Mortgages insured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, also known as USDA loans, cater to prospective homeowners looking for a small-town lifestyle. It is the only government-backed loan that seeks to develop safe rural communities for families of modest means. Here are our top picks for USDA lenders in October 2025. The best USDA mortgage lenders of October 2025 Best USDA lender for low interest rates: Pennymac Why Pennymac mortgages stand out: Pennymac is the largest U.S. lender of USDA loans and ...