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

Benefits Of Banking With Credit Unions


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GCTFCU Blog | Choosing Between Secured And Unsecured Loan
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Choosing Between Secured And Unsecured Loan

Auto loans have come as a savior to many over the decades, with them making cars easily affordable to all and sundry. Even those who have the complete amount required to buy the car usually opt for an auto lveoan, because they believe that they can generate a greater income by investing the capital amount, than the amount they will have to pay as interest over the years. Getting an auto loan can be a tricky process, with the technical jargon and overhead expenses making the situation more complex. Here, we shall discuss one of the major considerations that any car buyer will have to make- a secured loan versus an unsecured loan.

Just like any other personal loan, auto loans can also be of two types- secured and unsecured. The principle difference between these two loans is that, while the former loans require you to give collateral as security to the lender, the latter require no such security. Thus, unsecured loans are riskier for the lender, which is compensated for by an increase in the interest on the loan. These loans rely solely on the promise made by the borrower, and are rarely offered by auto companies, due to the risk involved.

The major advantage of a secured auto loan, is that such a loan involves a lower amount of interest, which is payable over a longer period. This makes it less stressful for the borrower to repay the loan, with the monthly installments being easily payable. Moreover, these loans are easily available, and are rarely turned down. The few disadvantages involved would be the large amount of paper work involved, the need to get an auto insurance, and submission of proof of income, which might be difficult for those who do not wish to project their actual income or does not have appreciable income to get a loan.

Unsecured auto loans, on the other hand, offer the advantage of not having to place collateral. A good credit history is enough to procure such a loan. Secondly, all that such a loan takes is a single-paper application, with no more paperwork required. This makes it less likely for a borrower to be spoofed with unfavorable clauses hidden between volumes of paperwork. Another major advantage is that the buyer does not need to furnish financial statements. This is especially beneficial for borrowers who wish to keep their income discreet. The major disadvantages of an unsecured loan are the greater rates of interest, and shorter periods for repayment.

To obtain cheap and secured auto loans easily and quickly, consider Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union only. You can visit at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call us at 254-690-2274. 

Cheap Auto Loan - Secured Auto Loan

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

Avoiding Pitfalls In Secured Auto Loan

Getting a secured auto loan can be a confusing and overwhelming process for many, and there are several things that can go wrong in such a loan. You need to be very sure about the terms and conditions of such a loan before you sign your auto loan contract. Feel free to ask questions, carry out research, and explore all your options before you seal the deal. Here’s a look at some of the most common pitfalls while applying for a secured auto loan, and how to avoid them:

  • Sitting across the desk from your financier with your fingers crossed as you wait to hear your credit score is not a good idea. You need to be very sure about where you stand, and make an effort to improve your credit rating, before walking in to get an auto loan. Contact a credit bureau for information on how you can rectify errors in your credit report. Even a small change in your credit can have a big impact on your loan and the interest rate you get.
  • One of the easiest ways to ruin your auto loan is to end up spending more than you had set out to. If you are sure that you want a cheap auto loan, it is important to know exactly how much you can afford to spend towards monthly car payments (no more than 20% of your net monthly income) and stick to this figure.
  • Take time out to carry out some basic research on the going interest rates on secured auto loans in the market, before visiting the dealership. This way, you will know whether the rate being offered to you is a fair one.
  • Do not let the loan officer drift to insignificant aspects of the deal, by intertwining them with what really matters. Your primary focus at all points should be the APR being offered to you, as this is what shall actually matter in determining how much you end up paying in the long run.
  • Signing the papers under pressure in a rush to finalize the deal is another common pitfall that most buyers make. If you feel that you are losing control and succumbing to the seller’s pressure, a better idea would be to walk out and return, if you must, once you have cooled down.

Keeping your head cool and doing your homework before entering the loan agency office can help you get that lowest used car loan that you have been looking for, leaving you with a loan that you’ll be happy about for as long as you drive the car. 

