Veterans First Mortgage Review for 2026: Rates, Loan Options and Customer Feedback

Pros and cons of Veterans First

Pros

• Specializes in VA loans and military borrower needs.
• Offers zero-down-payment mortgages with no mortgage insurance.
• Provides VA refinance options, including streamlined refinance and cash-out refinance loans.
• Positive customer reviews, with Trustpilot rating the company as Excellent.
  

Cons

• Does not publish mortgage interest rates online.
• Requires contacting a loan officer to obtain detailed pricing.
• Sets its own VA credit score minimums, allowing for case-by-case consideration for borrowers with credit challenges.
• Emphasizes personal guidance over mobile and online tools.
  

Veterans First mortgage rates

Veterans First does not publish mortgage rates online, so borrowers need to contact the lender for a personalized quote. As with any lender, Veterans First interest rates can vary based on your credit profile, loan type, loan amount, discount points, and market conditions. The best way to compare rates is to request a Loan Estimate and review the interest rate, APR, lender fees, discount points, and cash due at closing.

For VA loans, Veterans First says borrowers may pay several common costs, including:

• An origination fee of up to 1%
• VA funding fee, unless exempt
• Reasonable interest rate discount points
• Credit report fee
• VA appraisal fee
• Prepaid escrow costs, such as taxes and insurance
• Other standard closing costs, such as title insurance and recording fees

The VA funding fee increases the cost of a VA loan, although some borrowers qualify for an exemption. Details on the VA funding fee are provided in the affordability section below.

Veterans First lender review for 2026

Veterans First Mortgage is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and operates as a trade name of Wintrust Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company. The company is best known for VA purchase loans, VA refinancings, jumbo VA loans, and support with obtaining Certificates of Eligibility.

The lender reports that its leadership has over 35 years of mortgage experience and has assisted more than 200,000 families with over $32 billion in home loans. Its experience is reflected in borrower education and Veterans First’s expertise in VA eligibility, entitlement, refinancing, and loan guidance for veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, and eligible surviving spouses.

That specialization can help if you qualify for VA benefits and prefer working with a loan officer experienced with military borrowers. While you can begin the application process online, Veterans First may be less convenient for those seeking instant rate quotes, self-guided preapproval, or a process with minimal direct contact.

Affordability

Veterans First can be affordable for eligible VA borrowers, offering zero-down-payment financing and no monthly mortgage insurance. That can reduce both the cash needed at closing and monthly mortgage payments. Borrowers with full entitlement are not required to make a down payment, subject to lender approval and VA guidelines. Those with a partial entitlement may also qualify for a no-down-payment option if their remaining entitlement covers at least 25% of the new loan amount.

Veterans First notes that VA borrowers will not pay:

• Tax service fees
• Document preparation fees
• Underwriting and processing fees
• Commitment or marketing fees
• Seller or lender attorney fees
• Real estate commissions
• Prepayment penalties

Eliminating these fees reduces your mortgage closing costs, especially compared with loan programs that charge higher lender and administrative fees.

However, borrowers should still plan for the VA funding fee unless they qualify for an exemption.

• For VA purchase loans from April 7, 2023, through November 15, 2031, the funding fee is 2.15% for first-time use with 0% down and 3.30% for repeat use with 0% down.
• The fee drops to 1.50% with 5% to 9.99% down and 1.25% with 10% or more down.

Some disabled veterans, certain surviving spouses, and eligible active duty Purple Heart recipients may qualify for a funding fee exemption.

Lending flexibility

Veterans First primarily offers VA loans for eligible military borrowers, with options for home purchase and refinancing. Its VA refinance options include streamline refinancing for borrowers who already have a VA loan and cash-out refinancing for homeowners who want to use home equity or replace another mortgage.

The lender may also offer FHA and USDA loans to military borrowers in select cases, positioning these programs as alternatives when they better suit the borrower’s needs than a VA loan.

The lender’s VA loan guidelines highlight a few core approval factors:

• VA entitlement: You need enough VA entitlement to support the loan.
• Certificate of Eligibility: You need a COE to confirm your VA loan benefit.
• Credit score: Veterans First says borrowers typically need a credit score in the mid-600s.
• Debt to income ratio: The lender requires a 41% DTI ratio or lower, though exceptions may apply.
• Residual income: You need enough money left over each month based on your region and household size.
• Income history: Veterans First generally requires at least 2 years of steady, documented income.
• Property and occupancy: The home must meet VA property standards, and you must plan to use it as your primary residence.

Veterans First also offers jumbo VA loans to qualified borrowers with full entitlement, as VA loan limits no longer apply. If part of your benefit has already been used by another VA loan, you may have partial entitlement and could need a down payment, depending on the loan amount and available entitlement.

Trustworthiness

Veterans First has a positive reputation among borrowers and a long track record in VA lending. The lender says it has served more than 200,000 families with over $32 billion in home loans, and its leadership has more than 35 years of mortgage experience. Veterans First also operates as part of Wintrust Mortgage, a division of Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A., which gives borrowers the backing of a larger banking organization.

Customer ratings further support its reputation. As of summer 2026, Trustpilot rates Veterans First 4.9 out of 5 stars from over 2,400 reviews, and LendingTree gives a 4.5 out of 5 expert rating. Customers often praise helpful loan officers, timely communication, VA loan guidance, and assistance with paperwork. Less positive reviews mention delays, document requests, or communication gaps, so borrowers with tight closing timelines should remain proactive.

Customer experience

Veterans First emphasizes personal service. Its website allows borrowers to start a purchase or refinance request online, select military status, enter a ZIP code, and connect with the lending team. The main contact number is 800-217-1596.

Working directly with a loan officer is a good option if you have questions or need help with your COE. It may not suit borrowers who want to view rates, compare payments, and get preapproved without talking to anyone. Veterans First gives you plenty of on-demand VA education, but it asks you to speak with the lender for the numbers that matter most.

FAQs about Veterans First Mortgage

Is Veterans First the best mortgage lender for you?

Veterans First may be the right mortgage lender if you qualify for VA benefits and want a lender that focuses on helping military borrowers. Its strengths include VA loan expertise, positive customer reviews, refinance options, and no-down-payment loans for those who qualify.

This Veterans First lender review also shows why you should compare before you commit. Veterans First does not publish personalized rates online, and its process relies more on contact with loan officers than on instant digital tools. Put Veterans First on your shortlist if you value VA expertise and personal service, then compare its Loan Estimate with other offers before you choose your lender.

How The Mortgage Reports scored Veterans First

The Mortgage Reports evaluates and ranks lenders based on four key factors, each weighted to reflect its impact on the borrowing experience.

• Trustworthiness (20%): Measures customer satisfaction and reliability using Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaints per 1,000 loans and ratings from reputable third-party review platforms, such as Trustpilot.
• Customer experience (20%): Examines the lender’s digital and service accessibility, including the availability of an online pre-approval or pre-qualification process, ease of contact, and the presence of a current rates page on their website.
• Affordability (20%): Assesses the average origination charges and the average interest rate the lender offers.
• Lending flexibility (40%): Evaluates the lender’s minimum down payment and credit score requirements, as well as the availability of FHA, VA, and USDA loan options.