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

Mindful Money: Transformative Habits for Effective Saving




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Role Of Credit Unions in Community Development

Credit unions operate as member-owned cooperatives, prioritizing the well-being of their communities over profit margins. These financial institutions empower individuals and businesses by offering accessible loans, competitive savings options, and personalized financial guidance. Through their localized approach, credit unions contribute to the economic growth of communities, promoting financial inclusion and stability.

The following are various ways in which credit unions contribute to the development of the local community:

Financial Inclusion

Credit unions stand as beacons of financial inclusion, reaching out to diverse community segments. They welcome individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their financial history, has access to essential banking services. This commitment to inclusivity helps to create a financially empowered community.

Localized Lending

One of the distinctive features of credit unions is their emphasis on localized lending. These institutions understand the unique economic landscape of their communities and tailor their loan offerings accordingly. By providing affordable loans for housing, education, and small businesses, credit unions stimulate economic development at the grassroots level, fostering local entrepreneurship and stability.

Member Ownership

The cooperative structure of credit unions is a fundamental aspect of their community-centric approach. Members are not just customers but owners with a say in the institution's decisions. The collaborative ownership model creates a symbiotic relationship where the success of the credit union directly correlates with the prosperity of its members and the community at large.

Community Investment

Credit unions go beyond providing financial services by actively investing in the community's well-being. Reinvesting earnings into the community through loans, grants, and charitable initiatives, they support various projects and organizations that contribute to overall development. This commitment to community investment strengthens social bonds and creates a positive cycle of growth and mutual support.

Financial Education

Empowering members with financial knowledge is a core mission of credit unions. By offering educational resources and guidance, credit unions help individuals make informed financial decisions. This focus on financial literacy not only enhances the well-being of members but also contributes to the overall economic resilience of the community, creating a foundation for sustained prosperity.

Stability and Resilience

Credit unions play a vital role in fostering community stability and resilience. Through promoting savings and offering secure financial services, they contribute to the overall financial well-being of individuals. This, in turn, helps community members weather economic challenges more effectively, creating a foundation for long-term stability and growth.

Collaboration with Local Businesses

Credit unions actively collaborate with local businesses, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. By supporting local enterprises, credit unions contribute to the economic vitality of the community. This collaboration fosters an interconnected ecosystem where the success of one entity, be it a business or a credit union, positively influences the prosperity of the other.

To know more, visit the Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX 76542, or call (254) 690-2274. You can also browse www.gctfcu.net and connect on Facebook, Twitter, Go GCTFCU Blog | All posts by admin
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

72 Month Auto Loans In Texas Are The Best Bets

When you are out to buy a car then it is advisable to first concentrate on the financing part and then move ahead. While it is believed that the length of the loan should be dependent on the time for which the buyer intends to keep the car, 72 month auto loans have come out to be quite popular in Texas these days. Some of the advantages of 72 month Auto Loans in Texas are:

  • A 72 month auto loan means that the buyer will have to make 72 payments as loan installments to repay the loan and before he can legitimately become the owner of the car. It is advantageous as you are required to repay the loan in appropriate time which is neither too short nor too long.
  • As the loan tenure is long, successful repayment helps in building up your credit worthiness.
  • As the Auto loan’s monthly installment is not so high, you can buy a better vehicle of your choice even though it costs a bit more.
  • There might be a change in the lending rate and the buyer just might happen to benefit from these changes.
  • Also, this 72 month auto loan can be a very good option for some driver who has a fixed income, small savings and a desire to make a hefty investment for a long period of time. Such an Auto loan will be highly useful for such a buyer as it will result in small monthly incomes and will help him save some money from his income.

Many drivers are today looking for a solution to high loan rates. 72 month Auto Loans is the answer to their problems as it helps lower the monthly installment which is to be paid and lengthens the time for which this amount is paid on a monthly basis.

We are pioneers in providing Auto Loans in Texas. For further details feel; free to contact us at - Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542. You can also call us at 254-690-2274.

Cheap Auto Loan - 72 Month Auto Financing

5 Things You Need to Know Before Buying Your Next Car

Gone are the days when you had to hop from one dealership to another to choose a car of your choice. In the modern era; technology has come to everyone’s rescue. You can now look for a car of your choice online and book it likewise. You can also get easy Auto loans to support your purchase. But if you are willing to buy your next car, there are a few things your must be sure of, before you do so.

