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 | FARMERS AND MERCHANTS | Mortgage Research Center |
|---|---|---|
| Total Applications | 336 | 147,700 ▲ |
| Loans Originated | 301 | 73,759 |
| Approval Rate (higher is better) | 89.6% ✓ | 49.9% |
| Denial Rate (lower is better) | 4.8% ✓ | 15.9% |
| Avg Loan Amount | $120,982 | $314,113 |
| Avg Interest Rate (lower is better) | N/A | 6.395% |
| Avg Applicant Income | N/A | $41,000 |
| Applications Denied | 16 | 23,564 |
| Applications Withdrawn | 7 | 38,037 |
✓ Better indicates the more favorable value for borrowers. Data: CFPB HMDA 2023.
Loan Type Mix
| Loan Type | FARMERS AND MERCHANTS | Mortgage Research Center |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 336 (100.0%) | 11,299 (7.6%) |
| FHA | — | 4,858 (3.3%) |
| VA | — | 131,276 (88.9%) |
| USDA | — | 267 (0.2%) |
Loan Purpose Breakdown
| Purpose | FARMERS AND MERCHANTS | Mortgage Research Center |
|---|---|---|
| Refinancing | 178 | 24,208 |
| Home Purchase | 104 | 97,464 |
| Home Improvement | 33 | — |
| Other | 21 | — |
| Cash-out Refinancing | — | 26,028 |
Top States by Loan Volume
Summary
- 336 total applications · 301 originated
- Approval rate: 89.6%
- Denial rate: 4.8%
- Avg loan: $120,982
- HQ: LAKELAND, GA
- 147,700 total applications · 73,759 originated
- Approval rate: 49.9%
- Denial rate: 15.9%
- Avg loan: $314,113
- Avg rate: 6.395%
- 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 Rates do not sum to 100% because HMDA also records withdrawn, incomplete, and approved-but-not-accepted outcomes.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.