The FINANCIAL — Company Recognized in 2022 for Best Overall Mortgage Experience and as the Best Mortgage Lender for First-time Homebuyers. Rapid growth in consumer digital engagement contributed to substantial momentum in Bank of America’s home lending business over the last year. Home loan applications initiated through Bank of America’s Digital Mortgage Experience accounted for 81% of total mortgage applications in 2021, up from 45% in 2020.
The Digital Mortgage Experience guides clients through the mortgage process via the company’s award-winning digital platforms. In 2021, Bank of America funded $53.7 billion in first mortgage loans through its Digital Mortgage Experience, 2.5 times 2020 volume.
With advanced application prefill capabilities, existing clients can apply for a first mortgage or home equity line of credit (HELOC) through the Bank of America mobile app or online and have many parts of their mortgage application auto-populated, saving them time and effort.
“Clients expect fast, smart digital tools that help make their banking, investing and lending experience easy and convenient,” said Matt Vernon, Retail Lending Executive for Bank of America. “The combination of our digital capabilities and support from our dedicated lending specialists helps us meet clients’ needs for speed, thoroughness and accuracy when securing financing for a home.”
According to Bank of America, as announced last week, digital engagement by Banks’ clients soared over the past year, up 15% year-over-year. The company added more than 2 million active digital clients, a single-year record which brought its total number of verified digital users to 54 million.
Already this year, Bank of America has been recognized for its superior home lending capabilities and client experience, for instance:
Best Mortgage Lender Overall – Bank of America was named “best mortgage lender overall” in the 2022 Bankrate Awards for Best Mortgage Lenders. The ranking weighed affordability (encompassing fees and interest rate), diversity of loan products, convenience, speed in approvals and closings, and borrower’s experience across national banks, regional banks, and online lenders.
Best Big Bank Mortgage Lender – Forbes Advisor named Bank of America the Best Big Bank Mortgage Lender Of 2022. The publication considered four main categories, including the borrower’s ability to get a loan, affordability, loan options and speed to funding, with the goal of making comparison shopping easier for the consumer. Bank of America stood out for its low-down-payment Affordable Loan Solution® mortgage, which only requires 3% down. Also mentioned were discounts for existing customers through the company’s Preferred Rewards program, a unique, relationship-based approach to client loyalty which provides clients with rewards, perks and benefits for their relationship with Bank of America.
Best Mortgage Lender for First-time Homebuyers – Bank of America was also recognized as the “best mortgage lender for first-time homebuyers” in The Ascent’s 2022 Mortgage Lender Awards. The ranking considered benefits such as competitive rates and fees, customer service, online experience, and loan options.
Nearly 90% of Bank of America’s low-down-payment loans, closing cost assistance and down payment grants are made to first-time homebuyers. These programs are available through the unique Bank of America Community Homeownership Commitment®, first launched in 2019 and expanded in 2021 to a $15 billion commitment to help 60,000 homebuyers through 2025. As of the end of 2021, Bank of America had originated more than $8.1 billion in loans and made over $300 million in grants, assisting nearly 32,000 homebuyers through this program, which is designed to help low- and moderate-income homebuyers begin to build their personal wealth and family legacy through homeownership.
“We are deeply committed to helping first-time homebuyers achieve the dream of homeownership,” said AJ Barkley, Neighborhood and Community Lending Executive. “We believe that homeownership strengthens communities and can lead to better financial footing for individuals and families.”
