Auto Loans

Finding the best option for your needs

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Auto Loan Transfer Offer

Receive 1% cash back (up to $250) or 1% lower rate when you refinance your auto loan from another lender.

Purchase

Refinance & Transfer

Branded Title

Loan Payment Protections

Skip-a-Payment

Carfax Reports

Online & Mobile Banking

Vehicle Loan Instructions

Loan Flex Program

Additional Features

Purchase

New & used vehicles

Terms up to 84 months
Competitive Rates for our Members
Same rates for new/used vehicles 5 years old or newer
GoldStar® Member Rate Discounts
No pre-payment penalty for paying the loan off early
Rates are subject to approval based on credit score tier and loan-to-value percentage
6-month extended term if an optional Loan Payment Protection is added

Apply for an Auto Loan

Refinance & Transfer

Take advantage of our transfer special offer

Transfer special offer of 1% lower rate or pay you 1% cash (up to $250)
Terms up to 84 months
Same rates for new or used vehicles
GoldStar® Member Auto Loan Rate Discounts
No pre-payment penalty for paying the loan off early
6-month extended term if an optional Loan Payment Protection is added

Apply for an Auto Loan

Branded Title

For vehicles that were once declared a total loss

Terms up to 72 months
Same rates for new or used vehicles with a model year of 2018 or newer
For vehicles model year 2017 and older, add 1% to rate
GoldStar® Member Rate Discounts
No pre-payment penalty for paying the loan off early
Rates are subject to approval based on credit score tier and loan-to-value percentage
6-month extended term if Debt Protection is added (GAP & MBP is not allowed)

Apply for an Auto Loan

Loan Payment Protections

Optional protections for your auto loan

Eligible for 6-month extended loan term if any of these optional protections are added:

Debt Protection (DP) for life, involuntary unemployment, or disability
Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) if car is totaled
Major Mechanical Protection (MMP) extended warranty

Loan Payment Protections

Skip-A-Payment

Option to skip a monthly payment

Members are allowed up to 2 skip-a-pays per rolling year
There must be at least 3 payments between each skip
Total of 6 maximum skip-a-pays for the life of the loan
Eligible loans include auto, RV, and most personal loans
Select which loan payment(s) you want to skip on application form
$25 processing donation added to the loan balance for every skip
All donations go to the American United Charitable Foundation to support Veterans, Underserved, and Tribal communities

*Interest still accrues and your loan balance doesn’t change. “Skip-a-Pay” does not apply to credit card, real estate, business loans, overdraft loans, or delinquent loans. Members with Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) on auto loans may be subject to additional limitations, please see agreement for details. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply.

Request skip-a-payment

CARFAX Reports

Get your vehicle history report

CARFAX is a national company that offers Vehicle History Reports (VHR’s)
VHR’s provide transparent vehicle, ownership, title, and value histories
If applying for a vehicle loan, the first report will be provided at no cost
Anyone (member or not) can purchase a discounted report for $19.99 (normally $44.99)
You can purchase them on our website, by visiting a branch, or over the phone
Payment methods include deducting the $19.99 from your First Californian account, with a debit card over the phone, or cash in branch

Request Carfax Report

Online & Mobile Banking

Banking whenever, wherever

Mobile App
E-Statements
Automatic Bill Pay
Money Desktop Tools
Mobile Deposit
Zelle® Payments

Online & Mobile Banking

Vehicle Loan Instructions

View our 1-pager with detailed instructions

Important things to note once you have an auto loan with us
Instructions for loans secured by autos and recreational vehicles
How is collateral identified?
Title perfection and other instructions
Loan payoff
Titling and lien recording guide

Vehicle Loan Instructions

Loan Flex Program

Pre-qualified offers to extend your term or take cash out

Offers will be extended to you automatically if you qualify
Allows members the ability to lower their auto loan payments by extending the loan term
Members may also elect to take additional cash out on the loan up to the maximum available to them
This is NOT considered a new loan, it is offered on existing auto loans to modify the loan with no additional fees or refinance processes
Some requirements include loan must be greater than 12 months old, the loan must be current, & auto must be less than 10 years old

Enter Loan Flex Code

Additional Features

Even more that comes standard

Monthly Statements
Free account access at CO-OP Shared Branches
Local Contact Center for phone support
Federally insured by the NCUA
All credit scores are welcome to apply
End-of-Year Member Reward Dividend
Loan pre-approval is available

If you haven't heard of First Californian Credit Union before, I hadn't either before my first auto loan with them. I was told they have excellent rates and flexible options, especially for those of us with less than perfect credit. I've since made them my primary financial institution and do all of my banking there because they aren't too big to listen and will always do what they can to help.

