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Mortgage lender review methodology

At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here’s an explanation for .

Bankrate’s mortgage lender reviews team evaluates many types of lenders across several criteria. Here’s how.

What is a Bankrate Score for mortgage lenders?

The Bankrate Score is our mortgage lender review team’s rating of various mortgage lenders and their products and services. We rate lenders on a scale of one (1) to five (5) stars, with five the most favorable, based on cost, experience and other factors. As you shop for a mortgage and weigh the pros and cons between lenders, this rating can serve as another point of comparison.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5
Bankrate score
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5
Bankrate score
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5
Bankrate score

 

How we calculate Bankrate Scores for mortgage lenders

How we collected this information

Bankrate’s mortgage lender reviews team comprises five experts who’ve reviewed more than 70 mortgage lenders. We gather lender information through direct contact with lenders, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data, regulatory filings and assessments by reputable third parties. We confirm the accuracy of data at the time of review.

Our team typically conducts a comprehensive review of each mortgage lender at least once a year, but some lenders might be updated on a quarterly or biannual basis, or as-needed based on new developments.

Note: Depending on method of contact, your individual credit profile and other circumstances, your experience with a specific mortgage lender might differ from what’s detailed in our review.

Bankrate Score vs. customer ratings

The Bankrate Score does not take into account customer ratings and/or testimonials, which are also displayed on each lender’s review with a separate star rating. Our score is solely determined by our reviews team, free of influence from customers or partner relationships.

Bankrate score

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5
Bankrate score

Customer rating

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5

How we suggest lenders to compare

To help you make the most informed decisions, our mortgage lender reviews team suggests two (2) alternative mortgage lenders for each lender reviewed. In most cases, these alternatives 1.) share the same strength (affordability, availability or borrower experience) as the lender reviewed; and 2.) rate highly for Bankrate Score. In the event more than two lenders meet these standards, we suggest the ones with the lowest APRs.