Northwest Bank is a full-service, FDIC-insured financial institution and direct mortgage lender headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1896, it operates as a subsidiary of Northwest Bancshares, Inc. with over $14 billion in assets. The bank serves consumers, small businesses, corporations, and municipalities across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana, operating more than 130 financial centers and providing access to over 55,000 ATMs nationwide.
See today’s mortgage interest rates on TrueRate.
How Northwest Bank compares to other lenders
| Headquarters | Columbus, Ohio |
| Website | northwest.bank |
| Rate | 0.13% less than the median rate |
| Lender fees | $1,295 (median) |
| Savings after 1 year, compared to the median interest rate | $783 |
| Savings after 10 years, compared to the median interest rate | $4,478 |
| Added cost after 1 year (vs. Tomo Mortgage) | $1,796 |
| Added cost after 10 years (vs. Tomo Mortgage) | $6,707 |
For a $400,000 mortgage, Northwest Bank’s rates and lender fees will likely result in savings of around $780 in the first year and $4,478 after 10 years compared to the median lender. Borrowers should compare multiple lenders such as Tomo Mortgage to uncover the potential for thousands in savings.
What customers are saying
Northwest Bank’s mortgage lending receives mostly negative feedback on third-party platforms. Yelp and BBB reviewers frequently cite poor communication, administrative errors, and frustration over loans being sold to other banks (like Truist) without clear notice. Many borrowers, including long-term customers, report confusion during the process, unhelpful or rude service, and unresolved issues with payments or fees.
Some positive comments note competitive rates and friendly local staff during the application phase, but these are outweighed by complaints about post-closing service and loan transfers. Reddit users describe Northwest as “fine” for basic banking but highlight unreliable digital platforms and lackluster support.
Employee reviews also point to internal dissatisfaction with mortgage operations.
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.