Safe Rate Rankings

Best Conventional Mortgage Lenders in Winston

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 Lenders109

Total Loans8,368

Median Rate Spread0.34%

Winston Market Insights

State Employees is Safe Rate's top-ranked Conventional lender in Winston, leading on pricing, pullthrough, Conventional product expertise, and local knowledge.
There is often a pricing vs. pullthrough tradeoff in mortgage lending. In Winston, Navy Federal Credit Union and Allegacy 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 #5 in Winston, 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 Winston: Rocket Mortgage (#2) and State Employees (#1).

Explore Rankings by Type

Overall Rankings

All lenders in Winston

Need rankings for a different loan product?

FHA Loans VA Loans Jumbo Loans USDA Loans

By Institution Type

Banks Credit Unions Mortgage Companies

Shopping for a mortgage? Click the heart icon to save lenders to My Home and make comparison painless.

Rank	Lender	Overall	Pricing	Product	Pull Through	Place	Avg Fees	Rate Spread	# of Loans
1	STATE EMPLOYEES' Credit UnionDirect	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$2,148Fees	0.710%Below	633
2	ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Exceptional	Exceptional	$3,963Fees	0.424%Above	792
3	First National Bank of Pennsylvania BankDirect	Strong	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$846Fees	0.157%Above	243
4	Truist Bank BankDirect	Strong	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$750Fees	0.195%Above	179
5	UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Exceptional	Exceptional	$2,827Fees	0.011%Above	240
6	NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Credit UnionDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Exceptional	Sound	Strong	$455Fees	0.591%Below	66
7	U.S. Bank National Association BankDirect	Strong	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$1,314Fees	0.054%Above	64
8	ALLEGACY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Credit UnionDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	Exceptional	$175Credit	0.294%Below	186
9	ATLANTIC BAY MORTGAGE GROUP, L.L.C. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Exceptional	Exceptional	$3,605Fees	0.460%Above	604
10	MOVEMENT MORTGAGE, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$2,637Fees	0.365%Above	353
11	First Bank BankDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	Strong	$1,467Fees	0.018%Below	35
12	FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$3,175Fees	0.531%Above	363
13	Wells Fargo Bank, National Association BankDirect	Strong	Strong	Exceptional	Sound	Strong	$1,993Fees	0.075%Above	133
14	JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association BankDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Sound*	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$1,939Fees	0.199%Above	75
15	Bank of America, National Association BankDirect	Strong	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$1,630Fees	0.190%Above	44
16	CMG MORTGAGE, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,709Fees	0.435%Above	159
17	Pinnacle Bank BankDirect	Strong	Sound	Strong	Strong	Strong	$1,931Fees	0.152%Above	87
18	Truliant Federal Credit Union Credit UnionDirect	Strong	Strong	Strong	Sound	Exceptional	$894Fees	0.250%Above	152
19	VANDERBILT MORTGAGE AND FINANCE, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Sound	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$4,146Fees	0.139%Above	129
20	Ameris Bank BankDirect	Strong	Sound	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,598Fees	0.269%Above	78
21	LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Sound*	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,954Fees	0.252%Above	76
22	PROVIDENT FUNDING ASSOCIATES, L.P. Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale	Strong	Exceptional*	Exceptional	Sound	Sound	$1,825Fees	0.019%Below	26
23	UNION HOME MORTGAGE CORP. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,568Fees	0.528%Above	169
24	Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,333Fees	0.247%Above	159
25	GUARANTEED RATE, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$3,080Fees	0.292%Above	115
26	CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$3,726Fees	0.589%Above	131
27	First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company BankDirect	Strong	Sound	Strong	Sound	Strong	$1,685Fees	0.034%Above	84
28	HIGHLANDS RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE, LTD. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Exceptional	$3,357Fees	0.157%Above	265
29	Atlantic Coast Mortgage, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Sound	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,044Fees	0.382%Above	58
30	Flagstar Bank, N.A. BankDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$1,917Fees	0.374%Above	47
31	American Security Mortgage Corp. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Strong	Strong	Strong	Sound	$2,511Fees	0.164%Above	23
32	GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$3,105Fees	0.505%Above	44
33	EQUITY RESOURCES, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Sound	Strong	Strong	Sound	$2,606Fees	0.116%Above	36
34	First Horizon Bank BankDirect	Strong	Sound	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$1,984Fees	0.215%Above	29
35	ARK-LA-TEX FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Sound*	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$4,000Fees	0.359%Above	28
36	HOWARD HANNA FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Strong	Strong	$2,437Fees	0.429%Above	63
37	INSPIRE HOME LOANS INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Strong	Strong	Strong	$2,141Fees	0.638%Above	86
38	PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Sound*	Exceptional	Sound	Strong	$2,571Fees	0.257%Below	54
39	RELIANCE FIRST CAPITAL, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	—	Strong	Strong	Sound	—	—	35
40	BAY EQUITY LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Sound	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$3,747Fees	0.152%Above	24
41	The Fidelity Bank BankDirect	Strong	Sound	Sound	Strong	Strong	$2,256Fees	0.310%Above	54
42	PLAZA HOME MORTGAGE, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyWholesale	Strong	Sound*	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$3,855Fees	0.296%Above	31
43	MUTUAL OF OMAHA MORTGAGE, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Strong	Strong	Sound	Sound	$4,057Fees	0.259%Above	19
44	NEW AMERICAN FUNDING, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Acceptable	Exceptional	Sound	Strong	$3,463Fees	0.664%Above	54
45	CARDINAL FINANCIAL COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Strong	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$2,838Fees	0.634%Above	30
46	CREDIT UNION MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Strong	Exceptional	Strong	Acceptable	Sound	$897Fees	0.867%Below	22
47	Mortgage Research Center, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Sound	Acceptable	Strong	Sound	Strong	$3,627Fees	1.199%Above	179
48	FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Sound	Sound*	Strong	Sound	Strong	$2,400Fees	0.256%Above	94
49	NFM, INC. Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect	Sound	Mediocre	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$3,231Fees	0.614%Above	31
50	LOWER, LLC Independent Mortgage CompanyDirect & Wholesale	Sound	Acceptable*	Exceptional	Strong	Sound	$2,803Fees	0.410%Above	30

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How are mortgage lenders ranked in Winston?+

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 Winston), 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 Winston?+

Based on 2024 HMDA data, 109 lenders originated a combined 8,368 loans in Winston. Safe Rate's rankings evaluate all of them — not just a curated shortlist.

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

Rate spread measures how much above the Average Prime Offer Rate (APOR) a lender charges. The median rate spread in Winston is 0.34%. 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 Winston'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.