Top mortgage lenders in California
These are the most active mortgage lenders in California by 2025 federal HMDA volume — the banks, credit unions and nonbank lenders that wrote the most home loans in the state. Volume isn't the same as the best deal for you, so use it as a shortlist, then compare quotes.
| # | Lender | Type | 2025 loans |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Wholesale Mortgage | Nonbank lender | 79,474 |
| 2 | Rocket Mortgage | Nonbank lender | 64,004 |
| 3 | Chase | Bank | 50,331 |
| 4 | Bank of America | Bank | 41,200 |
| 5 | PennyMac | Nonbank lender | 34,071 |
| 6 | U.S. Bank | Bank | 33,621 |
| 7 | Newrez | Nonbank lender | 23,580 |
| 8 | Spring Eq, LLC | — | 22,092 |
| 9 | SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union | Credit union | 19,194 |
| 10 | Figure Lending LLC | — | 18,995 |
| 11 | Freedom Mortgage | Nonbank lender | 18,227 |
| 12 | Wells Fargo | Bank | 16,714 |
| 13 | loanDepot | Nonbank lender | 16,655 |
| 14 | Lakeview Loan Servicing | Nonbank lender | 15,919 |
| 15 | Coastal Community Bank | — | 15,830 |
| 16 | Navy Federal Credit Union | Credit union | 15,497 |
| 17 | Guaranteed Rate (Rate) | Nonbank lender | 15,450 |
| 18 | CrossCountry Mortgage | Nonbank lender | 15,174 |
| 19 | Citibank, National Association | — | 14,578 |
| 20 | Mr. Cooper | Nonbank lender | 13,208 |
| 21 | The Loan Store, Inc. | — | 12,791 |
| 22 | New American Funding | Nonbank lender | 12,478 |
| 23 | Ocmbc, Inc. | — | 12,284 |
| 24 | Amerihome Mortgage Company, LLC | — | 11,788 |
| 25 | The Golden 1 | — | 11,609 |
Ranked by California home-loan applications reported in 2025 under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), FFIEC/CFPB. A neutral measure of lending activity — not a quality score. Names we review link to a full lender review.
How to choose a lender in California
The lender that writes the most loans isn't automatically the one that will quote you the lowest rate. Your rate depends on your credit, down payment and loan type — not a lender's market share. The reliable way to find the best deal is to get a Loan Estimate from three or more of these lenders in the same two-week window (it counts as a single credit inquiry) and compare the APRs.
Weigh national lenders and online brokers, which often lead on price, against California banks and credit unions, which may offer relationship pricing and access to CalHFA programs. Start with the local benchmark and assistance below.
California lender FAQ
Who is the biggest mortgage lender in California?
By 2025 federal HMDA activity, United Wholesale Mortgage handled the most home loans in California (about 79,474 applications reported). The biggest lender isn't automatically the cheapest for you, though — rankings reflect volume, not the rate you'd be quoted.
How many mortgage lenders operate in California?
Hundreds of banks, credit unions and nonbank lenders report California home loans each year under HMDA. The table above shows the most active by volume; you can also shop national lenders and local credit unions not listed here.
How were these California lender rankings determined?
We ranked lenders by the number of California home-loan applications each reported in 2025 under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) — a neutral public measure of lending activity in the state. It is not a quality score or an endorsement.
Should I use a local or national lender in California?
Both can be competitive. National lenders and online brokers often lead on price and speed; local banks and credit unions may offer relationship pricing, CalHFA down-payment programs and in-person service.
Get a Loan Estimate from at least one of each and compare the APR.
Rankings are editorial and independent, built from public federal data — no lender pays to be listed. This is general information, not a recommendation or personalized advice. Confirm all terms directly with the lender.
All lenders