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

How Do Credit Unions Work

Credit unions are financial cooperatives comprising of members who pool their money which is further used to provide loans, financial products and services, and demand deposits to one another. The income generated by a credit union is used for various projects and services that are in interest of community and members of the union.
On the surface, credit unions have many similarities with other financial institutions, but they greatly differ in their working. To understand the working of credit unions, let’s look at the following points:
  • They are owned by their members. Anyone who opens an account with a credit union, albeit a small one, becomes a partial owner. So, every member has an equal right to vote for the leadership position of the union. However, to become a member, one needs to qualify. For this:
    • You should live, work or worship in a particular city or area,
    • Be a member of a certain group e.g. the same college, armed forces, a church, etc.
  • You will have to fill out an application form, prove your eligibility, provide the name of a relative, employer or organization you work for and personal information such as your place of residence and work.
  • Thereafter you will have to choose the financial services you are interested in.
  • Once you are eligible for being a member of the credit union, the next requirement is to open an account with it.
  • Credit unions are federally insured or protected by National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF).
  • They consist of an upper management body which formulates strategies, makes policies and so on. This board generally comprises of elected volunteers.
  • Service precedes profitability in credit unions and this is the reason for which they offer competitive rates for their services and products.
  • Most credit unions offer savings and loan accounts to their members along with other additional products and services.
  • Credit unions provide services such as Checking Accounts, ATM Cards, Credit Cards, Auto Loans, Payroll Deduction, Direct Deposit, Notary Service, Mastercard Cash Advance, On-Line Access, Mastercard Gift Cards, Wire Transfer, ACH Origination, Bill Pay etc.
You can become a member of Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union to avail the services offered. For more information, visit at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542. You can also call at (254) 690 – 2274.

Comments are closed
GCTFCU Blog | Home Loan: Pitfalls To Avoid
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Home Loan: Pitfalls To Avoid

Getting a home loan approval lends a sense of relief to the buyers. However, the excitement of buying a new home can sometimes lead to unwise financial choices that might not be beneficial for you in the longer run. Being realistic in your approach and knowing how much you can afford can help in making a well-informed decision. Stay within your budget because you will need to repay the loan along with the specified rate of interest. Do consider your total repayments before applying for a home loan.

Listed below are some common home loan pitfalls you must avoid:

  • Getting lured by offers from financial institutions: It is always advisable to take into account the overall cost of home loan before getting lured by the offers from the lenders. These freebies could be in the form of a discount in documentation charges or waiver in the first installment. Although this may save a few dollars in the beginning, it will make your home loan costlier in the longer run. Hence, get a home loan from a credit union that offers a low rate of interest.
  • Not considering all the options: It is not good to make any decision regarding the home loan in a hurry. Get in touch with multiple credit unions in Killeen, TX to get detailed information about the available home loan plans. Do not borrow more than what you can afford to pay back and consider all the documentation fees as well as other processing charges to know the exact cost of the loan.
  • Switching between loan terms: You must not switch the home loan once you have borrowed it from a credit union. At the beginning of the loan term, you may have to deal with a lot of expenses such as legal fees, establishment fees and insurance. Switching the loan plan means paying these charges all over again which can eventually put a huge burden on your finances.
  • Miscalculating the overall interest cost: Make sure the credit union offers a home loan with a consistent rate of interest through the entire period of loan. You should calculate the overall interest payments to be made during the loan tenure to minimize your financial encumbrances.
Visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union if you are looking for a home loan in Killeen, TX. We offer a wide range of loan plans with low interest rates and easy repayment options. For more information, call at (254) 690 – 2274 or visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX  76542.
Comments are closed