• 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.

• Improve Your Credit Score: Before you apply for a secured loan it is essential that you have an accurate knowledge of your credit rating. If it shows any loan defaults or late payments, you are likely to be quoted a higher interest rate. Hence, you must contact a reliable financial institution and ask for ways in which your credit score can be improved.

• Offer Valuable Collateral: Another important factor that can help you get a better rate is to offer a valuable collateral against the loan. The collateral's market value should be at least equal to or more than the amount of money that you intend to borrow. This will make the lender comfortable and sure about your trustworthiness and solemnity in repaying the loan.

• Analyze Your Needs: You should carefully analyze your financial needs before applying for a secured loan. Make sure that you borrow only the amount of money that you actually require. A higher loan amount is most likely to correspond to a higher interest rate. You should also try to opt for a smaller duration to repay the loan to avoid more interest payments in the end.

• Compare Different Policies: Lastly, it is equally important that you compare the rates of policies and the insurance premiums. A credit union is likely to offer much lower interest rates than banks and other financial institutions. However, you must do thorough research about the policies and terms offered by them.

• Credit Unions Do Not Operate For Profits: Credit unions are non-profit institutions that are focused on providing affordable financial services to their members instead of lone purpose of making profits. The profits earned by credit unions are given back to the community in the form of dividends, low fee for various services, lower rates on loans and higher interest rates on savings. Credit unions invest their capital back in the community to support home equity loans, car loans, home loans, business loans and more at competitive rates.
• Lower APR Loans: People can benefit from low APR loans offered by credit unions. It helps low-income members of the community in achieving their financial goals.
• Financial Security: Credit unions provide financial security as they are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Members are protected from losses on their savings accounts and share draft products.
• Equal Rights: Created by members for members, credit unions do not discriminate amongst its members. Every member enjoys equal voting rights for important decisions like choosing board members of the credit union. Decisions made by members of credit unions in higher positions are focused on the benefits of all other members.
• A Variety Of Services: Credit unions offer a variety of services such as online payment of bills, 24 hour account access, payroll deduction, notary service, free and unlimited check writing, ATMs, regular share savings accounts, MasterCard gift cards, MasterCard cash advance, IRAs, Share Certificates of Deposits, Club accounts, overdraft protection plans and more.
• Community Involvement: Credit unions foster a spirit of community involvement by organizing programs and events for community welfare. Members and non-members are encouraged to participate in these events & programs and the money raised through such events is used for a noble cause.
• Spread Financial Literacy: Credit unions organize special events aimed at teaching financial skills such as saving, budgeting, good spending habits and investing to members of the community. Some credit unions even organize fairs at schools in the community to provide real life financial management guidance to students. They are trained and counselled to understand financial matters.

• Account Agreement: The agreement that determines membership eligibility, conditions for share accounts and other banking operations.
• Accrued Interest: Interest that is due but has not yet been paid to an account holder of a share account. It can also be due interest that has not yet been paid to the credit union by borrower of a loan.
• Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: A mortgage without a fixed interest rate. The rate fluctuates on the basis of market conditions such as index rate.
• Annual Percentage Rate: Percentage indicating the cost of credit on a yearly basis.
• Annual Percentage Yield: A percentage indicating the total amount of interest paid on a share account. The amount is based on the interest rate and frequency of compounding for the year.
• Annuity: Life insurance contract sold by brokers, insurance companies and other institutions as retirement investment.
• Automatic Bill Payment:  An automated system for an account holder to pay recurring bills.
• Available Credit: The remaining amount of funds in a line of credit or account that a member can borrow.
• Closing Costs: Expenses incurred by sellers and buyers when transferring the ownership of property.
• Collateral: Assets offered by a borrower for securing a loan or some other form of credit.
• Drawer: A person/entity who writes a check or draft asking the drawee to pay another.
• Drawee: The credit union or financial institution expected to pay a check or draft that is presented for payment.
• Escrow: The act of holding money or documents by a neutral third party prior to closing the property.
• Foreclosure: Legal process of selling property and using the proceeds for covering a mortgage debt.
• Open-End Credit: A credit agreement allowing members to borrow against pre-approved credit line for purchasing goods and services.
• Overdraft: When the amount in an account falls short of the amount being withdrawn from a checking account or share draft account.
• Payee: A person or organization to whom a check, draft or note is made payable.
• Payoff: Complete repayment of a loan.
• Share Draft Account: Checking accounts are called share draft accounts by credit unions. They are transaction accounts.
• Uncollected Funds: A part of a deposit balance that is due to be collected by the depository financial institution.

