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

Overdraft Protection




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How to Save Money?

Learning how to save money is one of the key components of financial literacy. It allows you to make the most out of your financial resources while encouraging you to take well-informed financial decisions. 

Let us explore some effective ways to build up your savings and a good credit score. 

  • Learn to Distinguish Between Wants & Needs - Be clear on your financial priorities and divide your income wisely. To make it more effective, learn to distinguish between wants and needs. Your needs include housing, transportation, electricity, insurance, gas, clothes, food, water, health and other household items. These are the recurring expenses and are essential for survival. Things that you buy for leisure, entertainment, fun like travel, expensive clothing, dining out, automatic subscriptions, memberships, etc. are considered as wants. To save money, keep your focus on the needs rather than overspending on the wants. Keep track of your monthly expenses; do not stress yourself and save a comfortable amount of your income. 
  • First Pay all the Debts - The first and foremost priority should be paying off all the debts while making small contributions to build up savings. Once you've paid off your debt, it will be more comfortable and convenient to save significant amount of your income.
  • Find Ways to Save on the Monthly Expenses - Find ways to save on recurring monthly expenses such as: investing in energy-efficient appliances. Managing lifestyle priorities also help in saving on monthly expenses.
  • Wise Savings & Investment Options - Explore various savings and investment options that have potential of higher returns, good interest rates, minimum risks and reliability.  
Insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, Killeen offers a broad array of financial services. With various types of saving accounts like Share Account, Money Market Accounts, Christmas Club, Vacation Club, Certificates of Deposits and Individual Retirement Account and investment & lending options including New and Pre-Owned Vehicle Loans, Secured & Unsecured loans, Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union strives to cater different financial needs and interests of our members.

Visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union at 3305 E Elms Rd, Killeen, TX - 76542. You can also contact us by filling up the contact form available at www.gctfcu.net or call us: (254) 690 – 2274.

Benefits of a Credit Union




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How to Open a Savings Account

Savings account is a basic account type held at a financial institution that allows you to deposit funds with safety assurance. One can also earn interest on the deposits at credit unions on your savings. The savings account also allows you to withdraw money any time you wish to.  Let us look through some important steps to open a savings account at a credit union.

Become the Member of Credit Union

First, become a member of a credit union. The membership of credit union will allow you to access their various financial products and services. Apply for savings account and take proper follow up. Member services offered by Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, Killeen include Direct deposit, Payroll deduction, Notary Service, MasterCard Cash Advance, On-line access, MasterCard Gift Cards, Wire Transfer, Savings Account options and many more.

Check the Eligibility Criteria

Go through the eligibility criteria and other relevant information regarding the savings account you want to open. If it suits your profile, go ahead.

Collect Documents

Collect all the required documents and start the procedure.

Requirements for Opening Savings Account at GCTFCU:

  • 2 forms of ID (original social security card and picture ID)
  • Person should be living & working in vicinity of west of I-35
  • $5.00 fee for opening account
  • $20.00 to remain in account
Fund the Account

Once your account is all setup, make sure to add funds in it. Keep the account active to enjoy all the services that come along. Credit union offers higher dividends on your savings and helps you reach your desired financial goals.

Savings Accounts Available at GCTFCU

  • Share Savings Account
  • Checking Account
  • Certificates of Deposit
  • Money Market Accounts
  • Individual Retirement Account
  • Christmas Club
  • Vacation Club
For more information, visit www.gctfcu.net

Insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, Killeen offers multifarious savings, investment & lending options. Our lending services include New and Pre-Owned Vehicle Loans, Secured & Unsecured loans.  Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union works within the area of Bell County, Texas, west of Interstate 35.

Visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union at 3305 E Elms Rd, Killeen, TX - 76542. You can also contact us by filling up the contact form available at www.gctfcu.net . Call us: (254) 690 - 2274

How To Manage Money?



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Overdraft Facility by GCTFCU Benefits

Overdraft Protection is a credit service offered by credit unions to provide monetary coverage in case of insufficient funds in the account. An additional amount is transferred, thereby allowing you to complete a transaction without any glitch. Let’s explore some benefits of opting Overdraft Facility. 

Successful Transactions 

With overdraft facility, a person is able to complete ATM and debit card transactions, even ifthe account is short on money. It prevents transactions from getting declined and provide immediate financial support. A person is saved from penalties which are imposed owing to negative balance in the account.

Availability of Funds in times of Emergencies

Overdraft Protection gives coverage and financial support during emergencies or temporary economic distress. Overdraft protection allows an access to funds which can be used during sudden monetary exigency. 

