• They are Non-Profit Organizations: Credit unions accept deposits from members and offer loans without any intention of making profits. Due to the fact that they are non-profit organizations, they offer loans at low interest rates and higher rates for deposits.
• Operating Principles: Credit unions operate with the intention of pooling financial resources for the benefit of members. Their operating principles revolve around voluntary membership, non-discrimination, serving members, building financial stability, social responsibility and democratic control.
• Services Provided: Some of the services offered by most credit unions include but are not limited to payroll deduction, online access, MasterCard Gift Cards, ACH origination, ATM, Bill Pay, Wire Transfer, Direct Deposit, Notary Service, savings and investments, lending services (secured and unsecured loans), Traditional and Roth IRAs, Club accounts (Christmas and Vacation), Overdraft protection and more.
• Reasons For Joining A Credit Union: Credit union members enjoy benefits such as low fees, higher interest rates, excellent customer service, member-centric services, community support, security of deposits (regulation by the National Credit Union Administration; every account is insured up to $250,000), financial literacy and independence, easy qualification, easily approachable in spite of a low credit score etc.

• Determine Your Budget: Start with making a budget so as to choose the right auto loan in terms of pricing (monthly payments).
• Get Pre-Approved: Even though your credit union will conduct a credit score check on its own, it is advisable to get the loan pre-approved from the credit union. This helps in determining the APR, amount that you can borrow and the duration of the loan. Pre-approval improves negotiation and increases the chances of getting the most appropriate deal for your budget.
• Identity Proof: This includes a driver's license, a government-issued I.D. with your name and photograph.
• Income Proof: This is required to see whether you will be able to repay the auto loan. A credit union assesses one’s assets, income, credit history, monthly expenses, employment, etc. You may be required to show your pay stubs of the previous month, tax forms, W-2 or W-4.
• Residence Proof: Credit unions are required by the Federal law to provide information about a client’s residence proof. For this, you may be required to produce documents such as a utility bill, medical bill, tax bill, cell phone bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, renters or homeowners insurance policy, etc.
• Credit And Bank History: The credit union will review your credit history along with your credit accounts, credit limits, account balances, etc.
• Debt-to-Income Ratio: Late payments and total debt obligations, unpaid bills and collections, foreclosures, etc. are considered by credit unions to determine debt to income ratio.
• Down Payment: An important part of preparing for an auto loan is to determine the mode by which you will pay the down payment. This could be by cash, credit card, debit card, personal check, etc.

• Check Your Credit: Having a good credit score is of high importance for borrowing a secured vehicle loan. With a higher credit score and a good credit history, the borrower may be entitled to lower interest rates and convenient loan terms. As long as the borrower pays bills on time, settles his debts, and avoids penalties, he can have a good credit score.  Also, it is important to review the credit report to look for any unusual activity. Check for incorrect balances and late payments. If credit score is low, take steps to improve it before applying for the vehicle loan.
• Know The Budget: It is essential to have a predetermined budget and know how the budget for buying a car. The borrower should be sure that the vehicle’s cost is aligned with other financial goals. To determine the budget subtract usual monthly expenses from monthly income after deducting taxes. Also, include intended monthly savings in the expenses.
• Determine Affordability: After understanding current financial situation, it is required to decide on a reasonable monthly vehicle payment. Check with the loan officer to figure out the maximum loan amount that can be afforded. It should include the monthly payments, interest rate, and the loan period.
• Get Preapproved: It is important to research for the terms of the loan and get preapproved from the credit union. Getting preapproved for a vehicle loan will help expedite the process, determine eligibility, and find the right price.

• Convenience: Online bill pay service makes it easier to organize bills and pay them before they are due. If an individual juggles rent/mortgage, cable, electricity, credit card payments and more; online bill pay can save time and help to avoid late fees. There is no requirement to log into several websites and remember multiple passwords. Credit unions also offer an option to pre-schedule payments on their due date. Whether the bills are received electronically or by mail, members can utilize an online facility to schedule payments.
• Security: Credit unions use the most suitable security protocols to keep their online transactions secure. Several methods are incorporated to keep member information safe including security layers, etc.
• Simplified Money Management: Making online payments can help members check account balance and determine whether the bill payment has been scheduled and paid. Other benefits may include searching for specific payments online, access to online payment history, setting up email alerts for payments, etc.
• Environmental Advantage: One of the biggest benefits of paying bills online is eliminating paper waste. Paying bills online will reduce the use of paper checks. In addition to eliminating paper waste, it also eliminates the costs of postage and envelopes.
• Easy Consolidation: Using an online payment facility will allow consolidating bills in one place as they are posted from one account each month.
• Organization: It is certainly possible to lose track of finances, but online bill payments help individuals to organize their records. With all the bills and payments organized at one single place, members can easily know if something is posted incorrectly.
• Saves Time: Once the electronic bill payment service is set up online, it takes just minutes to pay the bills. Increasingly people are shifting to electronic statements and making use of online bill pay, thus saving themselves time and money.

