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A mortgage refinance allows you to change the terms of your mortgage, with a new interest rate and potentially lower monthly payments. You could also shorten your term length so you pay off your home loan faster.
You might have different priorities when choosing a refinance lender compared to when you first got your mortgage. For example, a fast closing probably won't matter to you as much as getting the lowest rate possible.
As you compare mortgage refinance lenders, be sure to consider your overall costs, including closing costs, in addition to your rate.
Rocket Mortgage, formerly known as Quicken Loans, is a strong lender in general and our "best overall" pick for the best mortgage refinance lenders. It's a great option if you're comfortable applying online and have a good credit score.
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conventional, cash-out, FHA, VA refinancing
Editor's Rating
4.5/5
4.5 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Refinance into several types of mortgages
Top lender for customer satisfaction from J.D. Power for 11 straight years, and No. 2 in 2021
Fast, easy online experience
Cons
Can't refinance into a USDA mortgage
Doesn't accept alternative credit data
Highlights
More Information
Available in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Doesn't accept alternative data, like proof of paying bills on time, in addition to a credit score
Minimum credit score displayed is for conforming mortgages
Veterans United is currently the largest lender of VA loans, and it earned "best overall" in our guide to the best VA mortgage lenders. It's a good option for several types of mortgages — though VA loans are its strongest products.
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conventional, cash-out refinance, VA, FHA, USDA refinance
Editor's Rating
4.5/5
4.5 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Accepts alternative forms of credit, like proof that you pay bills on time
Available in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Cons
Physical branches are only in 18 US states
Highlights
More Information
Offers mortgages in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Branches in 18 US states
Accepts alternative credit data to boost your application if you have a low/no credit score
Minimum credit score displayed is for conventional refinancing
Fairway Independent Mortgage is one of Personal Finance Insider's best online mortgage lenders. It's an overall affordable lender with a variety of mortgage options for borrowers to choose from.
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conventional, cash-out, FHA, VA refinancing
Editor's Rating
4.5/5
4.5 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Refinance into a variety of mortgage types
Accepts alternative forms of credit
Easy-to-navigate website
Option to close on the new mortgage online instead of in person
Cons
You can't refinance into a USDA loan
Rates aren't posted online
Highlights
More Information
Offers mortgages in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Branches in every US state except Alaska and West Virginia
Apply with alternative credit data (such as proof that you pay bills on time) if you have no credit score
Minimum credit score displayed is for conventional refinances
Guild Mortgage is our favorite lender for first-time homebuyers, thanks to its flexible credit requirements and easy online process. It offers a huge range of mortgages, making it a good option for many types of borrowers.
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conventional, cash-out, FHA, VA, USDA refinancing
Editor's Rating
4.5/5
4.5 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Refinances a wide range of mortgage types
Accept alternative forms of credit
Hybrid closing
Cons
Unavailable to residents of New Jersey or New York.
You may have to visit a physical branch for streamlined FHA, USDA, or VA refinances
Highlights
More Information
Offers mortgages in every US state except New York and New Jersey
Branches in 32 US states
Show alternative credit data, such as utility bills, to help your application if you have no credit score
Minimum credit score displayed is for conventional refinancing
US Bank is a good choice for those who already have mortgages or accounts with this bank. Its existing customer discount on its mortgages is better than similar offers from other lenders.
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conventional, cash-out, FHA, VA refinancing
Editor's Rating
4/5
4 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Refinances a variety of mortgage types
Current customers receive up to $1,000 toward closing costs
Cons
You can't refinance into a USDA mortgage
Doesn't accept alternative forms of credit
Highlights
More Information
Offers home loans in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Has branches in 26 US states
Does not accept alternative credit sources in lieu of a credit score
Minimum credit score displayed is for conventional refinancing
NBKC Bank is one of Personal Finance Insider's best mortgage lenders. It's a worthwhile option if you have a good credit score. It's an especially strong choice for those looking for a convenient online experience, since it lets you easily apply online.
