Sun American Mortgage vs Fairway Home Mortgage- Which Is the Better Choice?
When you’re comparing mortgage lenders, it helps to understand not just what each company offers, but the size and structure behind the name. Sun American Mortgage and Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (widely marketed as Fairway Home Mortgage) are both active in the Arizona market, but they sit at very different points on the spectrum — one is a long-standing independent regional lender, the other is one of the largest mortgage originators in the country.
This guide compares what’s publicly verifiable about each company — history, licensing, service area, trust record, and customer feedback — using only information found on each company’s own website or from independent, third-party sources like the Better Business Bureau and federal regulators. Nothing here is estimated or invented.
Quick Comparison Table
| Category | Sun American Mortgage | Fairway Home Mortgage (Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1984 | 1996 |
| Business structure | Independently operated regional mortgage company (S Corporation) | Large national mortgage lender with a nationwide network of branch loan officers |
| Headquarters | Mesa, Arizona | Madison, Wisconsin, and Carrollton, Texas |
| Branch footprint | Mesa, AZ; St. George, UT (2 locations); Richfield, UT; Mesquite, NV | Hundreds of branch locations nationwide |
| States served | Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and California, per company site | Licensed in all 50 states |
| Scale | Regional lender | Self-described “nationally ranked top 10 mortgage provider”; reported by the company as the #2 overall U.S. retail lender in a 2024 press release |
| Core loan products | Home purchase loans, refinancing, reverse mortgages, FHA and VA loans | Conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, adjustable- and fixed-rate mortgages, reverse mortgages (HECM), and construction/renovation options |
| Reverse mortgage specialty | Yes — core service line, NRMLA affiliated | Yes — company describes itself as a leading-volume HECM lender and is also NRMLA affiliated |
| BBB accreditation | BBB Accredited Business, A+ rating, accredited since October 1984 | BBB Accredited Business; BBB profile lists an A-range rating |
| Regulatory/legal history | No public government enforcement actions identified at the time of writing | Settled a 2024 CFPB/DOJ redlining case involving lending in the Birmingham, AL area for $8 million plus a $1.9 million civil penalty; the company disputed the allegations as part of the settlement |
| Customer reviews | 100+ five-star reviews referenced across Google, Facebook, and Zillow; Birdeye lists a 4.9-star rating | Large volume of individual loan-officer testimonials published on fairway.com; third-party site LendingTree notes an A+ BBB rating alongside a mix of complaint themes over a three-year period |
| Industry recognition | Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and NRMLA affiliations displayed on site | Company reports a #1 ranking for customer satisfaction in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study |
| NMLS ID | 160265 | 2289 |
All figures above reflect information published by each company, the Better Business Bureau, or government sources at the time of writing and are subject to change.
About Sun American Mortgage
Sun American Mortgage was established in 1984 and has operated continuously in the Southwest for more than four decades. Headquartered in Mesa, Arizona, the company also maintains branches in St. George and Richfield, Utah, and Mesquite, Nevada. It is licensed under NMLS #160265 and holds a California lending license through the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
The company’s core services are home purchase loans, mortgage refinancing, and reverse mortgages, with FHA and VA loan options also referenced on its site. It displays affiliations with the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association. Sun American Mortgage has been a BBB Accredited Business since October 1984 and currently holds an A+ rating, with no public government enforcement actions identified at the time of writing. Third-party aggregator Birdeye lists the company with a 4.9-star rating.
About Fairway Home Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, marketed publicly as Fairway Home Mortgage, was founded in 1996 by Steve Jacobson and is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, with a second corporate location in Carrollton, Texas. The company describes itself as a nationally ranked top 10 mortgage provider and, in an October 2024 press release, stated it was the #2 overall retail lender in the U.S. and the #1-ranked company for borrower satisfaction in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study.
Fairway is licensed in all 50 states (NMLS #2289) and operates through a large, decentralized network of branch loan officers rather than a single centralized office. According to the company’s own published timeline, Fairway funded $72.5 billion in its highest annual volume year and became licensed nationwide as part of its growth. Its loan product lineup includes conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, adjustable- and fixed-rate mortgages, and reverse mortgages (HECM), and the company describes itself as one of the leading-volume HECM lenders in the industry.