With more used cars than new ones being sold in the US every year, it is wise to consider buying a used car instead of a new one, for the several benefits that this offers. Here’s a look at what’s making car buyers go for the second-hand ones instead of bringing home a gleaming new set of wheels.

• The top advantage of buying a used car is of course that you save money. Considering that the value of a car drops by around 30% every 3 years, you are saving a lot by choosing to buy a used car instead of a new one.
• The saving does not end at the price that you have to pay for the car, but also extends to the ancillary costs like insurance. By buying a used car, you have to pay less for insurance than you would have to pay for a new vehicle, which will result in considerable annual savings.
• While buying a used car, you can get a clear picture of the car’s performance and reliability by taking a look at its service history.
• You will also save on accessories, since most used cars are equipped with the basic accessories that you will need, like a music system and air-conditioning.
• Since most of the depreciation on a car’s value takes place during the first three years of purchase, you are likely to get a better resale value on a used car than you would on a new one.
• With the introduction of CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) programs by most companies, used cars undergo a rigorous inspection procedure, which ensures that the certified cars have high-mileage and no record of major damage. Such cars are available at lower rates of interest than new cars.
• Buying a used car is a great way to get a relatively old model of a luxury car in excellent condition, at just a fraction of its original price.
• Buying a used car gives you a much wider variety to choose from, in terms of price, mileage, features, condition, and models.
• If you are buying a used car from an individual user, you might find it easier to negotiate and get a better deal, than if you were buying a new car from a dealer.

When you are finally ready to buy a used car, be sure to hire a mechanic to inspect it thoroughly. It is also advisable to get a written deal and to negotiate the price, starting at a price lower than what you are willing to pay.

To avail cheap auto loans for both used and new cars or to know more about the benefits of buying a used car, kindly visit us at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. We provide you quick and cheapest auto loans in Texas. For more details, visit us at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call us at 254-690-2274.

A secured car loan is one in which the borrower puts up a collateral against the loan. This is usually the item for which the loan is being taken, which in this case is the car. Depending on various factors, the lender might also ask for collateral beyond the vehicle, in the form of a house, property, or any other valuable possession. In case the borrower forfeits any of the loan’s requirements, the lender is entitled to take legal action against the borrower, and claim the collateral.

The major advantages that a secured loan offers to the borrower are a lower rate of interest, and a more flexible repayment period.  Enlisted below are the basic requirements that you shall have to fulfill to be eligible for a secured car loan:

• A verifiable income- You should be able to prove a regular source of income on paper. This could be in the form of paycheck stubs, tax returns, or bank statements. It is advisable not to resort to any false claims on income, as this could badly affect your credit record for life. However, do not fret if your income does not show well on paper, since secured car loans usually have more flexible terms, owing to the security offered by collateral.
• Steady employment- A key requirement that most secured auto loan lenders seek in prospective borrowers is a steady employment. If you have had the same job for over six months, your proof of employment should suffice. In case of self-employment or an alternate source of income, you need to find a way to demonstrate the generation of regular income.
• Stable residency- Most lenders require that you should have lived in your present home for at least one year. If you have moved in recently, you might consider using a previous proof of residence, of a home where you lived for a longer period in the past.
• A high credit score- Even though this is not an essential requirement for most car loans, but it definitely helps to have a record of good credit in the past. You can consider using some quick ways to improve your credit score before applying for a secured car loan, to reduce your chances of rejection.

With these simple requirements intact, you should have no trouble in getting a secured car loan.

We at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union provide you with fastest and reliable secured auto loans. Whether you want to purchase a new car or a used one, we have solutions for all your car loan needs. We offer you flexible loans to suit your financial situation. For more details, visit us at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call us at 254-690-2274.

Cheap Auto Loan - 72 Month Auto Financing

The first step of getting an approval for your loan is to carry out a research of the auto finance options being offered by different companies. You don’t just need to consider the basic facts like the interest rate and repayment period, but should also have a look at the other terms and conditions of the loan.

It is advisable to discuss the loan directly with the finance company, instead of going through an auto dealer, since the latter is likely to direct you to a financier who offers him a lucrative deal.

