Alliant Credit Union Review [2025]: Big Benefits Without Brick-and-Mortar Branches

Is Alliant Credit Union good?

Alliant Credit Union is a legitimate financial institution that has been around since 1935. It began as the United Airlines Employees' Credit Union, a small, employee-based cooperative, and has evolved over the years into a fully digital credit union. The company was renamed Alliant Credit Union in 2003.

Unlike banks, credit unions are non-profit financial organizations owned by their members. They typically use their profits to offer better interest rates, lower fees, and other services for their members. Some credit unions may limit who can become a member, but Alliant is a credit union anyone can join, despite its previous association with United Airlines.

Alliant closed all of its physical branches and transitioned to a fully online platform in 2020. Today, it serves about 900,000 members and manages approximately $20 billion in assets, making it one of the largest credit unions in the country.

What customers are saying

Customer reviews of Alliant Credit Union are mixed. On Trustpilot, the financial institution has an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars with 42% of reviewers giving it 5 stars and 52% of reviewers giving it only 1 star as of this writing.

Those who give Alliant 5 stars say they appreciate the credit union's limited fees as well as its home loans. "My experience was nothing but positive, and I highly recommend Alliant Credit Union to anyone looking for a hassle-free home equity loan. Thank you for making everything so seamless," said one customer.

Customers who criticized the company had issues with its customer service and loans. "I have been a member since 2016 and used to sing the praises of Alliant, but have noticed the last few times something needed escalation, it seems to go to a void and die, to the point that I'm now opening an account elsewhere," said another customer.

Alliant Credit Union's banking products

Alliant Credit Union offers a wide range of products, including banking accounts, loans, investing, and insurance.

Checking

Checking accounts are essential for managing your money and paying your bills. Most checking accounts don't earn interest, but Alliant's accounts do. The interest-earning accounts offered include:

• High-Rate Checking: This account earns interest at a rate of 0.25% annual percentage yield (APY)¹ <p>APY=Annual Percentage Yield. The High Rate Checking Dividend provides an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of 0.25% APY. The APY is accurate as of the 6/26/2025 dividend declaration date. Checking dividend may change after account is opened and is subject to change at any time. There is no minimum balance requirement to earn the stated APY. Checking Dividends are paid on the last day of each month to checking accountholders who have opted out of receiving paper statements (receive eStatements only) and have a recurring monthly electronic deposit to their Alliant checking account each month (e.g., a direct deposit, payroll deposit, ATM deposit, mobile check deposit or transfer from another financial institution). Otherwise, Alliant checking accounts do not earn a dividend. Alliant checking charges no monthly maintenance or service fees; however, if incurred, other fees may reduce earnings on the account. Please refer to the Alliant <a href="https://www.alliantcreditunion.org/images/uploads/files/FeeSchedule.pdf">Fee Schedule</a> for a list of these types of fees. Dividend applies to Checking and Teen Checking Accounts. Account is subject to approval. We may not open checking for you if you do not meet Alliant criteria.</p> . It doesn't charge fees for monthly maintenance² <p>Alliant checking charges no monthly maintenance or service fees. Please refer to the Alliant <a href="https://www.alliantcreditunion.org/images/uploads/files/FeeSchedule.pdf">Fee Schedule</a> for a list of fees.</p> , overdrafts³ <p>Overdraft protection is optional. You must opt in to benefit from this free service and you can unenroll at any time. Alliant's overdraft protection program honors your overdrafts on your checking account when you don't have enough money in your Alliant checking account to cover a transaction, provided you have enough money in your Alliant Savings or Supplemental Savings Account. To do so, we automatically transfer funds from your Alliant Savings or Supplemental Savings Account to your Alliant checking account to cover your overdrafts. Overdraft protection does not cover ATM transactions.</p><p>Courtesy Pay is a discretionary "courtesy" overdraft service. There is no fee to enroll in or use the Courtesy Pay service and you can unenroll at any time. To be eligible for Courtesy Pay, members must be in good standing and have an Alliant checking account that has been open for at least six months. Other eligibility factors are risk-based and determined by Alliant using internal and confidential information, including your account history. To qualify to use Courtesy Pay, eligible members must have qualifying deposits totaling at least $600 into their Alliant checking account in the previous 30 days. Standard Courtesy Pay may pay checks and ACH electronic items that would not have not cleared otherwise due to insufficient funds, up to an approved limit. The full amount of the overdraft balance will be due immediately but in no event more than 30 days from the date of the occurrence at which time Courtesy Pay privileges will be suspended and possibly terminated. If you opt in for extended coverage, Courtesy Pay may also cover everyday debit transactions on your Alliant Visa debit card that would not have cleared otherwise due to insufficient funds, up to an approved limit. See the Alliant Account Agreement and Disclosures and the Courtesy Pay Disclosure for details and the Fee Schedule for a list of fees. Courtesy Pay does not cover ATM transactions.</p> , or minimum balances. Additionally, it allows you to receive your paycheck up to two days early.⁴ <p>With Early Payday, Alliant Credit Union may make incoming electronic direct deposits made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) available for use up to two days before the scheduled payment date. Not all direct deposits are eligible for Early Payday. Early availability of direct deposits is not guaranteed and may vary from deposit to deposit. Early access to funds is dependent on submission of direct deposit by payor and standard fraud prevention restrictions. Whether we make funds available early depends on when we receive the payor’s payment instructions, any limitations we set on the amount of early availability, and standard fraud prevention screening. Available for personal accounts only. Eligible direct deposits are limited to electronic direct deposits of items such as your payroll, pension, and government benefit payments made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) to your personal account. Other deposits or credits to your account, such as deposits of funds from person-to-person payment services (e.g., Zelle®, Venmo, or PayPal transfers), check or mobile deposits, and other online transfers or electronic credits are not eligible for Early Payday.</p> <p>If Alliant makes funds available early through Early Payday and the payor reverses or requests a return of the deposit, or the funds are otherwise uncollected by Alliant, Alliant may debit your account for the deposit amount previously made available early, which may draw your account negative.</p>
• Teen Checking: This account is specifically for teens aged 13 to 17 under joint ownership with a parent who is an Alliant Credit Union member. The account has no minimum balance requirements or monthly service fees, and it offers ATM fee rebates of up to $20 per month. It also earns 0.25% (as of 12/19/24) APY.

