Veterans First Mortgage Review 2026
Veterans First is a great fit for those who want to work with a lender that has experience in VA loans. However, you will need to speak with them directly to learn basic information about their loans, including rates and details of the application process.
See how we reached our verdict below.
- Educational content for VA loans
- Specialized help with VA loans
- Government-backed home loans also available
- No published rates online
- Unable to get preapproval online
- Unclear online application process
Veterans First mortgage overview
Veterans First was founded in 1985 and initially approved to originate VA and FHA loans, the lender has a physical branch in Virginia Beach. Veterans First Mortgage is now part of Wintrust Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company.
- Areas of service: 50 states
- Digital service: Offers online and in-person services
- Headquarters: 124 N Charles Lindbergh Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84116
- Website: VeteransFirst.com
Veterans First rates and fees
Rates
Although you can see a breakdown of closing costs for their VA loans, Veterans First doesn’t share their rates on their website. You can, however, find some general information on FHA and USDA loans.
According to data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), Veterans First’s rates were on average 0.31 percentage points above the average prime offer rate (APOR) in 2024. This is a decrease of 22% in the lender’s rate spread from 2023 to 2024.
The APOR is an annual percentage rate based on rates, fees and other costs a financial institution offers on its mortgages.
Fees
Veterans First posts a breakdown of the fees it charges for VA loans, but it only offers a general overview. It does, however, show how much you may pay for VA funding fees based on your down payment and whether you’re taking out your first VA loan. The lender doesn’t offer many details for FHA and USDA loans.
The average total loan cost for Veterans First mortgages is $6,345, which includes fees like origination charges. This average cost is slightly lower than many of their competitors.
Veterans First doesn’t show any of their available discounts on their website. To find out what discounts might apply, you will need to contact the lender.
What types of mortgage loans does Veterans First offer?
Veterans First offers a variety of home loans, including:
Veterans First offers FHA loans, which are backed by the Federal Housing Administration. Some options may include streamlined refinance and cash-out loans.
FHA loan qualification requirements
- 500 minimum credit score
- Up to 10% minimum down payment
Aside from VA loans that are backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to purchase a home, Veterans First also offers VA cash-out and VA streamline refinancing.
VA loan qualification requirements
- Minimum credit score around mid-600s
- Two years’ proof of steady income
- Ability to get a certificate of eligibility (COE)
USDA loans are available at Veterans First, although there aren’t many details about the types offered or specific requirements needed.
USDA loan qualification requirements
- Home must be in an eligible rural area
- Be at or below income thresholds
- Need to live in the home as their primary residence
Veterans First mortgage qualifications
| Credit score minimum | Mid-600s |
| DTI ratio Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio compares your monthly gross income to your monthly debt payments. maximum | FHA: 43% VA: 41% USDA: 41% |
| Down payment minimum | FHA: 3.5% VA: 0% USDA: 0% |
Don’t know your credit score? Get your free score on LendingTree Spring today.
According to 2024 HDMA data, Veterans First approved about 91.0% of its applicants, with average loan-to-value (LTV) ratios at 72.4%. About 40% borrowers had DTI ratios less than 40%.
Compared to other lenders, Veterans First had a higher percentage of loan approvals.
How to apply for a Veterans First mortgage
1. Choose your loan type
After heading to the Veterans First website, fill out the form on their “Start Your Loan” page.
2. Get prequalified
You will need to enter details like whether you’re looking to purchase or refinance a home, your full name and phone number. A representative will contact you to learn more about your needs and you may be able to ask about getting preapproved and locking in a mortgage rate.
3. Submit a loan application
A loan officer will help you submit a full loan application if you choose to move forward. If you need to get a prequalification letter to submit a purchase offer, the loan officer can also help you with this step.
Find out more about how to apply for a home loan.
- Identification
- Tax documents
- Bank statement
- Pay stubs
- Debt and asset statements
- Gift letters (if you’re using gifted funds)
Is it safe to get prequalified with Veterans First?
Yes, it’s safe to get prequalified with Veterans First. Getting preapproved could mean that the lender will conduct a hard credit pull, which will affect your credit score. A preapproval is a key step to purchasing a home, as it shows sellers you have the financial means to buy a home.
Veterans First’s customer service experience
The only way you can initially contact Veterans First is by phone or their contact form:
- Phone: 800-217-1596
These options fall short compared to competitors, which offer features like live chats, more in-person locations, or the ability to check quotes online.
How does Veterans First compare to other lenders?
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| LendingTree’s rating | Expert review from LendingTree. Read Our Review Back to our Veterans First summary | Expert review from LendingTree. Read Our Review Read our Veterans First vs. Rocket Mortgage comparison | Expert review from LendingTree. Read Our Review Read our Veterans First vs. PenFed Credit Union comparison |
| Minimum credit score | Mid-600s | 580 to 680 | 620 |
| Minimum down payment | 0% to 3.5% | 0% to 3.5% | 0% to 3.5% |
| Rate spread Rate spread is the difference between the average prime offer rate (APOR) — the lowest APR a bank is likely to offer any private customer — and the average annual percentage rate (APR) the lender offered to mortgage customers in 2024. The higher the number, the more expensive the loan. | 0.28% | 0.87% | 0.72% |
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| Better for: | Borrowers who want a lender with experience in VA loans. | Borrowers looking for a more streamlined online borrowing experience. | Borrowers who want to work with a lender that also offers banking products in addition to mortgages. |
Veterans First vs. Rocket Mortgage
While Veterans First is great for those seeking specialized assistance with VA loans, Rocket Mortgage offers more loan options. Although Rocket Mortgage doesn’t offer USDA loans, it gives you the ability to get a quote online. Plus, you can compare more loan options if you don’t believe you’ll qualify for a government-backed loan.
Read more in our full Rocket Mortgage review.
Veterans First vs. PenFed Credit Union
PenFed is a larger financial institution that also offers banking products, which could be the better fit if you would rather have most of your financial accounts in one place. You can also start an application online, and becoming a member isn’t as strict compared with other credit unions. Unlike Veterans First, PenFed posts its loan rates online.
Read more in our full PenFed Credit Union mortgage review.
How LendingTree rated Veterans First Mortgage
LendingTree’s mortgage lender rating is based on a five-point scoring system that factors in several features, including digital application processes, available loan products and the accessibility of product and lending information.
LendingTree’s editorial team calculates each rating based on a review of information available on the lender’s website. Lenders receive a half-point on the “offers standard mortgage products” criterion if they offer only two of the three standard loan programs (conventional, FHA and VA). In some cases, additional information was provided by a lender representative.
Veterans First’s scorecard:
⭕ Publishes rates online
✅ Offers standard mortgage products
✅ Includes detailed product info online
✅ Shares resources about mortgage lending
✅ Provides an online application
Frequently asked questions
Veterans First offers online educational content and a form to request more information about their loan offerings.
Veterans First is a legitimate lender, in business since 1985.
You can view more info about Veterans First’s state licenses and registrations through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) website.
When you submit an application, Veterans First may conduct a hard credit check, which could temporarily affect your credit score. A LendingTree credit score study shows that your score could drop by 20 points, but can rebound within a year.
Veterans First has generally received favorable ratings from its customers over the years. The lender is accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It also has an A+ rating on its website, the highest rating possible.
Within the last three years, Veterans First has received 58 complaints on BBB, but many of them have to do with Wintrust’s banking products.
Veterans First also has over 2,400 Trustpilot reviews with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. The positive reviews noted clear communication, though negative reviews noted that there were delays in loan processing.
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