When you apply for the loan, you shall need to provide verifiable claims for all the sources of income that you have stated. Previous tax forms can come in handy at this stage. You should also collect any pay stubs and proof of utilities or a lease in your name.

You shall also need to provide a proof of your residence, which shall be verified by the finance company. Your landline phone bill or even a cell phone bill address should suffice for this. You might also need to provide an additional residence proof, like business correspondence to your residential address.

As a proof of your current monthly income and job stability, you need to provide your employer’s name, as well as the phone number of a reference who can verify the post that you are working at, your joining date at the company, and the salary that you are drawing.

If you are self-employed, it might be slightly trickier to verify your income. It is helpful to have tax returns for the past two years to present to the financing company.

In case you need more income to qualify for the loan, you can consider getting a cosigner for the loan.

You must ensure that all the information that you provide is accurate and verifiable. Providing inaccurate information can make you face legal problems. Any source of income that cannot be verified on paper is of no use while applying for a car loan, since the company will need to verify all the information that you provide.

It is not a good idea to apply at multiple companies for a car loan, since each application that is processed results in 2 points being deducted from your credit score. Do your research before applying for a loan, and once you do, do not switch loyalties.

To For more tips or to avail cheap auto loans in Central Texas, visit us at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union.  We are situated at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542. You can also call us at 254-690-2274.

Secured Auto Loan - 72 Month Auto Financing

Owning a car may be a dream for many but not everyone can easily achieve it. Secured car loans are specially designed for those short of sufficient funds to purchase their own car. The principle on which such loans work is pretty simple. The borrower has to pledge the car he or she wishes to purchase as collateral against the loan amount. Such loans suit the needs of any kind of buyer. One can purchase a new or used car depending on the budget and choice.

A borrower can attain up to 90% of the value of the car and that too for a period of 2 to 7 years. Lending companies are quite flexible when it comes to secured car loans. They are ready to negotiate on the down payment and rates of interest. Talking of the rate of interest, it varies from car to car and is generally lower in such loans because the car is being used as security against the loan. This makes it easier for the borrower to stretch the repayment to a longer span of time.

You can even get a loan on a used car provided it is in good condition and not very old. Lending companies usually prefer cars that are not older than three years. The rate of interest on the loan will also depend on the condition of the car. Interest rates may be fixed or variable depending on what suits the borrower best. Fixed rates of interest are great for those who want to know exactly how much they are expected to pay each month.
The best thing about these loans is that they are very easy on the borrower. As a borrower, you get to decide whether you would like to repay the loan on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis. You can negotiate on virtually anything with the lender. If you happen to have some spare cash and wish to repay an extra sum of money, you can easily do so and save on the interest to be paid.

A secured car loan is definitely the best bet for owning a car easily and quickly. It’s got immense benefits to offer to the borrower, the biggest being the ease and flexibility with which it gets repaid. However, as a borrower, it would be wise if you clarify some important points with the lender before entering into a contract. The most important things to confirm would be:-

• The rate of interest
• The duration of repayment
• The total cost over the entire term of the loan
• Provision for extra repayments
• Penalties on failure to repay etc.

We at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union provide you quick and cheapest secured car loans in Texas. For more information about our services, visit us at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call us at 254-690-2274

Secured Auto Loan - Cheap Auto Loan

Finding yourself desperate for cash is quite common scenario in these tough economic times. From small expenses like paying utility bills to really big expenses like purchasing a new car, it can be stressful to find yourself in need of cash with only a few money lending avenues available. And on top of that, banks continue to tighten their lending policies, making it difficult for many people to get approvals for personal loans and auto loans.

However, an auto loan is different from most other loans, because in this case, you are automatically putting your car up as collateral. It means that the lender is assured that if you do not pay the loan, he can make up for the lost amount by claiming your car. Such a loan will especially work to your advantage in case the car that you are purchasing is a brand-new one. 

One might wonder what the catch is for the person/ financial institution giving you the loan. The answer is that they are assured of getting the loan amount and the interest associated with it as they have collateral against the loan. When you are opting for a loan without the backup of a good credit history, you should be well aware of the fact that you shall need to pay a higher interest than you would in a regular loan.

There are still a few things that you can do to make the stakes more favorable for you as a borrower:

• To start with, you must ensure that you have enough money for the down payment, because the higher the down payment, the lesser will be interest on the loan amount. It will also lead to lower monthly installments. 
• Secondly, convince someone to be a cosigner in your loan. This could be your parents, or anyone else with a good credit history. 

