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

Reasons To Borrow Secured Loan

Secured loans, also referred to as collateral loans are backed by an asset (usually a home or car) that is pledged as security to the lender. You can also get a secured loan against your savings account, a certificate of deposit or anything of value. In case the borrower is unable to return the loan, the lender has the right to take possession of the collateral and sell it to compensate for the unpaid amount. Lenders often seek collateral that is of a greater value than the amount of loan.

Common types of secured loans are mortgages, secured credit cards, secured personal loans and home equity loans. Secured loans offer numerous benefits to the borrower, some of which are listed below:

  • Enhances Credit Rating: Secured loans are easy to acquire even if the borrower’s credit rating is low. However, a borrower can work towards building his credit score over time by making timely payments towards his secured loan.
  • Lower Interest Rates: Another major reason for borrowing secured loans is their rate of interest. Since the loans are secured with a collateral, lenders feel more confident and may disperse loans at lower interest rates.  
  • Flexible Terms: Borrowers who avail secured loans enjoy flexible repayment terms. A consumer can choose a repayment schedule that suits his financial circumstances. The repayment terms may be as long as 30 years. Lenders offer longer terms because real estate pledged as security, usually appreciates over time and this adds to the value of collateral while the loan is being repaid.
  • Usage: Secured loans can be used for a variety of purposes provided the purpose is legally valid. A consumer can use the money for investing, home improvement, weddings, funeral expenses, moving expenses, etc.
  • Larger Loans: With secured loans, borrowers enjoy the benefit of being able to borrow larger amount of money for a longer duration. This is because of collateral in the form of tangible assets guaranteed to the lender by the borrower. Lenders know that if for any reason the borrower defaults to pay back the loan amount, collateral can be sold to recover the unpaid amount of loan.
  • Easy To Acquire: The main requirement for a secured loan is collateral. Thus, if you have collateral in the form of a valuable asset such as a piece of real estate, a car, precious jewelry, a house or deposited cash, you can easily acquire a secured loan.
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers affordable secured loans to its members in Killeen. The loan officers at the credit union help the members in choosing loan amount and terms as per their financial situation. To know more about secured loans in Killeen, call at (254) 690 – 2274 or visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX - 76542.

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GCTFCU Blog | Important Questions To Ask When Getting A Car Loan
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Important Questions To Ask When Getting A Car Loan

When you are looking to get an auto loan, it is important to go to multiple lenders as each will offer different mortgage products. In order to get the best finance deal for your car, make sure you ask lots of questions. The questions could range from simple ones such as what model of the car to buy and go on to complex ones such as credit history etc.

Below is a list of certain important questions that you need to ask when getting a car loan:

Q: How much can I afford?
Getting a new car can be a great addition to your assets. However, you need to sort out your finances well in advance before embarking on this purchase. Take a good look at your monthly expenses and other loan repayment amounts before arriving at the decision of buying a new car. Make a detailed list of your monthly budget and think how you are going to cut off unnecessary expenses in case you buy a new car.

Q: What interest rate I need to pay?
Every credit union will offer you varied rates of interest that can change on a daily basis. However, one of the most important deciding factors for concluding the interest rate that you will be offered is credit history. All the loan options and fees will be decided based on your credit score. Apart from this, there are many other factors such as loan term, the model of the car you are buying and down payment are also taken into consideration while finalizing the interest rate.

Q: Are there any penalties on my loan?

Before getting an auto loan, you need to confirm from the credit union if repaying your loan earlier than the stipulated time period can fetch you some penalty. Also, make sure you ask about any extra charges or fees that you may have to incur during your loan term. It is important to be clear about any hidden charges so that you are not taken aback by any surprise later on.

Q: Should I opt for fixed or variable rate of interest?
 If you opt for a car loan with a fixed rate of interest, your repayment amount as well as interest rate will remain constant throughout the loan term. On the other hand, a variable rate of interest will keep on changing making your repayment amount increase or decrease during the loan term. This can affect your budget as you will not know what rate of interest you will be required to pay every month. Depending on your financial situation, choose a suitable option.

Q: Do I need extra protection apart from insurance?
It is important to have car insurance if you want to legally become the owner of a vehicle. However, it is up to you to decide if you want to have comprehensive car insurance to add more protection. It is best to talk to your lender and discuss your insurance requirements.

Apply for cheap car insurance at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. To know more about the financial services provided, feel free to call at (254) 690 – 2274.
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