Local Rates

Chicago Mortgage Rates Survey – Week of February 20, 2012

According to a recent Primerates.com survey of Chicago mortgage rates offered by the largest area banks & credit unions, four Chicago institutions offered rates below 4.000% on 30-year fixed-rate conforming loans in the Chicago area for well-qualified borrowers. JP Morgan Chase (www.jpmorganchase.com) and Fifth Third Bank (www.53.com) offered the lowest rates in the city with 3.88%. Five other banks offered rates higher than 4.00% with U S Bank National (www.usbank.com) offered the highest rates in the country with 4.50%.

While most lenders will push one of the three products on the list below, there are other options for the borrower.  The 30-year fixed rate loan is the most popular since it offers the lowest monthly payment.  The trade-off is paying a higher interest rate.  For those who have a better cash flow, the 15-year product may be more suitable.  The 15-year fixed rate loan will allow the borrower to pay more toward principal with each payment, and since it has a lower interest rate the overall amount of money that is paid in interest will be much lower.  While many people steer clear of the 5/1 ARM it is beneficial to some borrowers.  For instance, a person with a smaller loan (usually due to refinancing) may have the cash flow to pay off their ARM in 5 years or less.  This person could save an extra 1% in interest payments over the 15-year product and never worry about the rate adjusting later in the life of the loan.

Top Chicago Area Banks and Credit Unions

As of

30 Yr-Rate

30 Yr- APR

15 Yr- Rate

15 Yr- APR

5/1 ARM-IR

5/1 ARM-APR

JP Morgan Chase

02/17/2012

3.88% 3.96% 3.00% 3.11% 2.38% 3.07%
Bank of America

02/17/2012

4.25% 4.41% 3.50% 3.79% 3.00% 3.40%
PNC Bank National

02/17/2012

4.25% 4.25% 3.50% 3.53% NA NA
City Bank

02/17/2012

4.38% 4.58% 3.75% 3.98% NA NA
Fifth Third Bank

02/17/2012

3.88% 3.98% 3.13% 3.20% 2.88% 3.00%
First Midwest Bank

02/17/2012

4.13% 4.22% 3.50% 3.67% 3.38% 3.47%
U S Bank National

02/17/2012

4.50% 4.56% 3.75% 3.86% 2.88% 3.58%
RBS Citizens National

4.13% 4.16% 3.38% 3.44% 2.75% 3.20%

 

Listed rates from banks, thrifts, and credit unions were listed on their websites on the date indicated for conforming loans with 0 points.  Data is believed accurate at time of collection, can change without notice, and will vary based on an individual’s credit history.  Contact a specific institution for current rates.

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