No Bouncing Checks

Overdraft facility prevents your checks from getting bounced. It saves a person from paying bounced check fees and helps to maintain good credit report.

Services under Overdraft Protection

Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers Overdraft Protection in two different ways; standard overdraft practices that come with your account and Overdraft Protection through a link to your savings account. The standard overdraft practices that come with your account: checks and other transactions made using checking account number and automatic bill payments. Under standard overdraft practices Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union will charge a fee of up to $30 each time the credit union pays on your behalf. 

Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union is a member-owned cooperative which has been helping people with their financial needs since 1957. Our member services include Direct deposit, Payroll deduction, Notary Service, MasterCard Cash Advance, On-line access, MasterCard Gift Cards, Wire Transfer, ACH Origination, Club Accounts, Credit Card, Bill Pay, ATM and automatic transfer services, etc. Our lending services include New and Pre-Owned Vehicle Loans, Pre-Approval on vehicle loans, Secured & Unsecured loans.  Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union works within the area of Bell County, Texas, west of Interstate 35.

For further details, visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union at 3305 E Elms Rd, Killeen, TX - 76542. You can also contact us by filling up the contact form available at our website. Call us: (254) 690 - 2274

Savings Account In Killeen, TX




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What Is IRA?

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Why Auto Loan From Credit Union is a Better Choice

Getting great deal while buying a car helps in making the financial decision easy. A lot would depend on the financial institution you are availing an auto loan from. While there are many providers, Credit Unions helps in availing one of the best deals on auto loan. Let us dig deeper into the benefits of taking an auto loan from a credit union.

Lower Rates of Interest

Credit Unions are community based, non - profit financial institutions, which provide products and services to promote financial wellbeing of the members. Since, credit unions does not seek huge profits, they are able to offer their members lower interest rates on auto loans and other lending services.

User Friendly Loan Process

Credit Unions provide a user friendly loan process with minimum hassle. You are likely to complete the loan applying procedure in lesser amount of time while getting the best possible deal. Credit union generally provide online access to their services.

Credit unions often provide financial counselling led by local experts to guide you through the process.

Financing

Being the member centric cooperatives, credit unions are quite flexible and try to find ways to help their members. It is relatively convenient to apply for a loan from a credit union as they have minimum-loan requirements and a better insight into your financial situation.

Community Ties

Credit Unions hold strong community ties which offer a better understanding of each other’s financial needs and requirements. They provide personalized services backed with community support. Volunteerism & community involvement makes a credit union more accessible and participative.

From providing auto loans to many other convenient services, Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, Killeen is committed to help its members reach their financial goals.

Insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, Killeen is member own cooperative which has been helping people with their financial needs since 1957. With multifarious savings and investment options, one can seek financial assistance for to build your dream home, saving for retirement etc. The lending services include New and Pre-Owned Vehicle Loans, Pre-Approval on vehicle loans and various Secured & Unsecured loans at feasible interest rates. Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union works within the area of Bell County, Texas, west of Interstate 35.

Visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union at 3305 E Elms Rd, Killeen, TX 76542, United States. You can also contact the credit union by filling up the contact form available at the website.

What is Over Draft Protection

Overdraft Protection (OD) is a product provided by banks and credit unions to offer financial coverage in case of insufficient funds in the account. An additional amount is transferred to cover a transaction thereby preventing it from getting declined. Let’s look at some benefits of opting Overdraft Protection.

Transactions - With overdraft protection in place, even if a person doesn’t have sufficient money in the account, ATM and debit cards transactions will still go smoothly. It will prevent transactions from getting rejected or declined due to negative balance, thereby saving you from inconvenience and embarrassing situations. Please note that it is the discretion of Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union (GCTFCU) to authorize and pay OD for any type of transaction. If we do not authorize and pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined. If a transaction is declined, you will be charged a $35 fee.

Availability of Funds in times of Emergencies - Overdraft Protection gives coverage and cash during emergencies or temporary economic hardship. A situation might get worse without a financial support. If you have enrolled for overdraft protection, you get an automatic access to funds which can be used in times of crisis.

No Bouncing Checks - Bounced checks can create a lot of hassle and problems. Overdraft protection, prevents checks from getting bounced and saves a person from paying bounced check fees. This financial product may help you prevent money trouble blemishing your credit report.

Services under Overdraft Protection - Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers Overdraft Protection in two different ways; standard overdraft practices that come with your account and Overdraft Protection through a link to your savings account. The standard overdraft practices that come with your account encompasses checks and other transactions made using checking account number and automatic bill payments. Under standard overdraft practices Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union will charge a fee of up to $30 each time we pay on your behalf.

Federally Insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers services like direct deposit, on-line access, overdraft protection, wire transfer, ACH origination, bill pay, ATM and various other checking, savings and loans products. 

