NEWS: Housing Finance Agency named to 2026 Best Mortgage Companies to Work for

[Schmalz, Amber L.]

 

For Immediate Release March 3, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT
Amber Schmalz Communications Coordinator
(701) 328-8074 or asch...@nd.gov 

 

Housing Finance Agency named to 2026 Best Mortgage Companies to Work for

 

BISMARCK, ND – North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) has been ranked as one of the Best Mortgage Companies to Work for by National Mortgage News for 2026.

 

“North Dakota Housing Finance Agency is honored to again be recognized as one of the Best Mortgage Companies to Work for,” said Brandon Dettlaff, the agency’s executive director. “Our team does an incredible job of serving and supporting our loan customers on their homeownership journey.”

 

NDHFA’s mission is to make housing affordable for all North Dakotans. Over the past 44 years, more than 56,000 individuals and families have benefited from the affordable home financing provided by the state agency.

 

Through its FirstHome™ program, NDHFA primarily assists first-time homebuyers in achieving homeownership by providing low-cost mortgages, down payment and closing cost assistance. Single parents, veterans, and families with disabled or elderly household members can qualify for similar help through HomeAccess. The agency’s North Dakota Roots program assists households who require assistance to buy again or whose income exceeds the limits of the agency’s FirstHome program.

 

“Our housing partners continue to share our programs with buyers, and that led us to help 3,962 individuals and families successfully purchase a home last year,” said Terri Mollman-Larson, NDHFA’s Director of Homeownership.

 

Parties interested in the agency’s programs will find information at ndhousing.nd.gov, including contact information for the Participating Lenders who originate mortgage loans on NDHFA’s behalf and for FirstHome Certified Agents, real estate agents who have exhibited a commitment to assisting homebuyers who may benefit from the agency’s programs.

 

National Mortgage News and Best Companies Group’s annual awards program identifies, recognizes, and honors the best employers in the U.S. mortgage industry. This year’s list included 40 companies who were identified as the winners, with the final rankings revealed in a special report published in National Mortgage News on March 2, 2026.

 

Determining National Mortgage News’ Best Mortgage Companies to Work for includes a survey process consisting of evaluating workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics along with an employee survey to measure employee experience. The employee survey accounts for 75% of the overall score and measures satisfaction with leadership, culture, work environment, development, and overall engagement. NDHFA has received this ranking every year since 2022.

 

The North Dakota Industrial Commission, consisting of Governor Kelly Armstrong as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Drew H. Wrigley, oversees the agency.