A credit union car loan can save you a lot of money in interest and fees on your next new or used car purchase. Credit unions generally offer much lower interest rates than either banks or finance companies. Also, credit union members generally pay reduced fees or costs associated with a loan application or loan documentation.

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If you’re already a member of a credit union, you probably already know your local credit union’s requirements for applying for a new or used car loan. However, if you’re not a member of a credit union, and you’re thinking of becoming one, you should probably be aware of some general requirements for getting a car loan.

Membership Required

Credit unions only make car loans to members. Credit unions are member-owned cooperatives that cater to a specific group or cross-section of individuals. While membership requirements for credit unions vary, all credit unions do have specific criteria for membership.

Common criteria for membership in credit unions might include: working for a specific company or government agency; membership of a specific group or organization; being a member of a certain ethnic group or residing in a certain location or municipality.

Although requirements for credit union membership can be confusing, almost everyone is eligible for membership in one credit union or another.

The Positive Side of Credit Union Car Loans with Good Credit

Although credit unions offer fantastic interest rates and terms on their new and used car loans, they don’t make them available to everyone — not even to all of their members. Credit unions are generally much smaller and have far fewer financial resources than do most commercial banks. Therefore, they must invest their members’ deposits and savings wisely.

Credit unions usually require that members demonstrate considerable creditworthiness before they will approve a car loan application. This is the trade-off for the very low-interest rates they offer in their automobile loan packages.

In addition to the credit union’s specific requirements outlined above, credit unions require the same types of assurances and documentation that commercial banks do. This is concerning the approval of auto loan applications. Just as commercial banks do, credit unions require certain level credit scores and credit histories, an acceptable debt to income ratio, and evidence of the ability to repay the debt.

Credit Unions

Certain credit unions may have even more stringent criteria and requirements for the approval of car loan applications. You should visit your local credit union and speak with a credit union loan officer to get more details concerning their specific requirements for a new or used car loan.

Credit union car loans can help you save a lot of money versus loans from a conventional bank or finance company; however, they are not for everyone.

How to Find Credit Union Car Loans

Finding a credit union car loan starts with finding a credit union. To borrow you must be a member, but it’s a wise choice since credit unions offer something many large banks cannot: local accountability.

• If you don’t belong to a credit union it might be wise to look for one.

You can find a credit union by going to the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) website. It will give you information about credit unions in your area and about obtaining a car loan from one of them.

• Most credit unions are membership-based.

The way you get in is if your employer or union has an affiliated credit union. If not, some credit unions will allow family members to join so check with the family to see if they belong to a credit union. You can look up credit unions in the local phone book and call to see what their qualifications for membership are. Once you’ve settled on a credit union, use the following steps to get the best rate on your loan:

• Figure out your budget.

Decide what you can afford before you attempt to finance any car purchase. Knowing this upfront will help you avoid overspending by taking on an unnecessarily or unsustainable high monthly payment.

• Obtain your credit score.

The credit union will access your credit score, but it can’t hurt for you to gather the information yourself. At worst, it will ease the blow of being rejected. At best, it gives you a bargaining chip you can use later with the financing. You can go online for a free credit report. Make sure the report is accurate. Obtaining your credit report before obtaining a loan will allow you the opportunity to correct any inaccuracies before starting the loan process.

• Apply for an auto loan.

At the credit union, fill out the auto loan application. You will have to wait until it’s processed, but use the time researching different makes and models of potential purchases.

• Pick your car.

Choose a dealer and pick the car you would like to purchase. It should fit within your budget and provide everything you need it to do.

• Negotiate your purchase price.

Don’t be lured into negotiating the monthly payment. Your aim should be a lower purchase price, for if that is taken care of, the monthly payment will be lower.

After that, it’s a matter of ensuring the vehicle and driving away pleased with your purchase. Do the homework necessary to create the best opportunity for a credit union car loan and auto refinance options.

Advantages of Credit Union Car Loans

Besides the low-interest rates offered, credit unions offer maximum convenience and instantaneous response to various credit needs. There are no steep organizational levels that require approval from each office or branch, such as in banks and large financial institutions. Service is also more straightforward and loan status could easily be inquired.

Be mindful that not all services offered by banks are made available by credit unions. Determine the type of loans granted by a particular union before seeking membership. A quick look at online sites will give you an idea of a particular credit union in your area.

In this day and age of convergence, financial assistance is not limited to large banks and giant financial companies. An affordable loan could be made available to a local credit union near you.

