4 Banks for Student Loan Refinancing: April 2021

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There are a few types of lenders that offer student loan refinancing, including online lenders, credit unions, and banks.

Because credit unions are nonprofit organizations, they sometimes provide better rates and terms compared to banks — however, some banks offer benefits of their own, like a discount if you already have an account with them.

Here’s what you should know about bank student loan refinancing:

4 banks for refinancing student loans
How to refinance student loans with a bank
How banks are different from other lenders
Compare multiple lenders to get the best student loan refinancing rate

4 banks for refinancing student loans

Refinancing your student loans might help you save money and potentially pay back your student loans faster. Depending on your credit, you could get a lower interest rate, which will reduce the overall amount of interest you’ll pay.

Or you might opt to extend your repayment term to get a lower monthly payment — though this means you’ll pay more in interest over time.

Keep in mind: Due to the pandemic, federal student loan payments and interest accrual have been suspended through at least Sept. 30, 2021.

If you refinance your federal student loans, you’ll lose access to this suspension as well as other federal benefits and protections, such as income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness programs.

If you’re thinking about refinancing your student loans with a bank, here are a few options to consider. Note that Citizens is a Credible partner while the other lenders in the table are not.

Bank	Fixed rates (APR)	Variable Rates from (APR)	Terms	Eligibility	Discounts
Citizens*	2.89%+¹	2.19%+¹	5 to 20 years	Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (or resident alien with an eligible cosigner) Must have at least $10,000 in student loans Degree not required	Autopay discount: 0.25% Loyalty discount: 0.25%
Discover	Check with lender	Check with lender	10 or 20 years	Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a U.S.-based address Must be 18 or older Must have at least $5,000 in student loans Must be the primary borrower on the loans you want to refinance	Autopay discount: 0.25%
Laurel Road	Check with lender	Check with lender	5 to 20 years	Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident Must have a degree from a Title IV accredited institution Students in the healthcare industry can refinance in their final semester of school Non-healthcare students can refinance after graduating and completing 12 months of employment	Autopay discount: 0.25%
PNC Bank	Check with lender	Check with lender	5 to 15 years	Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident Must have at least two years of both repayment and employment history	Autopay discount: 0.50%
* Credible partner lender

Citizens: Best for borrowers who didn’t graduate

Unlike some other lenders, Citizens doesn’t require you to have graduated to be eligible for refinancing. With Citizens, you can refinance $10,000 to $500,000 — depending on your degree and loan type — with a term ranging from five to 20 years.

You can also get 0.25% off your rate if you sign up for automatic payments, plus another 0.25% off if you already have an account with Citizens.

Discover: Best for smaller loan amounts

The minimum loan amount for Discover refinancing is $5,000, which could make it a good option if you only have a small amount of student loans you want to consolidate. You can also qualify for a 0.25% rate discount if you sign up for autopay.

Laurel Road: Best for referral rewards

With Laurel Road — a product of KeyBank — you can refinance $3,000 up to $300,000 (up to $50,000 for associate degree loans taken out for an eligible healthcare program).

Additionally, if you refer a friend who also refinances their loans with Laurel Road, you could get a $400 referral reward. You can also get 0.25% off your rate if you sign up for autopay.

PNC Bank: Best for discounts

If you refinance with PNC Bank and sign up for automatic payments, you can get 0.50% off your rate — more than the typical autopay discount offered by many other banks.

You’ll also have access to 2,300 locations across the U.S. along with 18,000 ATMs, which could be helpful if you prefer to do your banking in person.

Learn More: When to Refinance Student Loans

How to refinance student loans with a bank

If you’re ready to refinance your loans with a bank, follow these four steps:

Check your credit. Before you apply, it’s a good idea to check your credit first to make sure it’s in as good of shape as possible. You can use a site like AnnualCreditReport.com to review your credit reports for free. If you find any errors, dispute them with the appropriate bureau to potentially boost your credit score.
Compare lenders and pick your loan option. Be sure to compare as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for you. Consider not only interest rates but also repayment terms and any fees charged by the lender. After comparing lenders, choose the loan option that best suits your needs.
Complete the application. After deciding on a lender, you’ll need to fill out a full application and submit any required documentation, such as tax returns or pay stubs.
Manage your payments. If you’re approved for refinancing, the lender will have you sign for the loan. Be sure to continue making payments on your old loans until the refinance is processed. Once this is complete, consider signing up for autopay so you won’t miss any due dates in the future — you might even get a rate discount for it.

Depending on your credit, refinancing could get you a lower interest student loan rate, which could help you save money over the life of your loan. You might even be able to pay off your loan faster.

