Safe Rate Rankings

Best Conventional Mortgage Lenders in Lakewood

Updated June 4, 2026

Rankings are a starting point, not a verdict. Safe Rate recommends speaking with 2-3 lenders to find the right fit for your home loan!

⚖️ The 4 PsRankings are calculated based on observed lender differences on closed loans across Pricing, Pull-through, Product, and Place.

🛡️ No Pay to PlayLenders cannot buy their way to the top. Rankings are 100% earned.

📊 HMDA 2024Built using publicly available originated loan data from the federal government.

🎯 Peer BenchmarkedPerformance is normalized and benchmarked against peer institutions.

Market

Total Lenders204

Total Loans24,796

Median Rate Spread0.31%

Lakewood Market Insights

Oceanfirst Bank National Association is Safe Rate's top-ranked Conventional lender in Lakewood, leading on pricing, pullthrough, Conventional product expertise, and local knowledge.
There is often a pricing vs. pullthrough tradeoff in mortgage lending. In Lakewood, Oceanfirst Bank National Association and Navy Federal Credit Union scores highest on Conventional pricing while Rocket Mortgage and United Wholesale Mortgage leads on likelihood to close. That is why we encourage speaking with multiple lenders.
United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) ranks #2 in Lakewood, serving as the platform behind many independent local brokers who live and work in the community. A local broker knows the neighborhoods, the local market, and is personally invested in your outcome. Real estate agents often prefer referring local brokers for their accessibility and responsiveness, qualities that matter when a deal is moving fast. Pricing and experience can vary by broker.
Popular names in Lakewood: Rocket Mortgage (#3) and Advisors Mortgage Group (#6).

Explore Rankings by Type

Overall Rankings

All lenders in Lakewood

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By Institution Type

Banks Credit Unions Mortgage Companies

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Rank	Lender	Overall	Pricing	Product	Pull Through	Place	Avg Fees	Rate Spread	# of Loans
1	OceanFirst Bank, National Association BankDirect	Exceptional	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	Exceptional	$293Credit	0.302%Below	465
2	UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Exceptional	Exceptional	$2,026Fees	0.163%Above	1,644
3	ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Exceptional	Exceptional	$4,334Fees	0.193%Above	2,121
4	NJ LENDERS CORP. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$1,746Fees	0.021%Above	502
5	U.S. Bank National Association BankDirect	Strong	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$142Fees	0.102%Below	293
6	Advisors Mortgage Group, L.L.C. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Sound	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$2,168Fees	0.246%Above	985
7	Bank of America, National Association BankDirect	Strong	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$1,155Fees	0.267%Below	345
8	JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association BankDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Sound*	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$2,212Fees	0.068%Above	527
9	NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Credit UnionDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Exceptional	Sound	Strong	$389Fees	0.453%Below	124
10	PROVIDENT FUNDING ASSOCIATES, L.P. Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale	Strong	Exceptional*	Exceptional	Sound	Strong	$1,023Fees	0.082%Below	201
11	PNC Bank, National Association BankDirect	Strong	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$72Credit	0.004%Below	148
12	Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association BankDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	Strong	$413Fees	0.528%Below	120
13	LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Sound*	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$2,497Fees	0.202%Above	592
14	Wells Fargo Bank, National Association BankDirect	Strong	Strong	Exceptional	Sound	Exceptional	$1,513Fees	0.123%Below	482
15	Citibank, National Association BankDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Exceptional	Sound	Strong	$523Fees	0.220%Below	136
16	Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company BankDirect	Strong	Sound	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$888Fees	0.057%Below	127
17	Citizens Bank, National Association BankDirect	Strong	Strong	Exceptional	Sound	Strong	$962Fees	0.065%Below	214
18	CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$3,110Fees	0.320%Above	1,433
19	GUARANTEED RATE, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$1,784Fees	0.095%Above	731
20	MOVEMENT MORTGAGE, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$3,580Fees	0.356%Above	448
21	CMG MORTGAGE, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$3,614Fees	0.468%Above	419
22	AMERICAN FEDERAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	$490Credit	0.218%Below	204
23	Provident Bank BankDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Sound	Sound	Exceptional	$67Fees	0.089%Below	191
24	Kearny Bank BankDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Sound	Sound	Strong	$1,010Fees	0.254%Below	138
25	Valley National Bank BankDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	Strong	$1,075Fees	0.050%Below	76
26	PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Sound*	Exceptional	Sound	Exceptional	$1,809Fees	0.258%Above	517
27	KWIK MORTGAGE CORPORATION Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Sound	Sound	Strong	$342Credit	0.087%Below	150
28	THE LOAN STORE, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,258Fees	0.314%Above	140
29	MLD MORTGAGE INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Sound	Strong	Strong	Strong	$1,460Fees	0.046%Above	101
30	Nations Lending Corporation Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Exceptional	Strong	$4,043Fees	0.611%Above	81
31	Columbia Bank BankDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Sound	Sound	Strong	$264Fees	0.312%Below	60
32	Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,471Fees	0.276%Above	199
33	FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$3,625Fees	0.399%Above	139
34	MUTUAL OF OMAHA MORTGAGE, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Strong	Strong	Sound	Strong	$457Fees	0.131%Below	127
35	Flagstar Bank, N.A. BankDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,736Fees	0.341%Above	112
36	ARK-LA-TEX FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Sound*	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,326Fees	0.330%Above	77
37	NEWREZ LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Sound	Strong	$2,086Fees	0.345%Above	337
38	TD Bank, National Association BankDirect	Strong	Sound	Strong	Sound	Exceptional	$893Fees	0.114%Above	303
39	Manasquan Bank BankDirect	Strong	Strong	Sound	Sound	Exceptional	$199Fees	0.107%Above	169
40	UNION HOME MORTGAGE CORP. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,892Fees	0.364%Above	157
41	Gateway First Bank BankDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,924Fees	0.474%Above	123
42	FIRST COLONY MORTGAGE CORPORATION Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$3,300Fees	0.382%Above	60
43	AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD MORTGAGE ACCEPTANCE COMPANY LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Mediocre	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$4,301Fees	0.420%Above	630
44	Fulton Bank, National Association BankDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$1,312Fees	0.338%Above	131
45	PLAZA HOME MORTGAGE, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale	Strong	Sound*	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,239Fees	0.399%Above	109
46	BAY EQUITY LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Sound	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$1,302Fees	0.136%Above	64
47	PINNACLE MORTGAGE, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Sound	Sound	Strong	$1,042Fees	0.136%Above	63
48	EMM LOANS LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,958Fees	0.496%Above	68
49	PRIMELENDING, A PLAINSCAPITAL COMPANY Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$3,168Fees	0.283%Above	56
50	CARDINAL FINANCIAL COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$3,058Fees	0.341%Above	75

