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

Using NCUA data, the Raleigh, N.C.-based research firm said it identified the top 10 mortgage lending credit unions across the country 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 and home equity lines of credit.

Digital Federal was closely followed by the $5.7 billion Bethpage 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 Navy Federal Credit Union in Vienna, Va., booked more than $19 billion in first mortgage loans and HELOCs. In that same region, the $29.5 billion State Employees' Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C., booked almost $13 billion, the data showed.

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

In the Midwestern region, the $8 billion Alliant Credit Union in Chicago topped the list with $3.6 billion in first mortgage loans and HELOCs followed by the $4.9 billion Citizens Equity First Credit 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 mortgage loans and HELOCs and the $6.6 billion San Diego County Credit Union came in second at $2.8 billion, Sageworks reported.

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

She added, “Whether it's through specific first-time homebuyer campaigns like some institutions have launched or just from the increased demand among consumers in their markets, the credit unions 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 with banks that provide mortgages, are helping those potential borrowers who are interested in owning,” Bierman said.