Fairway is a BBB Accredited Business. According to BBB and Department of Justice records, in October 2024 Fairway agreed to pay $8 million plus a $1.9 million civil penalty to resolve CFPB and DOJ allegations of redlining in predominantly Black neighborhoods in and around Birmingham, Alabama. In its own public statement responding to the announcement, Fairway said it “vigorously defended itself against the government agencies’ allegations and continues to deny that the Company engaged in any discriminatory behavior,” and characterized the settlement terms as reached before it saw the full complaint. Third-party review site LendingTree notes the company holds an A-plus BBB rating alongside more than 20 complaints filed over a three-year period, which is not unusual for a lender of Fairway’s size.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Company Longevity
Sun American Mortgage has operated continuously since 1984 — 41 years as of 2025, according to its BBB profile — as an independently run regional mortgage company. Fairway was founded in 1996, giving it roughly three decades of operating history. Sun American’s history in the same Mesa, Arizona headquarters predates Fairway’s founding by more than a decade.
Company Structure: Regional vs. National
Sun American Mortgage operates as a single, independently owned mortgage company with a small number of branches across Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, giving borrowers a consistent, centrally coordinated point of contact. Fairway operates as a large national lender with hundreds of branch locations and loan officers spread across all 50 states. Borrowers who prefer working directly with a locally headquartered company rather than one branch within a much larger national network may find Sun American’s structure appealing; borrowers prioritizing the broadest possible geographic reach may lean toward a national lender like Fairway. Neither structure is inherently better — the right fit depends on what a borrower values.
Trust and Regulatory Record
Sun American Mortgage has held BBB accreditation continuously since 1984 with an A+ rating, and no public government enforcement actions were identified in researching this comparison. Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is also a BBB Accredited Business, but in October 2024 it agreed to a combined $9.9 million settlement with the CFPB and Department of Justice over redlining allegations tied to lending patterns in the Birmingham, Alabama, metro area — a matter Fairway has publicly disputed as part of the settlement. Both companies’ full records are publicly available through the BBB and NMLS Consumer Access for readers who want to review the details firsthand.
Customer Reviews
Both companies show strong overall customer feedback. Sun American Mortgage highlights reviews across Google, Facebook, and Zillow, and is listed on Birdeye with a 4.9-star rating. Fairway publishes a large volume of individual testimonials naming specific loan officers across the country, and industry review sites note a generally positive experience alongside some reports of delays or communication issues — a pattern that can be more common at scale, given Fairway’s much larger loan volume. Prospective borrowers are encouraged to look up reviews for their specific local loan officer, not just the corporate brand, when evaluating a large national lender.
Why Customers Choose Sun American Mortgage
Based on verified, publicly available information, several factors distinguish Sun American Mortgage:
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Over 40 years of continuous, independent operation, headquartered in the same Mesa, Arizona location since 1984.
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An uninterrupted BBB relationship, accredited since 1984 with an A+ rating and no public government enforcement actions identified.
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A centrally coordinated, regionally focused structure, giving Southwest borrowers a consistent point of contact rather than one office within a much larger nationwide branch network.
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A dedicated reverse mortgage practice, backed by NRMLA membership, alongside its core purchase and refinance services.
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A high-volume, highly rated review profile, with a 4.9-star Birdeye rating.
How to Choose the Right Mortgage Lender
The “best” lender depends on what matters most to you as a borrower. Consider:
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Company size and structure. Do you prefer a smaller, independently run lender with a consistent local team, or a large national company with a wider branch network?
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Track record. How long has the company operated, and what does its BBB profile or regulatory history show?
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Specialization. Does the lender have direct, demonstrated experience with your loan type — purchase, refinance, or reverse mortgage?
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Licensing. Confirm any lender’s NMLS number through NMLS Consumer Access before moving forward.