  • Cars have a known depreciation rate. Therefore before you buy your next car, calculate if the interest you pay on your car loan is feasible for you or not. Also note that the longer time you take to pay it off, the more will the interest be.
  • Before you decide or finalize the cost of your new car it will be better to calculate the trade-in value of your current car. You must be aware of the same so that you know how much to expect for it, from the dealer.
  • You must research well about the interest rates on your auto loans. You might often have seen that when auto companies advertize they tell you how much you will have to pay every month. However the trick here is that, the interest rate is where most of the cost lies. It does not matter what you pay every month but infact what matters is how much you pay over the years.
  • Unless your income increases, you should not take a new auto loan until the old one is paid off. However if you are someone who has a fetish for new cars then you must watch out for the sharp depreciation in cars and the interest costs associated with it.
  • If you buy a new car but fail to afford it, this could be a troublesome situation. So it is highly suggested that you beforehand calculate and watch for the operating expenses, insurance, gas mileage, annual excise taxes, and other costs of ownership.

For any details regarding auto loans, contact us at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542, Phone: 254-690-2274.

Cheap Auto Loan - 72 Month Auto Financing

Buying A New Car? Questions To Ask Yourself

The purchase of a new car can be a complicated decision which requires a lot of meticulous planning. There are several things that you need to consider while buying a new vehicle, as a significant amount of monetary investment is required for such a purchase. Several questions that an average consumer is likely to face have been mentioned below:

  • The first thing that you need to think about is whether you should go in for a brand new or a second hand model. This decision depends largely on the financial options available to you to finance the vehicle. If you have sources of funds at your disposal or are likely to get quickly approved for a large loan sum, you can opt for a new vehicle. However, if you are on quite a low budget and are unlikely to obtain a loan easily, it is better to stick to a used one. There are several dealerships that will be able to provide used cars in excellent condition to customers based in Texas.
  • If you are taking an auto loan, the kind of car that you purchase is going to have a significant impact on the monthly premium amount that you will have to contribute towards your auto loan. If you go in for a high end car model, your monthly premium is going to be high while if a vehicle in the medium range is opted for, the monthly payment that you have to make will be a reduced one.
  • If you are taking an auto loan to finance your vehicle in the state of Texas, another aspect that you need to consider is the kind of credit that you enjoy. Your credit history is thoroughly examined by the loan provider before granting or approving a vehicular loan for you. Those with a low credit rating generally have to pay high interest rates towards auto loans. So, if you have bad credit, it is advisable to wait for a while, improve your credit ratings and then apply for a car loan.

For all kinds of Auto Loans, contact us at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union at 3305 E Elms Road Killeen, TX 76542 or give us a ring at 254-690-2274.

Cheap Auto Loan - 72 Month Auto Financing

Tips To Lower Your Car Payment

Car loans are the most important monthly expense for a majority of people. People get attracted to new cars and usually follow the general trend of paying lesser amount as down payment and more monthly payments. In most of the cases, it is impossible for the car to be refinanced. One possible way out that can help you to lower your monthly car payment without even refinancing the car is private debt restructure.

  • Think of a solid reason to get a restructure. Often the lenders only grant these so called ‘hardship loans’ in the case of an emergency or financial crisis like medical emergency, bankruptcy or loss of a job.
  • Work out your own DIR or debt to income ratio. A high ratio will cause you to face tough times to make monthly payments. To calculate your DIR, divide all your monthly expenses with your gross monthly earnings. For instance, your income is $2000 and your monthly expenses (including the car payments) are $1000. So, your DIR would be 50 per cent, which is considered to be very high by the lenders.
  • Determine the current rate of interest on your auto loan. Make out what would be the interest rate that you can easily manage. It is very important to be very clear before you request for any modification in the rate of interest.
  • Drop a line to your lender to know about the hardship plan. Make sure that you put forward all the required documents in support of your claim like bank statements and income documents.
  • Make sure that all the proposals of the hardship plan are in writing and that the terms and conditions will be of assistance your present financial condition.
  • Be prepared to make changes in your personal budget and expenditure so that you are able to pay back a heavy car loan.

To avail cheap auto loans in Central Texas, contact us at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. Our unique loan plans can assist you in getting lowest rates for auto loans. We can be contacted at 254-690-2274.

Secured Auto Loan - Cheap Auto Loan

Auto Financing In Texas

It is very important that you act smartly in a deal to buy a car or you will end up losing much more money that you actually should. Generally, most of the car buyers arrange money before buying a new car. This scheme, known as auto financing, means the way you are going to pay for your new car. You can get your car financed by getting an auto loan which you can use in two ways: either pay the money to buy the car, or use it for lease.

If you have purchased a car before, you might know that the loan provider will check your credit report before doing any sort of deal with you. However, this is not the only requisite for taking an auto loan. Auto dealer will also try his best to appease the deal and give you special offers on car financing. But, you need to be extremely watchful.

