Largest wholesale lender — work with a UWM-approved mortgage broker for access.
Get started at United Wholesale Mortgage → Pre-qualify (where available) with a soft credit pull — no score impact.
ClearValue Rating: 3.9 / 5 — our editorial assessment (how we rate)
Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.
Borrowers willing to use a mortgage broker to access wholesale rates often lower than retail.
United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) — Largest wholesale lender — work with a UWM-approved mortgage broker for access. Best for: Borrowers willing to use a mortgage broker to access wholesale rates often lower than retail.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.
No. UWM is a wholesale lender — it only works with licensed mortgage brokers, not directly with consumers. To access UWM's rates and programs, you need to find a UWM-approved mortgage broker. UWM's broker finder is at uwm.com/find-a-mortgage-broker. The broker handles your application, rate lock, and document submission; UWM underwrites and funds the loan. Interview 2–3 brokers to find one with UWM access and a strong local reputation.
Wholesale lenders like UWM price at a rate tier designed for brokers to add their margin and still remain competitive with retail banks. UWM passes lower-cost capital through its broker network rather than maintaining a consumer-facing retail origination infrastructure. According to UWM's own public disclosures, wholesale rates are often 15–50 basis points below comparable retail rates. Your actual savings depend on the broker's compensation structure and the specific loan program — verify the comparison on your scenario before committing.
UWM's product menu through approved brokers includes conventional conforming loans, FHA loans, VA loans, jumbo loans, and non-QM programs — including bank-statement loans, ITIN loans, and asset-depletion programs for borrowers who don't qualify under standard income documentation. This is among the broadest wholesale product menus in the market. Non-QM programs have higher rates than agency products; your broker can explain which program fits your situation.
UWM's minimum FICO varies by loan program. FHA loans through UWM-approved brokers can accept scores down to 580 (with a 3.5% down payment). Conventional conforming loans typically require 620+, with better pricing at 700+. VA loans have no official minimum FICO (though lenders typically require 580–620). Non-QM programs vary by product. Your broker sets the final eligibility based on UWM's overlays for each program — verify your specific scenario with a broker at uwm.com.
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Every pick gets a 1–5 ClearValue Rating computed from four weighted factors: Editorial confidence (30%), Cost (25%), Value (25%), and Accessibility (20%).
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