It’s time to check out the top mortgage lenders in South Carolina, based on who did the most business.
Last year, nearly 1,000 mortgage companies collectively funded more than $32 billion in home loans in the state.
But one particular company did a lot more business than the rest, and also happens to be the top mortgage lender in the U.S.
Yes, I’m referring to Rocket Mortgage (formerly Quicken Loans), which just squeaked by its nearest competitor.
Read on to see which other companies dominated the mortgage biz in The Palmetto State.
Top Mortgage Lenders in South Carolina (Overall)
| Ranking | Company Name | 2024 Loan Volume |
| 1. | Rocket Mortgage | $1.7 billion |
| 2. | UWM | $1.6 billion |
| 3. | Movement | $1.1 billion |
| 4. | DHI Mortgage | $1.0 billion |
| 5. | First Citizens | $732 million |
| 6. | Lennar Mortgage | $706 million |
| 7. | Veterans United | $638 million |
| 8. | Centerstate Bank | $611 million |
| 9. | Ameris Bank | $573 million |
| 10. | Guild Mortgage | $568 million |
Coming in first in South Carolina was none other than Detroit-based Rocket Mortgage with $1.7 billion funded in 2024 (latest complete year), per HMDA data from Richey May.
As noted, they barely beat out second placed-United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), which managed $1.6 billion during the year.
In a somewhat close third was South Carolina’s own Movement Mortgage, which originated $1.1 billion.
Meanwhile, D.R. Horton’s captive lender DHI Mortgage grabbed fourth and Raleigh, NC-based First Citizens Bank took fifth.
The rest of the top 10 included Lennar Mortgage, Veterans United, Centerstate Bank, Ameris Bank, and Guild Mortgage.
Only one hometown company in the list, but many adjacent states like Florida and North Carolina. And quite a few banks (as opposed to nonbanks).
Top South Carolina Mortgage Lenders (for Home Buyers)
| Ranking | Company Name | 2024 Loan Volume |
| 1. | DHI Mortgage | $1.0 billion |
| 2. | Movement Mortgage | $1.0 billion |
| 3. | UWM | $962 million |
| 4. | Rocket Mortgage | $812 million |
| 5. | Lennar Mortgage | $706 million |
| 6. | Ameris Bank | $512 million |
| 7. | Veterans United | $512 million |
| 8. | Vanderbilt Mortgage | $510 million |
| 9. | First Citizens | $510 million |
| 10. | Guild Mortgage | $505 million |
The list changes quite a bit when we focus only on home purchase loans, with DHI Mortgage grabbing the top spot with $1.0 billion funded.
This is due to home builders being the only game in town lately and offering massive mortgage rate buydowns via their captive lenders.
They were followed closely by Indian Land-based Movement Mortgage with a similar $1.0 billion in loan origination volume.
UWM took third with $962 million, followed by Rocket with $812 million, and fellow builder Lennar Mortgage with $706 million.
Ameris Bank, Veterans United Home Loans, Vanderbilt Mortgage, First Citizens, and Guild rounded out the top 10. Again, only one SC-based mortgage company.
Top Refinance Lenders in South Carolina (for Existing Homeowners)
| Ranking | Company Name | 2024 Loan Volume |
| 1. | Rocket Mortgage | $868 million |
| 2. | UWM | $681 million |
| 3. | Freedom Mortgage | $304 million |
| 4. | First Citizens | $174 million |
| 5. | Pennymac | $169 million |
| 6. | loanDepot | $142 million |
| 7. | Veterans United | $126 million |
| 8. | Movement | $122 million |
| 9. | Village Capital | $105 million |
| 10. | Newrez | $101 million |
Once the list is filtered to only include mortgage refinances, Rocket Mortgage trounces the competition with $868 million funded.
That was more than enough to beat out second placed UWM ($681 million), and more than doubled third placed Freedom Mortgage’s output ($304 million).
The Detroit-based company’s loan volume is often dominated by refis, though they’ve slowed lately due to higher mortgage rates.
Fourth went to First Citizens Bank, followed by CA-based Pennymac, which features several execs from the defunct Countrywide Mortgage brand of the early 2000s.
The remaining spots in the top 10 went to loanDepot, Veterans United, Movement, Village Capital, and Newrez.
Top Mortgage Lenders in Charleston
| Ranking | Company Name | 2024 Loan Volume |
| 1. | UWM | $417 million |
| 2. | Rocket Mortgage | $316 million |
| 3. | Lennar Mortgage | $298 million |
| 4. | First Citizens Bank | $247 million |
| 5. | Fifth Third Bank | $221 million |
| 6. | Movement Mortgage | $204 million |
| 7. | Ameris Bank | $204 million |
| 8. | DHI Mortgage | $202 million |
| 9. | CMG Mortgage | $174 million |
| 10. | Carolina One | $165 million |
The Best South Carolina Mortgage Lenders
The most reviewed mortgage lender on Zillow in the state of South Carolina happens to be Movement Mortgage.
They also have a stellar 4.98/5 rating from about 18,000 customer reviews. That makes them a pretty highly-rated mortgage company in the state, potentially the best.
Meanwhile, Rocket has a 4.48/5, Wells Fargo has a 4.95/5, Freedom Mortgage has a 4.85/5, and Pennymac has a 4.4/5.
Many smaller, SC-based mortgage companies didn’t make the lists above, but still own excellent ratings on Zillow.
They include Columbia-based Lending Path Mortgage (4.97/5) and Foundation Mortgage Corp. (4.97/5), along with Charleston-based Tabor Mortgage Group (4.94/5).
And there are many other SC mortgage companies, including SC-based mortgage brokers, which also provide excellent service.
Take the time to check out companies both large and small, and look beyond real estate agent referrals and household names. You might find a hidden gem.
(photo: Mark Clifton)
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