Savings

Alliant's interest-earning savings accounts help you grow your money and save for a rainy day. The accounts available include:

• High-Rate Savings: This savings account earns 3.10% APY⁵ <p>The savings dividend provides an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of 3.10%. The APY is accurate as of the 6/26/2025 dividend declaration date. Dividends are paid on the last day of the month to accountholders who have maintained an average daily balance of $100 or more. Savings dividend may change after account is opened and is subject to change at any time. Dividend applies to Savings, Supplemental Savings, Emergency Savings, Kids Savings Accounts, UTMA Custodial Accounts, Trust Accounts and IRA. Fees may reduce earnings on the account.</p> It has a minimum balance requirement of $100 to earn that APY but no monthly fees, non-sufficient fund (NSF) fees, or ATM fees⁶ <p>Transactions performed at other ATMs may be subject to the ATM owner’s surcharge fee. Please see the online ATM Locator at www.alliantcreditunion.com or our mobile banking app for a list of ATMs that accept deposits or are fee free. Not all ATMs accept deposits.</p> . Additionally, it provides you with access to your paycheck up to two days early.
• Supplemental Savings: These are additional accounts that you can have as part of your High-Rate Savings account. You can have up to 19 supplemental savings accounts, each with a distinct name and savings goal (such as travel, credit card debt payoff, emergency fund, etc.). These accounts also earn 3.10% (as of 12/19/24) APY and require an average daily balance of at least $100.
• Kids Savings: Children under age 12 can open a high-rate savings account with adult supervision. Parents, grandparents, or legal guardians who are Alliant members act as joint owners of the Kids Savings account. This account requires an initial deposit of $5. The account earns 3.10% (as of 12/19/24) APY, and there are no monthly fees.

Certificates of deposit (CDs)

With a $1,000 minimum deposit, you can open a Certificate of Deposit with Alliant Credit Union. Terms range between three and 60 months, and interest rates range from 3.10% APY to 4.30% APY. The highest APY is on a 12-month CD with a deposit exceeding $75,000. Deposits exceeding $75,000 earn a slightly higher interest rate across all terms in general.

Like with its checking and savings accounts, Alliant also offers custodial CDs that you can open on behalf of a child. The terms are the same as all Alliant CDs.

The Alliant credit card

Alliant Credit Union offers the Alliant Visa^® Platinum Credit Card with a $0 annual fee. The card has a rate of 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period, the rate on the card ranges from 14.49% to 26.49% (variable).

Alliant's Visa Platinum Credit Card comes with several perks. Those perks include an auto rental collision damage waiver, $0 fraud liability, and 24-hour pay-per-use roadside assistance.

Because of its introductory offer of 0% intro APR for 12 months, the Alliant Visa^® Platinum Credit Card is ideal for those who have a large purchase they want to make interest-free or for those who want to pay down high-interest debt with a balance transfer.

