Columbia Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative and direct mortgage lender headquartered in Vancouver, Washington. Serving members throughout Southwest Washington and the Portland metro area, Columbia Credit Union is known for its local expertise, personalized service, and a broad suite of mortgage solutions tailored to a variety of borrower needs.
See today’s mortgage interest rates on TrueRate.
How Columbia Credit Union compares to other lenders
| Headquarters | Vancouver, Washington |
| Website | columbiacu.org |
| Rate | 0.17% less than the median rate |
| Lender fees | $999 (median) |
| Savings after 1 year, compared to the median interest rate | $918 |
| Savings after 10 years, compared to the median interest rate | $5,863 |
| Added cost after 1 year (vs. Tomo Mortgage) | $1,660 |
| Added cost after 10 years (vs. Tomo Mortgage) | $5,348 |
For a $400,000 mortgage, Columbia Credit Union’s rates and lender fees will likely result in savings of around $900 in the first year and around $5,800 after 10 years compared to the median lender. Borrowers should rate shop and compare historically lower cost lenders such as Tomo Mortgage, to explore potential savings.
What customers are saying
Columbia Credit Union’s mortgage lending receives mixed sentiment on third-party platforms. On Yelp, negative reviews are prominent, with customers citing poor communication, mishandled mortgage payoff processes, and unprofessional customer service, including being sent to collections over small unresolved balances without proper notification. Some Reddit users echo frustrations with slow document processing and impolite service, especially for more complex needs, though others praise the credit union for approving loans when other institutions would not, and for helpful, friendly staff during mortgage and HELOC transactions. Employee reviews on Indeed reflect inconsistent management quality, which may impact member experiences with mortgage services.
How to compare mortgage lenders
Interest rates. Comparing rates between lenders isn’t always straightforward. Many promote low headline rates that require paying “points” upfront to buy down the interest rate. To make a true comparison, focus on the par rate (0 points) and the APR, which reflects both the interest rate and any lender fees. Even small differences can translate into significant savings over the life of the loan.
Lender fees or loan origination fees. Many lenders charge fees that add thousands to the cost of a loan. It’s important to look at both the rate and the fees together to understand the true cost of borrowing. For a $400,000 mortgage, avoiding even a $1,000 fee could contribute to meaningful savings in the first year and over the long term.
On-time close rate. Most lenders do not publicly share their on-time close rates. However, it’s a critical factor—especially if your home contract has tight deadlines. Asking about their process for meeting close dates, including underwriting and document review timelines, can give you more confidence when choosing a lender.
Pre-approval and offer letters. Some lenders offer fast pre-qualifications that may not be fully underwritten, which can weaken your offer in competitive markets. It’s important to ask whether a lender’s pre-approvals are fully underwritten and how credible their letters are when presented with an offer.
Customer satisfaction. If detailed customer review data isn’t readily available, check third-party review sites or ask the lender for references. It’s important to understand how they handle communication, responsiveness, and issue resolution throughout the loan process.
Employee reviews. Company culture often influences how clients are treated. A lender with strong employee satisfaction typically delivers better service, more organized processing, and a smoother overall experience for borrowers.
To better understand how we compare mortgage rates fairly, see our TrueRate Methodology.
If you’re ready to start your journey to homeownership, get pre-approved with Tomo Mortgage today.