Compare Mortgage Lenders
Select two lenders to compare side by side using 2023 HMDA federal data: approval rates, denial rates, loan sizes, loan types, and geographic reach.
Key Metrics
| Metric | CITIZENS EQUITY FIRST | FLAT BRANCH MORTGAGE, |
|---|---|---|
| Total Applications | 4,799 | 17,606 ▲ |
| Loans Originated | 3,063 | 13,902 |
| Approval Rate (higher is better) | 63.8% | 79.0% ✓ |
| Denial Rate (lower is better) | 12.7% | 1.5% ✓ |
| Avg Loan Amount | $132,589 | $225,740 |
| Avg Interest Rate (lower is better) | 7.576% | 6.689% ✓ |
| Avg Applicant Income | $32,000 | $37,000 |
| Applications Denied | 611 | 258 |
| Applications Withdrawn | 1,032 | 2,797 |
✓ Better indicates the more favorable value for borrowers. Data: CFPB HMDA 2023.
Loan Type Mix
| Loan Type | CITIZENS EQUITY FIRST | FLAT BRANCH MORTGAGE, |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 4,797 (100.0%) | 10,166 (57.7%) |
| FHA | — | 4,373 (24.8%) |
| VA | — | 1,891 (10.7%) |
| USDA | 2 (0.0%) | 1,176 (6.7%) |
Loan Purpose Breakdown
| Purpose | CITIZENS EQUITY FIRST | FLAT BRANCH MORTGAGE, |
|---|---|---|
| Home Purchase | 1,647 | 16,173 |
| Home Improvement | 1,287 | 74 |
| Other | 1,153 | — |
| Refinancing | 483 | 726 |
| Cash-out Refinancing | 229 | 606 |
Top States by Loan Volume
Summary
- 4,799 total applications · 3,063 originated
- Approval rate: 63.8%
- Denial rate: 12.7%
- Avg loan: $132,589
- Avg rate: 7.576%
- HQ: PEORIA, IL
- 17,606 total applications · 13,902 originated
- Approval rate: 79.0%
- Denial rate: 1.5%
- Avg loan: $225,740
- Avg rate: 6.689%
- HQ: COLUMBIA, MO
Methodology
Comparisons are drawn from the CFPB 2024 HMDA Snapshot National Loan-Level Dataset, published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and distributed via the FFIEC. Every figure on this page comes from lenders' mandatory HMDA filings — not voluntary marketing claims.
Approval (origination) rate = originated ÷ total applications. Denial rate = denied ÷ total applications. Rates do not sum to 100% because HMDA also records withdrawn, incomplete, and approved-but-not-accepted outcomes. Denial rates reflect a lender's applicant mix as much as its underwriting stance; compare alongside loan-type mix and geography before drawing conclusions.
Side-by-side comparisons are informational only and do not constitute financial, legal, or mortgage advice. Always obtain and compare written Loan Estimates before applying.