If you are looking for a car loan that you can afford on a low income and small savings, your best option is a credit union loan. Being member-run, non-profit organizations, these financial institutions offer a good option for customers looking for a cheap auto loan in Texas. The first thing that you need to do is become a member of a local credit union.

Different credit unions offer different options when it comes to auto loans. Carefully evaluate your options while choosing a credit union, and ensure that the credit union you choose suits your financial requirements from the auto loan. Once you find a credit union in your region with membership criteria that you fulfill, you should discuss with them the various available car loans before applying for its membership.

Credit unions offer 72 month auto financing, which offers the benefit of low monthly payments, which are suitable for low income borrowers. Other benefits that credit union offer to auto loan borrowers are flexible loan terms, low interest rates, and easy approval procedures. The interest rates at credit unions across Texas are significantly lower than the prevailing market rates offered by other financial institutions like banks and private lenders.

The management and organization of credit unions is largely undertaken by their members, which explains why these institutions are more likely to cater to the needs of individual members. You can expect financial aid in the form of flexibility in your loan terms, as well as valuable financial advice when you apply for a loan at a credit union. You can get a cheaper auto loan if you choose to pay a sufficient amount towards the down payment of your loan.

It is also advisable to obtain a report of your credit score before applying for an auto loan at a credit union. This gives you the opportunity of taking measures to improve your credit score. Another measure that you can take to reduce the monthly payments for your auto loan is to choose a car wisely, taking into account your budget.

The Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union is located in Killeen and provides cheap auto loans to its members. We offer user-friendly car loans at low interest rates and with flexible terms. We ensure personalized services for all our members, providing you with valuable advice to get the best loan to meet your financial situation.

• Age:  Age is an important consideration for home loan approval. Younger people are more likely to get a loan as compared to those who are nearing retirement.

• Source of income: Your source of income along with its stability is an important factor taken into account by a credit union. For instance, having a salaried job can fetch you a higher loan amount because of your job stability.

• Additional debts: If you have an existing loan repayment, it can affect your chances of getting a home loan from credit union. It is better to pay off all your smaller loans (if any) before applying for a home loan. Additionally, having a good repayment history may also increase your chances of getting a home loan.

• Proof of income: You will be required to show at least three of your recent pay slips to your lender. If not, you may be asked to submit a letter from your employer which states your annual salary. In case you are self-employed, you may be asked to provide the financial accounts for the past two years.

• Debt to income ratio (DTI): Your debt to income ratio is another factor considered by a credit union before approving a home loan. It is basically a measure of your ability to manage monthly payments and repay debts as well. DTI is calculated by dividing total recurring monthly debt by gross monthly income. You should calculate it prior to deciding how much loan you want.

• Credit score: Having a good credit score increases your chances of getting a home loan approved easily. Therefore, it will be beneficial if you maintain a decent credit score by paying all your installments and loans on time.

• Research: It is important to conduct a thorough research regarding the loan plans being offered by various credit unions. Browse through the internet and read the reviews to decide from which lender you want to get a loan. Compare the plans from at least three providers before making a decision.
• Interest rate: Interest rate is a crucial factor when applying for a car loan as it eventually decides the EMI that you need to pay every month. A minimal increase in the interest rate can cause a major jump in the monthly installments. Identify the best deal and it is better to opt for a floating rate of interest if you want a loan for a short period of time. On the other hand, go for a fixed rate of interest if you want to opt for a longer tenure loan.
• Processing fee: Every credit union has its own method of calculating the processing charges for a car loan. Some credit unions use fixed percentage of their loan as processing fee. On the other hand, many lenders also have flat rate processing fee. Decide on what suits your requirement and the amount you can easily afford to repay.
• Down payment: Down payment is the lump sum money that needs to be paid at the commencement of the loan term. Therefore, you need to have some amount of cash ready for down payment. Take note that lesser down payments will eventually increase your monthly EMIs. So, you need to decide according to the financial resources available to you.
• Loan term: It is best to avoid long term loans as this can lead to an increase the interest payments made during the loan tenure. On the other hand, a short term will help you in saving on the interest cost. Depending on your financial standing, you can decide on the car loan term.
• Prepayment charges: The lender can levy prepayment charges if the borrower is able to return the complete or partial loan amount before the end of the loan term. Therefore, you need to be aware if your credit union levies any such charges.