You can visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX  76542 to know about financial services offered.
GCTFCU Blog | Blog
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Secured Loan vs Unsecured Loan



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Benefits of Being a Member of a Credit Union

Credit Unions are community based, non - profit financial institutions which provide services to the members-owners. They manage to take great care of the financial wellbeing of their members. As non-profit and member centric cooperatives, credit unions have multiple economic benefits. They strive to offer various saving options, lower fees & loan rates, and high dividends on the deposits. 

Community Involvement - Volunteerism & community involvement are the two pillars of credit unions. They welcome people from various walks of society to build a strong community bond. Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union is committed to set a spirit of solidarity within the institution and provides financial solutions at feasible prices.

Better Rates on Loans and Saving Accounts - Credit Union offer higher yields on the savings to help you achieve personal financial goals.  Since they're not focused on churning profits, they provide satisfactory returns in the form of higher interest rates on savings accounts, lower fees, lower rates on loan and credit cards.

Easily Accessible - Credit unions are tailored to meet the expectations and interests of their members. Their easy accessibility allows a member to gain economic support in a brief period of time. They pay attention on every loan application individually and try to give best possible financial solution. It is often easier to get approval for a credit from a credit union.

Democratic Voting - As a member & part-owner of credit union, you have a say in the decisions, including the selection of board members and new proposals. There are several ways one can participate & volunteer to influence the strategic management of a credit union. A credit union preserves its integrity by allowing each member to vote and participate in the elections.

Personalized Financial Service - Credit unions tend to focus on providing excellent customer service. Members of credit unions enjoy the perks of personalize attention and service. 

Financial Counselling - Credit unions often provide financial counselling led by local experts. They offer valuable advices and support to assess financial priorities of an individual and impart better understanding & knowledge of a particular service or product. A financial counsellor helps a client to take good investment decisions, thereby maximising the probability of higher returns.  

Insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers a wide array of services. We have been serving our community with financial needs since 1957.  With various types of saving accounts like Share Account, Money Market Accounts, Christmas Club, Vacation Club, Certificates of Deposits and Individual Retirement Account, we try to cater different financial needs and interests of our members. We grant Secured and Unsecured loans at reasonable rates. Services like Direct deposit, Payroll deduction, Notary Service, MasterCard Cash Advance, On-line access, MasterCard Gift Cards, Wire Transfer, ACH Origination, Bill Pay, ATM and automatic transfer services are available. Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union works within the area of Bell County, Texas, west of Interstate 35.

Contact us by filling up the contact form available on our website.

Reasons To Open A Savings Account



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Loans and Financial Services Offered by Greater Central Federal Credit Union, Killeen, TX

Greater Central Federal Credit Union is a member-owned cooperative that strives to provide its members with affordable and convenient financial services and products. It was formed in 1957 by a group of 9 teachers who contributed money to be used by any one of them in need of finances at affordable rates. To date, the credit union is committed to providing the best services and lending opportunities to its members. It is insured by the NCUSIF (National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund).

The credit union provides the following loans and financial services to its members:

  • Secured Loans: These loans are provided against collateral with a value that is at least 20% more than the loans value. Detailed information about the loans is available on the credit union’s website. APR and the term of secured auto loans for new and used autos is provided. The APR rates for recreation vehicles (ATVs, motorcycles and RVs) are 2% higher than those of used autos. We also provide 72-month vehicle loans. If you want a share-secured loan (one that is backed by a share account), the rate will be 2% more than that of a secured account.
  • Unsecured/Signature Loans: These loans are ideal for unexpected expenses or for projects like a vacation. We offer personal/unsecured loans at affordable rates and make quick approvals upon receiving a completed application and verifying income (loan approval within 24-48 hours). We offer payroll deduction, direct deposit and automatic transfer services for convenient loan payment.
  • Credit Builder Loan: This loan is offered to help members improve their credit score. It works by freezing the amount of money in a share account until the borrower pays off the loan. As per their nature, these loans can be offered even if the credit score is not satisfactory. It is a good choice for anyone interested in getting a loan for the first time. The best part about these loans is that a borrower gets to build credit and also save in one go.
  • Savings Accounts: We offer a range of accounts to provide banking convenience for our members. These include a share savings account, a checking account, a money market account, a Christmas Club, a Vacation Club, Certificates of Deposit, and an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). The requirements for opening a savings account are to be living, working, or worshipping west of I-35, 2 forms of ID, $5.00 for opening an account, and $20.00 to be kept in the account.
  • Other Services Offered: We offer useful financial services such as an amortization calculator (on our website), skip-a payment options, debit cards, Outgoing ACHs, Incoming ACHs, Outgoing wires, Incoming wires, bill pay, gift cards and an audio response system for checking balances, making loan payments and checking cleared drafts.
To know more about the loans and services offered by Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX 76542 or call at 254-690-2274. You can also visit www.gctfcu.net

Checklist For Loan Application




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Features Of A Savings Account


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Savings and Investment Options in Credit Unions

Credit unions offer a number of affordable and convenient investment and savings options to members. These options are useful for future expenses such as college education, retirement, vacations and more.

