• Gather detailed information about your credit history: Get copies of your credit reports to know your eligibility for applying for a car loan. Keep this information handy as you may be required to present the document when applying for the loan. Every credit union has a different eligibility for a car loan, so it is better to inquire beforehand. The interest rates you will be offered will depend a lot on your credit score.
• Do your homework: It is imperative to shop around in order to look for the best deal on a car loan. Compare the interest rates offered by various credit unions in Killeen and opt for the one that complies with your budget. Do not forget to thoroughly read the terms and conditions of the loan plan you are considering. This will clarify all the rules and regulations of your car loan as well as avert any problems in the future.
• Choose a shorter loan term: Although a long term loan will reduce your monthly cost, it will significantly add up to the total interest payments. So, it is better to limit your auto loan to the shortest time period that you can afford as this will help you repay your loan faster. Compare the loan terms of various credit unions to make a wise decision.
• Concentrate on the total cost: It is important to focus not only on the monthly payments but on the total cost of the loan, including the interest payments. In order to cut down on your loan amount, you can consider paying a higher down payment towards your new car purchase.
• Ask for cash discounts: You can ask for cash discounts from your car loan dealer. These discounts can contribute towards the down payment for the car. It is better to go in for cash discounts rather than asking to lower your monthly EMI.  
  

• Chances of approval are more: Credit union is open to listening to the back stories of its members and then deciding on the loan terms. If you are worried about little or no credit history, you may discuss your concerns with the staff and figure out the best way to get the desired loan amount.

• Convenience: The inter-personal approach of the credit union makes it convenient to apply for the loan even before you make the purchase. A pre-approved loan in your hand helps you to fix the budget for the car and spend prudently.

• Competitive interest rate: Credit union offers low interest rates which keep your monthly payouts on lower side. Since they know credit history of their members closely they are likely to keep their interests in mind before sanctioning the loan.

• Bundling: If you have an ongoing loan with the credit union , such as for your home, your interest rate may further be lowered, making it a better deal for you as they encourage bundling.

• Personal touch: A credit union is a non-profit organization that works for the community. You can get proper knowledge and education about all financing tools in a personal manner at a credit union. The staff takes the time to help clients understand the loan details in order to make a well-informed decision.

• Educated advice: Credit union has dedicated financial experts who are committed to provide information about financial products to the members. Their aim is to keep everyone informed of new policies and rates. This non-sales approach helps the members to build confidence.

• Provide stability: Credit union is operated by the members and for the members. They plough back all their profits back in to improving the services for members. This gives them stability and they are not likely to be affected by profit motives.

• Prepare your credit report: Check your credit report for any errors and make sure you do not have any pending debts. Also, make sure that all your credit card payments have been duly made on time.
• Save regularly: Establish a good saving record by saving regularly so that you can build up security for your loan. Increased savings make it easier to borrow from a credit union.
• Get insurance: It is imperative to have insurance prior to applying for a loan. For example, if you are applying for a secured auto loan, you need to show that you are insured to drive a car.
• Income and employment verification: You will be required to provide details of your income during the last three months, wage and tax statement from your employer, latest tax return details as well as recent bank account statements. Keep all these documents ready beforehand so that you do not face any difficulty when applying for a secured loan.
• Ask for pre-qualification: Whenever you go to a credit union to apply for a secured loan, you should ask them about the estimate of the loan that you can be given and the interest rate for which you are pre-qualified. For this, you need to show your employment and income verification documents.
• Other documents: Apart from the above mentioned documents, you also need to submit a photo identity proof, your residential address, contact details of your insurance agent etc.

• Competitive Interest Rates: Working with a customer centric approach, a credit union offers loans at significantly low interest rates as compared to other financial institutions. As they are not liable to pay any state or federal taxes, all their profits are given out to the members in the form of low interest rates.

• Excellent Customer Service: A credit union always keeps customers’ benefit as their topmost priority. They formulate customized loan products, policies, terms and conditions according to the client’s requirements. Their staff even assists the clients in the loan application process.

• Lower Fees: The loan application fees charged by a credit union tend to be lower so as to benefit the customers. The transfer fee is also less and usually, there are no ATM charges levied from the clients. This in turn, implies that you can save a lot of money and add to your savings substantially.