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GCTFCU Blog | Savings and Investment Options in Credit Unions
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Savings and Investment Options in Credit Unions

Credit unions offer a number of affordable and convenient investment and savings options to members. These options are useful for future expenses such as college education, retirement, vacations and more.

Let us take a look at the savings and investment options provided by Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union:

  • Regular Share Savings Account: A share savings account pays variable dividends on the savings of members. The account is a precursor for establishing membership in a credit union and availing other services provided. These accounts are liquid in nature and apt for day to day expenses and payments. Funds in a credit union are safe as the institutions are federally insured up to $250,000.
  • Share Certificates of Deposit: These are certificates of deposit issued by credit unions that represent a deposit for a certain span. The deposits earn dividends over a period of time usually ranging between 3 months to 5 years. The interest rates offered are usually higher than those offered on other forms of savings; a longer term of share certificate earns higher dividends.
  • Individual Retirement Account: This is a savings account with tax benefits for credit union members who are interested in savings or long-term investments. Anyone who earns income can start an Individual Retirement Account. The most common types of IRAs for individual tax payers are Traditional and Roth IRAs.
  • Club Accounts: These accounts are savings accounts offered by credit union to members interested in saving for a particular purpose and earning interest while doing so. Such an account remains open for around one year and earns higher rates of interest as compared to other forms of savings accounts. Examples of club accounts are Christmas and Vacation Club accounts. These accounts encourage investors to save for one year and resist the urge of withdrawing before the maturity date.
  • Lending Services: Credit unions offers secured and unsecured loans at affordable interest rates to members. Secured loans are issued in exchange for collateral whereas unsecured loans are issued on the basis of the borrower’s ability to pay. Secured loans are great for those who need larger amounts for the purchase of things like automobiles and even houses. Unsecured loans are in the form of credit cards, personal loans, student loans, etc.
To know more about savings and investment options, you can visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union at 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX 76542 or call at (254)-690-2274.
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GCTFCU Blog | Steps To Applying For A Home Loan
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Steps To Applying For A Home Loan

A credit union is a non-profit cooperative that provides home loans at low interest rates to its members. The organization aims at passing on the profits to the members and therefore adds a lot to their savings. It is important to be clear about the home loan requirements so that you can easily purchase the home of your dreams.

Below are some steps that you need to follow while applying for a home loan:

  • Get pre-approval: In simple terms, pre-approval is a written application that states how much amount the lender will let you borrow. This document is necessary so that you know exactly how much you can borrow and how much money you need to put from your side. This will help you divide your budget according to the monthly expenses. Various factors such as employment history, credit score, down payment etc. are taken into account while pre-approving a home loan.
  • Make the offer: After zeroing down a particular property, you need to prepare an offer in consultation with your real estate agent. Offer contains details such as purchase price, closing date and the time period for which the offer holds good for you. This is given to the seller who can accept or reject it. If your offer is accepted, you need to get home inspection done from a qualified professional. 
  • Complete the loan application: After coming to a conclusion regarding the price, you need to complete the loan application formalities. The lender will determine the terms and conditions of your loan, ask you to complete the loan documents and may also demand additional documents. These can include: pay stubs for the past few months and tax return details etc.
  • Get the interest rate locked: Locking the interest rate with your lender ensures that it does not go up while your loan is still getting processed. This is imperative because home loan interest rates can fluctuate on a daily basis and you would want the lowest interest rates for big financial savings.
  • Go through loan processing: In this step, your home will be evaluated to judge its market value. Apart from this, the lender will review your loan application, cross-check the documents, verify the financial information and also check the title details to ensure that all the legalities are in place.
  • Closing: During the last stage, your home loan documents will be sent to a title company so that you and the seller can duly sign them. A photo identity proof along with the down payment amount is required for closing. Apart from this, many other documents such as loan note and deed etc. need to be reviewed and signed.
We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offer affordable financing services in Killeen, TX.  To know more about our credit union, call us at (254) 690 – 2274.
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