As the housing and lending environment continues to evolve, AAFMAA Mortgage Services LLC (AMS) begins 2026 with optimism, smart expansion, and a renewed commitment to providing value-driven mortgage solutions for military families. AMS is proactively expanding its reach, strengthening its offerings, and helping Members navigate a complex landscape with confidence.

Expanding Our Service Areas 

AMS continued its national growth by expanding into the western region, led by the hiring of Gary Blackmun, the new Vice President of Sales for the West. With more than 30 years of experience in mortgage and financial services, Gary will develop a renewed regional presence and recruit additional military mortgage advisors, who are licensed mortgage loan originators, to serve our Members in the West.

As part of this expansion, AMS obtained mortgage licenses in Idaho and Oregon in late 2025. These states represent significant growth opportunities—not only because of their active-duty populations and military retirees, but also because many military families are increasingly relocating to these states for quality of life, retirement, or post-service career opportunities.

Delivering Down Payment Assistance

One of the most meaningful ways AMS is helping new and younger Members of Armed Forces Mutual is through expanded access to down payment assistance (DPA) programs. Texas Housing approved AMS to offer its DPA program and has already completed several loans to help Members bridge the affordability gap and achieve homeownership.

With first-time homebuyers representing a growing share of AMS’s clientele, these programs are increasingly valuable. Down payment assistance can significantly reduce upfront expenses. Nationwide averages show that many DPA programs offer benefits worth around $18,000, with corresponding reductions in loan-to-value ratios. For many military families, this support can be the difference between waiting and making a purchase now.

AMS continues to pursue additional state-level DPA opportunities, including those with Virginia Housing, to expand access further.

Related: How to Use the AMS Homebuying Guide

Helping Members Navigate a Shifting Economic Environment

Housing activity slowed at the end of 2024 and into early 2025 due to elevated interest rates, uncertainty around tariffs, questions about job market stability and volatility in the technology sector. As the Federal Reserve began making rate cuts in 2025 in response to broader economic pressures, AMS was closely monitoring opportunities to help Members benefit.

Proactive outreach to Members with higher-rate mortgages remains a priority. Many homeowners still hold mortgage rates above 6%, making refinancing, especially VA IRRRL streamline refinances, a meaningful opportunity for those positioned to benefit.

Additionally, with credit card and consumer debt levels rising nationwide, AMS is seeing increased interest in VA Cash-Out Refinances for debt consolidation and home improvements. Even if a borrower’s first mortgage rate is lower, consolidating high-interest debt through a refinance can reduce the overall household cost of borrowing. Home equity loans, second mortgages, may also be a great option for homeowners who want to keep their existing first mortgage but want extra money for consolidating debts or making home improvements.

Related: Refinancing is Trending Now. Here’s Why

Expanding Investor Options to Serve More Borrowers

In response to shifting market conditions, AMS also broadened its broker and correspondent lending channels by bringing on several new investors. This expansion significantly increases the company’s flexibility in meeting borrowers’ needs, particularly at a time when rigid underwriting standards and elevated rates have made qualifying more challenging for many families. With these additional investor relationships, AMS is now able to support a broader range of borrowers, including those who may be best served through non-qualified  (non-QM) mortgage products that fall outside AMS’s traditional lending mix. Non-QM products include loans that can help military homebuyers purchase homes that they will rent out and leverage for investment purposes.

The broker channel expansion also strengthens AMS’s ability to assist military borrowers whose financial situations do not align neatly with standard VA or conventional guidelines. In these cases, the added investors provide access to alternative loan structures, rate options, and underwriting approaches that can make financing possible when it might otherwise be out of reach. This is particularly valuable for first-time homebuyers, self-employed borrowers, those with unique income scenarios, or families navigating debt burdens.

Another essential advantage of this expanded broker network is the ability to work with borrowers who have lower credit scores than would typically be supported through AMS’s primary correspondent lending line. By offering these additional pathways to approval and doing so while maintaining responsible lending standards, AMS can extend assistance to more families who are working to strengthen their financial stability and move toward homeownership.

Altogether, the expanded broker channel enhances AMS’s capacity to match borrowers with the right solutions while ensuring that more military families can access the mortgage products they need.

Related: Other current offers for AMS homebuyers

New Liberty Mutual Partnership

One of the newest benefits for Members is the AMS partnership with Liberty Mutual, which allows Members to receive significant discounts on essential insurance products. 

Through this new affiliation with Liberty Mutual, AMS Members may receive up to a 10 percent discount on eligible insurance policies simply by participating in the program when getting an eligible insurance policy. Additionally, Liberty Mutual offers a separate (up to) 10 percent military discount to active-duty servicemembers, Guard and Reserves, retirees, and Veterans. When combined, these savings can reduce premiums by as much as 20 percent, creating meaningful cost relief at a time when insurance prices have been rising nationwide.

These discounts apply to several essential types of coverage—including auto, homeowners, renters and pet insurance—allowing families to protect their most important assets while keeping their monthly expenses manageable. The partnership not only provides a financial benefit but also reinforces AMS’s commitment to delivering tangible value beyond the mortgage transaction.

This offering reflects AMS’s commitment to delivering value beyond the mortgage transaction, helping Members save money, protect their homes, and strengthen their financial well-being. To learn more, visit LibertyMutual.com/AAFMAA or you can call 844-566-5565.

Looking Ahead to 2026: A Year of Opportunity

Despite market headwinds, AMS remains well-positioned for growth. Demand for purchase mortgages is expected to rise as interest rates improve and younger Members continue to enter the housing market. Military relocation, strong military employment trends and increased federal support for military families all create opportunities for AMS to serve more Members nationwide.

With expanded licensing, stronger product offerings, enhanced Member benefits, and ongoing DPA access, AMS is poised to help more families achieve their homeownership goals in 2026 and beyond.

We’re Here to Help

Thinking about buying, ready to start home-shopping in earnest, or considering a refinance? An AMS Military Mortgage Advisor, a licensed mortgage loan originator, will be happy to provide you with an honest and fair comparison of your mortgage options, including a wide range of affordable mortgages designed to meet your needs.

Ensuring Armed Forces Mutual Members obtain the best mortgage possible is our mission. Get your free mortgage assessment today or give us a call at 844-422-3622!