At least 31 credit unions made more than $1 billion in mortgageloans as of the end of 2014's third quarter, according to SageworksBank Information.

Using NCUA data, the Raleigh, N.C.-based research firm said itidentified the top 10 mortgage lending credit unions across thecountry as of Sept. 30, 2014.

In the Northeast, the $5.7 billion Digital Federal Credit Union in Marlborough,Mass., led the list with $2.07 billion in first mortgage loans andhome equity lines of credit.

Digital Federal was closely followed by the $5.7 billionBethpage Federal Credit Union, in Bethpage,N.Y., with $2.02 billion in first mortgage loans and HELOCs,according to Sageworks.

In the Southern region of the country, the $62 billion NavyFederal Credit Union in Vienna, Va., booked more than $19 billionin first mortgage loans and HELOCs. In that same region, the $29.5billion State Employees' Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C., bookedalmost $13 billion, the data showed.

Collectively, at more than $53 billion, the top 10 credit unionsin the Southern region held more than the top 10 credit unions inother regions, Sageworks said.

In the Midwestern region, the $8 billion Alliant Credit Union inChicago topped the list with $3.6 billion in first mortgage loansand HELOCs followed by the $4.9 billion Citizens Equity FirstCredit Union in Peoria, Ill., with $2.1 billion.

The $12.7 billion Boeing Employees Credit Union in Tukwila,Wash., led the Western region with $3.1 billion in first mortgageloans and HELOCs and the $6.6 billion San Diego County Credit Unioncame in second at $2.8 billion, Sageworks reported.

“Data from the Census Bureau shows that, throughout thethird quarter of 2014, new-home sales have been growing,” Libby Bierman, analyst at Sageworks, said. “Thecredit unions that top this list are likely seeing some of thatgrowth coming through their mortgage departments.”

She added, “Whether it's through specific first-time homebuyercampaigns like some institutions have launched or just from theincreased demand among consumers in their markets, the creditunions on this list processed a large volume of mortgages.

“Homeownership rates as a whole may be down in U.S., but these credit unions, along withbanks that provide mortgages, are helping those potential borrowerswho are interested in owning,” Bierman said.