Once you decide to buy a car, the first question that is likely to pop in your mind is what the best loan option for you is. With a number of institutions offering auto loans, you need to smartly evaluate your options, and ensure that you settle for the best possible deal. For most people, these options boil down to two options- banks and credit unions, and that is where the age-old dilemma begins. If you are confused by this dilemma, and aren't sure which of these institutions is right for you, we will tell you how credit unions are a better option than banks for auto loans.

• Lower rates of interest- The interest rate that you get as a borrower is the prime consideration that needs to be made while applying for an auto loan. Credit unions have always offered favorable interest rates, which are significantly lower when compared to those at banks. Lower interest rates translate into lower monthly payments. This is because credit unions function as non-profit organizations. In fact, along with the low interest rates, credit unions also charge a lower fee for loan applications.
• Utmost customer convenience- A credit union works for the benefit of the community, and being a member of a credit union, you can be assured of getting the best service at each step of your loan application. You are spared from all the red tape and elaborate paper work that goes into applying for an auto loan at a bank. You get to talk to a real person, receive a speedy response, and in case of rejection are offered with a clear explanation of why you cannot receive the loan.
• Shorter loans- By applying for an auto loan at a credit union, you can repay your loan much faster than in case of a conventional bank loan. This is because of the low interest rates, which reduce the total payment that you need to make.
• Not-for-profit model- The not-for-profit model of credit unions works greatly in favor of the borrowers, since it eliminates the possibility of hidden costs and divided profits among shareholders. As a credit union member, you are essentially a shareholder, which means that every little profit to the organization, whether in the form of hidden fees or service charges, will come back to you as lower interest rates.

For cheap auto loans in Central Texas, visit us at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. We are located at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542. We can also be contacted at 254-690-2274.

• Short term loan: A short term loan is usually for less than 3 years and is a good option if you want to save money in the long run. A smaller duration implies low interest rate and less amount repaid at the end of the loan tenure. However, you may need to pay more in terms of monthly repayments.

• Long term loan: These can be defined as the loans that last for more than 3 years. These are generally preferred by borrowers who want to pay low monthly payments, despite of the fact that they end up paying more as the interest. Long term loans can either be secured or unsecured.

• Age: The age of the borrower has a major influence on loan term that he may be eligible for. Whether you are getting a loan from a bank or credit union in Killeen, make sure you inquire about any specific age criterion that they may have. Most lenders do not provide loan term loan to individuals who are nearing their retirement or have already exceeded that age. In such cases, you can either opt for a short term loan or inquire if you can allot a younger applicant to make the remaining payments post your retirement.

• Your income: Your income is also an important factor in determining the amount of loan repayments you can conveniently afford every month. To select the most suitable loan tenure, keep in mind your total income from all sources and the financial liabilities you have to bear, i.e., insurance payments, kids’ education, home rent etc. Therefore, you should choose a plan that allows you to easily pay off the loan in the minimum time period while retaining sufficient savings for unexpected circumstances, such as a medical emergency.

• Amount of loan required: The higher amount of money you borrow, more will be your monthly installments and interest payments. Hence, you should try to apply for a smaller loan so that you can pay the least amount of money at the end of the loan tenure. This way, you will not only be able to pay off the loan early, but also make considerable savings on interest payments.

• Rate of interest: Comparing the interest rate quoted by the credit union is also important while deciding on the loan term. Depending upon whether you are opting for a variable or fixed interest rate, your overall loan payments may vary. For variable interest loans, you may have to pay higher monthly installments in case of a long term loan. This may be due to the fluctuations in the market rate over the span of years. Short term loans, however, may not be affected much in this case.