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

Steps To Open A Credit Union Savings Account

A savings account is an important financial tool that assists the account owners in managing their financial goals in an effective manner. The interest earned on a savings account makes it a preferred way of saving funds. It also allows the account owners in availing the benefits of a variety of account services such as automated payments, direct deposit, etc.

Credit unions are a popular choice among people considering to open a savings account. Some common reasons behind this choice are higher interest rates, variety of account services, better member services, etc.

Here is a list of steps required to open a savings account at a credit union:

Check Eligibility: Every credit union has some eligibility criteria for members. Common eligibility criteria include area of living, profession, place of work, etc. For example, Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union requires a person to live, work or worship within the portion of Bell County, Texas, west of Interstate 35. So, before opening a savings account in a credit union, it is important to check the eligibility for becoming its member.

Choose An Account Type: A credit union offers a wide variety of savings accounts to its members. Some common types of savings accounts include Share Savings Account, Money Market Accounts, Christmas Club, Vacation Club, Certificates of Deposit, and Individual Retirement Account. Ask the credit union staff about the features of every savings account type to choose an account type that meets your needs. Points to consider include:

  • Interest Rate
  • Minimum Balance
  • Monthly Fees
  • Account Services
Fill The Application: Ask the staff about the application process, opening balance and required documents. Provide the details required in the application. Credit unions may require identification proofs such as original Social Security Number and a picture id. Complete the application and recheck the filled information before submitting the application.

Make The Deposit: The credit union verifies the documents and application details. Once the details are verified, make the opening deposit as per the account requirements.

Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers a variety of savings accounts to its members. The staff helps the members in choosing a suitable account type and understanding the application process. For more details on steps to open a savings account in a credit union, visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX - 76542. You can also call at (254) 690 – 2274.
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GCTFCU Blog | Improving Your Credit Score
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Improving Your Credit Score

Good credit score helps in qualifying for loans, better deals on car insurance, getting credit cards at favorable terms and more. Many factors like payment history of loans and credit cards, amount of revolving credit used, balances in one’s bank accounts, frequency of applying for credit, types of accounts, etc. affect the credit score.

Following are some tips for improving credit scores:

  • Use Online Tools To Keep A Tab On Your Credit Score: The first step towards improving your credit score is to check your status. You may use free online tools as they can help you in checking your current score and also provide insights about the factors affecting credit score. This information will help in formulating a plan for credit score improvement.
  • Create A Plan: After studying your credit report thoroughly, formulate an action plan to make possible improvements. You should aim to keep your credit card balance and revolving credit low.
  • Set Up Payment Reminders And Automatic Payments: Avoid late payments by setting up due date alerts. Also, you can set up automatic payments as per the schedule of your pay check.
  • Maintain A Low Credit Utilization Ratio: Credit utilization ratio is calculated by adding all credit card balances and dividing the amount by the total credit limit. A low credit utilization ratio is indicative of a good credit score and implies that you are managing your credit well.
  • Avoid Unnecessary Credit Accounts: It is advisable to avoid opening new credit accounts as unnecessary credit may lead to overspending & accumulated debt. This may negatively affect your credit score. You should open new credit accounts in unavoidable circumstances only. Applying for new credit may harm your credit score as it results into multiple inquiries on your credit report.
  • Keep Unused Credit Cards Open: Closing credit cards increase credit utilization ratio which has a negative impact on your credit score. 
  • Create An Emergency Fund: Build an emergency fund to ensure that you meet your debt obligations on time even during dry financial periods. You may utilize this fund, if needed instead of applying for a credit.
Improving credit score requires diligent planning and dedication over time but eventually brings about many financial benefits & provides more opportunities to achieve bigger financial goals.

Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that operates for the common benefit of its member and offers an array of services. For more information, visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX -76542 or call at (254) 690-2274.

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