2025 Mortgage Review: Embold Credit Union

Embold Credit Union, previously known as Clackamas Federal Credit Union, is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative headquartered in Milwaukie, Oregon. The credit union serves members throughout Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, Marion, Yamhill, and Polk Counties, providing a full suite of banking and mortgage services with a focus on personalized support and local expertise.

See today’s mortgage interest rates on TrueRate.

How Embold Credit Union compares to other lenders

Headquarters Milwaukie, Oregon
Websiteemboldcu.org
Rate0.25% less than the median rate
Lender fees$1,300 (median)
Savings after 1 year, compared to the median interest rate$1,778
Savings after 10 years, compared to the median interest rate$8,430
Added cost after 1 year (vs. Tomo Mortgage) $1,400
Added cost after 10 years (vs. Tomo Mortgage) $2,754

For a $400,000 mortgage, Embold Credit Union ’s rates and lender fees will likely result in savings of over $1,750 in the first year and over $8,400 after 10 years compared to the median lender. Borrowers should rate shop and compare Embold Credit Union to lower cost lenders, such as Tomo Mortgage, to see if even greater savings can be achieved. 

What customers are saying

Embold Credit Union’s mortgage lending receives strong positive sentiment on third-party platforms. On Yelp, customers praise the credit union for offering very low mortgage interest rates and commend the helpfulness of staff, with specific employees mentioned for exceptional service during mortgage transactions. On Reddit, users highlight stellar customer service, efficient online banking, and a positive atmosphere among employees, with one member noting satisfaction with both personal and mortgage accounts. No notable negative sentiment about mortgage lending appears in recent third-party reviews, suggesting a consistently positive borrower experience.

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.

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