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How are mortgage lenders ranked in Lakewood?+

Safe Rate ranks lenders using the 4 Ps framework, derived entirely from HMDA (Home Mortgage Disclosure Act) data: Pricing (how competitively a lender prices loans vs. the market benchmark), Pullthrough (how effectively a lender closes applications), Place (the lender's depth of expertise in Lakewood), and Product (performance on specific loan types). Each lender receives a composite Safe Rate Score from 0–100. No lender pays to appear in the rankings.

What is the Safe Rate Score?+

The Safe Rate Score is a 0–100 composite index measuring a lender's performance across Pricing, Pullthrough, Place, and Product. Scores of 80 or above earn Champion status; scores of 60–79 earn Superstar status. All scores are calculated from verified HMDA data — no lender can pay to improve their position.

How many mortgage lenders are active in Lakewood?+

Based on 2024 HMDA data, 204 lenders originated a combined 24,796 loans in Lakewood. Safe Rate's rankings evaluate all of them — not just a curated shortlist.

What does the rate spread tell me about a lender in Lakewood?+

Rate spread measures how much above the Average Prime Offer Rate (APOR) a lender charges. The median rate spread in Lakewood is 0.31%. Lenders in Safe Rate's top rankings consistently price below this median, meaning borrowers typically pay less interest over the life of their loan.

What is HMDA data and why does Safe Rate use it?+

HMDA (Home Mortgage Disclosure Act) is a federal law requiring every mortgage lender to disclose every loan application annually — including rates, amounts, approvals, and denials. Safe Rate uses HMDA because it is government-verified, covers all lenders equally, and cannot be gamed. It is the most objective foundation available for lender rankings.

Does Safe Rate accept payment from lenders to appear in rankings?+

No. Safe Rate rankings are strictly data-driven. No lender can pay to appear in or improve their position in Safe Rate's rankings. The only factor that determines a lender's rank is their verified HMDA performance data.

What is the difference between a bank, credit union, and independent mortgage company?+

Banks and credit unions offer mortgages alongside checking, savings, and other products. Independent Mortgage Companies (IMCs) focus exclusively on originating loans and often offer more product variety and speed. In Lakewood's rankings, all three institution types are evaluated on the same HMDA performance metrics.

How We Rank Lenders

Our rankings use a weighted average of scores across equally-weighted categories to evaluate lenders on a linear, raw performance scale.

Our Point System (Max 40 Points)

Pricing

Rate and fee competitiveness (25%)

Pull Through

Reliability in closing loans (25%)

Product

Specialization in the loan type (25%)

Place

Local market expertise (25%)

Data Integrity & Updates

Data is updated quarterly based on the latest HMDA filings and proprietary SafeRate analysis. All metrics are calculated using standardized methodologies to ensure fair comparison across lenders.

⚖️ Licensing & Disclosures

Lender rankings and market statistics are created by Dylan Hall, licensed mortgage loan officer (NMLS #1658740). Safe Rate is a mortgage technology platform; mortgage lending services are provided by PartnerOwn LLC dba Safe Rate Mortgage, a licensed mortgage broker and lender (NMLS #1590949). Safe Rate Mortgage is a lending partner of some of the lenders ranked on this page, and Safe Rate Inc. has software or service customers on this list; however, all rankings are calculated using objective, public Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) datasets, completely independent of any corporate partnerships, client relationships, or compensation.