However, this card may not be your best option if you are looking for a card that earns travel points or cashback, because it doesn't.

Other Alliant services and features

Alliant also offers products for its members that you would typically find at other financial institutions, such as loans, insurance, and investment products.

Loans

If you need money to buy a home or car or pay off credit card debt, Alliant has several loan products for you. Its loan products include:

• Mortgages: Aliant offers conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, and doctor mortgages with low to no down payment. You can choose a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) to finance the purchase of a home, refinance your current home, or build your dream home.
• Home equity line of credit (HELOC): You can borrow on your home's equity for large purchases or to pay for improvements to your home. Alliant's HELOC has a 3.99% APR fixed intro rate for six months, after which there's a variable rate of between 7.75% and 16.00% APR.
• Auto loans: Alliant offers auto loans for new and used cars with terms up to 84 months. Need help buying a car? Alliant's Car Buying Services can help, and you can earn a 0.50% discount for using the service. Interest rates range from 5.34% APR for a 60-month loan on a new car to 8.84% for a 60-month loan on a used vehicle that's between 10 and 15 years old.
• RV loans: Want to hit the open road in a recreational vehicle, camper, or motorhome? Alliant offers RV loans for full-time travel or weekend getaways. You can get a loan for up to $400,000 with terms up to 20 years. Interest rates range from 6.49% to 7.49% APR, depending on the term.
• Tesla loans: Alliant offers special loans for buying new and used Tesla electric vehicles. Interest rates range from as low as 5.24% APR for a new Tesla to 5.59% APR for a used vehicle (for a 60-month loan term).
• Personal loan: A personal loan can help you consolidate your debt, pay for home expenses, or cover costs in case of an emergency. Alliant provides personal loans ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 for terms of one to five years. These loans don't require any collateral and have no prepayment penalties.
• Commercial real estate loan: Alliant also provides loans from $7 million to $35 million for commercial properties, such as multi-family developments, self-storage facilities, hotels, retail, and more.

Investment products

Saving for retirement? Alliant has several options for you, including:

• Traditional IRA: This tax-deferred account has no minimum deposit, no maintenance fees, and no transfer fees. With this account, you will have to pay a 10% penalty fee, plus income taxes, on withdrawals taken before you turn 59 ½ years old.
• Roth IRA: Unlike a traditional IRA, Roth IRA contributions are already taxed, so you don't have to pay taxes on withdrawals. There are also no penalties for early withdrawals.
• SEP IRA: This retirement account is designed for individuals who are self-employed or own a small business. Like traditional IRAs, taxes on the income you earn are deferred until you make a withdrawal. However, with a SEP IRA, the contribution limits are higher.

• Trust accounts: Establishing a trust can help your family avoid probate and estate taxes after your passing. Alliant members can open a trust account with any of Alliant's banking products (checking, savings, CDs).

Insurance

Alliant also provides insurance to protect your home and car along with three different types of life insurance.

• Homeowners insurance: Alliant Credit Union members can receive discounted rates on homeowners insurance through the TruStage Insurance Agency.
• Auto insurance: Alliant members are also eligible for discounted auto insurance coverage through the TruStage Insurance Agency.
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D): This pays you or your loved ones after a covered injury or accidental death. Alliant provides $2,000 of coverage at no cost, and you can purchase up to an additional $300,000.
• Whole and term life insurance: Members also have access to TruStage whole and term life insurance coverage. Term life coverage is available up to $250,000.

FAQs

Bottom line

Alliant Credit Union offers a range of strong banking products with low fees and competitive rates. It's a good choice if you prefer to work with an online institution and don't need to visit a physical branch. It offers solid options for checking, savings, loans, credit cards, and retirement accounts.

However, Alliant may not be the right fit for everyone. If you prefer in-person service or want a credit card that offers rewards or cash back, you may want to consider a different financial institution like one that made our list of the best credit unions.

If you're looking for a more traditional banking experience, try our list of the best banks.

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2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo

SoFi Checking and Savings Benefits

• Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.80% APY⁷ <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement.&nbsp;Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet" >http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> with +0.20% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with direct deposit. Terms Apply.⁸ <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.20% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 7/10/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking &amp; Savings account and enroll in SoFi Plus by 8/12/25. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member&nbsp;FDIC.</p>
• No account, overdraft, or monthly fees⁹ <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p>
• Get your paycheck up to two days early¹⁰ <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p>
• Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million¹¹ <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations.&nbsp;Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at&nbsp;<a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>

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