BEST OF
4 Banks That Refinance Student Loans
If you already have an account with a bank that refinances student loans, you could get discounts or lower rates by refinancing with that lender.
Brick-and-mortar banks may offer benefits like in-person customer service and relationship discounts. If you value such features, these banks refinance student loans:
Citizens Bank.
PNC Bank.
Wells Fargo Bank.
Laurel Road (via Key Bank).
LendKey (via community banks).
But with student loan refinancing, your priority should be finding the lowest possible rate — even if that means straying from your current bank. Many of the best student loan refinance companies are online lenders, like SoFi and CommonBond, or credit unions, like PenFed.
Brick-and-mortar banks may offer benefits like in-person customer service and relationship discounts. If you value such features, these banks refinance student loans:
Citizens Bank.
PNC Bank.
Wells Fargo Bank.
Laurel Road (via Key Bank).
LendKey (via community banks).
But with student loan refinancing, your priority should be finding the lowest possible rate — even if that means straying from your current bank. Many of the best student loan refinance companies are online lenders, like SoFi and CommonBond, or credit unions, like PenFed.
Summary of Banks That Refinance Student Loans
Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Min. Credit Score | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for Refinancing with a national bank | 2.97 - 9.15% | 1.99 - 8.90% | Does not disclose | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website | |
Best for Refinancing with a national bank | 3.44 - 5.99% | 1.12 - 3.92% | Does not disclose | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website | |
Best for Refinancing with a national bank | 2.80 - 6.00% | 1.89 - 5.90% | 700 | Check Rate on Laurel Road's website | |
Best for Refinancing with a community bank | 2.95 - 7.63% | 1.91 - 5.25% | 680 | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website |
Our picks for
Refinancing with a national bank

on NerdWallet's secure website
Citizens One Student Loan Refinance

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on NerdWallet's secure website

on NerdWallet's secure website
PNC Student Loan Refinance

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on NerdWallet's secure website
on Laurel Road's website
Laurel Road Student Loan Refinance
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Laurel Road's website
Our pick for
Refinancing with a community bank
LendKey partners with community banks, as well as credit unions, to refinance student loans.
on NerdWallet's secure website
LendKey Student Loan Refinance
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on NerdWallet's secure website
Banks that refinance student loans
Some community banks also offer student loan refinancing — find them through LendKey, a marketplace that connects borrowers with community banks and credit unions.
Additionally, some online-only banks refinance student loans, including Discover.
In other cases, online student loan refinance lenders are backed by banks. For example, Education Loan Finance is the student loan refinancing division of Tennessee-based SouthEast Bank, and loans refinanced through College Ave Student Loans are funded by Firstrust Bank or Safra Bank.
Banks that don’t refinance student loans
Most big-name, national brick-and-mortar banks don’t refinance student loans, including:
Capital One.
Last updated on February 9, 2021
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Banks That Refinance Student Loans
- Citizens One Student Loan Refinance: Best for Refinancing with a national bank
- PNC Student Loan Refinance: Best for Refinancing with a national bank
- Laurel Road Student Loan Refinance: Best for Refinancing with a national bank
- LendKey Student Loan Refinance: Best for Refinancing with a community bank
Frequently asked questions
You can only refinance student loans with a bank that offers this product. Traditional brick-and-mortar banks that refinance student loans include Wells Fargo, PNC and Citizens Bank.
Community banks, online banks and traditional banks offer student loan refinancing. Your priority should be finding the lowest possible rate you qualify for, even if it’s not from your current bank.
Bank of America does not refinance student loans. Other well-known, national banks that don’t offer this option include Chase Bank and U.S. Bank.
Aim to find the refinancing loan with the lowest rate you qualify for. That may be a bank you have an account with, especially if it offers you a discount or lower interest rate.