Posted on Jan 29, 2019
SGT Derick J.
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Attempting to obtain a auto loan and auto insurance if possible within the same bank/agency. I'll base off the decision on your guys' feedback. To also include Credit Cards in the possible future.
Posted in these groups: Usaa logo USAA8f8d3e40 Navy Federal Credit Union
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
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thanks for sharing
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CAPT Kevin B.
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Edited 6 y ago
Navy Federal customer service, when you can actually get to it, is abysmal. There's never a bank/office most places you'll live. That said, USAA is a full service, full online, full telephone quickly, operation. You get a break on the loan if you also have your insurance with them. Their auto buying service is pretty straightforward as I used it. COSTCO auto program requires the dealers to do a kickback to them so you can figure $500-600 lower by the dealer direct once you figure the price. I've done both USAA and NFCU. The first option was a much better experience. BTW, NFCU did have a great home improvement loan rate which I used to remodel before a sale. Problem was then having to deal with them. And that was at their bank in my town.
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SGT Derick J.
SGT Derick J.
>1 y
I'll definitely check in with NFCU remodeling loan. Planning to buy property and tidy up things. I know very little about the build your own home in conjunction with a VA Loan. I'll keep doing research.
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LTC Jason Mackay
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Edited 6 y ago
SGT Derick J. you have to lay out the interest and costs of the loan side by side, figure out the future value (FV) on the same present value (PV - what they are loaning you). If the terms of the loans are the same (periods, duration, payment schedule etc), see which has the higher monthly interest rate and payment. I would put more stock in this than crowd sourcing with Internet trolls.

If you are looking at intangibles like customer service, convenience, etc I personally use USAA for everything except my mortgage (local broker was able to beat them). My brother in law swears by Navy Federal. I found them difficult to use and generally obstinate while getting pre-approved for mortgages. More so than other mortgage lenders. I sure as hell would not switch my checking, savings, investments, etc, to them. USAA has financial products for customers cradle to grave. The App works well. Telephone transactions are very secure and they are very helpful. 3am from Afghanistan? No,problem. Sunday in Korea? No problem.

I've used USAA since 1998. My APG Federal Credit Union did three or four things in a row that screwed up my finances. The last straw was when my wife lost a debit card, we were AT APG. She went to the home branch office with three pieces of ID and our checkbook. She was on my accounts. She was sent away and told to send a letter requesting it, signed by me, photo copies of what she had in her hand, to get a new card. 4 weeks later, I got it. I was TDY. It caused more than a temporary ripple. I wrote that letter, and let them know I was switching to USAA because they sucked as a military oriented financial institution.

I do notice younger soldiers have problems with USAA. Understand that your car insurance will be high until you turn 25. Actuary stuff. Youre more likely to get in accidents statistically. After 25 and a good record in drops sharply.
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SGT Derick J.
SGT Derick J.
6 y
Appreciate the feedback Sir. I'm looking for customer service when deciding between the two and I've noticed USAA averages to be the best option. As for the car insurance the price will remain rather high, but the safe route is to not be another satistic.
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