2025 Mortgage Review: Sunmark Credit Union

Sunmark Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative based in New York’s Capital Region. It offers a comprehensive suite of mortgage products, competitive rates, and personalized, local service to help members achieve their homeownership goals.

See today’s mortgage interest rates on TrueRate.

How Sunmark Credit Union compares to other lenders

Headquarters Latham, New York
Websitesunmark.org
Rate0.20% less than the median rate
Lender fees$1,400 (median)
Savings after 1 year, compared to the median interest rate$1,006
Savings after 10 years, compared to the median interest rate$6,711
Added cost after 1 year (vs. Tomo Mortgage) $1,572
Added cost after 10 years (vs. Tomo Mortgage) $4,473

For a $400,000 mortgage, Sunmark Credit Union’s rates and lender fees will likely result in savings of around $1,006 in the first year and $6,711 after 10 years compared to the median lender. Borrowers should rate shop and compare Sunmark Credit Union’s to lower cost lenders such as Tomo Mortgage to see if larger savings of several thousand dollars can be achieved. 

What customers are saying

Sunmark Credit Union’s mortgage lending receives mixed reviews, with both positive and negative experiences substantiated on third-party platforms. Satisfied borrowers on Yelp praise helpful staff, quick turnaround times, and mortgage and home equity rates that are often better than expected, especially for long-term members.

However, several reviewers report negative experiences, including dismissive or unhelpful loan officers, inconsistent treatment of members, and a lack of support for those without excellent credit. Some borrowers describe administrative frustrations such as repeated hard credit pulls, poor communication, and what they perceive as unethical behavior—like loan originators also acting as real estate agents and referring clients to their own side businesses.

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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