2025 Mortgage Review: USF Credit Union

USF Credit Union, founded in 1959 and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, serves over 75,000 members with assets exceeding $1.2 billion. Originally established for University of South Florida faculty and staff, membership now extends to students, alumni, family, and employees of affiliated organizations. USF FCU offers comprehensive financial services, including loans, mortgages, and digital banking, through multiple branches and nationwide shared networks. As a federally chartered, not-for-profit cooperative, it is regulated by the NCUA and prioritizes member well-being, financial education, and community support, maintaining a close partnership with the University of South Florida.

See today’s mortgage interest rates on TrueRate.

How USF Credit Union compares to other lenders

Headquarters Tampa, Florida
Websiteusffcu.com
Rate0.42% less than the median rate
Lender fees$1,540 (median)
Savings after 1 year, compared to the median interest rate$1,722
Savings after 10 years, compared to the median interest rate$13,867

For a $400,000 mortgage, USF Credit Union’s rates and lender fees will likely result in savings of around $1,722 in the first year and $13,867,  after 10 years compared to the median lender. Borrowers should always compare 2-3 loan estimates to ensure the most competitive loan offering is secured.

What customers are saying


Most visible reviews about USF Credit Union on Yelp and other third-party sites focus overwhelmingly on general banking, auto loans, and member service, with only scattered references to mortgage-specific experiences.

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.

Low rates, no gotchas

Tomo Mortgage
5 out of 5 stars
Bankrate Zillow