How Refinancing Affects Your Credit Score in 2022

Are you trying to find a solution to reduce your student loan repayments and divert more money to your savings account, or utilize it for upkeep expenses? Refinancing any existing student loan debts to a second loan with a lower rate of interest and lower repayments is one approach. But, before you choose this alternative, keep in mind that refinancing a loan might harm your credit by temporarily reducing your credit score. Here are some things to think about while determining whether or not to refinance your student loan.

What is Refinancing, and how does it Work?

Refinancing is the process of replacing an existing loan with a second one. Refinancing is often done in return for a loan with cheaper rates, which lowers repayments and saves a lot of money on fees and interest. Mortgage refinances, car loans, student loans, and personal loans are just a few of the sorts of loans you can refinance.

How Refinancing Lowers your Credit Score

Refinancing will affect your credit score in various ways:

  • Closing an account: Since you are terminating a long-standing credit account, the student loans you are refinancing will be canceled, potentially lowering your credit score. Moreover, some credit score models will consider your credit record on the terminated loan. The impact on your credit score is lessened if the account is canceled on good terms. Furthermore, as you repay the new loan, your credit rating should increase.

  • Multiple loan applications: You'll most likely apply to many different lenders to determine which one offers you the greatest interest rate when refinancing. To avoid your credit score being harmed by these harsh queries, ensure to check all of your loan applications on time. Most credit rating algorithms interpret loan queries made between 14 and 45 days as a single inquiry, lowering your credit score. Applying for multiple loans over a long period may have a long-term bad credit rating score.

  • Credit Checks: Lenders will verify your credit score and credit history when you want to refinance a loan. This is referred to as a hard inquiry on your credit report, and it might cause a temporary decline in your credit score. However, the savings from refinancing, usually outweigh the negative consequences of a little credit score drop. Your credit ratings will likely rise when you repay your new loan over time as a result of your good payment history.

Examine if Refinancing is Right for you

While it's often a good idea to think twice about financial choices and examine your credit score if refinancing refinancing your student loans feels right for your position, go for it. 

In most cases, you won't notice a significant variation in your credit score, but don't be shocked if your new loan causes or has caused minor modifications.

 Contact your lender or file a complaint if any data about your refinancing appears wrong when you view your complete credit report. 

To learn more about refinancing, reach out to National FCG today to better your credit rating. Good luck with your refinancing!

BJC