Why is this happening?
In 2009, the United States Congress created and the President signed a new bill called the “Credit Card Act of 2009”. While the bill was originally designed and targeted to make sweeping changes in regards to how credit card issuers operate, the bill also includes language that affects ALL open-end loans. Many loans at the University of Illinois Employees Credit Union (UIECU) are open-end. Thus, we were required to make these changes to comply with the new regulations.
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What loans at UIECU are included in this change?
All UIECU loans are included in this change with the exception of those closed at our network of area automobile dealerships (“Indirect”), Auto Tax Advantage loans, 1st Mortgages, and Fixed Home Equity loans.
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Why is my loan date being changed to the 28th of the month?
One of the provisions of the law requires that the financial institution notify the borrower at least 21 days in advance of the actual payment due date. To meet this requirement, UIECU will be sending a statement of account each month and will include a notification of your due date on the monthly statement. Since the statements are usually mailed by the 3rd of each month, moving the due date to the 28th of each month allows the proper notification to you, the member, about your next loan payment.
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My loans are on payroll deduction/automatic transfer/paid through direct deposit. How will this be affected?
If your loans are automatically paid through payroll deduction, direct deposit, or an automated transfer, you do not need to do anything. Your payments will continue as always, whether they are set up as weekly, bi-weekly, twice a month, or monthly.
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I mail a check each month to pay my loan. How will I be affected?
There will be no change. You may continue to send your check monthly to pay your loan and your payment will be credited when it is received.
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I want to keep paying my loan on the date I already have. That fits into my budget. Do I have to change?
No. You may continue to pay your loan on the same day as before, as long as you make your monthly payment by the new due date, the 28th of each month.
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I still have coupons with my original due date. Can I use them?
Yes. When you re-order your new coupon book, the due date will show the new due date of the 28th.
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What happens if my loans are paid ahead?
If your loans are paid ahead, your next loan payment date will be advanced to the 28th of the month. If it is currently due before the 28th of the month, it will change to the 28th of that month. If it is currently due on the 28th, 29th, 30th or 31st of the month it will remain the same.
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Will my monthly payment amount remain the same?
Yes. All of the other terms of your loan will remain the same, including the monthly payment amount. The only change is the due date.
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Does the term of my loan get extended?
No. If your loan was scheduled to be paid-off in a specific number of payments (ex. 36, 48, 60, etc…), then you will still need to make that many monthly payments to payoff the loan.
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Will my interest rate change?
No. Your interest rate will remain the same during the course of your current loan as defined by your current terms and agreements.
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How will this change affect the amount of interest due on my loan?
Interest on your loan accrues daily. For example, if your loan is paid bi-weekly, each payment includes 14 days worth of interest. If you pay your loan monthly on the same day, you may pay 30 or 31 days of interest each month (or 28 from February to March), depending on the number of days between payments.
If you continue to make your payments as before, there should be no change in the interest collected over the course of the loan. If you chose to wait until the new due date of the 28th, the amount of interest will be the number of days between payments multiplied by the daily interest rate.
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Do I have to sign new loan papers to make this change take effect?
No. The loan disclosure that you signed when you originally took out your loan allows UIECU to make changes to your loan, with prior notice. You received a copy of this disclosure along with the copies of your loan papers. The article in the monthly newsletter that was mailed with your statement received in September is the “prior notice.”
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Will this change affect my credit report or rating?
As long as you continue to make your regularly scheduled payments by the due date, there will be no negative effect on your credit report or rating.
If you have any additional questions or would like to discuss this further, please contact a Member Service Representative at 217-278-7700 or info@uiecu.org.
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