ERATE® is a nationwide publisher of financial and interest rate information specifically targeted for use by the consumer ERATE® began as a prime-only mortgage brokerage and transitioned into a consumer resource site with the primary goal of helping consumers educate and protect themselves.When most mortgage companies became involved in the sub-prime lending meltdown, ERATE® chose not to participate in questionable sub-prime lending practices but rather maintained its focus on the large segment of consumers and lenders who could withstand the legitimate, long-proven underwriting standards that had been the hallmark of the mortgage industry's past.With over a decade of mortgage origination experience behind us, we recognized the growing need for consumer protection and advocacy in the financial services industry and changed the course of our business in 2006 to focus exclusively on assisting consumers in making better financial decisions.We provide original, unbiased, user-friendly tools and information for consumers to rely on when making important personal financial decisions relating to mortgages as well as a variety of loans connected to autos, credit cards and student loans.