Loan Questions
Credit Card Questions
General Credit Questions

Loan Questions
How can I obtain a loan from TexasOne Community Credit Union?
What types of loans do you offer?
What factors affect my loan interest rates?
How much can I borrow?
Who will see my loan application?
How secure is my online loan application?
How soon will I know if my loan has been approved?
What if I am not approved?
Do I need to re-apply for a higher amount?
How does a “Pre-approval” work?
I want to purchase a vehicle from a private party.  What do I do?
Are there any penalties if I pre-pay my loan?
How do I obtain information about my existing loan?
Can I set up automatic payments on my existing loans?
Are there any insurance requirements on my loans?
How do I make payments on my loans?

How can I obtain a loan from TexasOne Community Credit Union?
TexasOne Community Credit Union makes loans for almost any purpose.  We try to make it as easy as possible to apply for a loan.  Members can apply for a loan in any of the following ways:

• Visit any of our 5 full service branches.  Be sure to bring along your driver’s license and proof of income (tax forms, W-2, or recent paycheck stubs).  Click here for locations.

• Call our office at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978 to speak with a Financial Services Representative,

• Download, print, and fax a loan application, along with a copy of your driver’s license and proof of income, to a Financial Services Representative at (713) 460-1654.

• Click here to apply online.  Online applications are not available for real estate secured, shares secured, and credit card loans.

To apply for a loan with TexasOne Community Credit Union, you must be at least 18 years of age.  All loan applications require valid photo identification and proof of income.  Loans are granted based on creditworthiness.  TexasOne Community Credit Union is an Equal Opportunity Lender, and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, age (as long as you are of age to enter a legal contract), marital status, or any other prohibited factor.

What types of loans do you offer?
TexasOne Community Credit Union offers loans for the following purposes:

• Personal uses
• Overdraft Protection
• Credit Cards
• New and used automobiles
• New and used boats and personal watercraft
• New and used motorcycles and ATV’s
• New and used recreational vehicles
• New and used tractors and farm implements
• New and used mobile homes
• Real estate purchase and equity
• Home Equity Loans (within Harris and the surrounding counties)
• Home Improvement Loans (within Harris and the surrounding  counties

What factors affect my loan interest rates?
There are three factors which affect the loan interest rate you may receive:

• Your personal credit quality based on your history of repaying various debt obligations as reported to a national credit repository (credit bureau), quantified as a “credit score.”
• The term of your loan.  Longer terms carry higher interest rates.
• Your relationships with the credit union.  Relationship discounts may apply.  Speak with your Financial Services Representative to find out which discounts you qualify for.

Click here to access your personal credit history and credit score estimate through TrueCredit, a subsidiary of TransUnion Corporation, one of the most widely recognized consumer credit repositories in the U.S.  Please remember that TexasOne Community Credit Union will still request it’s own copy of your credit file when you submit your loan application.  Also, the score you may obtain directly from any credit repository may differ from the score obtained when the credit union requests your report.

How much can I borrow?
TexasOne Community Credit Union offers unsecured loans up to $10,000, and secured loans up to $150,000.  The amount you are eligible to borrow is based upon your individual creditworthiness and ability to repay.

Who will see my loan application?
Only our team of Financial Services Representatives will see your loan application.  The personal information you provide us will be stored in our electronic database, as well as in our paper file vault.  Your information will never be sold or shared with any other company not affiliated with the credit union.  Your information may be shared with the credit union’s affiliates in order to offer you special incentives or offers.  Please see our privacy policy for more details.

How secure is my online loan application?
The security of your personal information is of utmost importance to TexasOne Community Credit Union.  To ensure the security of this important data, we use a sophisticated application security system that uses a multi-layer encryption cipher to move data across the internet.  Read our Online Loan Application Security Disclosure for more details.

How soon will I know if my loan has been approved?
TexasOne Community Credit Union strives to provide quick answers to your loan application; however, the time frame depends on your method of application.  For non-real estate loans, when you apply in person at one of our four full-service branch locations, you will receive your loan decision and pre-approval letter (if applicable) before you leave in most cases.  If you apply via telephone or fax, you will be contacted by the next business day.  If you apply online, you may receive a decision in as little as 30 seconds, however, you will receive a response via email no later than the next business day.
For home equity and home improvement loans, you will receive pre-qualification notification by the next business day, however, state laws require certain waiting periods before closing and funding.
If you have any questions or concerns about your loan application, please feel free to call our Financial Services Department at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978.

What if I am not approved?
We strive to approve the majority of applications we receive.  If for some reason, credit is declined, you will be notified as quickly as possible by the most convenient means possible.  If you apply by telephone or fax, you will be notified of the credit union’s decision by telephone.  If you apply online, you will be notified by email.
You will also receive a written notice by U.S. mail.  This notice will include the specific reason(s) for the credit union’s decision, as well as the contact information for any credit reporting agency whose files were reviewed in connection with your application.  You may then contact the credit reporting agency directly for an explanation of your credit history and what actions you can take.

