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

Guide To Understanding Credit Unions



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Things To Know Before Joining a Credit Union



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How To Determine The Value Of Your Car Loan

Car loans on new and used cars are a boon for those who are hesitant to shell out a large chunk of money instantly. Before getting a car, do get an idea of the value of your car loan. This gives you a hint of what your monthly payments would likely be and whether it will be easy for you to comply with them.

Let’s take a look at some strategies to help you determine the value of your car loan well in advance:-

  • Credit Score - Credit score of a person is an important factor in deciding the amount of car loan they will get. Check out your credit score to calculate as to what amount of loan you would be able to qualify for. Also a good credit score can help you save on interests.

  • Down-Payment - The amount you pay for down payment decides the amount of loan you would further need. If you have enough savings in your hand then you can easily pay more amount as down payment initially. Higher the amount, the lesser will be the amount of loan you would need, thus making it easy for you to qualify and get approved for a car loan. You can easily calculate the amount of loan and the interest thereon after considering the amount of down payment.

  • Monthly Instalments -  An important aspect while determining the value of your car loan is the amount of monthly instalments. Plan your budget and calculate what amount of money you can easily pay. You want a loan with monthly instalments that will blend with other expenses you might have. Stick to the rule of not spending more than half of your monthly income on financial obligations towards other parties. Aim for a low budget as you will have an auto insurance to cater to on the purchase of a new car.

  • Tenure - Do the rounds with lenders in your area and tell them your preferences based on where you stand financially. For clients with a good credit score, lenders usually recommend short-term loans. These loans have lower interest rates and higher monthly instalments. If you are looking for lower monthly payments and don’t mind higher rates of interest, then long-term loans are your best bet.

We at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union provide car loans. 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.

Ways To Manage Auto Loan




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Home Loan Tips

Buying a home is indeed a dream come true and the experience is completely surreal. Today, one can take loan and pave their way to home-ownership. However, buying an ideal home involves huge finances that can put a burden on your pocket if not planned well. Here we have listed certain tips which must be considered before taking a loan.

  • Know Your Repaying Capacity – Do not borrow an amount which you cannot repay. Check if you have enough monetary and income sources to make sure you make no defaults on repayment of interest and loan amount.
  • Take Loan From A Credit Union – It is a wise decision to opt for loans from credit unions. To apply for loan, a credit union membership is quintessential. From liberal policies to low interest rates, they offer a wide range of home loan options to their members.
  • Start Saving For The Down Payment – No matter what type or amount of loan you opt for, saving early for the down payment is imperative. Saving and planning for your down payment helps you to take advantage of better options and to meet your financial commitments on time.
  • Avoid Long Term Loans – Longer the period of loan, more the interest rates. To avoid shelling out dollars, it is highly advisable to take loans for a shorter tenure which are affordable and easy to repay.
  • Ensure Complete Paperwork – To get qualified for home loan promptly, make sure that you possess all the necessary financial documents that your lender asks for.
  • Plan Your Budget – If you are planning to take a home loan in near future, plan your budget accordingly. Cut down on other expenses to make sure that you save enough to fulfil your financial commitments that shall arise when you opt for a loan.
  • Choose An Ideal Loan Option – Thoroughly research for all the available loans options and select that one whose terms and conditions suit you the best. Carefully choose the loan type after considering your financial status and requirements. Focus on all the aspects of the loan rather than just taking into account the low interest rates.
  • Improve Your Credit Score – You must have a good credit score to secure the best deal. The lender would certainly consider your credit records to ensure himself whether you would be able to repay your loan or not.
  • Use A Mortgage Calculator- It requires you to enter some basic details like price of home, your down payment savings, payments per year etc. The easy to use calculator allows you to calculate mortgage payments you would need to pay on the basis of the information you fill in.
We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offer home loans to our members. For more information call us at (254) 690 – 2274.

Avoid Additional Car Loan Costs


Pathway To New Home


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Membership Privileges At Credit Union

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Home Loan Application Checklist


Refinancing Your Auto Loan

When you refinance your car, the present auto loan is replaced with a new one having an entirely different set of terms and conditions. You need to repay your loan to the new lender within the stipulated time period while keeping your vehicle as collateral. Refinancing your auto loan is a simple and quick process that has many benefits to offer. You have to pay an almost negligible amount as fees to refinance your auto loan.

In order to speed up the process of refinancing your auto loan from a credit union, ensure that you have the documents ready beforehand. All the application forms must be duly filled and it is essential to keep the car loan account number handy. Also, have all the information pertaining to your vehicle such as the car model, year of manufacturing, VIN etc.

The benefits of refinancing your auto loan are:

  • Reduced loan term: If you are looking to pay off your loan faster in short period of time, refinancing your auto loan is the best option available. This can happen if you have some major positive changes in your financial situation. Although this will lead to an increase in the monthly payment, the overall interest rate will come down. This will eventually lead to financial gains and contribute towards your savings.
  • Lowers the monthly payments: If you are finding it difficult to pay the monthly installments for your auto loan, it is good to opt for a refinance. This can happen if you have suffered a financial setback and need to bring down the monthly payments. A refinance will increase your loan term and provide you more time to repay. This extension in the loan period can help you manage your finances in a better manner.
  • Decreases the interest rate: A lower rate of interest is beneficial as it can reduce your total interest charge and help in repaying the auto loan at a faster pace. Therefore, if you think you did not get a competitive rate of interest in the first time, it is probably good to consider refinancing your auto loan.
  • You can own a car previously on lease: In case your car lease is about to expire, it can be easily purchased by using the option of auto loan refinancing. The loan you get from refinancing can be used to buy out the lease and hand over the payments to the lender. The advantage here is that you can own the car at the end of your loan term.
  • Handle your finances easily: Refinancing an auto loan can help you in managing your finances more efficiently. The amount you get from the refinanced auto loan can be utilized for repaying other smaller personal loans. Therefore, you get to pay only a single EMI instead of multiple EMIs that you were paying previously.
For refinancing options in Killeen, TX, get in touch with Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. We can be contacted at (254) 690 – 2274.