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How to Choose the Best Student Loan Refinance Company

First Republic Bank
September 2, 2020

There’s no magic formula to becoming more financially stable, and graduates who carry student loan debt often feel as though they’re pushing a boulder up a hill when trying to get a handle on their finances. To help alleviate the burden, many turn to student loan refinancing.

While you may permanently lose special student loan benefits like forbearance, deferment and income-based repayment, refinancing student loans could save you money in the long term. There's more than one way to refinance your student loans, so it's important to familiarize yourself with the flexible financial products that can help you combine and pay off your debt, such as a personal line of credit. A personal line of credit offers convenient access to funds that borrowers can use for a variety of purposes, including refinancing existing debt from multiple lenders into one convenient monthly payment.


The following tips can help you know what details to look for when selecting the best company for your student loan refinance needs.

Note: Currently, all payments for certain types of federal student loans are suspended potentially until June 30, 2023, per an executive order by the President. Interest will not accrue during this time period. For more information, please visit ed.gov. (Note updated on 11/28/2022)

Look for lenders offering shorter terms and low fixed-interest rates.

You may have spent upwards of 10 years working hard for your degrees. Why should it take longer to pay for them? One of the most effective strategies to pay off your student loans faster and save money on your overall loan repayments is to refinance to a shorter loan term at the lowest possible interest rate.

Let solid customer experience make the decision for you.

Reputation matters, and you want to feel good about your lender. A quick Google News search can provide insight into recent events and noteworthy incidents regarding the organization.

Choose a company with a proven refinance track record.

Stability in a lender matters more than ever in today’s economic environment. Having a lender with decades of consistent, positive performance gives you confidence it can weather any tough economic times. It also provides insight into its leadership’s focus on longevity.

You’ve worked hard to get where you are and deserve a partner whose mission is to help you succeed.

When you’re ready to accelerate your financial growth, we’re here to help with a personal line of credit that can also be used for student loan refinancing and beyond.

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Banking products and services are offered by First Republic Bank, Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender

1 Personal Line of Credit is an unsecured consumer loan that consists of a two-year, interest-only, revolving draw period followed by a fully amortizing repayment period of the remainder of the term. Draws are not permitted during the repayment period. Full terms of 7, 10 and 15 years available.

This product can only be used for personal, family or household purposes. It cannot be used for the following (among other prohibitions): to refinance or pay any First Republic loans or lines of credit, to purchase securities or investment products (including margin stock and cryptocurrency), for speculative purposes, for business or commercial uses, for a down payment on any property or for the direct payment of post-secondary educational expenses. This product cannot be used to pay off credit card debt at origination. Please note only debts that appear on your consumer credit report or student loans are eligible to be repaid at origination.

The terms of this product may differ from terms of your current loan(s) that are being paid off, including but not limited to student loans. By repaying such loans, you may permanently be giving up tax and repayment benefits, including forbearance, deferment and forgiveness, and you may not be able to reobtain such benefits if this loan is refinanced with another lender in the future.

Borrower must open a First Republic ATM Rebate Checking account (“Account”). Terms and conditions apply to the Account.

2 Annual Percentage Rate. Rates effective as of March 21, 2023, and are subject to change.

If the Account is closed, the rate will increase by 5.00%. Rates shown include relationship-based pricing adjustments of: a) 2.00% for maintaining automatic payments and direct deposit with the Account, b) an additional 0.50% for depositing and maintaining a deposit balance of at least 10% of the approved loan amount into the Account, and c) an additional 0.25% for depositing and maintaining a deposit balance of at least 20% of the approved loan amount into the Account, with the option to deposit up to half of that 20% into an Eagle Invest account.

Eagle Invest is an investment advisory service offered by First Republic Investment Management, Inc., sub-advised by SigFig Wealth Management, LLC (SigFig). SigFig is an SEC-registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Nvest, Inc. SigFig is not affiliated with First Republic Private Wealth Management or any of its affiliates, nor is it affiliated with Pershing, LLC. For more information, please see SigFig's privacy policy on their public website. $5,000 minimum investment required.

Investment Advisory Services are offered through First Republic Investment Management, an SEC-Registered Investment Advisor and a wholly owned subsidiary of First Republic Bank.

Investment and Advisory Products and Services are Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed and May Lose Value.

The strategies mentioned in this article may have tax and legal consequences; therefore, you should consult your own attorneys and/or tax advisors to understand the tax and legal consequences of any strategies mentioned in this document. This information is governed by our Terms and Conditions of use.

Contact your legal, tax and financial advisors for advice on deciding whether this is the right product for you. Terms and conditions apply.

Product is not available in all markets. For a complete list of locations, visit firstrepublic.com/locations. Applicants must meet a First Republic banker to open account. This is not a commitment to lend. Loan approval is subject to a completed application with associated documentation and confirmation that income, liquidity, credit history and other application information meet the minimum requirements for this product. Applicants should discuss line of credit terms, conditions and account details with their banker.

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