If I need more than I was pre-approved for, do I need to re-apply for a higher amount?
No.  You can simply contact your Financial Services Representative at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978 to make this request.  Our Financial Services Representatives are available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 7:00 am through 4:00 pm, Wednesday from 9:00 am through 4:00 pm, Friday from 7:00 am through 5:00 pm, and Saturday from 8:00 am through 1:00 pm.

How does a “Pre-approval” work?
A pre-approval allows you to walk into a dealership with “cash in hand.”  Your pre-approval letter frees you from the hassles of arranging financing with the dealership.  In many cases, you may even be able to complete the paperwork for your credit union loan at the dealership for extra convenience.  Ask your Financial Services Representative for more details.

I want to purchase a vehicle from a private party.  What do I do?
All vehicles purchased from a seller that is not a dealership are required to be visually inspected at one of the credit union’s four branch offices.  You may apply for this type of loan in person, by telephone, fax, or online, however, the vehicle must be inspected prior to loan funding. 
Furthermore, certain title documentation is also required.  Speak with your Financial Services Representative for more details.

Are there any penalties if I pre-pay my loan?
No, none of the credit union’s loans carry a pre-payment penalty.  You can pay your loan ahead, make principal only payments along with your regular payments, or pay your loan off at any time with no penalty.

How do I obtain information about my existing loan?
You can access a wealth of information about your TexasOne Community Credit Union loan on CU Online or Stars-24.  You can view your balances, payoffs, interest paid, payment due date, and detailed payment history.  If you are unable to locate the information you desire, simply call our offices at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978 to speak with a representative.
If you don’t currently have access to CU Online, click here to enroll.
If you have access to CU Online, but are unable to view your loan accounts, please call our offices at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978 or email us for assistance.

Can I set up automatic payments on my existing loans?
Yes, you can easily set up automatic payments from your credit union savings or checking account by logging on to CU Online, then clicking on the “Transactions” tab, then “Auto Transfers,” and then “Schedule Transfer.”  If you prefer to have the credit union set up the transfers for you, you may either call our offices at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978, or email us your request.
If you prefer to make your payments automatically from another financial institution, simply download our ACH Origination form, complete the form, and fax the completed form to our Accounting Department at (713) 460-1759.  There is no fee for this service.

 Are there any insurance requirements on my loans?
Yes, all collateralized loans with the credit union require the maintenance of full-coverage (dual interest) insurance with comprehensive and collision deductibles of no more than $1,000 each .  This requirement includes all automobile loans, motorcycle loans, boat and personal watercraft loans, tractor loans, and real estate secured loans.  Call our offices at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978 or email us with any questions regarding this policy.

How do I make payments on my loans?
You can make payments on your TexasOne Community Credit Union loans in a variety of ways:

• In person by check, money order, or cash.

• At a Texas Credit Union Service Center or Shared Branch location by check, money order, or cash.  Click here for a location near you.

• Check-by-phone payment by calling our offices at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978.  There is a nominal fee for this service.
• By automatic transfers from your credit union savings or checking account.
• By payroll deductions or direct deposit deductions.

• By Recurring ACH Origination from another financial institution.  Click here to download the ACH Origination form, and then fax the completed form to our Accounting Department at (713) 460-1759.  There is no fee for this service.

• By mail to:

  TexasOne Community Credit Union P. O. Box 41308 Houston, TX  77241-1308

 For more information on any of our available payment methods, or to request payment coupons, please call our office at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978 or email us.

Credit Card Questions
How do I apply for a TexasOne Community Credit Union Credit Card?
How do I pay my credit card bill?
Can I view my credit card account online?
How do I transfer balances to my TexasOne Community Credit Union Credit Card?
How do I report a lost or stolen card?
What do I do if there are unauthorized charges on my card?
How do I increase my credit line?

How do I apply for a TexasOne Community Credit Union Credit Card?
CLICK HERE TO VIEW CREDIT CARD DISCLOSURE
You can apply for a TexasOne Community Credit Union MasterCard Credit Card via the following channels:

• In person at any of our four full-service branch locations.  Please bring along your driver’s license and proof of income (two recent paycheck stubs, tax forms, or W-2).

• Call our office at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978 to have an application mailed to you.

• Download the MasterCard application, print it, complete it in BLUE ink only, and mail the form with original signatures to:

  TexasOne Community Credit Union Attn:  Card Services P. O. Box 41308 Houston, TX  77241-1308

You can pay your TexasOne Community Credit Union Credit Card account in the following ways:

• By mail to the address printed on your billing statement.

• Over the phone using our “E-Z Pay” automated system at (800) 442-4757.

• Via our online credit card account information program within CU Online.

• In person at any of our four full-service branch locations.  There is a $1.00 fee for this service.

• Over the phone by calling the credit union directly at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978.  There is a $1.00 fee for this service.

Can I view my credit card account online?
Yes, viewing your TexasOne Community Credit Union Credit Card account online is easy.  Simply sign on to CU Online and go to the go to the credit card tab.

