Consumers Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative and direct mortgage lender headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois. Serving more than 250,000 members across Northeast Illinois, CCU is recognized for its personalized service, broad mortgage offerings, and commitment to making homeownership accessible. Consumers Credit Union can also serve borrowers in Florida and Wisconsin.
See today’s mortgage interest rates on TrueRate.
How Consumers Credit Union compares to other lenders
| Headquarters | Lake Forest, Illinois |
| Website | myconsumers.org |
| Rate | 0.27% less than the median rate |
| Lender fees | $1,100 (median) |
| Savings after 1 year, compared to the median interest rate | $1,246 |
| Savings after 10 years, compared to the median interest rate | $9,110 |
| Added cost after 1 year (vs. Tomo Mortgage) | $1,332 |
| Added cost after 10 years (vs. Tomo Mortgage) | $2,074 |
For a $400,000 mortgage, CCU’s rates and lender fees will likely result in savings of around $1,200 in the first year and around $9,100 after 10 years compared to the median lender. However, borrowers should rate shop and compare historically lower cost lenders such as Tomo Mortgage, to see if even greater long-term savings are possible.
What customers are saying
Consumers Credit Union (CCU) receives mixed sentiment regarding its mortgage lending on third-party platforms. On Zillow, borrowers report positive experiences, highlighting smooth refinancing processes, clear communication, and knowledgeable loan officers who make transactions straightforward and stress-free. These positive reviews often mention specific staff members who go above and beyond. In contrast, Yelp reviews for CCU in Illinois are overwhelmingly negative, with members citing long wait times, poor communication, and delays during the mortgage process. The Better Business Bureau also features complaints about unresponsive service and difficulty resolving mortgage-related issues. Overall, while some borrowers enjoy attentive service, negative experiences with communication and process delays are prevalent.
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.