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conventional, cash-out, FHA, VA refinancing
Editor's Rating
4/5
4 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Refinance into a variety of mortgage types
Easily view customized rates
Mortgages available in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Cons
Can't refinance into a USDA mortgage
Doesn't accept non-traditional credit
Charges $750 in lender fees
Highlights
More Information
Provides mortgages in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Branches in Kansas City, Missouri
$750 in lender fees, including the application, origination, underwriting, and processing fees
Minimum credit score displayed is for conventional refinancing
Navy Federal is a good option for people affiliated with the military overall, but especially if you're searching for a lender that's friendly to people who aren't in the best financial situation — namely, people with low credit scores.
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conventional, cash-out, VA refinancing
Editor's Rating
3.75/5
3.75 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Especially strong lender for VA mortgages
Accepts alternative forms of credit
Cons
No FHA or USDA mortgage refinancing
You can only become a member of Navy Federal Credit Union if you or your family is affiliated with the military, you are a Department of Defense civilian personnel or contractor, or you live with a Navy Federal member
Highlights
More Information
You may be eligible for a mortgage if you are an active military member, veteran, family member of someone affiliated with the military, Department of Defense civilian, or housemate of an existing Navy Federal member
Branches around the US and on US military bases abroad
Apply with alternative credit data, such as proof that you pay utility bills
Live customer support 24/7
Minimum credit score listed is for VA loan refinancing
Network Capital Funding is an affordable lender for borrowers who have no credit score or those with unique financial situations, such as self-employed individuals.
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conventional, cash-out, FHA, VA, non-QM
Editor's Rating
4.75/5
4.75 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Accepts non-traditional credit
Will work with you to help you improve your credit score if you don’t qualify
Offers mortgages for self-employed borrowers and real estate investors
Cons
Not available in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, or Utah
Northpointe Bank is a strong lender thanks to its wide range of options for borrowers to choose from, including a renovation mortgage that can be used to pay for upgrades on your current home.
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conventional, cash-out, FHA, VA, USDA jumbo, renovation, non-warrantable condo, doctor, investment property, All In One, EquityBuilder, Expanded Portfolio
Editor's Rating
4.88/5
4.88 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Huge variety of mortgages to choose from
Flexible credit requirements on some of its mortgages
Finance home upgrades by refinancing into a renovation loan
Cons
Can’t get customized rates online
Some mortgage options aren’t available in every state
Doesn’t disclose lender fees online
Highlights
More Information
Available in all 50 states and Washington, DC
Has branches in 25 states
Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders Frequently Asked Questions
Which bank is best for refinancing your mortgage?
The best bank for refinancing depends on what you're looking for. If a good customer service experience is important to you, a lender like Rocket Mortgage might be a good pick. If you have a lower credit score, you might like Carrington Mortgage Services.
Is it best to refinance a mortgage with your current lender?
If you value convenience, you might prefer using your current lender to refinance. But shopping around gives you a chance to see what types of deals are available to you.
Which lenders offer the best mortgage refinance rates?
Is it better to refinance your mortgage with a bank or online lender?
It depends on your needs. If you prefer a quick application process that you can complete from the comfort of your home, you might like an online lender. But working with a bank that has physical branches can have benefits too, particularly if you want to sit down face-to-face to discuss your options.
What credit score is best to refinance your mortgage?
You'll need at least a 620 credit score to refinance into a conventional loan, and a 580 score to refinance into an FHA loan. But many borrowers choose to refinance so they can save money with a lower rate, and to get the lowest rate possible, you should try to boost your score as much as you can before applying to refinance.
Rocket Mortgage is our top choice thanks to its easy-to-use online application and its strong track record in providing great customer service. It's ranked as the top lender for customer satisfaction from J.D. Power in 2022. It provides a quick, easy online experience and offers mortgages with terms as short as eight years.