• No Hidden Charges: All the rules and regulations of credit unions are very clear as well as explicitly stated. There are no hidden charges or fines in case you pay back the loan before the stipulated time period.

• Fewer Income Requirements: In order to be eligible for borrowing from a credit union, you do not need to have a considerably high income. People who have a low income can also get approval for their loan application. The staff at a credit union is more amenable to the clients’ needs and willing to make minor alterations in terms of the loan.

• Repay Loan Through Various Channels: A credit union allows you to repay the loan through various channels, such as payroll deduction or direct deposit. You can even skip-a-payment once a year in case of a financial crisis.

• 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.

Various financial institutions offer car loans with different repayment options. However as a borrower, it is important that you understand your requirements and affordability to avoid any difficulties while repaying the loan amount. 
Here are some important tips that you must keep in mind while choosing a car loan:

• Determine your affordability: Undoubtedly, this is the most important per-requisite of applying for a car loan. It is very important to establish your budget for the loan amount to ensure you can pay it off easily. Therefore, determine all our monthly expenses and determine the amount that you would be able to spare monthly. Some people may have the misconception that making large repayments is a good way to pay the loan off early. However, this extra expenditure every month cost can also cause you to financially struggle for your basic needs.
• Know your budget: After you have set aside the amount that you can afford, you must work upon how you will manage your expenses. If you do not have a steady income, you should opt for a loan that offers flexible repayment options. Make sure that you chalk out a budget that seems practical and realistic.
• Determine your chances of approval: Most financial institutions have a specified set of criterion to decide on if an applicant’s loan should be approved or not. You should consider your credit history, annual income and other relevant factors to determine the approximate loan amount that you can be lent.
• Secured or unsecured loan: A secured loan would need you to put up collateral against the money borrowed. In case you fail to pay the loan back, the collateral will be possessed by the lender. Unsecured loans, on the other hand, will possibly have higher interest rates due to no such security. You should be aware of the stakes and take a well informed decision.
• Interest rates: You must also decide between fixed and variable interest rates. Fixed rates would help you have a clear idea of your monthly repayments, and therefore, manage your budget accordingly. Variable rates however are subject to change according to the present market conditions but can offer benefits too.

We at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offer convenient and instant car loans at affordable rates of interest. For more details, feel free to call us at (254) 690 - 2274 or visit our office at 3305 E Elms Road Killeen, TX 76542.

Everyone dreams of owning a car that they can proudly say has been bought from their hard-earned money. But you might feel the burden on your pocket since the car prices are high and the economy hasn’t yet stabilized. However, high prices should not dissuade you from buying a car for yourself. A good knowledge about car financing can go a long way in helping you decide which car can be bought within your budget.

Read on to know what are the dos and don’ts of car financing.
Basically, car financing means getting a loan from a bank, a credit union or any other source in order to buy a car. This way you can easily buy a car that you desire. The problem of limited budget can also be resolved with car financing.

1. Firstly, one must conduct a thorough research on the amount of money that needs to be borrowed. Prior research helps in determining whether a certain dealer is levying extra charges by means of additional costs and hidden interest rates. This groundwork needs to be done properly so that you get the best car financing deal.
2. Compare and contrast the financing terms of the various auto loan options available. This comparison can be done online by making use of an auto loan calculator. Have concrete information about the current interest rates and get a number of loan options in hand so that you can take a print out and go to a dealership authoritatively.
3. Never ever cross your budget limits. Always pre-decide on how much you can easily afford and then only go in for car financing. After all, it is you who has to return the money.
4. You must have a complete look at the manufacturer’s website in order to know what all factory incentives are available. If a financing deal does not suit your budget requirements, don’t hesitate to decline the offer.
5. Credit Unions offer one of the best car loan options. You need to become a member in order to be eligible for a credit union loan. The advantage here is that these unions are owned by their members and work on a no profit basis. They offer low interest rates and better financing terms. This in turn means your loan is going to be for a shorter period.
6. There is no need to go in for financing options for add-ons, extended warranties and rust protection etc. Most of the new cars are available inclusive of all these additions.
7. Don’t get attracted only to a specific model as the dealer might offer you a high price and high interest rate. Keep 2-3 options in mind before going in for car financing.

Keeping the above points in mind will definitely help you get the best car financing deal.