A credit union is a non-profit cooperative financial institution owned by its members. The institution offers affordable financial services to its members in the form of reasonable interest rates and financial benefits. Membership requirements of credit unions are usually based on factors like place of work, worship, residence and more. Most credit unions charge a one-time membership fee and require members to open an account with them.
If you are interested in joining a credit union, here are some helpful pointers to do so:
- Choice of A Credit Union: The first step is to choose a credit union that offers products and services that suit your financial and personal requirements. Also consider factors such as rates offered, online services, access to ATMs, safety (in terms of federal insurance), etc. A safe credit union is one that is insured by the NCUSIF (National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund), a Federal government agency. You can choose from locally run credit unions such as Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union.
- Membership Eligibility: To be eligible for credit union membership, a person should be living, working or worshipping within the location stated by the credit union. In case of Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, any person who lives, works or worships within the portion of Bell County, Texas, west of Interstate 35, can be a member.
- Application: Most credit unions require two forms of identification such as a driver’s license, State-issued ID card (with a photo), military ID and passport, Social Security Card, etc. Fill the application form and submit it as states by the credit union
- Initial Deposit: To complete the application process, members are required to pay an initial amount. This includes a processing fee and initial deposit.
- Membership Benefits: Credit union members enjoy a number of benefits such as excellent customer services, high interest rates, community support, secure deposits, financial literacy, easy qualification, low fees and more.
- Member Services: Wire Transfer, Notary Service, MasterCard Gift Cards, CH origination, Bill Pay, Notary Service, safe deposit boxes, Direct Deposit, Traditional and Roth IRAs, Christmas and Vacation club accounts, savings and investments, Overdraft protection and more.
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers a variety of services such as secured loans, savings account, account services, etc. For more details on how to be a member of the credit union, visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX - 76542. You can also call at (254) 690 – 2274.
A secured loan is a type of loan in which the borrower pledges an asset as collateral for the loan. The loan amount depends upon the value of collateral. A major benefit of secured loan is its affordability in terms of low interest rate.
The choice of a suitable secured loan depends upon a variety of factors. Here are some tips to help you choose suitable secured loan:
1. Loan Amount: The foremost considerable factor is to choose the right loan amount. It is imperative as the loan amount has major impact on rate of interest, EMI, etc. For choosing right loan amount, consider the actual need and the funds available with you. However, make it a point to choose a loan amount that you actually need. Borrowing higher loan amount can have an impact on your financial situation in the future.
2. Collateral: The choice of collateral is important for ensuring loan approval. The value of collateral should be either equal to or higher than desired loan amount. Ask the credit union about allowed collateral and required collateral value.
3. Loan Tenure & EMI: The choice of loan tenure and EMI are inter-dependent. Longer loan tenure results in lower EMI and vice versa. So, when choosing the right loan tenure, focus on choosing the right EMI. Here are some steps that may help you in choosing right EMI:
- Consider your monthly income including total monthly salary and income from other sources.
- Calculate monthly expenses by adding bills, general expenditure, etc.
- Add monthly savings to the monthly expenses to calculate total monthly expenditure.
- Subtract total monthly expenditure from total monthly salary.
- The resulting value can be used as maximum affordable EMI.
4. Rate Of Interest: Rate of interest is governed by type of loan, loan amount, loan tenure, etc. So, consider the variables to check suitable rate of interest.
A great option is to contact the credit union staff for professional assistance in deciding suitable secured loan. The professional team analyzes the financial situation to suggest suitable loan parameters.
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers affordable secured loan to its members. Members can apply for a secured loan online or by visiting the credit union. For more details on tips to choose suitable secured loan, visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX - 76542. You can also call at (254) 690 – 2274.
Credit unions are cooperative financial institutions that are owned and managed by their members. They are preferred by many due to their affordable financial services and products. They offer a variety of convenient personal services, attractive rates and fees, shared branching and flexible terms & conditions.
Let us delve deeper into understanding the working of credit unions and what they have to offer:
- They are Non-Profit Organizations: Credit unions accept deposits from members and offer loans without any intention of making profits. Due to the fact that they are non-profit organizations, they offer loans at low interest rates and higher rates for deposits.
- Operating Principles: Credit unions operate with the intention of pooling financial resources for the benefit of members. Their operating principles revolve around voluntary membership, non-discrimination, serving members, building financial stability, social responsibility and democratic control.
- Services Provided: Some of the services offered by most credit unions include but are not limited to payroll deduction, online access, MasterCard Gift Cards, ACH origination, ATM, Bill Pay, Wire Transfer, Direct Deposit, Notary Service, savings and investments, lending services (secured and unsecured loans), Traditional and Roth IRAs, Club accounts (Christmas and Vacation), Overdraft protection and more.
- Reasons For Joining A Credit Union: Credit union members enjoy benefits such as low fees, higher interest rates, excellent customer service, member-centric services, community support, security of deposits (regulation by the National Credit Union Administration; every account is insured up to $250,000), financial literacy and independence, easy qualification, easily approachable in spite of a low credit score etc.
In conclusion, the fact that credit unions are member-owned non-profits plays a prime role in making them affordable financial institutions. Their member-centric approach as opposed to a profit-centric one makes it possible to offer loan products at lower rates, higher rates of interest on savings, access to low-fee checking accounts and more. They are the best option for millennials who are just starting to make financial decisions and require guidance to manage and control their funds without spending much on fees and interest.
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers a variety of financial services including savings accounts, secured/unsecured auto loans, etc. to its members. For more details on credit union, visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX - 76542. You can also call at (254) 690 – 2274.
A savings account is an important financial tool that assists the account owners in managing their financial goals in an effective manner. The interest earned on a savings account makes it a preferred way of saving funds. It also allows the account owners in availing the benefits of a variety of account services such as automated payments, direct deposit, etc.
Credit unions are a popular choice among people considering to open a savings account. Some common reasons behind this choice are higher interest rates, variety of account services, better member services, etc.
Here is a list of steps required to open a savings account at a credit union:
Check Eligibility: Every credit union has some eligibility criteria for members. Common eligibility criteria include area of living, profession, place of work, etc. For example, Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union requires a person to live, work or worship within the portion of Bell County, Texas, west of Interstate 35. So, before opening a savings account in a credit union, it is important to check the eligibility for becoming its member.
Choose An Account Type: A credit union offers a wide variety of savings accounts to its members. Some common types of savings accounts include Share Savings Account, Money Market Accounts, Christmas Club, Vacation Club, Certificates of Deposit, and Individual Retirement Account. Ask the credit union staff about the features of every savings account type to choose an account type that meets your needs. Points to consider include:
- Interest Rate
- Minimum Balance
- Monthly Fees
- Account Services
Fill The Application: Ask the staff about the application process, opening balance and required documents. Provide the details required in the application. Credit unions may require identification proofs such as original Social Security Number and a picture id. Complete the application and recheck the filled information before submitting the application.
Make The Deposit: The credit union verifies the documents and application details. Once the details are verified, make the opening deposit as per the account requirements.
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers a variety of savings accounts to its members. The staff helps the members in choosing a suitable account type and understanding the application process. For more details on steps to open a savings account in a credit union, visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX - 76542. You can also call at (254) 690 – 2274.