How we make money.
MidNorth Key is free for consumers. We earn commissions from our partners when you click through and take an offer.
Section 1
Where the money comes from
Affiliate networks and direct lender partners pay us a flat fee or a percentage of the loan, premium, or card spend when a user we refer qualifies and accepts an offer. The amount varies by product — a mortgage referral pays differently than a credit card approval — and the rate sheet is negotiated per partner. No partner pays us to display their offer; the only payment trigger is a completed, qualified user action.
Some products show a "sponsored" badge when a partner has paid for additional placement (for example, a featured slot above the comparison table). Sponsored placement does not change the lender's APR or the underlying comparison data — it only changes where the offer appears.
Section 2
What this changes
It changes which partners we work with at all — we only sign agreements with lenders, insurers, and card issuers we believe a typical consumer would consider competitive. A partner that won't disclose APR ranges or that has high CFPB complaint volume doesn't make it onto the platform.
It changes whether a partner appears in our offer-wall slot. The offer-wall is paid placement; the comparison tables below it are not.
Section 3
What this doesn't change
Partner CPA does not influence editorial picks. The "best for first-time buyers" or "best for fair credit" label is assigned by our editors using the methodology published in our editorial policy — rate competitiveness, transparency, customer service, product breadth, and accessibility. A partner that pays us more does not get a better label.
Order in comparison tables is determined by rate and fit for the user's stated criteria, not commission. You can sort the tables yourself; the default sort is APR ascending.
Your rate is not changed by the fact that you came through MidNorth Key. The lender's pricing engine doesn't know which channel referred you.
Section 4
Our partners
We currently work with the following affiliate networks and direct partners. The list is reviewed quarterly; partners are added or removed based on consumer outcomes and editorial standards.
- LendingTree — mortgage and personal loan marketplace
- Credible — mortgage refinance and student loan refinance
- Bankrate Network — multi-product comparison feeds
- NerdWallet Partners — credit cards and personal loans
- Insurify — auto and home insurance quote engine
Questions about a specific partner relationship? Email info@midnorthkey.com.