You can use our calculator below to see how much you can save by refinancing your student loans.

Step 1. Enter your loan balance

Loan balance ? Enter the remaining amount of the loans you’d like to refinance $

Step 2. Enter current loan information

Interest rate ? Enter the average annual interest rate of the loans you’d like to refinance %

Monthly payment ? Enter the monthly amount you currently pay on your loans (or enter remaining term) $

Remaining term ? Enter the amount of time left to repay your loan (or enter monthly payment) years

Step 3. Enter your new loan information to start calculating your savings

Interest rate ? Enter an estimated new interest rate. %

Monthly payment ? Enter the monthly amount to pay on your new loan (or enter new loan term) $

New loan term ? Enter the amount of time you have to repay your loan (or enter monthly payment) years

Lifetime Savings Increased Lifetime Cost $

New Monthly Payment $

Monthly Savings Increased Monthly Cost $

If you refinance your student loan at % interest rate, you can save will pay an additional $ monthly and pay off your loan by . The total cost of the new loan will be $.

Does refinancing make sense for you?
Compare offers from top refinancing lenders to determine your actual savings.

Check Personalized Rates

Checking rates won’t affect your credit score.

Check Out: How to Refinance Your Student Loans

How banks are different from other lenders

While banks are quite similar to online lenders and credit unions, they also come with a few differences. Here are some important points to keep in mind as you compare banks to other lenders:

	Banks	Credit unions	Online lenders
For profit	Yes	No	Yes
Physical branches available	Usually yes	Yes	No
Location	Local or nationwide	Local or nationwide	Nationwide
How to apply	Might be able to apply online Some banks might require in-person application	Might be able to apply online Some credit unions might require in-person application	Can only apply online
Membership or previous account required	Depends on the bank	Yes	Typically no

Pros of refinancing with a bank

Might offer loyalty discounts: If you already have an account with a bank, you might get a rate discount if you refinance your loans with them. Many banks also offer rate discounts if you sign up for autopay.
Competitive rates: Depending on your credit, you might qualify for competitive rates from a bank.
In-person experience: If you prefer doing your banking in person, refinancing with a bank could be a good choice.

Learn More: Debt-to-Income Ratio for Refinancing Student Loans

Cons of refinancing with a bank

Fewer options if you have poor or fair credit: Banks often require good to excellent credit to qualify for refinancing. This might make it difficult if you’re looking to refinance student loans with bad credit.
Might charge fees: Banks sometimes charge substantial fees in comparison to online lenders and credit unions. Be sure to read the fine print so you don’t have any surprises down the road.
Will lose federal benefits: If you refinance federal student loans, you’ll lose access to federal protections, such as access to income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness programs as well as the temporary pause on payments and interest accrual under the CARES Act. And unfortunately, private student loan forgiveness doesn’t exist.

Check Out: Private Student Loan Consolidation

Compare multiple lenders to get the best student loan refinancing rate

Whether you ultimately decide to refinance with a bank, credit union, or online lender, be sure to compare as many lender options as you can to find the best rate for you. Also consider repayment terms and any fees charged by the lender.

Credible makes this easy — you can compare your prequalified rates from our refinancing partner lenders in the table below in just two minutes.