First Californian Member

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Auto Loan Rates

Rates up to date as of December 1, 2025. Rates subject to change without notice.

By Model Year & Loan Type	60-month APR	72-month APR	84-month APR
2020 & Newer¹	As low as 4.99%³	As low as 5.24%³	As low as 5.99%³
2019 & Older¹	As low as 5.99%³	As low as 6.24%³	As low as 6.99%³
2020 & Newer (Branded/Rebuilt Title)²	As low as 5.49%³	As low as 5.99%³	—
2019 & Older (Branded/Rebuilt Title)²	As low as 6.49%³	As low as 6.99%³	—

APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Membership required, on approved credit, and rates subject to change at any time without notice.
1. Loan terms can be extended up to 6 months for adding Debt Protection, Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), or Mechanical Breakdown coverages.
2. Not eligible for Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) coverage. Unable to extend loan terms for adding Debt Protection or Mechanical Breakdown coverages.
3. GoldStar® Membership required, otherwise rate is 0.25% APR higher.

For more information visit Terms & Conditions, Current Rates, and Fee Details.

Understanding Auto Loans

Auto Loans in California

At First Californian Credit Union, we try to make the process of getting a car easier and more convenient for you and your family. We are more than happy to help you get the best car loan.

Auto loans can help you finance the purchase of a vehicle, but it’s crucial to understand how they work and the factors that can affect your loan’s cost. This guide provides essential information about auto loans to help you make informed decisions and find the best option for your needs.

Throughout this process, we encourage our clients to take the time to learn a little more about these loans and the application process involved. Having all the right information upfront can help get you the best auto loan rates and ensure you’re getting the best loan option for you.

Competitive Auto Loan Rates

Working with First Californian Credit Union to obtain an auto loan is always better than applying at a bank. First Californian works for you rather than the other way around.

We have lower rates than the average bank, so you can be sure that you made the best financial decision when you work with us. We are also more flexible with existing credit issues, often allowing you to get the car you want even if your credit isn’t perfect.

Learn more about what a top-tier credit union has to offer you and get the vehicle you’ve had your eye on by contacting First Californian Federal Credit Union. Begin an online application and get your car loan today. We are ready to help you get the car you want.

Financing a New or Used Vehicle

This process involves a thorough check of your creditworthiness, applications, gathering details and generally ensuring you and your lenders both have all the information needed. Across the board, the process of financing a vehicle is a standard one:

Check your own credit score
Pick your payment according to your monthly income
Get pre-approved for the amount you’ve chosen
Find a vehicle that fits in your payment parameters
Finalize and submit your paperwork
Start making regular payments

This six-step undertaking is designed to get you into your car as soon as possible without overburdening your budget. At First Californian Credit Union, we go through this six-step process so we can make sure we are making the best choices for our clients and members.

Auto Loan Refinance

Have you recently experienced increases in your financial stability, a higher credit score or difficult financial circumstances? These changes all mark moments appropriate for auto loan refinancing. On the other hand, if your loan is nearly paid in full, refinancing may not currently be the best option. First Californian Credit Union can help guide you through this process, helping you with lower fees and guiding you to your best loan option.

Influencing Factors

There is a wide range of factors that can have an influence over someone’s eligibility for a vehicle loan. It is always important to bear these factors in mind:

Your credit score
Your debt-to-income ratio
How long your loan will last
Age of the vehicle you’re aiming to buy
Down payment offered
Economic details (such as inflation)

We help you make a decision according to the results we obtain, so we can make the process easier, more convenient, and more practical for you. At First Californian Credit Union, we always work to find a solution that works for you, even if your credit situation is less than perfect.