What to look out for: Its loan options are relatively limited, and it doesn't have any in-person branches.
Best for Veterans
Veterans United
Veterans United is one the best VA loan lenders, and it's a great choice if you're refinancing a VA loan. It could also be a good fit if you have a poor or no credit score.
As a top VA loan lender, Veterans United is notable for its exceptional customer service, earning a high score in J.D. Power's 2022 Primary Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study. However, it doesn't qualify to rank in the study because it doesn't meet certain criteria.
What to look out for: Veterans United shows some sample mortgage rates that can be customized by credit score, but to see a more personalized rate quote, you'll need to provide contact information.
Best for Digital Closing
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is a good refinance lender overall, and offers hybrid and remote closing options for a more streamlined closing experience.
Fairway Independent lets borrowers have a hybrid or fully remote closing. With a hybrid closing, you can sign most of your documents digitally, and have a quicker in-person closing appointment. In some states, the entire process can be completed digitally.
What to look out for: Fairway Independent doesn't show any rates online, not even sample rates. To see what rate you might pay with this lender, you'll need to talk to a loan officer or apply for preapproval.
Best Online Lender
Guild Mortgage
We love that Guild Mortgage offers such a wide variety of mortgages to choose from. It's a strong choice for refinancing because it has multiple refinance loans for borrowers in different situations. It also accepts non-traditional credit if you have no score.
Guild Mortgage offers a hybrid digital closing option that can help you have a faster closing experience.
Carrington has an NR, or "no rating" from the BBB because the lender is in the process of responding to previously closed complaints. Additionally, in November 2022, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Carrington to pay $5.25 million in fines for supposedly violating borrowers' CARES Act rights. The CFPB claims that the lender misled borrowers seeking CARES Act forbearance and denied them key protections provided by the pandemic-era law.
Best for Customizable Terms
New American Funding
New American Funding is a strong mortgage lender overall, especially if you need to apply with alternative forms of credit.
New American Funding's I CAN mortgage lets you choose any mortgage term length from eight to 30 years. This is especially useful for borrowers looking to refinance, because it allows you to pick up where you left off with your previous mortgage in terms of how many years you had left on it.
What to look out for: New American Funding doesn't originate mortgages in Hawaii or New York. It also doesn't offer a way to see personalized rates online, though it does display a few sample rates.
Best for a Simple Application Process
NBKC Bank
NBKC Bank is a worthwhile option if you have a good credit score and value online convenience. NBKC Bank's online chat feature makes it easy to connect with an expert and get your questions answered quickly.
What to look out for: Its mortgage offerings are fairly basic. This lender does offer HELOCs, but they're only available in the Kansas City metro area.
Best Credit Union
Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal is a good option for people affiliated with the military overall, but especially if you're searching for a lender that's friendly to people who aren't in the best financial situation — namely, people with low credit scores.
Navy Federal earned a high score in J.D. Power's 2022 customer satisfaction study. However, because it doesn't meet certain criteria, it didn't receive a ranking.
What to look out for: The BBB gives Navy Federal an NR (No Rating) because it's currently responding to complaints that were previously closed. You can only become a member of Navy Federal Credit Union if you or your family is affiliated with the military, you are a Department of Defense civilian personnel or contractor, or you live with a Navy Federal member.
Best Rate Customization Tools
Chase
Chase is one of our favorite big bank mortgage lenders, and its a strong choice for refinancing.
Chase has a good number of mortgage refinance options to choose from. It also offers advanced tools to see customized rates and payments online, making it easy to compare multiple mortgage options and find the one that's right for you.
What to look out for: Chase's mortgage offerings are relatively basic.
Best for No Lender Fees
Network Capital Funding
Network Capital Funding is an affordable lender for borrowers who have no credit score or those with unique financial situations, such as self-employed individuals.
Network Capital charges no lender fees, which can help keep your refinancing closing costs down. It also offers non-qualified mortgage options for borrowers who need to use alternative methods to qualify, such as using bank statements to show income rather than the typical tax documents.
