Everyone wants something a little different in a car. Whether you need something a bit more reliable for your road trips or just want to make your commute a bit more enjoyable, we’ll help you find the right car and get the right loan to make it affordable. Get information about cars through CARFAX® to ensure that you’re getting a great vehicle. Buy on site at any of our more than 100
Authorized Alabama Dealers. Check out our ratesLow rates. Generous terms. Reasonable payments. That’s our AmFirst promise. View All Rates We Work with Local DealersWe have relationships with over 100 Alabama car dealerships to make the process of getting your new vehicle even easier. These local dealers can help you purchase your vehicle and complete your AmFirst loan documents on the spot with the same rates and terms that we offer in our branches. Protection We OfferWhether you're looking to protect your assets or make sure you're covered if your vehicle breaks down, we can help. Gain peace of mind knowing that American First Credit Union has gone the extra mile to help keep you and your family financially secure. We partner with TruStage™ to offer extra insurance coverage at special pricing to protect your vehicles and more. Major Mechanical Protection (MMP) provides borrowers coverage when their vehicle breaks down. MMP helps extend the life of their vehicle and, oftentimes, pays for itself with one repair. Contact us to learn more. Pays the difference between what you owe on your vehicle and what your insurance will pay if it is totaled or stolen. And, if you choose this coverage and need to use it, we will give you $1,000 towards your next purchase if you finance with American First. GAP Coverage is available for all vehicle loans at American First within 30 days of purchase. Contact a representative to learn more. Avoid financial delinquency, default, or foreclosure if a protected life event occurs. Available for credit cards, personal loans, and vehicle loans. *Your purchase of AFCU Debt Protection, Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) and Major Mechanical Protection (MMP) are optional and will not affect your application for credit or the terms of any credit agreement required to obtain a loan. Certain eligibility requirements, conditions and exclusions may apply. Please contact your Loan Representative or refer to the Loan Agreement for a full explanation of the terms of Debt Protection. Products are not NCUA/NCUSIF or otherwise federally insured, are not guarantees or obligations of the credit union, and may involve investment risk including possible loss of principal. Follow these tips to protect yourself: Check the seller’s phone numberIf you find the listing on craigslist or in an internet classified ad, do an online search for the phone number to see if it is linked to other car ads. If the seller is selling multiple cars, that might be a red flag. Some people will try to sell vehicles they do not own. Ask about the carDon’t say too much—be purposefully vague and just ask about “the car” without giving any details. If the seller responds with “Which car?”, you’ll know that he or she has multiple cars for sale. Once again, this could mean they are trying to curbstone you, or sell you a car that isn’t theirs. Get an inspection and a written repair estimateHave the car inspected by a mechanic before you buy it. If you don’t have a mechanic, Google and Yelp are good places to read reviews of local shops. It’s a smart investment—a pre-purchase inspection costs about $100 and can alert you to problems you may not find yourself. Get a vehicle history reportAutoCheck and CARFAX are the two best-known sources for vehicle history reports. These reports can reveal vital information about the car, including whether the odometer has been rolled back or if it has been in an accident. Use the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) to get this information. Transfer the warrantySee if any manufacturer’s warranty is left on the car that could be transferred to you. A used car that is only a couple of years old, or that has low mileage, may still be covered. Ask to see the driver’s license and titleYou should always ask to see the seller’s driver’s license to see if it matches the name and address on the car’s title. If the person’s name on the title is different from the name of the person selling it to you, that’s another red flag. Be wary of fictitious friends and familyUnlicensed dealers often use family and friends as part of their sales pitch. They may pretend that it’s their friend’s car, their mother’s car or “my Uncle Dave’s car.” If the seller tells you that he is selling it for a friend or relative, be extra cautious. File a complaintIf something does go wrong, file a complaint with your local office of consumer affairs, the Motor Vehicle Administration or state department of motor vehicles, and the state Attorney General’s Office. ________________ Buying a car privately can be a good way to save money on the car you want. By following these tips, you’ll avoid falling prey to curbstoning. Whether you are buying a car privately or from a dealer, credit unions are often an overlooked source of legitimate and affordable auto financing. Many people make a mistake in thinking that they can’t get a loan to buy a better car, so they end up settling for less. Who is America First Credit Union insured by?The funds deposited in your America First Credit Union Accounts are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), an arm of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). They insure your regular share accounts up to $250,000 and your IRA account is separately insured up to $250,000.
Does America First have a grace period?The grace period is ten days. Payments made more than 10 days after the loan due date are subject to a late fee. If I'm approved for a loan, how long do I have before the approval expires? Your approval is good for 60 days from the day of the application commencement date.
Can I get a car loan without knowing what car I want?“You do not need to know what car you will be buying to get approved for a car loan. This process is called pre-approval. All you need to know is about how much you want to spend on a car. Once you have pre-approval from your bank, you can go to the dealer and negotiate the price of your favorite car.
Is America First a good bank?America's First is a full-service credit union with a 5-star “superior” rating from BauerFinancial, a nationally recognized rating agency for banks and credit unions. All of our share saving and checking accounts are insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
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