• Rate Of Interest: Credit unions offer secured loans at competitive interest rates. Secured loans typically have fixed interest rates so, a borrower’s monthly payments remain consistent in spite of changes in market trends.
• Bigger Loan Amount: The borrowers can apply loan for a larger amount provided collateral is satisfactory. This makes a secured loan apt for large investments such as purchasing a new or used car.
• Improves Credit: These loans help borrowers with low credit ratings to improve the same over time. As a borrower repays a secured loan according to the schedule set out by the loan officer, a positive track record is established and the credit score improves. A secured loan also improves credit score by lowering your credit utilization ratio.
• Flexible Terms: Those who borrow secured loans enjoy flexible terms of repayment as per the options offered by the credit union. The term of the loan can be set to match the financial circumstances of the borrower. These loan term may range from a few years to a longer stretch.

• Your Financial Situation: Before applying for a secured loan, the first thing to do is to assess your financial situation. Figure out how much loan you need, suitable loan term, feasible EMI, etc.
• Credit History: Once you have made up your mind to get the loan, check your credit history and see how it will affect your loan application. A good credit score increases your credibility.
• Loan-to-Value: Assess the loan-to-value in order to know your borrowing capacity and the interest rate that will suit your financial circumstances. A lower loan-to-value translates into a better interest rate.
• The Interest Rate: Inquire about the interest rates offered when looking for a secured loan. Ask the loan officers about suitable options and ways to secure a better rate.
• The Term Of The Loan: The period over which you have to repay the loan also impacts the cost of the loan. A shorter period of repayment may lead to higher interest rate and vice versa.
• Fees And Monthly Payment: When obtaining a secured loan, keep in mind that it involves various payments such as application fee, loan origination fee and cost of appraisal.
• The Application Process: Credit Unions offer borrowers the choice of applying online. During the process, applicant is required to provide details such as the name, address, date of birth, income and employment status, etc.

• Enhances Credit Rating: Secured loans are easy to acquire even if the borrower’s credit rating is low. However, a borrower can work towards building his credit score over time by making timely payments towards his secured loan.
• Lower Interest Rates: Another major reason for borrowing secured loans is their rate of interest. Since the loans are secured with a collateral, lenders feel more confident and may disperse loans at lower interest rates.  
• Flexible Terms: Borrowers who avail secured loans enjoy flexible repayment terms. A consumer can choose a repayment schedule that suits his financial circumstances. The repayment terms may be as long as 30 years. Lenders offer longer terms because real estate pledged as security, usually appreciates over time and this adds to the value of collateral while the loan is being repaid.
• Usage: Secured loans can be used for a variety of purposes provided the purpose is legally valid. A consumer can use the money for investing, home improvement, weddings, funeral expenses, moving expenses, etc.
• Larger Loans: With secured loans, borrowers enjoy the benefit of being able to borrow larger amount of money for a longer duration. This is because of collateral in the form of tangible assets guaranteed to the lender by the borrower. Lenders know that if for any reason the borrower defaults to pay back the loan amount, collateral can be sold to recover the unpaid amount of loan.
• Easy To Acquire: The main requirement for a secured loan is collateral. Thus, if you have collateral in the form of a valuable asset such as a piece of real estate, a car, precious jewelry, a house or deposited cash, you can easily acquire a secured loan.

Secured loan is a type of loan where the borrower mortgages his asset as an assurance for the loan. Borrowers who consider a secured loan usually enjoy low interest rates and get fair tax deductions at the time of calculation of taxes.  Secure Loan is becoming very common due to its benefits for both the borrower and the loan provider. However many people are unaware of the necessary steps that should be taken before considering a secured loan.

Here are some tips to guide you regarding the necessary considerations for before obtaining a secured loan:

Create A Checklist:

There are many points that need to be considered before applying for a secured loan. These points may help you in taking a decision regarding the amount of loan to be taken or may change your decision for taking a loan altogether. The important points are:

• Check credit card balance transfers
• Check credit reference files
• Calculate the savings
• Make a budget
• Calculate the savings
• Calculate the amount to be borrowed

Analyzing the above mentioned steps can help you in deciding the need for a secured loan.

Search For A Reliable Secured Loan Provider:

There are many types of risks associated with applying for a secured loan, therefore it your responsibility to select the secured loan provider diligently. You should perform complete market research and collect information about the goodwill and trustworthiness of the loan provider. You may also compare the interest rates and amount of loan provided with similar loan providers.

Do the necessary enquiry:

After you choose the secured loan provider it is essential to enquire about the plan offered by them in detail. The enquiry includes time period of the loan, interest rate, options available for early payment of the loan and the exact amount of loan provided.

Read the agreement prior to signing:

Before signing the agreement it should be read properly to avoid any confusion after the procurement of the loan. Consider the terms and conditions in the agreement for prepayment penalties and clauses which may not be in your favor. The borrower should also set up a payment schedule after the procurement of the loan in order to avoid chaos related to the monthly loan payment and make the complete repayment stress-free.

We at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union provide secured loan to our clients at affordable interest rates. To know the secured loan options offered by us visit at 3305 E Elms Road Killeen, TX 76542 or call at ( 254 ) 690 - 2274.