Bank vs. Credit Union Auto Loans

If you are in the market for a new or used vehicle and need help with your car finance, be sure to examine credit union car loans before going straight to your bank for assistance. With so many loan options and auto loan lenders to choose from, it can be easy to make the mistake of assuming that they are all more or less the same.

First, it is important to understand the difference between a commercial bank and a credit union. Banks are owned by shareholders and work towards increasing the profits of their shareholders. On the other hand, credit unions are non-profit organizations and are owned by members of their union. So when you join a credit union you are essentially buying a small stake of a bank with your return on investment being lower interest rates.

Lower Credit Union Car Loan Rates

Lower car loan rates are probably the biggest incentive to borrow from a credit union as opposed to a bank. If you have all of your credit transactions consolidated with one bank, they may be able to offer you a better rate, but in general credit unions have lower interest rates across the board. Banks will sometimes try to convince you that borrowing from a credit union is risky due to the lack of FDIC protection. However, many credit unions are covered by FDIC, and all one needs to do to find out is call the credit union in question and ask if they are insured.

Another reason why some people choose to borrow from a credit union is that of the personalized service they can offer. If you are banking with a large commercial bank. It is likely that you will have to deal with 1-800 numbers, and sometimes poorly informed customer service reps. since credit unions are smaller.

They tend to be friendlier to their customers and have fewer employees at your service. One of the downsides of choosing a credit union? They typically have fewer automatic banking options than a large commercial bank would offer you. So if this is important for you, you may want to stay with your bank.

Lenient and Friendly

Credit unions are known for being more lenient and friendly with first-time car buyers. So, if you are looking to build up your credit? Then this could be a good place to start! Certain factors such as your credit rating, the amount you are willing to pay on a down payment, the vehicle in question’s age and mileage, and your employment stability will all factor into what kind of deals you can get. Credit union loans are a valid option and should be considered before simply settling on borrowing from your bank.

Rates to Expect Based on Credit Scores

If you belong to a credit union, car loans may be much easier and more attractive than you are aware of. Credit union credos say they are not for profit, that they exist to serve their members.

Easily Obtained Credit Union Loans

Credit union members are typically able to get credit products such as auto loans with bad credit much easier than at regular banks or other lenders. This is because one of the main functions of a credit union is to provide favorable loans to members by the pooling of the resources of all members of the credit union.

More Attractive Rates

Loan rates for credit union car loans will typically be lower than at more traditional lenders. Again, this is because credit unions are in existence to serve their members, not make a profit. The pooling of members’ resources makes extending lower rate loans possible. The best car financing options available will likely come from a credit union.

Join and Sign Papers Same Day

Most credit unions don’t have a waiting period between when you become a member. And, when you will be able to take advantage of the enhanced benefits of being a member. What does this mean? It is that as soon as you become a member, you can also obtain financing from the credit union, usually without talking to different people as in a regular commercial bank.

More Forgiving of Past Bad Credit

Because most credit unions service a particular group of people (employees of a certain company or city, residents of a given geographical area, city/county, etc) and because their purpose, again, is to serve the needs of their members by way of the pooling of all members’ resources, they’re going to be a bit more forgiving about negative or derogatory credit remarks.

Credit unions set up for employees of a given company will know that maybe that missed credit card payment occurred at the same time the company had to cut way back on hours, whereas a typical lender isn’t going to care.

Typical New Auto Loan Rates

Typical car loan rates through credit unions can range from 4-9 percent. Many institutions offer lower promotional fixed and variable rates. Some credit union loans allow financing for up to 7 years. Thus, making monthly repayments low as well as bringing the affordability of a higher-priced car within reach.

Because credit unions are member-owned and not for profit, they can afford to give lower rates than ‘traditional’ providers of bad credit auto loans.

Below are average rates for sixty-month loans on new cars, based on general credit score ranking.

• Very good credit. This credit rating will earn you an average rate of 3.70 percent
• Good credit. If your credit is good, you can expect to pay an average of 4.0 to 4.3 percent
• Moderate credit. You’re going to pay between 4.5 percent and 5.5 percent
• Poor credit score. Between 5.6 and 6.5 percent will be your rate here
• Very poor credit. Up to eight percent will be your rate

If you’re eligible for credit union membership, and most Americans are, you’d be able to save a considerable amount of money on your next car loan by getting one through a credit union instead of a ‘traditional’ lender.

Conclusion

Searching for where to get a car loan? Not a credit union member? Why not join your local or workplace credit union today?

Or if you can’t remember the last time you used your local credit union, that’s also no problem. Credit unions just love to see old friends returning. Just contact your local credit union to find out how to reactivate your account. Isn’t it time you joined a credit union?