Veterans United's 11-Year Reign as a Top Workplace

COLUMBIA, MO – April 01, 2026 – For the 11th consecutive year, Veterans United Home Loans has secured a coveted spot on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list, a distinction that places the Missouri-based lender in an elite group of companies renowned for exceptional workplace culture. The recognition, announced today by Great Place To Work® and Fortune magazine, highlights a remarkable consistency that few organizations achieve.

Since first appearing on the list in 2016, Veterans United has become a fixture, demonstrating a long-term commitment to its employees that goes beyond typical corporate perks. This year, it stands as one of only three Missouri-based companies and one of just two Veteran-focused organizations to receive the honor nationwide.

A Culture of Commitment

The foundation of the Fortune list is not a top-down evaluation but a bottom-up assessment rooted in employee experience. The ranking is determined primarily by the Great Place to Work® Trust Index™ Survey, a confidential questionnaire that measures employee sentiment on factors like credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. According to Great Place to Work, an overwhelming 93% of employees at Veterans United say it is a great place to work, a figure that starkly contrasts with the 57% average at typical U.S.-based companies.

Further data from the survey reveals a culture where employees feel valued and connected. An impressive 98% of employees reported feeling welcome when they joined the company, while 97% feel good about the ways the company contributes to the community. This sentiment is not accidental, but the result of a deliberate focus on people.

"What I love about this recognition is that almost none of our people come to work asking themselves, 'I wonder if I'm helping Veterans United become one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For?' They don't have to think about it, and yet they absolutely make this a great place to work," said Ian Franz, Veterans United Director of Culture. "They just show up with a fresh commitment to their work, to the people they serve, and to each other. And when we consistently do that, the craziest thing happens: it turns work into something more than just a place you have to be."

This ethos is embedded in the company's employee-created values: "Be Passionate and Have Fun," "Deliver Results with Integrity," and "Enhance Lives Every Day." These principles are not just plaques on a wall; they are the operating system for a workforce that has grown to over 5,000 people nationwide, with more than 3,200 in central Missouri.

The Business Case for Employee Happiness

Veterans United's consistent ranking as a top workplace correlates directly with its commanding position in the market. The company, which financed over $26 billion in loans in 2025, has maintained its status as the nation's largest VA lender, according to Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics. It has been the top VA Purchase Lender for nine consecutive years, from 2016 to 2024.

This sustained market leadership provides a compelling business case for investing in employee happiness. Research from Great Place to Work indicates that companies on the "100 Best" list consistently outperform the market and excel in key metrics like employee retention and innovation. In a competitive mortgage industry, the ability to attract and retain top talent is a significant advantage. The positive culture at Veterans United appears to be a key differentiator, fostering a dedicated workforce that, according to employee surveys, believes 96% of its customers would rate their service as "excellent."

More Than Mortgages: A Mission Fueled by Philanthropy

Perhaps the most unique manifestation of Veterans United's culture is its philanthropic arm, the Veterans United Foundation. Created by employees in 2011, the Foundation is a testament to the company's mission to "Enhance Lives Every Day." In a remarkable display of collective generosity, nearly 90% of all employees donate a portion of each paycheck, with every dollar matched by the company.

Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $155 million for charity, with employees contributing $14.3 million in 2025 alone. As the Foundation celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, its impact is felt across the country. It has provided hundreds of thousands in direct relief to families affected by natural disasters, awarded $150,000 in scholarships to student veterans and military families in 2025, and donated over $900,000 to mental health and PTSD initiatives in a single year.

The Foundation's work is deeply personal, offering life-changing support to individuals facing medical hardships or transitioning to stable housing. This employee-driven philanthropy creates a powerful feedback loop, reinforcing the company's mission and giving employees a tangible way to make a difference beyond their daily job responsibilities.

A Veteran-Focused Identity in Action

While its primary business is VA loans, Veterans United's identity as a "Veteran-focused organization" is comprehensive. The company has earned the VETS Indexes 5 Star Employer Award for its commitment to recruiting and supporting military veteran employees. It is also a recipient of the Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest honor given by the U.S. government to employers for supporting their National Guard and Reservist employees.

This commitment has earned external validation, including the prestigious AUSA National Service Award from the Association of the United States Army in 2023, recognizing its broad service to veterans and their families. This holistic approach—combining market-leading service, an award-winning internal culture, and deep community investment—demonstrates how a company's mission can be woven into every facet of its operations, creating a cycle of success for employees, customers, and the community alike.