Of the top 10 mortgage lenders we scanned this week, five are still offering rates just below 6%. The Yahoo Finance survey ranks lenders by annual percentage rate (APR), which includes lender fees. The mortgage lenders with the best rates: Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2026 Here are the 10 mortgage lenders with the best interest rates this week, as determined by our survey of the lowest mortgage rates on 30-year, fixed-rate conventional loans. The following numbers are each lender’s annual percentage rate (APR). 5 ...

Core Insights - The top five mortgage lenders have reduced their rates to the sub-6% range, with Navy Federal leading at an offered interest rate of 5.5% and an APR of 5.614% [1][3] - A significant difference of 1.185 percentage points exists between the top lender, Navy Federal, and the lowest-ranked lender, Third Federal [4] Mortgage Rates Overview - The survey conducted by Yahoo Finance indicates that the lowest offered mortgage rate is now at 5.5%, marking a notable shift in the mortgage rate landscape [3] - The survey included 16 lenders, with notable exclusions from the top 10 being Wells Fargo, Bank of America, PNC, Fifth Third Bank, Rocket Mortgage, and Third Federal [3] Importance of APR - The annual percentage rate (APR) is emphasized as the most critical figure for borrowers, as it encompasses both the interest rate and lender fees, providing a clearer picture of annual borrowing costs [8] - Borrowers are advised to focus on APR rather than just the offered interest rate, which lenders often highlight [8] Shopping for Mortgage Rates - Shopping around for mortgage rates can lead to significant savings, potentially up to $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan [7] - It is recommended that borrowers request quotes from multiple lenders without discount points to facilitate accurate comparisons of rates and fees [14] Discount Points and Special Offers - Discount points can be used to lower interest rates, with each point representing 1% of the loan amount and typically reducing the interest rate by about 0.25% [10] - Lenders are increasingly offering special discounts on interest rates and fees, with examples such as Citi Mortgage providing $500 off closing costs [12]

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve's recent rate cut may influence mortgage rates, but it does not guarantee immediate reductions in mortgage rates for borrowers [2][3] - Mortgage lenders are adjusting their rates in response to the Fed's actions, with some lenders like Rocket Mortgage lowering their rates following the Fed's cut [3] - The best mortgage rates this week are offered by PenFed Credit Union, Chase Home Lending, and U.S. Bank, as per a survey conducted by Yahoo Finance [1][4] Mortgage Rate Shopping - Shopping around is essential for borrowers to secure the lowest mortgage rates, as highlighted by research from Realtor.com [7] - The annual percentage rate (APR) is the most critical figure for borrowers, as it encompasses both the interest rate and lender fees, providing a clearer picture of borrowing costs [8] - Borrowers should request quotes from multiple lenders without discount points to facilitate accurate comparisons of rates and fees [12] Discount Points - Discount points are upfront fees that borrowers can pay to lower their interest rates, with one point typically costing 1% of the loan amount and reducing the rate by about 0.25% [10] - Some lenders, like Truist, offer negative points or lender credits, which can help cover closing costs instead of increasing the loan cost [11]

Core Insights - The top three mortgage lenders with the lowest rates are Navy Federal Credit Union, Citi Mortgage, and PenFed Credit Union, with a slight change in ranking this week [1] - The consistency in rankings among the top lenders indicates a stable competitive landscape in the mortgage lending market [3] Mortgage Rate Rankings - The top five lenders consistently include two major national banks (Citi and Chase) and two large credit unions (Navy Federal and PenFed), with the fifth position varying, currently held by Truist [3] - A significant difference of 1.185 percentage points in APR exists between the top lender, Navy Federal, and the bottom lender, Third Federal, highlighting the importance of comparing rates [4] Lender Performance - Six lenders, including Wells Fargo and Rocket Mortgage, did not make the top 10 based on APR, while Citizens Bank improved its position to enter the top 10 [4] Shopping for Mortgage Rates - Borrowers can potentially save up to $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan by shopping around for mortgage rates [7] - Promotional rates are becoming more common, with lenders like Chase Home Lending offering limited-time rate reductions [8] Importance of APR - The APR is emphasized as the most critical figure for borrowers, as it encompasses both the interest rate and lender fees, providing a clearer picture of borrowing costs [9] Discount Points - Discount points can be used to lower interest rates, but they are optional and represent prepaid interest [10][11] - Borrowers are advised to request quotes without discount points for a more straightforward comparison of rates and fees [12]

Core Insights - The top three mortgage lenders with the best rates are Citi Mortgage, Navy Federal Credit Union, and PenFed Credit Union, remaining unchanged from the previous week [1][3] - Mortgage rates have decreased among most leading lenders, with the top five lenders consistently offering the lowest rates [3] - A significant difference of 1.17 percentage points in APR exists between the top lender, Citi Mortgage, and the bottom lender, Third Federal, highlighting the importance of comparing rates [5] Lender Rankings - The survey conducted on December 1, 2025, evaluated 16 lenders, with Wells Fargo, PNC, Flagstar Bank, Rocket Mortgage, and Third Federal not making the top 10 based on APR [4] - The methodology for determining the lowest rates is based on APR, which includes both interest rates and lender fees [14] Shopping for Mortgage Rates - Borrowers can save up to $44,000 over the life of a 30-year loan by shopping around for the best mortgage rates [8] - The APR is emphasized as the most important figure, as it encompasses both the interest rate and lender fees, providing a more accurate measure of borrowing costs [9] Discount Points - Lenders may offer mortgage discount points to lower interest rates, which are prepaid interest fees paid at closing [11] - Each point typically costs 1% of the loan amount and reduces the interest rate by approximately 0.25% [12] - Borrowers can request quotes from lenders without discount points for a clearer comparison of rates and fees [13]