It’s time to find out who the top mortgage lenders in Kentucky are, based on total loan volume.
More than 750 banks, direct lenders, and credit unions originated home loans in the state of Kentucky last year.
Altogether, this group funded more than $40 billion in mortgages, though only one can claim to be #1.
As is the case with many other states in the nation, Rocket Mortgage led the way in The Bluegrass State.
Keep reading to see which other mortgage companies made the top-10 list.
Top Mortgage Lenders in Kentucky (Overall)
| Ranking | Company Name | 2021 Loan Volume |
| 1. | Rocket Mortgage | $2.2 billion |
| 2. | Wells Fargo | $1.2 billion |
| 3. | Freedom Mortgage | $1.1 billion |
| 4. | U.S. Bank | $1.1 billion |
| 5. | UWM | $1.0 billion |
| 6. | Homepoint | $1.0 billion |
| 7. | Fifth Third Bank | $952 million |
| 8. | Chase | $938 million |
| 9. | Pennymac | $885 million |
| 10. | AmeriHome Mortgage | $844 million |
Rocket Mortgage snagged the top spot in Kentucky with $2.2 billion in home loans funded in 2021, per HMDA data compiled by Richey May.
That was about a billion more than second place Wells Fargo, which managed about $1.2 billion in origination volume last year.
Coming in third was Boca Raton-based Freedom Mortgage with $1.1 billion, narrowly beating out U.S. Bank’s similar total.
In fifth was United Wholesale Mortgage with $1 billion, a company that relies solely on mortgage brokers to generate business.
The rest of the top 10 included Homepoint, Fifth Third Bank, Chase, Pennymac, and AmeriHome Mortgage.
None of the companies mentioned are headquartered in Kentucky, though Fifth Third is from nearby Cincinnati, Ohio.
Top Kentucky Mortgage Lenders (for Home Buyers)
| Ranking | Company Name | 2021 Loan Volume |
| 1. | AmeriHome Mortgage | $511 million |
| 2. | Pennymac | $500 million |
| 3. | UWM | $489 million |
| 4. | Stockton Mortgage | $489 million |
| 5. | Rocket Mortgage | $485 million |
| 6. | Wells Fargo | $484 million |
| 7. | Homepoint | $479 million |
| 8. | U.S. Bank | $420 million |
| 9. | Citizens Bank | $410 million |
| 10. | American Mtg. Service Co. | $403 million |
If talking home purchase lending only, SoCal-based AmeriHome Mortgage takes the top spot with $511 million funded.
They were followed by another SoCal lender, Pennymac, with $500 million funded, and UWM with $489 million in third.
Frankfort, KY-based Stockton Mortgage took fourth with roughly $489 million as well, trailed closely by Rocket Mortgage with $485 million.
The bottom half of the top 10 included Wells Fargo, Homepoint, U.S. Bank, Citizens Bank, and Cincinnati-based American Mortgage Service Co.
So when it came to home buying, one Kentucky-based company made the list.
Top Refinance Lenders in Kentucky (for Existing Homeowners)
| Ranking | Company Name | 2021 Loan Volume |
| 1. | Rocket Mortgage | $1.7 billion |
| 2. | Freedom Mortgage | $831 million |
| 3. | Fifth Third Bank | $675 million |
| 4. | Guardian Savings | $656 million |
| 5. | Wells Fargo | $636 million |
| 6. | Chase | $594 million |
| 7. | U.S. Bank | $583 million |
| 8. | UWM | $551 million |
| 9. | Homepoint | $543 million |
| 10. | PNC Bank | $469 million |
Now let’s talk refis in the state of Kentucky. For folks refinancing an existing mortgage in the state, Rocket Mortgage was the top destination with $1.7 billion funded.
Freedom Mortgage came in second with $831 million, followed by Fifth Third Bank with $675 million in loan volume.
Cincy-based Guardian Savings Bank took fourth with $656 million, and Wells Fargo came in fifth with $636 million.
The rest of the big shots in the refinance department included Chase, U.S. Bank, UWM, Homepoint, and PNC Bank.
The Best Mortgage Lenders in Kentucky
I always attempt to find local names to throw into the mix, even if they didn’t fund as much as the big guys.
And I typically turn to Zillow to check out the mortgage reviews of local companies in each state.
Our one homegrown lender, Stockton Mortgage, has a 4.92/5 from over 150 customer reviews on Zillow, which isn’t too shabby.
The most reviewed Kentucky-based lender on Zillow is Gold Financial Services, which has a 4.99/5 from nearly 500 reviews.
As for the bigger names, Rocket Mortgage (4.48/5), Pennymac (4.40/5), Fifth Third (4.92/5) Citizens Bank (4.96/5), Wells Fargo (4.95/5), Chase (4.95/5), Freedom Mortgage (4.85/5), and Homepoint (4.89/5).
Ultimately, there are plenty of highly-rated mortgage lenders in Kentucky and surrounding states.
So whether you go local or try an out-of-state option, you should be able to find a suitable match for your mortgage needs.
(photo: Joel Kramer)
