The check digits enable the sending bank (or its customer) to perform a sanity check of the routing destination and account number from a single string of data at the time of data entry.
Generally, interest rates on FHA-backed mortgages are competitive with conventional mortgages. A quick scan of interest rates for 2012 reveals that FHA mortgages feature rates of about 3.33 percent. The FHA states that the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed loan on a single-family home is about 4.06 percent.
Currently, the conforming loan limit for VA loans is $417,000 in most parts of the country. FHA loans require at least 3.5% down. So, while a $200,000 VA loan can be obtained for no money down, an FHA loan of the same amount will cost a borrower about $7,000 in cash upfront. VA Loans Require No Monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums. VA borrowers never pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). Most FHA borrowers will be required to pay an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP) of 1.75% as well as monthly MIP of 1.2% or more for a minimum of 5 years for most loans.