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Local presence. If in-person meetings matter to you, check whether the company has a branch near you.
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Reviews from verified sources. Cross-reference reviews on Google, the BBB, and other independent platforms — and for large national lenders, look up the specific local loan officer you’d be working with, since experience can vary by branch.
Requesting a quote or pre-qualification from more than one lender — and asking each the same questions — remains one of the most reliable ways to compare offers side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sun American Mortgage a good mortgage company?
Sun American Mortgage has been a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating since 1984 and shows a 4.9-star rating on third-party review site Birdeye, with no public government enforcement actions identified at the time of writing.
How long has Sun American Mortgage been in business?
Sun American Mortgage was founded in 1984, making it more than 40 years old as of 2025, according to its BBB business profile.
How long has Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation been in business?
Fairway was founded in 1996 by Steve Jacobson and is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, and Carrollton, Texas.
Is Fairway Independent Mortgage the same as Fairway Home Mortgage?
Yes. “Fairway Home Mortgage” is the consumer-facing brand name used by Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #2289).
Does Sun American Mortgage offer reverse mortgages?
Yes. Reverse mortgages are one of Sun American Mortgage’s three core service lines, and the company is affiliated with the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA).
Does Fairway offer reverse mortgages?
Yes. Fairway describes itself as one of the leading-volume HECM (reverse mortgage) lenders in the industry and is also an NRMLA member.
What states does Sun American Mortgage serve?
Sun American Mortgage states it serves Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and California, with physical branches in Mesa, AZ; St. George, UT; Richfield, UT; and Mesquite, NV.
Is Sun American Mortgage BBB accredited?
Yes. Sun American Mortgage Company has been a BBB Accredited Business since October 1, 1984, and currently holds an A+ rating.
Is Fairway Independent Mortgage BBB accredited?
Yes, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is a BBB Accredited Business, though its BBB profile also documents a resolved 2024 government enforcement action.
Has Fairway Independent Mortgage had any regulatory actions against it?
Yes. In October 2024, Fairway agreed to pay $8 million plus a $1.9 million civil penalty to resolve CFPB and Department of Justice allegations of redlining in the Birmingham, Alabama, area. Fairway has publicly disputed the allegations as part of the settlement.
Which company has more experience?
Sun American Mortgage has operated continuously since 1984 (41 years). Fairway was founded in 1996 (roughly 30 years of operating history).
What is the difference between a regional and a national mortgage lender?
A regional lender like Sun American Mortgage operates a smaller number of branches under one company structure, typically with a more centralized team. A national lender like Fairway operates through a much larger, decentralized network of branch loan officers across all 50 states, which can mean broader reach but more variability in individual branch experience.
Which company has more physical branch locations?
Sun American Mortgage lists four branch locations across Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Fairway operates hundreds of branch locations nationwide as part of its 50-state licensing footprint.
How do I verify a mortgage lender’s license?
You can look up any loan officer or company’s NMLS number at nmlsconsumeraccess.org to confirm active licensing in your state.
Should I get quotes from more than one lender?
Yes. Requesting quotes from multiple lenders, including both companies discussed here, allows you to compare rates, fees, and service directly for your specific situation.
Final Thoughts
Sun American Mortgage and Fairway Home Mortgage represent two different models for getting a home loan. Fairway is a large, nationally recognized lender with a broad footprint across all 50 states and significant scale, though its record also includes a resolved 2024 federal redlining settlement that borrowers may want to review. Sun American Mortgage is a smaller, independently operated company with more than 40 years of continuous history in the same Southwest headquarters, an uninterrupted BBB accreditation dating to 1984, and no public government enforcement actions identified at the time of writing.
For borrowers who value a long-established, independently run lender with a consistent local team and a clean regulatory track record, Sun American Mortgage’s history and BBB standing are worth strong consideration. As with any major financial decision, we recommend contacting Sun American Mortgage directly for a personalized quote and comparing it against any other lender you’re evaluating.
Get a free, personalized quote from Sun American Mortgage →