Let us take a look at the savings and investment options provided by Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union:

  • Regular Share Savings Account: A share savings account pays variable dividends on the savings of members. The account is a precursor for establishing membership in a credit union and availing other services provided. These accounts are liquid in nature and apt for day to day expenses and payments. Funds in a credit union are safe as the institutions are federally insured up to $250,000.
  • Share Certificates of Deposit: These are certificates of deposit issued by credit unions that represent a deposit for a certain span. The deposits earn dividends over a period of time usually ranging between 3 months to 5 years. The interest rates offered are usually higher than those offered on other forms of savings; a longer term of share certificate earns higher dividends.
  • Individual Retirement Account: This is a savings account with tax benefits for credit union members who are interested in savings or long-term investments. Anyone who earns income can start an Individual Retirement Account. The most common types of IRAs for individual tax payers are Traditional and Roth IRAs.
  • Club Accounts: These accounts are savings accounts offered by credit union to members interested in saving for a particular purpose and earning interest while doing so. Such an account remains open for around one year and earns higher rates of interest as compared to other forms of savings accounts. Examples of club accounts are Christmas and Vacation Club accounts. These accounts encourage investors to save for one year and resist the urge of withdrawing before the maturity date.
  • Lending Services: Credit unions offers secured and unsecured loans at affordable interest rates to members. Secured loans are issued in exchange for collateral whereas unsecured loans are issued on the basis of the borrower’s ability to pay. Secured loans are great for those who need larger amounts for the purchase of things like automobiles and even houses. Unsecured loans are in the form of credit cards, personal loans, student loans, etc.
To know more about savings and investment options, you can visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union at 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX 76542 or call at (254)-690-2274.

How To Be Savings Smart?

How-To-Be-Savings-Smart.pdf (735.5KB)

Affordable Financial Services In Killeen, TX

If you are looking for convenient and affordable financial services, consider availing the services of a credit union near you. Credit unions are non-profit organizations that provide a variety of financial services and products to their members. They are committed towards providing the services at the earliest and are dedicated towards customer satisfaction. Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union provides a wide array of affordable financial services to its members in Killeen, TX.

Listed below are the financial services and products that can be availed at a credit union:

  • Savings and Checking Accounts: Savings accounts are interest-bearing accounts that offer safety and reliability to fulfill short-term financial needs. Checking accounts are ideal for those in need of quick access to money for daily needs. Credit unions offer savings accounts such as share accounts, money market accounts, Vacation Club accounts, Christmas Club accounts, Certificate of Deposits and Individual Retirement Accounts.
  • Loans: You can avail affordable secured and unsecured loans at credit unions for unexpected expenses. The loans are available at lucrative rates and are approved within 24 to 48 hours upon receiving an application. For the convenience of clients, services such as direct deposit, automatic transfer services and payroll deduction are offered. Secured loans are granted against collateral whereas unsecured loans do not require collateral. Examples of unsecured loans are credit cards, student loans and personal loans.
  • Direct Deposit: A direct deposit is a payment that is directly made to a payee’s account electronically with the help of software. The service is convenient for businesses that have to pay employees and are also useful for tax refunds. Direct deposits are a convenient and safe method of transferring funds. They offer faster transactions, ensure timely payments of salaries and reduce bookkeeping.
  • IRA: Individual Retirement Accounts are for those who want to build up their retirement funds. These accounts can be opened by anyone working and below the age of 70 ½. IRAs offer tax advantages and are considered to be one of the best savings tools. IRA’s are of two types: Traditional and Roth IRAs. They are great for those starting their career, couples, growing families and those nearing retirement. Credit unions offer competitive rates to members interested in IRAs.
  • Other Services: Apart from the services mentioned above, credit unions also offer debit cards, credit cards, wire transfer, ATM services, payroll deduction, notary service, online access, skip-a-payment options, outgoing and incoming ACHs, gift cards, etc. GCTFCU strives to offer its members affordable financial services and convenient lending services.
To know about financial services and products offered at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX 76542, call at (254) 690-2274 or check out https://gctfcu.net

Understanding Certificates Of Deposit




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