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

Why Credit Unions Are Important For The Community

The choice of banking institution preferred by people has a direct impact on the local community. The way credit unions operate and the fact that they strive to give back to the community in one way or another makes them a good choice. Below are some of the ways in which credit unions benefit communities:

  • Credit Unions Do Not Operate For Profits: Credit unions are non-profit institutions that are focused on providing affordable financial services to their members instead of lone purpose of making profits. The profits earned by credit unions are given back to the community in the form of dividends, low fee for various services, lower rates on loans and higher interest rates on savings. Credit unions invest their capital back in the community to support home equity loans, car loans, home loans, business loans and more at competitive rates.
  • Lower APR Loans: People can benefit from low APR loans offered by credit unions. It helps low-income members of the community in achieving their financial goals.
  • Financial Security: Credit unions provide financial security as they are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Members are protected from losses on their savings accounts and share draft products.
  • Equal Rights: Created by members for members, credit unions do not discriminate amongst its members. Every member enjoys equal voting rights for important decisions like choosing board members of the credit union. Decisions made by members of credit unions in higher positions are focused on the benefits of all other members.
  • A Variety Of Services: Credit unions offer a variety of services such as online payment of bills, 24 hour account access, payroll deduction, notary service, free and unlimited check writing, ATMs, regular share savings accounts, MasterCard gift cards, MasterCard cash advance, IRAs, Share Certificates of Deposits, Club accounts, overdraft protection plans and more.
  • Community Involvement: Credit unions foster a spirit of community involvement by organizing programs and events for community welfare. Members and non-members are encouraged to participate in these events & programs and the money raised through such events is used for a noble cause.
  • Spread Financial Literacy: Credit unions organize special events aimed at teaching financial skills such as saving, budgeting, good spending habits and investing to members of the community. Some credit unions even organize fairs at schools in the community to provide real life financial management guidance to students. They are trained and counselled to understand financial matters.
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers financial services like low interest auto loans, used car loans, savings accounts, checking accounts, etc. to its members. For more information on credit unions in Texas, call at (254) 690 – 2274. You can also visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX – 76542.

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GCTFCU Blog | Applying For A Home Loan In Killeen, Texas
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Applying For A Home Loan In Killeen, Texas

Whenever you are planning to buy your dream home in Killeen, TX and applying for a mortgage, the most important thing that you need to focus on is your budget. You must know how much monthly installments you can afford to pay. In addition to the EMIs, some other costs are also included in the home buying process. This may comprise the closing costs, credit report fees, home appraisals, application fees, taxes, title transfer fees etc. Therefore, you need to take all factors into account before applying for a home loan.

Below are some tips that can be utilized when you are going to submit a loan application at a credit union:

  • Save money: The terms and conditions for getting a home loan approval keep on changing from time to time. Therefore, if you are planning to apply for a home loan, make sure you have enough cash reserve. You may need to pay the down payment right away once your loan is approved.
  • Get pre-qualified: Knowing how much you can afford is a key step in getting pre-qualified for a loan. Your lender may ask questions pertaining to your monthly income, estimated down payment and the assets you own. Pre-qualification helps in determining your borrowing capacity but it does not guarantee an approval for your loan.
  • Get pre-approved: In order to get pre-approved for a housing loan, you need to submit your recent bank statements, proof of income, and income tax return papers along with employment information. This will help your lender in cross-checking if you have sufficient funds to repay the loan amount.
  • Compare housing loan rates: Compare the various housing loan rates being offered by different credit unions to select the most suitable plan. Most of the credit unions in Killeen offer flexible loan terms thereby making it easier for customers to get approval.
  • Know your credit score: It is important to review your credit score before applying for a home loan. This is a critical factor in deciding your eligibility for a home loan. Also, it is imperative to pay all your bills on time, lower your debts and have a good credit report.
We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, offer affordable home loans in Killeen, TX. For more information, you can call at (254) 690 – 2274 or visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX  76542.
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GCTFCU Blog | Eligibility For Home Loan In Killeen, TX
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Eligibility For Home Loan In Killeen, TX

A home loan is a perfect way to purchase your dream house in Killeen, TX. However, before applying for a loan from a credit union or any other financial institution, it is important to know whether you are eligible for the same or not. It will help you save time and simplify the home loan process.

Listed below are some eligibility criterion set by most financial institutions in order to apply for a home loan in Killeen:

  • Age:  Age is an important consideration for home loan approval. Younger people are more likely to get a loan as compared to those who are nearing retirement.
  • Source of income: Your source of income along with its stability is an important factor taken into account by a credit union. For instance, having a salaried job can fetch you a higher loan amount because of your job stability.
  • Additional debts: If you have an existing loan repayment, it can affect your chances of getting a home loan from credit union. It is better to pay off all your smaller loans (if any) before applying for a home loan. Additionally, having a good repayment history may also increase your chances of getting a home loan.
  • Proof of income: You will be required to show at least three of your recent pay slips to your lender. If not, you may be asked to submit a letter from your employer which states your annual salary. In case you are self-employed, you may be asked to provide the financial accounts for the past two years.
  • Debt to income ratio (DTI): Your debt to income ratio is another factor considered by a credit union before approving a home loan. It is basically a measure of your ability to manage monthly payments and repay debts as well. DTI is calculated by dividing total recurring monthly debt by gross monthly income. You should calculate it prior to deciding how much loan you want.
  • Credit score: Having a good credit score increases your chances of getting a home loan approved easily. Therefore, it will be beneficial if you maintain a decent credit score by paying all your installments and loans on time.
We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, offer affordable and convenient home loans to our members in Killeen, TX. To know more about our services, feel free to call us at (254) 690 – 2274 or visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX  76542.
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GCTFCU Blog | All posts tagged 'Money Management '
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

How To Manage Money?



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GCTFCU Blog | Online Services Offered By A Credit Union in Killeen
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Online Services Offered By A Credit Union in Killeen

Along with financial assistance and lending opportunities, credit unions are committed towards providing a variety of services for the convenience of their members. With the advent of internet technology, credit unions are making progress by offering a variety of useful online services to save time and help members keep a tab on their financial status.

Online services offered by credit unions like Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union in Killeen are:

  • Checking: The online checking accounts make it easier for members to conveniently manage their financial affairs on a day-to-day basis. Credit unions require a minimum daily balance to be maintained in the account and also charge a nominal monthly fee. However, there are no transaction charges. Members can sign up for E-Statements even with low minimum daily balance. They are also offered a free Debit Card and Overdraft Protection.
  • Savings: Credit unions offer online access to savings accounts such as a Share Account, Money Market Accounts, Vacation Club, Christmas Account, Certificates of Deposit and IRAs. To open any of these accounts, members are required to present 2 types of identification proofs i.e. social security card and a recent picture ID. In addition to this, a nominal amount is usually charged for opening the account.
  • IRA: Credit union members can opt for a Variable Rate Traditional or Roth IRAs. IRAs are beneficial for youngsters who are starting a career, couples, growing families and retired members. Online services have simplified the process of starting an IRA in a credit union or transferring an existing one to it.

Other Services Offered By Credit Unions
  • Payroll Deduction
  • MasterCard Cash Advance
  • Wire Transfer
  • Direct Deposit
  • ATM
  • Bill Pay
  • Regular Share Savings Account
  • Checking Accounts
  • Share Certificates of Deposit
  • Loan Services: New and Pre-Owned Vehicle Loans

Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers a variety of online services to its members in Killeen. The online services include Checking Account, Savings Account and IRA. For further details on online services offered by credit union, visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX – 76542. You can also call at: (254) 690 – 2274.

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