The 7 Best Auto Loan Refinance Banks of 2021

Best for Great Credit: LightStream

If you have very good credit, you should take full advantage of it. Whether you've had it for years or it’s the product of a lot of hard work and dedication to paying off your debts and increasing your income now is the time to go out and secure a lower interest rate on your car loan. LightStream is a division of SunTrust bank that caters to consumers with good to excellent credit — LightStream requires a minimum 660 FICO. They perform a hard pull on your credit when you apply, so you should be prepared actually to make a decision when you do so. Hard inquiries can cause your credit score to fall slightly, which typically isn't a big deal, assuming you apply for new credit sparingly. LightStream's APR starts at just 2.49%, and refinanced auto loans are available in all 50 states. 

Best for Checking Rates Without Impacting Your Credit: Capital One

By filling out Capital One’s easy questionnaire, you can see whether you’ll qualify to refinance your loan without impacting your credit score in the slightest. You will need to owe a bit more than some of the other loan refinancing options on this list — at least $7,500 — but you'll be able to see what sort of rates you’d get and pre-qualify without a hard credit check impacting your credit score. Once you pre-qualify, you submit your credit application which involves selecting the length of the loan and the corresponding APR. This will get posted to your consumer credit report. You'll finalize the deal by providing your VIN, E-Sign your contract, provide your lender details, and send in supporting documents such as proof of insurance. Capital One does not charge an application fee, however, each state charges a variable title transfer fee. Capital One will pay the fee and add it into your final loan amount, so you don'​t have to pay out of pocket at the time of refinancing.

Best Trusted Name: Bank of America

If you opt for an auto loan refinance from Bank of America, you get a trusted financial institution — and a decision in less time than it takes you to tie your shoes. There’s no fee to apply, and you can help yourself to all of their helpful online tools once you are a member of the Bank of America family. To qualify, your car will need to be fewer than ten years old and have less than 125,000 miles on it, and you will also need to have $5,000 or more remaining on your loan. Bank of America's current APR for refinancing a vehicle is 4.13%. It is smart to pay off your existing loan with proceeds from a new loan to take advantage of lower monthly payments, lower interest rates, or save on financing costs. Compare prices and use a car loan calculator to help determine the savings.

Want to learn more? Check out our full review of Bank of America.

Best for The Most Options: AutoPay

AutoPay specializes in auto loan refinancing, so it’s no wonder they offer great deals for many individuals. They often cater to clients who have improved their credit score in the time since they took out their original auto loan, and because of this, they are usually able to offer steeply discounted loans. On their site, you can compare offers for loans from many different lenders without having to fill out more than one application. They also pull your credit with a soft check, which is easy on your credit score and a great option if you are not seriously considering refinancing your loan right this second (once you pick a final offer, they do run a hard pull — but not until you are ready to commit). AutoPay makes it easy to shop around and often partners with credit unions. The lowest rate offered by AutoPay is 1.99% but this is only available if you have a top-tier credit score. The average credit score of an AutoPay customer is 706 which receives, on average, a 5.49% interest loan. Knowing your credit score ahead of time makes a big difference in estimating what your APR will be on refinancing a car loan.

Best for Members of the Military: USAA

USAA only works with members of the military and their families, but for those who serve our country, this nearly 100-year-old organization offers rates and customer service that is often hard to beat. You won’t have to pay for up to 60 days after you start the loan, giving you time to catch up if you are behind. You can also choose from many of their vehicle protection plans if that’s something you’d like to add on as well. USAA offers to refinance for up to 60 months, and longer terms are also available. USAA takes the hassle out of refinancing by working directly with your lender. Their rates are stated on their website as being as low as 3.04% APR which is noted as including a discount of .25% for automatic payments. Rates are subject to change without notice and vary based on approved credit and other factors, such as term, model year, and loan amount.

Best for Peer-to-Peer Loans: LendingClub

Peer-to-peer lending is a non-traditional option, but it is a great one for those who love the idea of working directly with an individual lender for a fixed period. Once you apply, you can often choose between two options and select the one that’s most palatable to you. Keep in mind that LendingClub is not a great option for those who don’t owe very much on their existing vehicle loan: their loans go all the way up to $100,000, but they won’t lend you less than $5,000 for this purpose. They do offer loans to borrowers whose credit score is as low as 510, though of course, you will pay handsomely for the privilege. Many borrowers choose LendingClub because of their low interest rates and less hassle than traditional financing options. They offer a friendly service, and no hidden fees or prepayment penalties.

Best Credit Union: Consumers Credit Union

Like all credit unions, you will need to be a member of Consumers Credit Union for their auto loan refinancing services to be a viable option. However, once you become a member, the perks are soon evident. Unlike many financial institutions, their loan terms are incredibly flexible, especially if you don’t need to borrow a ton of money: they will lend you as little as $250 for as few as six months at a time. They will perform a hard pull on your credit, so make sure you’re serious about refinancing before you see what rate they will give you because your credit might suffer otherwise. But once they do check your credit, they will work with you as long as your score is above 640. Current APR for refinancing is as low as 2.49% to 4.49% based on the length of your loan and your credit history.