• Determine The Loan Amount: Firstly, the most important thing is to determine the amount that you need to borrow from the credit union. Depending upon the price of the car, interest rates and monthly installments, you must figure out the funds that you would be able to pay off easily.

• Decide The Term Of Loan: Ideally, the duration of an auto loan should be around five to six years. Although a longer tenure can help to lower the monthly payments, but you will end up paying more interest in due course. Therefore, you should settle on a loan term that allows you to manage repayments easily while saving on the interest payments.

• Know Your Credit Score: Your credit rating has a great impact on the interest you will be charged on your auto loan. Hence, before applying for the loan, you must look at your credit score to check if it reflects any unpaid loans, credit card debt, late payments etc. If possible, devote some time to improve your rating by paying off all the debts and making timely payments. This will help you get a better interest on your auto loan.

• Get Pre-Approved: Getting a pre-approval for an auto loan will help you decide the price range in which you can buy the car. You should also make allowance for other costs associated with car buying such as taxes, insurance, initial down payment and maintenance expenses.

• Close The Deal: When you have finalized the amount, tenure and negotiated a fair interest rate, you must now submit the loan application. You may need to provide your proof of income, residence, identity, social security number and other important documents along with the application.

• Lower interest rates: Credit unions, being non-profit organizations are not liable to pay any taxes to the state or federal government. As a result, they offer considerably lower interest rates on car loans. This means that your monthly payments will be low and you can save more.

• Flexible terms and conditions: The terms and conditions of car loans are usually flexible at a credit union. Working with a client centered approach, the credit unions are more considerate towards the financial needs of the members. Their policies are flexible enough to adjust the repayment options and loan duration according to the convenience of the clients.

• Better customer services: The credit union is easy to approach and there are lesser formalities involved in the car loan application process. Their staff provides complete assistance to the clients in filling out the application form and getting the paperwork ready.

• Convenient loan process: The process of getting loan is more relaxed at credit unions. The clients can even apply for a car loan through the credit union’s website. This eliminates the need to be physically present at their office.

• Membership benefits: The credit unions also offer various other banking and financial services to their members. This includes wire transfer, payroll deduction, notary service, savings accounts, direct deposit, ATM, ACH origination, MasterCard Gift Cards etc.

• Members have a say: All the members are stakeholders and part owners of the credit union. Therefore, they are given the right to choose the board of directors and vote on the important matters concerning loan rates, terms and working of the credit union.

• Know The Jargons: It is essential to have a clear understanding of the terminologies involved in the home loan process to avoid misunderstandings. Some of these are annual percentage rate (APR), refinance, loan to value ratio, fixed rate, floating rate etc.

• Determine Your Budget: You must set some time aside to determine your financial position taking into consideration the insurance and taxes. If possible, you should consider making a higher down payment against the loan. This will reduce the overall interest rate and subsequently lower your monthly payments.

• Know Your Eligibility: The loan amount that you are eligible to borrow from a credit union depends on factors such as your annual income, previous loan payment records, credit card dues etc. In case you have any other liabilities, like a personal or auto loan, your eligibility may drop.

• Tenure Of The Loan: Your monthly payment will be inversely proportionate to the tenure of the home loan. If you choose a longer tenure, the EMI will be less and if the duration is shorter, the installments will be high. However, longer duration loans also increases the total amount of interest paid. Therefore, you should carefully weigh all the alternatives to choose the appropriate loan tenure.

• Type Of Interest Rate: In a fixed rate loan, the EMI does not change throughout the repayment tenure. On the other hand, in a variable rate loan, the EMI keeps on changing according to prevailing base rates in the market.

• Better Chances Of Loan Approval: A credit union does not have stringent income requirements like a bank. It provides flexible and affordable loan options to suit the need of all clients. Moreover, the staff at a credit union is more receptive to the clients’ requirements and is often willing to make reasonable changes in the terms of the loan.
• Lower Rates Of Interest: This is the biggest reason why most people choose credit union for an auto loan. A credit union offers much lower interest rates than banks or any other financial institution. Whether you are going to purchase a new or used car, the approximate cost of loan from a credit union would be almost half of that at a bank. Subsequently, the monthly or annual payments are also quite low and easy-to-pay. 
• Simpler Loan Process: The process of applying for an auto loan is also much simpler and convenient at a credit union. There are no complex forms to be filled or documents that need to be submitted. The staff at the credit union also provides complete assistance to clients about the process in a smooth manner. Usually, the loans are approved within a few days after all the documents have been verified. 
• Non-Sales Approach: Unlike most traditional banks, the staff a credit union does not work towards making a sale or earn any sort of bonuses. They work solely for the benefit of their clients and easing their financial difficulties. All the profits earned by the credit union are returned in the form of low interest rates, dividends or other services to the clients. The representatives will understand your requirements and put forward the most suitable loan option.
  

• 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.