Remember, you should be well prepared for this. Consider all the options of auto financing before visiting the dealer so that you can manage your car loan as well as your credit. Bear in mind that no deal is permanent until you have a hard copy for it. When you are done with the negotiations, do get the sales contract prepared.

Overstated interest rates
Be careful to verify your monthly payments as well as the interest rates. Different car buyers are charged with different rates of interest depending upon their credit history. If you have a poor credit history, you will be charged a high rate of interest and this is where the car dealer profits from your loan.

Independent auto financing
If you have a pre-approved auto financing, you can go up to the car dealer and purchase the car as a ‘cash buyer’. It would be good if you go for independent auto financing to buy a new car.

To get Auto Loans in Central Texas, visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. We have amazing deals on auto loans for our customers. We are located in Killeen, TX. You can also call us at Phone: 254-690-2274).

Secured Auto Loan - Cheap Auto Loan

Consolidating Your Car Loans

For the families that have more than one vehicle, it is logical to get your car loans consolidated. Consolidation of car loans is a process through which you can combine all your vehicle loans into one payment. Car loan consolidation can be very beneficial to you if:

  • You want a lower rate of interest
  • You have to pay several loan installments in one month
  • You want to cut down your monthly payment

Requirements for loan consolidation

  • Income proof- Most of the lenders seek a job of at least 6 months. However, long term employment would increase your credit worth. Gather at least six months pay statements to present for the verification of your job and income.
  • Insurance- Make sure that you all the vehicles that you want to cover under the consolidated loan are insured. Some insurance companies also offer discount on multiple vehicles.
  • Residence proof- A stable residency will increase your credit worth. You should be able to put forward at least six months utility bills for your address and a proof of identity.
  • Credit history - It is important that you have knowledge about your credit rating. Most of the time, you can be rejected for a car loan only because of a poor credit history. It’s not that you can’t consolidate your loans without a good credit history, but do not expect discounted rates of interest.

Benefits of consolidating car loans

  • A person who is paying large monthly payments can benefit from loan consolidation by increasing the time period of the loan. However, increased time period means more interest payment at the end of the day.
  • For the people who have multiple loans, consolidation can help to keep a record of the due monthly installments and pay them in time.

As a concluding point, car loan consolidation depends upon the situation of each and every borrower. Those who are already laden with debt should think before opting for consolidation.

To obtain cheap and secured loans easily and quickly, consider Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union only. For any assistance, call us at 254-690-2274.

Lowest Used Car Loan - Secured Auto Loan

Auto Loan Tips For First Time Buyers In Texas


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The Benefits Of Choosing Credit Union Services

Credit unions are more than just financial institutions; they are committed financial partners who strive to enhance the financial well-being of their members and the communities they serve. Their commitment to ethical and inclusive banking makes them a valuable resource for individuals and families looking to achieve their financial dreams. At Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union (GCTFCU), we are committed to member empowerment and offer a wide array of financial services tailored to the unique needs of our members.

Listed below are some compelling reasons to be a member of a credit union:

Personalized Financial Solutions

When you choose credit union services, you are not just a number. At GCTFCU we offer personalized financial solutions. Our dedicated staff takes the time to understand your goals and aspirations..

Lower Fees and Competitive Rates

Credit unions membership provides a notable advantage through lower fees and competitive rates.  They are known for their commitment to offering financial services with minimal fees. When it comes to interest rates on savings accounts, loans, and credit cards, credit unions often provide rates that are highly competitive.

Community-Centered Approach

Credit unions are deeply rooted in their local communities. At Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, we prioritize our members and the communities we serve. Our commitment to community involvement sets us apart, as we reinvest in the areas where our members live and work.

Member Ownership and Decision-Making:

What makes credit unions unique is their member-focused ownership structure. As a part of Credit Union, members chooses the management.

Financial Education and Support:

Financial literacy is the key to financial empowerment. Credit Union’s offer comprehensive financial education resources and personalized guidance to help members make informed choices and plan for a brighter financial future.

Favorable Loan Terms

Credit unions take a member-first approach, which means they prioritize the financial well-being of their members over profits. This approach often translates into more favorable loan terms, including lower interest rates and flexible repayment options.

Long-Term Relationships

Credit unions aim to build long-lasting relationships with their members, offering ongoing financial support and guidance.  Credit unions recognize that financial needs change over time and are there to provide guidance and support at every stage of life.

Members of a credit union enjoy a range of benefits. Credit unions not only strengthen the financial foundations of their members but also play an integral role in building prosperous and resilient communities.

For more information, visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union at 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX 76542, or call (254) 690-2274.

How Credit Unions Can Help In Financial Management




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