The top five mortgage lenders this week all lowered rates slightly, leading with rates in the sub-6% range. Lenders ranked by annual percentage rate (APR) which includes lender fees. Navy Federal Credit Union leads with a rate of 5.614%.

Other lenders with the best rates include Citi Mortgage at 5.72%, PenFed Credit Union at 5.915%, Chase Home Loans at 5.949%, and Better at 5.978%. Rates listed are current as of Dec. 29, 2025.

Navy Federal leads with an offered interest rate of 5.5%, carrying an APR of 5.614%. Wells Fargo, Bank of America, PNC, Fifth Third Bank, Rocket Mortgage, and Third Federal did not make the top 10.

APR with a 1.185 percentage point difference separates Navy Federal from Third Federal. Rates are based on generic assumptions and may vary based on credit scores, down payments, and location.

The key to getting the lowest mortgage rate is shopping around. APR is the most important number to consider when comparing rates, as it includes both interest rate and lender fees.

Discount points can lower interest rates but are optional. Each point represents 1% of the loan amount and generally lowers the interest rate by about 0.25%.

Lenders may offer special discounts on interest rates and fees. Citi Mortgage was found offering $500 off closing costs. Ask lenders for concessions and shop around for the best deal.

Compare rates with zero discount points for an accurate comparison. Focus on APR for an accurate side-by-side comparison of rates and fees. See table below for Yahoo Finance methodology on determining best rates.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Mortgage lenders with the best rates this week, Dec. 29-Jan. 4