Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

New V/s Used Auto Loans

If you considering owning a car but can’t decide on whether to opt for a new car or a used one, it might be helpful to consider the financing options for both of them. Pre-owned cars cost less as compared to new ones. However, both involve a considerable amount of money. Here are some points of comparison between financing options of used and new cars.

  • The Down-Payment
The down-payment for both types of cars differs greatly. Lenders demand a higher down payment for used cars as compared to new cars. So if you are considering a used car, be ready to shell out a higher down-payment.

  • Duration Of The Loan
The tenure for repaying the loan for a new car is usually longer. However, when it comes to used cars, the loan repayment tenure is shorter. The decisive factor when it comes to the tenure of loans for used cars are the amount of loan and age of car.

  • Monthly Instalments
The monthly instalments for new cars are lower in value as compared to those of used cars. This is because the tenure to repay the loan of new cars is longer than that of used cars.

  • The Amount Of Loan
Loans for new cars are usually granted for either the complete value of the car or significant percentage of the total cost. This is because a new car’s value is higher. For used cars, lenders are willing to offer loans at a considerably lower percentage of their value as these cars are priced at a lower value. Many buyers consider credit unions as they offer greater flexibility as per the amount and duration of the auto loans.

  • Interest Rates
The interest rate on loan for a used car is higher as compared to that of new cars. This is because the loan amount of a used car is lower than that of a new car. New cars have a better resale price and are in more demand. This makes them a safe option for lenders and that’s the reason why interest rates are lower. Credit unions are a boon for car buyers as they offer loans on new and old cars at very reasonable interest rates.

  • Depreciation
If you are considering the value of depreciation that you will incur on purchasing a car, then a used car is your best bet. The value of depreciation on a used car is negligible as compared to that of a new car whose depreciation rate is quite high.

Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers loans for both used as well as new cars. For more information about our services, visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX 76542 or call at (254) 690-2274.

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How A Credit Union Helps You Save Money

Credit union is a non-profit organization which is owned & controlled by account holders. There’s always a common link between the members of a credit union. They could be working in the same company, going to the same church, living in the same community etc. Profit earned from the union is re-invested into the organization or used to fund its members.

Borrowing from a credit union can help you save money in the following ways:

• Lower Costs
Instead of making profits, credit unions focus on providing better products to their members at low costs. So, they charge nominal fees for their services. The amount charged is just to cover their costs of operation. This is done to ensure that in the long term you end up saving more money by shelling out less in the form of interest rates and service charges.

• Higher Interest Rates On Savings

Credit unions offer high interest rates on savings accounts. The amount of interest that adds up over time is directly a part of your savings. This will increase your savings substantially.

• Lower Interest Rates On Loans
With a low rate of interest, borrowing from credit union becomes a great option for cutting down one’s expenses. It is easy to accommodate interest payments of such loans into one’s monthly budget.

• Convenient Auto Loans

Getting an auto loan via a credit union is a great way of reducing the payouts of monthly installments. They encourage members to make higher down payments which reflect in lower monthly expenses and interest rates. Members can also choose shorter tenure periods for the loans consequently saving on their interest costs.

• Easy Approval
Members of credit unions can easily get pre-approved for the loan. They generally approve the loan application within 24 - 48 hours of document verification. The whole process is quite flexible & hassle free.

• Budgeting Assistance
The welfare of its members is pivotal for any credit union. The loan officers at the credit unions work in tandem with their members and offer assistance in finding a loan that best works for them.

Credit unions are a great option for loans as they follow an easy and stress free process. The staff assists the members in all aspects of loan application process. For more information, visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542. You can call at (254) 690 – 2274 or log on to https://gctfcu.net/

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Checklist Before You Visit A Credit Union

Credit unions are highly preferred by many due to their lower cost of borrowing. They are owned by the members and adopt a personal approach towards their loans. They are non-profit cooperatives whose main goal is to provide the members with financial services.

1. Fit Into The Criteria For Membership
The first thing you will have to ensure is that you fulfill the requirements of becoming a credit union member. These requirements may vary amongst different credit unions. Find out what your local credit unions requirements are and get them fulfilled in order to become a member and avail low interest loans.

2. Demonstrate Credit Worthiness
It is imperative to work on your credit scores before visiting a credit union. You will be required to show a proof of good credit before being considered as a member. The low interest rates come at a price of a good credit record as credit unions have to be assured that the loan will be repaid.

3. Prepare Your Documents

You are required to submit documents for opening an account with any credit union. You should seek a list of documents required and prepare all of them before visiting.

However, following is a list of some basic documents that almost all credit unions ask for -
   
  • Identity proof
  • Address proof
  • Date of birth proof

4. Make Arrangements To Fulfill Minimum Balance Requirement
Most credit unions expect a modest opening deposit depending on whether it’s a savings or checking account. Members are expected to maintain some minimum balance in their accounts. Non compliance may lead to additional monthly service charges.

5. Compare Your Options
Before picking a credit union, do some research on the products, services and rates they offer. Look out for what suits your specific requirements. You might even have to overlook factors such as the location of branch and working hours. Nowadays a lot can be done on mobile devices. Always be aware of the protection you are being offered by a credit union and the limits on that protection if any.

Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union is a member owned cooperative that started in 1957. The loans offered by us are flexible and customized to suit the financial interests of our clients. For more information about our services, visit us at 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX 76542 or call us at (254) 690-2274.

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Benefits Of Availing Online Service Offered By A Credit Union

Credit unions are a favorite amongst masses due to the services and convenience they offer to their members. Not only do they offer online tools and facilities which save a member’s precious time and money but they also provide some of the best secure online services free of cost. Examples of such online services are payment of bills, banking, offering e-statements, mobile banking and so on.

Here we have listed certain benefits of availing online services of a credit union.

  • Keeping Up With Your Accounts 24/7
Availing the online banking services that credit unions offer makes it convenient and easy for members to access and manage their money at any hour of the day. There are no forms to fill, no queues, etc. Your money is just a tap away. You can also get details about previous transactions and current balance by click of mouse though online panel provided by credit union.

  • Easy Transfers
This is a person to person service which makes it easy to send and receive money securely. No need to write a check to send someone money. The Electronic Transfer service lets you carry out these transactions in less than a day’s time.

  • Fast And Secure Monthly Statements
Online services save on a lot of time by offering members the facility to access e-Statements. It becomes very easy to manage finances as per ones convenience. The e-Statements and forms are available on PC’s and smartphones. All you have to do to sign up for these statements is to log on to your credit union’s online banking account.

  • Protection Of Personal And Financial Information
With more people leaning towards transacting online, the security of one’s personal and financial information is crucial. When availing online services offered by credit unions, you are completely safe. Information of each and every member of the credit union is highly secured.

  • Timely Payment Of Bills
Credit unions offer online bill payment through which you can make quick and secure payments, anywhere and at any time. In a flick of a second, you can view your bill details, history, make payments etc. You would never forget to make important payments as Credit Unions offer you a convenient service through which you can pre-schedule them.

We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, offer various online services to our members in Killeen, TX. For more information call us at (254) 690 – 2274.

GCTFCU Blog | Credit Union Killeen TX | Home Loans, Secured Auto Loan in Central Texas
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Mistakes To Avoid When Applying For A Secured Auto Loan

Applying for a secured auto loan can be a very confusing and deliberating task for many people. There are a number of terms and conditions that must be properly understood before you sign a contract.

Given here are some of the mistakes that people usually make while applying for a secured auto loan in Killeen, TX.

  • Not knowing your credit rating: Before visiting your financier, you must know about where you stand in terms of credit rating. Contact a reliable institution to know your credit score and the ways in which it can be improved. Even a minor alteration in your credit score can make a lot of difference in your car loan and its interest rates.
  • Not understanding the loan terms before signing: This is the most common mistake that people make while applying for a secured car loan. It is very important that you carefully read and understand all the terms and conditions of the loan agreement. You should also ask questions and clear all your doubts concerning the agreement.
  • Exceeding your monthly budget: You should not commit the mistake of buying a loan amount that is higher than what you can afford to repay. You should determine your monthly expenses and decide on a budget to buy a car accordingly.
  • Not doing enough research: It is not recommended that you visit one lender and finalize the loan procedure. Instead you must thoroughly research the market about the prevailing interest rates on secured auto loans so that you can compare and decide the best deal for yourself.
  • Not taking the shortest-term loan: As the value of cars depreciate over time it is beneficial to pay off the loan as early as possible. Although short-term loans may initially seem to have higher payments but you would end up paying less interest.
  • Signing under pressure: Signing the loan contract under any sort of hurry or pressure is another common mistake. Once you have initiated negotiations with the financier you should take your time to evaluate the options and decide what suits you best.
  • For more information on secured auto loans in Killeen, TX, contact Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. You can call us at (254) 690 - 2274 or visit our office at 3305 E Elms Road Killeen, TX 76542.

    Choosing The Right Car Loan In Killeen, TX

    Various financial institutions offer car loans with different repayment options. However as a borrower, it is important that you understand your requirements and affordability to avoid any difficulties while repaying the loan amount. 
    Here are some important tips that you must keep in mind while choosing a car loan:

    • Determine your affordability: Undoubtedly, this is the most important per-requisite of applying for a car loan. It is very important to establish your budget for the loan amount to ensure you can pay it off easily. Therefore, determine all our monthly expenses and determine the amount that you would be able to spare monthly. Some people may have the misconception that making large repayments is a good way to pay the loan off early. However, this extra expenditure every month cost can also cause you to financially struggle for your basic needs.
    • Know your budget: After you have set aside the amount that you can afford, you must work upon how you will manage your expenses. If you do not have a steady income, you should opt for a loan that offers flexible repayment options. Make sure that you chalk out a budget that seems practical and realistic.
    • Determine your chances of approval: Most financial institutions have a specified set of criterion to decide on if an applicant’s loan should be approved or not. You should consider your credit history, annual income and other relevant factors to determine the approximate loan amount that you can be lent.
    • Secured or unsecured loan: A secured loan would need you to put up collateral against the money borrowed. In case you fail to pay the loan back, the collateral will be possessed by the lender. Unsecured loans, on the other hand, will possibly have higher interest rates due to no such security. You should be aware of the stakes and take a w