What to look out for: Network Capital doesn't lend in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, or Utah.
Best for Financing a Renovation
Northpointe Bank
Northpointe Bank is a strong lender thanks to its wide range of options for borrowers to choose from, including a renovation mortgage that can be used to pay for upgrades on your current home.
Northpointe Bank has flexible credit guidelines on several of its mortgages, making it a good option for borrowers with rocky credit histories or those with little equity in their homes.
What to look out for: You'll need to fill out a form with your contact info to get a personalized rate quote. Not all of its products are available in every state.
How to Choose a Mortgage Refinance Lender
The first step to finding the right mortgage refinance lender for you is to search for lenders that offer the type of mortgage you're looking for. If you want to refinance your FHA loan, for example, you'll want to work with a lender that offers FHA streamline refinances or other types of FHA refinances.
Then you should apply for preapproval with a few different lenders. Applying for preapproval enables you to get rate quotes based on your credit and financial situation, giving you an accurate picture of what you'd pay with each lender. Compare quotes from the lenders you applied with to see who can offer you the best overall deal — remember to consider both the rate you're offered as well as any lender fees or discount points you'd pay.
Mortgage Refinance Lenders That Didn't Make the Cut and Why
We looked at over two dozen mortgage lenders that refinance loans. In picking the best of the best, we looked for lenders that satisfied our methodology criteria and had offerings to meet the needs of a wide variety of borrowers.
Here are the ones we didn't choose as our favorites:
USAA Mortgage: This is a good option for refinancing VA loans, but it won't work for any other types of mortgages.
Truist Mortgage: You might like refinancing with Truist, but it only ranks average in customer service according to J.D. Power.
Regions: You might like using Regions, but the bank only has branches in certain parts of the US.
Citibank Mortgage: This bank received good customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power, but an F in trustworthiness from the BBB.
Wells Fargo Mortgage: Due to some recent scandals, Wells Fargo has received an F rating from the BBB.
Better Mortgage: A good option if you want a to refinance into a conventional or FHA loan with an easy-to-use online lender, but Better.com doesn't let you refinance into a USDA or VA loan.
SoFi Mortgage: SoFi is another worthwhile choice for conventional mortgages, but its offerings are fairly basic.
Freedom Mortgage: You can refinance into several types of mortgages with Freedom, but J.D. Power ranks it low for customer service.
Guaranteed Rate Mortgage: You might like Guaranteed Rate, but it only has an A- rating in trustworthiness.
Loan Depot Mortgage: Loan Depot isn't accredited by the BBB, and you can't refinance into a USDA loan.
Caliber Home Loans: You can find lenders with better customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power.
Paramount Bank: You might like Paramount as an online lender, but it doesn't offer as many mortgage refinance types as our top picks.
Pennymac Mortgage: You can refinance into several types of loans with Pennymac, but the lender ranks low on J.D. Power's customer satisfaction survey.
Flagstar Bank Mortgage: This bank has received an A+ from the BBB, but J.D. Power has ranked it pretty low on customer satisfaction.
Mr. Cooper Mortgage: This lender offers a few refinance options, but J.D. Power ranks below average for customer satisfaction.
Bank of America Mortgage: Bank of America offers a discount on its mortgages for existing customers, but you need a relatively high account balance to qualify.
PNC Bank Mortgage: PNC Bank is a solid lender for first-time homebuyers thanks to its homeownership grant, but its refinancing options and features aren't as strong as some of the other lenders we considered.
Why You Should Trust Us: Experts' Advice on Choosing a Mortgage Refinance Lender
To help you learn more about refinancing and lenders, four experts weighed in:
We consulted mortgage and financial experts to inform these picks and provide their insights about mortgage refinance lenders. Here's what they had to say about mortgage refinancing. (Some text may be lightly edited for clarity.)
