenders.
2. Alliant Credit Union — Best Credit Union Option
- HQ: Chicago, IL
- Rate advantage: ~0.31% below median (TrueRate, 2024)
- Typical fees: ~$950
A digital-only nonprofit with members in 25+ states, Alliant offers rare perks like $0 down with no PMI up to $650K. With consistently below-median rates, it’s the strongest national credit union choice.
3. Tomo Mortgage — Best Online No-Fee Lender
- HQ: New York, NY
- Rate advantage: ~0.30% below median (TrueRate, 2024)
- Typical fees: $0
Tomo scrapped lender fees altogether and focuses exclusively on purchase loans. Its lockable online rates and no-fee model make it the clear leader for buyers who want a fully digital process with no hidden costs.
4. Premia Relocation Mortgage — Best for Frequent Movers
- HQ: Troy, MI
- Rate advantage: ~0.28% below median (TrueRate, 2024)
- Typical fees: $0–$875
Premia’s relocation specialty makes it valuable for Fortune 500 employees and government workers. Its niche expertise comes with a solid rate advantage, even if reviews are less abundant.
5. Ameris Bank — Best Regional-to-National Bank
- HQ: Atlanta, GA
- Rate advantage: ~0.18% below median (TrueRate, 2024)
- Typical fees: ~$1,425
Ameris blends regional service with multi-state reach. While its rates are less competitive than digital-first lenders, its communication and borrower support win consistent praise.
6. First Horizon Bank — Best Legacy Bank
- HQ: Memphis, TN
- Rate advantage: ~0.15% below median (TrueRate, 2024)
- Typical fees: ~$1,182
First Horizon’s 160-year history anchors its reputation. Its rates beat the national median, but not by as much as top-ranked peers. Still, it’s a steady choice for borrowers who value tradition and service.
Scale Leaders vs. Rate Leaders
Big names like Rocket Mortgage, CrossCountry, and Chase dominate the market by loan volume. According to 2024 HMDA data:
- Rocket Mortgage closed more than $92B in loans across ~299,000 mortgages. Its scale is unmatched, though TrueRate analysis shows its pricing often landed close to the median.
- CrossCountry Mortgage originated $39.3B across 101,000 loans. Its median pricing was ~0.09% below the national average — modest savings compared to leaders like Tomo or AimLoan.
- Chase Bank handled $37.5B in loans, mostly purchase mortgages. While trusted, it wasn’t consistently among the lowest-cost lenders.
- Rate originated $24.3B across 58,000 loans, with rates just 0.04% below the national median. That’s a small edge — translating into only ~$506 in savings the first year, and far less than the thousands saved with zero-fee challengers.
Key Insight for 2025
National lenders give buyers reach and consistency across state lines — something regional banks can’t always match. But scale alone isn’t enough. The strongest national players blend wide availability with real cost advantages.
If you’re buying a home in 2025, compare both the scale leaders and the rate leaders. HMDA origination data and TrueRate analysis show that a fraction of lenders consistently outperform the market — and finding them can save thousands over the life of a loan.
Read more on KulFiy