Headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, Sound Credit Union offers a range of mortgage products to its members, with generally low rates and a reputation for competitive pricing. Its median lender fee of $1,100 is higher than some no-fee options, but still slightly below the industry average. While Sound may appeal to borrowers looking for local service and savings, customer reviews suggest potential inconsistencies in service quality—so it’s worth reviewing the fine print before committing.
See today’s mortgage interest rates on TrueRate.
How Sound Credit Union compares to other mortgage lenders
| Headquarters | Tacoma, Washington |
| Website | soundcu.com |
| Rate | 0.40% lower than the median interest rate |
| Lender fees | $1,100 (median on Sound Credit Union loans) |
| Savings after 1 year, compared to the median interest rate | $1,642 |
| Savings after 10 years, compared to the median interest rate | $13,073 |
For a $400,000 mortgage, Sound Credit Union results in an estimated savings of about $1,642 in the first year and around $13,000 over 10 years compared to the median lender.
What customers are saying
Customer reviews of Sound Credit Union’s mortgage services, as seen on platforms like Yelp, BBB, and Sound Credit Union’s website, reveal mixed experiences. Positive feedback highlights competitive rates and a straightforward pre-approval process. Borrowers appreciated the credit union’s digital tools for simplifying applications and praised staff for being helpful and friendly during the mortgage process. Some customers reported smooth closings and efficient service.
However, negative reviews frequently mention communication issues and delays in paperwork processing. Complaints include misapplied payments, disputes over payoff amounts, and unresponsiveness from representatives.
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.