Buying a car is a major long-term investment for families and involves a significant outlay of funds and careful consideration as to where those funds come from. For most families, taking out an auto loan is a viable and wise option as it gives them the adequate funds to make an outright purchase while scattering the actual payment over a period of time with monthly payments, thereby lessening the financial pressure on them by a considerable margin. Auto loans are easily available with the bare minimum of hassle if applied for by an experienced credit union. Auto loans can be of two broad kinds- secured auto loans and unsecured auto loans and the basic difference lies in the fact that with secure auto loans the vehicle that is being purchased is taken into consideration as  collateral for the loan amount and there is no collateral in case of an unsecured auto loan. While you decide which kind of loan you want to apply for, it is useful to know about the fundamental differences between these two kinds of auto loans and what each of them would imply for you.

Secured Auto Loans

In a secured auto loan, the car you purchase is worked into the loan agreement as collateral for the loan. Therefore, the party providing the loan retains all rights over the vehicle and you get the right to use the vehicle for your purposes. Once the loan is repaid fully, you receive the ownership rights to the car which is then transferred to your name.

Since the lender in listed as the lien holder in case of a secured auto loan, you need to maintain comprehensive coverage insurance on the vehicle until all loan dues are paid off. If you cannot make payments on time or fail to make them, the lien holder can ask the car to be returned. Inability to do so will cause the car to be legally repossessed to pay off for the remainder of the loan. The upsides are that interest rates are usually low and it is easy to get a loan approved for large amounts, thus enabling you to get the model of car you want.

Unsecured Auto Loans

These loans do not have any collateral mentioned, which means that once you purchase your car you can assume ownership of it immediately. Also, you are free to choose the kind of insurance coverage you want for your car. There is no possibility of an event where your car can be claimed or repossessed but the interest rates for unsecured auto loans can be relatively higher and approval processes might be a little more rigorous than those for secured auto loans.

We at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union can help you apply for a car loan in Killeen and deal with all the details. We can be contacted at (254) 690 – 227.

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

• Account Agreement: The agreement that determines membership eligibility, conditions for share accounts and other banking operations.
• Accrued Interest: Interest that is due but has not yet been paid to an account holder of a share account. It can also be due interest that has not yet been paid to the credit union by borrower of a loan.
• Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: A mortgage without a fixed interest rate. The rate fluctuates on the basis of market conditions such as index rate.
• Annual Percentage Rate: Percentage indicating the cost of credit on a yearly basis.
• Annual Percentage Yield: A percentage indicating the total amount of interest paid on a share account. The amount is based on the interest rate and frequency of compounding for the year.
• Annuity: Life insurance contract sold by brokers, insurance companies and other institutions as retirement investment.
• Automatic Bill Payment:  An automated system for an account holder to pay recurring bills.
• Available Credit: The remaining amount of funds in a line of credit or account that a member can borrow.
• Closing Costs: Expenses incurred by sellers and buyers when transferring the ownership of property.
• Collateral: Assets offered by a borrower for securing a loan or some other form of credit.
• Drawer: A person/entity who writes a check or draft asking the drawee to pay another.
• Drawee: The credit union or financial institution expected to pay a check or draft that is presented for payment.
• Escrow: The act of holding money or documents by a neutral third party prior to closing the property.
• Foreclosure: Legal process of selling property and using the proceeds for covering a mortgage debt.
• Open-End Credit: A credit agreement allowing members to borrow against pre-approved credit line for purchasing goods and services.
• Overdraft: When the amount in an account falls short of the amount being withdrawn from a checking account or share draft account.
• Payee: A person or organization to whom a check, draft or note is made payable.
• Payoff: Complete repayment of a loan.
• Share Draft Account: Checking accounts are called share draft accounts by credit unions. They are transaction accounts.
• Uncollected Funds: A part of a deposit balance that is due to be collected by the depository financial institution.