• Quick loan approval: A credit union considers the loan application of the members irrespective of their credit history. It offers quicker approval and is flexible in the loan terms as well.
• Competitive and reliable: Being non-profit organization, the credit union is member owned and operated. Thus it offers lower interest rates that make the loan more affordable and at flexible terms. The union uses the generated revenue to offer lower fees and lower rates.
• Personalized service: The credit union offers customized services to the members. You can discuss your loan needs with the staff and they can offer personalized loan solutions. You can also opt for flexible repayment options and gain from the professional support of the staff. They not only offer you repayment solutions according to your needs but also guide you on buying a suitable car. 
• Guidance available: The credit union offers guidance about taking the right decisions while assessing the value of cars. The staff helps you calculate the real value of your car, if you are a new buyer. They also help you better understand your financing options. 
• Not sales focused: Unlike banks, the credit union is non-sales oriented, so it do not offer bonus or other compensation to the lenders. The union returns whatever profit they earn to the members in the form of low interest rates on savings accounts, financial products and loans. 
• Easy loan process: It is quite easy to apply for auto loan as members can go to the credit union office and discuss the needs face-to-face with a loan office. The members can apply for the loan at particular dealership, over the phone or online. The staff is very friendly, courteous and assists the members in applying for a loan.
  

We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, provide secured and unsecured auto loans to all our members. For more information, call at (254) 690 – 2274.

• Payroll Deduction: We provide our members with the most convenient way to make loan payments, save money, deposit money into children’s account etc. We will automatically deduct a specified amount every month from your paycheck without you having to visit the branch personally.
• Direct Deposit: When you sign up for our direct deposit service, you can get your payroll, pension, social security, tax refunds or retirement benefits check deposited directly into your credit union account. You need to fill up a form to avail direct deposit and specify the account details where payments need to be sent.
• Notary Service: This is a service provided to all our members to easily get their documents attested and certified. We provide notary services for all types of affidavits, title transfers, power of attorneys, deeds etc. 
• MasterCard Cash Advance: At the credit union, we aim to make it easier for you to obtain cash, whenever you need. Hence, we offer Cash Advance service at minimal interest rates on your MasterCard credit card. You can avail the service at any of our ATMs or at the branch itself. 
• On-Line Access: We offer several options to our members to manage their finances and access their account online, at any time of the day. You just have to log in with your username and password to avail a host of banking services. 
• MasterCard Gift Cards: Our MasterCard Gift Cards are a wonderful option to make your loved ones celebrate their special day the way they want. 
• Wire Transfer: Transferring funds from one financial institution to another is safer and convenient with our wire transfer service.
  

• Low interest rates: Being a non- profit organization, a credit union is not liable to pay taxes to the federal or state government. Therefore, these are capable to lend loans at a low interest rate. Thus, borrowers are able to lower their monthly home mortgage payments.
• Low fees: The loan processing fees charged by a credit union is affordable. Where on one hand initial loan fee charged is less, on the other hand, checks and electronic transactions are usually offered free of cost.
• Control of account holders: Members of a credit union are also its part owners, thus, having complete control over its operations. They have a right to vote on important matters that may affect their financial obligations such as terms of home loan rates and other related activities.
• Increased flexibility: Credit unions are willing to lend financial aid to its members even if they do not have a higher income. The loan policies are also flexible enough to accommodate the specific needs of an applicant or if they are facing temporary financial issues.
• Benefits to lower income groups: Borrowers in lower income groups can also be granted membership in credit unions. One can look for the packages that suit them best by reviewing its rates, cost of the loan, adjustability of its cost and its mortgage term.
• Fewer complications: The procedure of getting a home loan from credit unions is simple and involves fewer complications. There are barely any rules or provisions to be followed, thus making the whole procedure convenient for its members. Usually, the loan application gets approval within a few days, after the documents are verified.
• Courteous staff: The staff at a credit union is friendly and assists the members in their tasks. They are also more approachable and pay personal attention of the needs to the members.
  

• Less Income Requirements: You need not have a significantly high income to get approval for a secured car loan. The collateral that you put forward offers a security that in case you default on your repayment, the item can be confiscated by the credit union. Thus the chances of being approved are based upon the price of the collateral. 
  
• No rigorous background checks:  As you put up a collateral, a secured loan procedure does not involve major background checks. You are approved quickly based on the value of the collateral.
  
• Lower Interest Rates: You can get a secured car loan at much lower interest rates than that for an unsecured one. The lower interest rates also make it easier to make monthly payments, thus, improving your credit rating.
  
• Quick Approval: It is much easier to get a secured loan as compared to other traditional loans. As the risk is minimized with a secured car loan, there are no rigorous income checks required to approve the loan application. The staff is helpful and aims to clear your application as soon as possible.
  
• Flexible repayment: They give the member the flexibility to pay back over a long time or in big short payments. A longer repayment time makes it easier to pay the loan back.
  
• Focus On Customer Service: Credit unions are non-profit organizations that hold customer service as their top priority. Credit unions have well-established resource centers to provide complete assistance to the clients with regard to the loan process, calculating monthly payments, filling application form etc.
  

We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, provide quick and convenient secured car loans in Killeen, TX. We are a member owned and operated financial institution working solely for the benefit of our clients. For more information about our loan products, feel free to call at (254) 690 – 2274 or visit our office at 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX  76542