With all this done, you are on your way to driving home a set of wheels, without having to worry about paying more interest than is necessary.

We at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union provide you with fastest and reliable auto loans in Central Texas, for both new car as well as used cars. For more details on secured auto loans and car financing, visit us at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call us at 254-690-2274.

Secured Auto Loan - 72 Month Auto Financing

Stringent loan regulations and tough lending policies make it difficult for a regular new car buyer to cope with the situation. One of the biggest challenges as a car buyer without a credit history worth boasting of, might be to get a cosigner for your loan. Put simply, a cosigner is a person who signs your loan along with you, taking shared responsibility of you paying the loan, and the consequences that would follow if you do not.

Getting an auto loan without a cosigner might be difficult but is definitely not impossible. The main thing that you need to focus on is saving enough money to pay up high upfront. With that taken care of, you can easily get a loan, with your car as the collateral. However, if you are considering getting an auto loan without a cosigner, you need to be careful about the following-

• The car should not be more than 5 years old
•  The down payment should be a fairly large amount.
•  You should be ready to repay the loan in a relatively less amount of time (around 4 years)

If you have no/bad/low credit history, and are looking for a no-cosigner auto loan, you might have to compromise on the rate of interest, which is bound to be higher than it would otherwise be. To ensure that this does not happen, you need to work on the above factors, each of which can help to significantly decrease the interest that you need to pay. 

If you cannot afford sufficient down payment, a good idea would be to ask a close friend or relative to pitch in. That way, you can end up with a low interest rate, eventually saving money, which you can repay to your personal lender. You can also seek professional assistance to improve your credit score. This can be done by searching for discrepancies in your credit report, as well as reporting positive credit that might have gone missing.

We at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union provide you with fastest and reliable auto loans in Central Texas. No matter you want to purchase a new car or a used one, we have solutions for all your loan needs. For more details on secured auto loans and car financing, visit us at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union located at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542. You can also call us at 254-690-2274.

Secured Auto Loan - Cheap Auto Loan

No money down auto loan is a financing option for those buyers who have no cash to bring to the transaction. They are mainly meant for individuals with good credit. They are generally used by those who cannot afford a down payment, or simply don’t want to block their cash in a vehicle that depreciates.

A good credit score is the gateway to accessing a no money down loan easily. Many car dealers and auto financing institutions have no money down programs for buyers with a good credit score. Having a trade-in makes it even easier to get a no money down loan from a dealer. They can easily manipulate the amount they give you for the trade-in to make a profitable deal for them. Those who pay too high a price for the vehicle may end up getting a no money down financing at the dealership they are dealing with.

Regardless of your credit score, you are required to produce the standard auto loan paperwork to get the no money down auto loan. You will have to show the total amount that you have earned for the year. If you are self employed, you will have to produce the tax returns for the past two to three years. You will also need important information about the vehicle in question. You will have to mention the VIN, the purchase price on the dealer’s sheet, the year, make, model and the mileage. The car title and proof of insurance are crucial requirements when seeking a no money down auto loan.

Those with bad credit will have a tough time getting such a loan. They will end up paying a higher rate of interest than if they were making a down payment. They may be required to have a co-signer on a loan. Such borrowers should steer clear of lenders with “buy here, pay here” policies.  These lenders usually charge exorbitant interest rates. They also have very aggressive repossession policies and little leniency in late payments. It’s essential to check these things out before striking a deal with a lender. Be sure you clearly understand the terms of the agreement before you sign.  Make sure you understand the terms, the payments, the duration of the loan, the late penalties and other details.

We at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union always recommend maintaining a good credit score to get a quick and low interest loans in Texas. For more information about our services, kindly visit us at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call us at 254-690-2274.

Secured Auto Loan - Cheap Auto Loan

First time car buyers are usually young individuals, who have just gotten into college or have started their first job. The experience of buying a car for the first time can be as challenging as it is exciting. As much as you would love to see a sparkling set of wheels parked in your porch, you need to be wary of making mistakes that most first time buyers are likely to make. Here are some handy tips that should get you through one of your biggest deals so far without much of a hassle:

1. Stay within your budget: As a first time buyer, it might be tempting for you to indulge in a fancy car just like you’ve always dreamt. However, you need to be well aware of the repercussions of making a purchase that’s beyond your means. Not only could it jeopardize your credit history, but it could also cause you unnecessary financial burden. As a rule of thumb, buy a car only if you can afford to pay 20% of the payment as down payment. Ideally, you should be able to pay off the loan within 4-6 years of making the purchase.
2. Consider buying a used car: Most first time car buyers have their eyes set on a big buy, and do not as much as consider buying a used car. What you need to understand is that it’s alright to buy a car that has been used, as long as it is in fairly good condition. Even though it might be a little difficult to get an easy financing option on such a car, the small installments make it a lucrative option.
3. Get a co-signer: One of the biggest problems faced by any new car buyer is not having a favorable credit record to get an auto loan. It is a good idea to seek the assistance of a parent or elderly relative, who is ready to cosign your loan documents. This is simply a way to assure the lender that you shall repay the loan, and can help you to get a lower rate of interest and a better loan than you otherwise would.

We at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union provide you quick and cheapest car loans in Texas. For more information about our services, kindly visit us at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call us at 254-690-2274.

Secured Auto Loan - Cheap Auto Loan

Most households have multiple vehicles, which translates into multiple car loans. If you are one of those persons, and are perplexed by the multiple amounts and rates of interest that you are required to pay each month, car loan consolidation could be the perfect option for you.

How it works:
This basically works by allowing you to combine all your pending loans into one consolidated loan, by which you can save on the interest that you pay each month. The company offering you the loan lends you enough money to be able to repay all your car loans. With that done, the only thing you now need to worry about is repaying one consolidated car loan.

Advantages:

• This is a great option if you wish to increase your credit score, by reducing the total number of outstanding loans.
• It also offers the advantage of paying lower monthly installments, since the repayment period can be lengthened.
• Another benefit of this kind of loan is that it makes it easier for you to keep track of your monthly dues, and to repay them on time.
• Consolidated auto loans are usually easy to obtain, since all the vehicles involved serve as collateral.

If you are ready to apply for one such loan, here’s a step-by-step guide to how you can go about it:

1. Do the math- The first thing that you need to do before getting started with the process, is getting a clear picture of all your dues. Calculate the total outstanding amount on all your loans, as well as the portion of this amount that is being paid as interest. You can provide all this information to a car loan lender to get a proper analysis of your situation.
2. Inquire about penalties- Before you calculate how much you will be eventually saving, be sure to take into account the penalties that you might have to pay. Some companies charge a penalty in case you repay the loan before the stipulated time. This is done in order to make up for the amount that they shall lose as interest.
3. Research market Interest rates- Now that you have the picture pretty clear, it is time to get to real business, by analyzing who’s offering what. Carry out a research on the possible rates of interest that shall be offered to you. Your ultimate goal should be to repay less interest in the long run than you would originally.
4. Consolidate- The final process is consolidating the loans, by repaying the original ones, and devising a payment plan for the consolidated one.

We at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union are renowned throughout Texas for providing our customers with fastest and reliable secured auto loans. The loans offered by us are flexible which suits your financial compatibility. For more information about our services, visit us at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call us at 254-690-2274.

Secured Auto Loan - Cheap Auto Loan

Auto loans come in various loan repayment terms. A car loan can be taken for 24, 36, 48, 60 or even 72 months. This means that one can get a short term loan as well as a long term one. Some people prefer short term loans as they have to pay less interest. Others go for long term loans as they will have a smaller amount of monthly installments to pay. A long term loan can enable one to purchase an expensive car easily as it’s less burdensome to repay. Despite the high interest rates that come with long term loans, a rising trend has been observed of those who prefer these loans.

Lenders and finance companies are increasingly approving 6 to 8 years auto loans on new cars. This is probably because new cars are better manufactured than they were in the past. The average life of automobiles is increasing and due to this lenders are exposed to fewer risks while lending. However, it’s important to consider both sides of the coin and check out the pros and cons of long term loans.

Pros:

• Smaller monthly payments: This is a major reason for which most of the people prefer long term loans. The total amount is spread out over a longer time period. This significantly reduces the monthly payment and allows the common man to drive a car he could not otherwise afford.
• Refinancing: Long term loans can be refinanced after a few years. This will shorten the time period of the loan and consequently reduce the interest rates.

Cons:

• Costly: Loans that stretch over a long period of time are more costly in the long run. This eventually proves costly for the consumer.
• Depreciation: Vehicles depreciate at the rate of 15-20% each year. Taking a long term auto loan means that by the time you are about to pay off the loan, your vehicles worth will be a little more than the loan balance.

We at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union provide you quick and cheapest car loans in Texas. For more information about our services, kindly visit us at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call us at 254-690-2274.

Secured Auto Loan - Cheap Auto Loan - 72 Month Auto Financing