How can someone know whether it's a good time to refinance?
Julie Aragon, Aragon Lending Team:
"The monthly savings and the cost for the refinance. When you have those two things, you can determine the break-even point. Also, how long they intend to stay in the house. If they know they're going to sell next year, it probably doesn't make sense to refinance."
Lauryn Williams, CFP:
"A lot of times people don't realize refinancing comes with some additional costs. There's those closing costs, title costs, et cetera, that are tied into the overall fees. Simply getting a lower interest rate doesn't mean that you're saving money, is the biggest factor that a lot of people are not aware of."
What factors should someone take into consideration when choosing a mortgage refinance lender?
Anthony Park, author:
"I feel like with a refinance, you're going based on numbers a lot more than on your original mortgage. Probably because the mortgage feels like more of a weighty transaction, whereas with refinancing, you're kind of an old hand at it at this point. I think the numbers matter a lot more for a refinance."
Molly Grace, Personal Finance Insider
"You don't have the same time crunch during a refinance that you do when you're purchasing, so take your time to really evaluate the offers you're shown and don't rush into anything. Lenders are pros at making refinancing sound really attractive — even if it's not necessarily the best long-term financial move for you. Remember that their job is to sell you something, and your job is to make sure you're making the best decisions for your finances."
When is it a good idea to get a cash-out refinance?
Julie Aragon, Aragon Lending Team:
"Investing the money into the home I think is always a good idea, as long as the math makes sense. Also paying off high-interest credit card debt. We have some clients, when we look at all of their debts, some are at 19% or 20%. By paying off all this crap, they'll save $1,500 or $2,000 a month."
Lauryn Williams, CFP:
"I think it's a tough situation, because sometimes with cash-out refi is, you're thinking of things like credit card debt. This is the biggest one I hear from clients: I can get rid of this 23% interest that I have on my credit card debt, and I can put it in my 2% mortgage. Well, you just took something that was not tied to any collateral. They can't take your home away if you don't pay your credit card debt. So something that previously couldn't result in my home being in a way now can add to the stress of my home being taken away should I not be able to pay my mortgage."
Methodology: How Did We Choose the Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders?
To choose the top mortgage refinance lenders of September 2023, we looked at four main factors:
Ethics. Almost all of our top picks received an A+ from the Better Business Bureau, which measures companies' trustworthiness. We also researched and considered any scandals in the past three years.
Affordability. We looked at lenders' minimum required credit scores. We also checked whether the lenders offer streamline refinances for borrowers refinancing from a government-backed mortgage into the same type of mortgage, which can be more affordable for borrowers with less-than-perfect financial profiles. Finally, we looked at whether they have any flexible credit guidelines. This could include allowing borrowers to have recent negative events on their credit reports, or accepting non-traditional credit, like utility bills and rent payments, in lieu of a traditional credit score.
Molly Grace is a reporter at Insider. She covers mortgage rates, refinance rates, lender reviews, and homebuying articles for Personal Finance Insider.Before joining the Insider team, Molly was a blog writer for Rocket Companies, where she wrote educational articles about mortgages, homebuying, and homeownership.You can reach Molly at mgrace@insider.com, or on Twitter @mollythegrace.
Elias Shaya is a junior compliance associate on the Personal Finance Insider team based in New York City.Personal Finance Insider is Insider's personal finance section that incorporates affiliate and commerce partnerships into the news, insights, and advice about money that readers already know and love. The compliance team's mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions.The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Elias is the point person for the loans sub-vertical and works with the editorial team to ensure that all rates and information for personal and student loans are up to date and accurate.He joined Insider in February 2022 as a fellow on the compliance team.Elias has a Bachelor of Science in International Business from the CUNY College of Staten Island. Prior to joining Insider, he volunteered at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he worked with the biomedical engineering department. In his spare time, Elias enjoys exploring new restaurants, traveling to visit his family in Lebanon, and spending time with friends.
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