Willow Bend Mortgage is a privately owned, full-service mortgage banker headquartered in Plano, Texas. Founded in 1993, the company operates primarily in Texas but also serves clients in Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee. Willow Bend Mortgage is a direct mortgage banker, meaning it originates, processes, and funds loans in-house, offering both purchase and refinance options.
See today’s mortgage interest rates on TrueRate.
How Willow Bend Mortgage compares to other lenders
| Headquarters | Plano, TX |
| Website | https://www.willowbendmortgage.com/ |
| Rate | 0.01% lower than the median rate |
| Lender fees | $1,610 (median) |
| Savings after 1 year, compared to the median interest rate | $390 |
| Savings after 10 years, compared to the median interest rate | $543 |
| Added cost after 1 year (vs. Tomo Mortgage) | $2,189 |
| Added cost after 10 years (vs. Tomo Mortgage) | $10,641 |
For a $400,000 mortgage, Willow Bend Mortgage’s rates—just below market average—and a $1,610 lender fee result in estimated savings of just over $390 in the first year and about $540 over 10 years compared to the median lender.
What customers are saying
Willow Bend Mortgage is praised for its knowledgeable and helpful staff, providing clear guidance and a generally smooth mortgage process, especially for complex loans others decline.
However, third-party reviews, particularly on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), highlight significant communication issues, last-minute underwriting problems, and shifting closing costs, which have caused financial losses and frustration for some borrowers. While many experience a positive and timely process, others report inconsistent handling and poor updates.
Prospective borrowers should be proactive in communication and cautious of potential last-minute changes. Overall, Willow Bend is well-regarded for customer service when things go smoothly but has notable operational risks.
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.