Despite being a big banking hub, the top mortgage lenders in North Carolina are mostly nonbanks.
In fact, just two of the top 10 are depository banks, with one credit union and the rest nonbank lenders.
However, several of the top lenders in the state also happen to be headquartered in North Carolina.
Those names include Bank of America, Truist Financial, and State Employees’ Credit Union.
Read on to see who topped the list in 2024 for mortgage lending overall.
Top Mortgage Lenders in North Carolina (Overall)
| Ranking | Company Name | 2024 Loan Volume |
| 1. | Rocket Mortgage | $3.7 billion |
| 2. | UWM | $3.5 billion |
| 3. | State Employees CU | $3.4 billion |
| 4. | Movement Mortgage | $2.6 billion |
| 5. | Atlantic Bay Mortgage | $1.7 billion |
| 6. | DHI Mortgage | $1.5 billion |
| 7. | Truist Bank | $1.4 billion |
| 8. | First-Citizens Bank & Trust | $1.4 billion |
| 9. | Veterans United | $1.3 billion |
| 10. | CrossCountry | $1.1 billion |
While you probably guessed that the nation’s top mortgage lender, UWM, was first, you’d be wrong.
Instead, Rocket Mortgage was the top mortgage lender in North Carolina last year with $3.7 billion funded, per HMDA data from Richey May.
In second was Pontiac-based UWM with a close $3.5 billion, followed by Raleigh based-State Employees’ Credit Union with an even closer $3.4 billion.
Next up was South Carolina-based Movement Mortgage, followed by Virginia-based Atlantic Bay Mortgage.
Then we had DHI Mortgage, the in-house lender for home builder D.R. Horton, followed by Charlotte-based Truist Financial, formerly two companies (BB&T and SunTrust Bank).
The rest of the best included First-Citizens Bank & Trust, Veterans United, and CrossCountry Mortgage.
*UWM is a wholesale lender that works exclusively with mortgage brokers, meaning you can’t work with them directly. But you can find a broker via their portal known as Mortgage Matchup.
Top Mortgage Lenders in North Carolina (for Home Buyers)
| Ranking | Company Name | 2024 Loan Volume |
| 1. | State Employees CU | $2.5 billion |
| 2. | Movement Mortgage | $2.3 billion |
| 3. | UWM | $2.0 billion |
| 4. | Rocket Mortgage | $1.9 billion |
| 5. | Atlantic Bay Mortgage | $1.5 billion |
| 6. | DHI Mortgage | $1.5 billion |
| 7. | Veterans United | $1.1 billion |
| 8. | Truist | $1.1 billion |
| 9. | American Security Mortgage | $1.0 billion |
| 10. | Fairway Independent | $944 million |
If we focus solely on home purchase lending, State Employees CU was the top dog with $2.5 billion funded.
It was just enough to beat out Fort Mill-based Movement Mortgage’s $2.3 billion.
In third and fourth were the nation’s top two lenders, UWM and Rocket Mortgage.
While fifth went to Atlantic Bay Mortgage, sixth to DHI Mortgage, and seventh to Missouri’s Veterans United, the top VA loan lender.
NC’s own Truist and American Security Mortgage came next, both with about $1 billion in home purchase loans funded.
Rounding out the list was Fairway Independent Mortgage, based in far off Madison, Wisconsin.
Top Refinance Lenders in North Carolina (Existing Homeowners)
| Ranking | Company Name | 2024 Loan Volume |
| 1. | Rocket Mortgage | $1.7 billion |
| 2. | UWM | $1.5 billion |
| 3. | State Employees CU | $812 million |
| 4. | Freedom Mortgage | $637 million |
| 5. | Pennymac | $488 million |
| 6. | First-Citizens Bank & Trust | $370 million |
| 7. | loanDepot | $301 million |
| 8. | Movement Mortgage | $296 million |
| 9. | Truist | $293 million |
| 10. | Veterans United | $252 million |
Now a look at the mortgage refinance leaders in the state of North Carolina.
Unsurprisingly, national #2 mortgage lender Rocket took the top spot with $1.7 billion funded. I say that because they always tend to lead in refis nationally and by state.
However, their big rival UWM wasn’t all that far behind, and could give them a run for their money at some point soon.
Then it drops off quite a bit, with third place State Employees’ Credit Union only mustering about half their volume.
Florida-based refinance specialist Freedom Mortgage took fourth, while SoCal-based Pennymac grabbed fifth.
Others in the top 10 included First-Citizens Bank & Trust, loanDepot, Movement Mortgage, Truist, and Veterans United.
It was mostly household names on this list, as it usually is. State Employees’ Credit Union did a good job of keeping it local, despite refinances being mainly price driven.
Those who rely too much on refis might have trouble in coming years as the market leans heavily on purchase transactions.
Top Mortgage Lenders in Charlotte
| Ranking | Company Name | 2024 Loan Volume |
| 1. | UWM | $1.2 billion |
| 2. | Rocket Mortgage | $1.1 billion |
| 3. | Movement Mortgage | $874 million |
| 4. | American Security Mortgage | $594 million |
| 5. | Atlantic Bay Mortgage | $479 million |
| 6. | loanDepot | $453 million |
| 7. | State Employees CU | $440 million |
| 8. | Bank of America | $435 million |
| 9. | Truist | $391 million |
| 10. | Wells Fargo | $374 million |
Top Mortgage Lenders in Raleigh
| Ranking | Company Name | 2024 Loan Volume |
| 1. | UWM | $749 million |
| 2. | State Employees CU | $656 million |
| 3. | Rocket Mortgage | $576 million |
| 4. | Lennar Mortgage | $545 million |
| 5. | Movement Mortgage | $387 million |
| 6. | First-Citizens Bank & Trust | $299 million |
| 7. | Truist | $283 million |
| 8. | Fairway Independent | $216 million |
| 9. | CrossCountry | $207 million |
| 10. | Pulte Mortgage | $189 million |
You May Have Never Heard of the Best North Carolina Mortgage Lenders
Size isn’t everything. It can be advantageous to be large to get things done in the mortgage industry, but it may also prove to be a nuisance if you’re too big.
Sometimes, a nimbler lending partner, such as a mortgage broker or credit union, could get you to the finish line faster, with fewer headaches along the way.
I understand that when it comes to financial decisions, using a big, household name can feel like the safe move, but consider all your options.
Obviously take the time to vet any company or individual first, but know there are many different ways to get a mortgage.
Whether it’s an individual broker, local bank, online lender, credit union, or major financial institution.
Chances are there are some really highly-rated mortgage companies out there that probably don’t advertise or get much press.
And that’s just fine, as long as they’ve got good reviews, offer competitive pricing, and provide quality service.
(photo: Mark Clifton)
