2025 Mortgage Review: North State Bank


North State Bank, based in North Carolina, offers a range of mortgage products with a focus on personalized service. They might not be the biggest lender around, but they take pride in treating every borrower like a priority.

See today’s mortgage interest rates on TrueRate.

How North State Bank compares to other mortgage lenders

Headquarters Raleigh, North Carolina
Websitenorthstatebank.com
Rate0.17% lower than the median interest rate
Lender fees$900 (median on North State Bank loans)
Savings after 1 year, compared to the median interest rate$921
Savings after 10 years, compared to the median interest rate$5,862

For a $400,000 mortgage, North State Bank’s rates—about 0.31% below the median—and $900 in lender fees result in estimated savings of roughly $1,700 in the first year and over $10,500 after 10 years compared to the median lender.

What customers are saying

Customer reviews of North State Bank’s mortgage services, as seen on platforms like Yelp, BBB, and SmartAsset, reveal mixed experiences.

Borrowers appreciated competitive rates and personalized service. Some reviews highlight efficient processes and responsive staff who guided them through the mortgage process. Customers also praised the bank’s local focus and flexibility in handling unique situations.

Complaints often mention poor communication and unresponsive representatives. Some borrowers reported frustrations with delays in processing and a lack of transparency during critical stages of the loan process.

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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