Lender	Fixed rates from (APR)	Variable rates from (APR)	Loan terms (years)	Loan amounts
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	4.54%+	N/A	10, 15, 20	$7,500 up to up to $200,000 (larger balances require special approval)
Fixed APR: 4.54%+ Variable APR: N/A Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $7,500 up to $500,000 Loan terms (years): 10, 15, 20 Max. undergraduate loan balance: $250,000 - $500,000 Time to fund: 4 months Repayment options: Immediate repayment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must be a resident of Kentucky Customer service: Phone Soft credit check: No Cosigner release: After 36 months Loan servicer: Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation Max. graduate loan balance: $250,000 - $500,000 Credible Review: Advantage Education Loan review Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing : Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	2.95%+	1.89%+	5, 7, 10, 15, 20	$10,000 up to $250,000 (depending on degree)
Fixed APR: 2.95%+ Variable APR: N/A Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $10,000 to $400,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Military deferment, forbearance Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must have a credit score of at least 720, a minimum income of $60,000, and must be a resident of Texas Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Does not disclose Cosigner release: No Loan servicer: Firstmark Services Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $100,000 - $149,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $200,000 - $400,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Does not disclose
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	2.89%+¹	2.19%+¹	5, 7, 10, 15, 20	$10,000 to $500,000 (depending on degree and loan type)
Fixed APR: 2.89%+¹ Variable APR: 2.19%+¹ Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $10,000 to $750,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Immediate repayment, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay, loyalty Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have at least $10,000 in student loans Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 24 to 36 months Loan servicer: Firstmark Services Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $100,000 to $149,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: Less than $150,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	3.34%+²	3.24%+²	5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20	$5,000 to $300,000 (depending on degree type)
Fixed APR: 3.34%+² Variable APR: 3.24%+² Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $5,000 to $300,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 Repayment options: Military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: All states except for ME Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 24 to 36 months Loan servicer: College Ave Servicing LLC Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $100,000 to $149,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: Less than $300,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	4.41%+⁵	2.03%+⁵	10, 15, 20	$7,500 to $200,000
Fixed APR: 4.41%+⁵ Variable APR: 2.03%+⁵ Min. credit score: 700 Loan amount: $7,500 to $200,000 Loan terms (years): 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and submit two personal references Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 36 months Loan servicer: Granite State Management & Resources (GSM&R) Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $150,000 to $249,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $150,000 to $199,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing : Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	2.79%+³	2.39%+³	5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20	Minimum of $15,000
Fixed APR: 2.79%+³ Variable APR: 2.39%+³ Min. credit score: 680 Loan amount: No maximum Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 Repayment options: Forbearance Fees: None Discounts: None Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have at least $15,000 in student loan debt, and have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an approved school Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: No Loan servicer: Mohela Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: No maximum Max. Graduate Loan Balance: No maximum Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	3.47%+⁴	2.47%+⁴	5, 10, 15, 20	$5,000 - $250,000
Fixed APR: 3.47%+⁴ Variable APR: 2.47%+⁴ Min. credit score: 670 Loan amount: $5,000 to $250,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance Fees: Late fee Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: Yes Max undergraduate loan balance: $250,000 Max graduate loan balance: $250,000 Offers Parent PLUS refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	3.05%+	3.05%+	7, 10, 15	$10,000 up to the total amount of qualified education debt
Fixed APR: 3.05%+ Variable APR: 3.05%+ Min. credit score: 670 Loan amount: $10,000 up to the total amount Loan terms (years): 7, 10, 15 Repayment options: Military deferment, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: None Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have at least $10,000 in student loans Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: No Loan servicer: AES Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: No maximum Max. Gradaute Loan Balance: No maximum Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	2.99%+	2.15%+	5, 8, 12, 15	$7,500 to $300,000
Fixed APR: 2.99%+ Variable APR: 2.15%+ Min. credit score: 670 Loan amount: $7,500 to $300,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 8, 12, 15 Repayment options: Does not disclose Fees: None Discounts: None Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen and have and at least $7,500 in student loans Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: After 12 months Loan servicer: PenFed Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $300,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $300,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	3.19%+	N/A	5, 10, 15	$7,500 up to $250,000 (depending on highest degree earned)
Fixed APR: 3.19%+ Variable APR: N/A Min. credit score: 680 Loan amount: $7,500 to $250,000 Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15 Repayment options: Academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability Fees: None Discounts: Autopay Eligibility: Available in all 50 states; must also have at least $7,500 in student loans and a minimum income of $40,000 Customer service: Email, phone Soft credit check: Does not disclose Cosigner release: No Loan servicer: Rhode Island Student Loan Authority Max. Undergraduate Loan Balance: $150,000 - $249,000 Max. Graduate Loan Balance: $200,000 - $249,000 Offers Parent PLUS Refinancing: Yes
Credible Rating Credible lender ratings are evaluated by our editorial team with the help of our loan operations team. The rating criteria for lenders encompass 78 data points spanning interest rates, loan terms, eligibility requirement transparency, repayment options, fees, discounts, customer service, cosigner options, and more. Read our full methodology. View details	2.99%+⁶	2.85%+⁶	5, 7, 10, 15, 20	$5,000 up to the full balance of your qualified education loans
Fixed APR: 2.99%+⁶ Variable APR: 2.85%+⁶ Min. credit score: Does not disclose Loan amount: $5,000 up to the full balance Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 Repayment options: Academic deferment, military deferment Fees: None Discounts: Autopay, loyalty Eligibility: Available in all 50 states Customer service: Email, phone, chat Soft credit check: Yes Cosigner release: No Max undergraduate loan balance: No maximum Max graduate loan balance: No maximum Offers Parent PLUS refinancing: Yes
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All APRs reflect autopay and loyalty discounts where available \| ¹Citizens Disclosures \| ²College Ave Disclosures \| ³ ELFI Disclosures \| ⁴INvestEd Disclosures \| ⁵Iowa Student Loan Disclosures \| ⁶SoFi Disclosures