How do I transfer balances to my TexasOne Community Credit Union Credit Card?
To transfer balances from higher interest rate credit cards to your TexasOne Community Credit Union credit card, simply complete our Balance Transfer Form and fax it to our Card Services Department at (713) 460-1654, or call our office at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978 to request the form.  You may only transfer balances up to your credit line.

How do I report a lost or stolen card?
If you find your credit card lost or stolen, you should immediately call us at

800-442-4757

24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Our Card Services Representatives will verify recent charges with you and prevent any future authorizations against your credit card.

What do I do if there are unauthorized charges on my card?
If you determine that there are unauthorized charges on your credit card statement, simply complete the form on the reverse of your statement and mail it to the correspondence address printed on the statement.  If you prefer to speak with a Card Service Representative, simply call our 24 hour a day Card Services hotline at (800) 442-4757 and our representatives will be happy to assist you.

How do I increase my credit line?
You can request a credit line increase by calling our office at (713) 460-1661 or (800) 998-0978 during our normal weekday business hours of Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:00 am through 4:00 pm, and Wednesday from 9:00 am through 4:00 pm.  You can also request a credit line increase by faxing your request (including your name, your member number or social security number, and the amount you are requesting) to (713) 460-1654, Attn: Card Services.

General Credit Questions
What is a credit score?
How long does negative information remain on my credit report?
Does the credit union report to the credit reporting agencies?
How can I obtain a copy of my credit file?
Why is the score I received directly from the credit bureau different from the score the credit union obtained?
How do I dispute inaccurate information on my credit file?
How can I monitor my credit?
How do I contact the credit reporting agencies?
How can I prevent Identity Theft?

What is a credit score?
A credit score is like a grade on a report card based on your all information contained in your credit file.  Credit scores consist of a sophisticated set of formulas developed by the supplier of the credit score.  Your actual credit score can only be seen by lenders, insurers, and employers to determine if you are a good or bad credit risk.  When an entity requests your credit file and score, the credit reporting agency compiles your credit file and computes your score at that moment in time.  The credit score is basically a snapshot of your risk level based only on the information in your credit file.
There are a number of different scoring models.  By far, the most popular scoring model is the “FICO Model.”  This model is produced by the Fair-Isaacs Corporation (FICO).  This model produces scores which range from 350 and 850, with higher scores equating to lower risk.
All scores are based on your payment history, credit usage, length of credit history, bankruptcies and other public records, and other factors.  Credit scores are never based on factors such as age, race, gender, marital status, nationality, or other prohibited factors.
Click here to read an article about credit scores.

How long does negative information remain on my credit report?
Negative information, like late payments and collection accounts, can generally remain on your credit file for as long as 7 years from the “date of first delinquency” (usually the payment due date).  Bankruptcies and other public records, such as liens and judgments, may stay on your record for 10 years.

 Does the credit union report to the credit reporting agencies?
Yes.  The credit union regularly reports loan and credit card accounts to two of the three national credit reporting agencies:  TransUnion Corporation and Equifax Information Services.  We report both positive and negative information.
Other accounts, such as negative checking and savings accounts may also be reported to the credit reporting agencies, as well as two other consumer reporting agencies:  TeleCheck, Inc., and ChexSystems, Inc.

How can I obtain a copy of my credit file?
You can obtain one free copy of your credit file each year from each of the three national credit reporting agencies.  For your convenience, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ordered the three agencies to consolidate a request center for all three agencies.  You can obtain your one free copy by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com, or by calling the annual credit report hotline at (877) 322-8228, or by mailing the request form to:

You also have the right to obtain a free copy of your credit file if you have been declined credit, insurance, or employment within the past 60 days.  You should receive a form from the creditor, insurance company, or employer within 30 days of your application which will include the contact information for the credit reporting agency they consulted for your application.

Why is the score I received directly from the credit bureau different from the score the credit union obtained?
The credit union requests the FICO score along with your credit report.  The scores provided to you directly by the credit reporting agencies are their own proprietary models.  This means that the scoring model the agency provides to you is not necessarily the same model the credit union purchased.  Also, if any information has changed in the time between the credit union’s report and your report, the score will naturally be different.

How do I dispute inaccurate information on my credit file?
You should always request a copy of your credit file directly from the credit reporting agencies or from the Annual Credit Report Request Service before attempting to dispute any information contained in your credit file.  The documentation you receive from the credit reporting agencies will include detailed instructions on how to dispute inaccurate information.

How can I monitor my credit?
The credit union recommends utilizing a credit monitoring services, such as TrueCredit to monitor your credit and score history.  TrueCredit’s monitoring services even offer notification services of critical changes to your credit file.

How do I contact the credit reporting agencies?

How can I prevent Identity Theft?
TrueCredit offers identity theft prevention tips.  Their credit monitoring service even comes with $25,000 in identity theft insurance.  Visit their website for more details.
Below are some links to fraud and identity theft prevention websites.
Social Security Administration
Federal Trade Commission
Identity Theft Resource Center
Fair-Isaac Corporation (FICO)
United States Postal Service
Federal Reserve Bank System
Better Business Bureau
U.S. Department of the Treasury
National Credit Union Administration
Read How Can I Protect Myself from Fraud?

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