Alliant Credit Union Review 2026: Checking, Savings and CDs
- +1
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Overview
In 2026, Alliant Credit Union won NerdWallet’s annual award for best overall credit union.
Some credit unions offer better interest rates than banks do, but they also may have narrow membership requirements and slower adoption of new technology. But Alliant Credit Union combines the best of both worlds with broad, nationwide membership criteria and strong rates, plus a good online and mobile banking experience. Some digital credit unions join shared branch networks to give their customers in-person service, but Alliant is an online-only business.
» MORE: See NerdWallet’s picks for the best credit unions
No overdraft fees.
No monthly fees.
Competitive rate on share certificates.
Anyone can become a member.
Large, free, nationwide ATM network.
No branch access.
Product reviews
Certificates of deposit
Competitive rates. Alliant's share certificates come with way above-average rates, and the minimum opening deposit of $1,000 is somewhat low compared to other institutions'.
Full List of Certificate Rates
| Term | APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 3.10% | $1,000 |
| 6 months | 3.90% | $1,000 |
| 1 year | 3.80% | $75,000 |
| 1 year | 3.75% | $1,000 |
| 1.5 years | 3.60% | $1,000 |
| 2 years | 3.60% | $1,000 |
| 3 years | 3.70% | $75,000 |
| 3 years | 3.60% | $1,000 |
| 4 years | 3.65% | $1,000 |
| 5 years | 3.70% | $75,000 |
| 5 years | 3.65% | $1,000 |
Checking
Strong ATM access, interest-earning and no monthly fees. Alliant offers teen and high-rate checking accounts, neither of which charges a monthly fee. You can qualify for High-Rate Checking's APY by enrolling in free e-statements and receiving at least one electronic deposit per month. The account also offers access to a large nationwide fee-free ATM network and up to $20 per month in reimbursements for out-of-network ATM fees.
» Want to compare? Take a look at NerdWallet’s best checking accounts
Savings
Solid APY and no monthly fee. Alliant's The Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account, which is the savings account we factored into the overall rating of the institution, is similar to its High-Rate Savings Account. It pays a strong rate and has no monthly maintenance fees. Customers can make up to 19 supplemental accounts to save for specific goals. Maintaining at least $100 daily in the account is required to earn interest.
Sign-up bonus. The credit union currently offers a sign-up bonus for this account; see our bank bonuses roundup for more details.
Alliant Credit Union Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account
Savings
Solid APY and no monthly fee. Alliant's High-Rate Savings account, which did not factor into our overall rating of the credit union, earns an above-average rate and doesn’t charge a monthly fee. Alliant also lets members open as many as 19 separate, supplemental accounts — each with its own nickname. There is a $5 opening minimum balance and $100 daily balance requirement to earn interest.
The credit union also offers a special savings account for kids to save and learn about money management.
» Want to see more options? Check out NerdWallet’s best savings accounts
Customer experience & overdraft fees
Customer experience
Nationwide membership. Alliant's rates are commendable, but its inclusion is also impressive. Other credit unions restrict membership to people who work for certain companies or live in specific communities. With Alliant, you can apply for membership after agreeing to join the nonprofit Alliant Credit Union Foundation. Alliant will even pay the one-time $5 donation on your behalf.
Solid online experience but no branches. Alliant has some drawbacks for those looking to bank in person. Unlike hundreds of credit unions, it doesn't participate in shared branching, and is completely online. But it does offer a solid online banking platform and a highly rated mobile app, and customer support is available every day by phone. Members have access to online bill pay and can check their credit scores for free.
Overdraft fees
No overdraft fees. Alliant does not charge overdraft fees. Other banks and credit unions still charge overdraft fees of around $30-$35, up to several times per day.
Overdraft programs available. You can link a Alliant savings account for free overdraft protection. Or, if you have a personal line of credit with Alliant, you may be able to set it up to function as overdraft protection. In addition to the annual percentage rate that accompanies your line of credit, Alliant charges a $3 fee for line of credit overdraft protection.
The credit union also offers a free overdraft option called Courtesy Pay to cover some debit transactions that would otherwise get declined.
Rating methodology
How we rate banks and credit unions
Banking writers and editors use an objective methodology to rate banks, credit unions, and other providers, and to recommend the best products.
100+
Financial institutions reviewed
100+
Financial institutions reviewed
We took a close look at around 100 financial institutions and financial service providers, including the largest U.S. banks based on assets, internet search traffic and other factors; the nation’s largest credit unions, based on assets and membership; and other notable players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.
30+
Categories assessed
30+
Categories assessed
Each provider is evaluated across five weighted categories and 30 subcategories, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, customer experience, and overdraft services. For banks or credit unions without one or more types of accounts, the overall rating is modified to include only applicable categories. Institutions are not penalized if they don't offer every type of account.
60+
Data points analyzed
60+
Data points analyzed
We considered more than 60 data points for each provider. Depending on the category, these included account fees and rates (such as annual percentage yields), ATM and branch access, account features, account bonuses, customer service access and user-facing technology, such as innovative tools and mobile apps. We gathered this information for each financial institution from its website, a media representative or both.
Star rating categories
The review team is made up of seasoned writers and editors who cover personal banking deposit accounts, such as checking, savings and certificates of deposit, as well as related banking services, such as overdraft programs and ATM networks. For providers without one or more types of accounts, the overall rating is modified to include only applicable categories. Institutions are not penalized if they don't offer every type of account.
Financial institutions and providers surveyed are: Affirm, All America Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Alto, Amalgamated Bank, American Express National Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Barclays, Bask Bank, BMO, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Bread Savings®, BrioDirect, Capital One, Cash App, CFG Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank, Climate First Bank, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Current, Customers Bank, Discover® Bank, E*TRADE, EverBank, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation, First Internet Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Forbright Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Hope Credit Union, HSBC Bank, Huntington Bank, Ivy Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LendingClub Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, My Banking Direct, NASA Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, Newtek Bank, OMB Bank, OnePay, Openbank, PayPal, Peak Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Poppy Bank, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Regions Bank, Revolut, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Securityplus Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Credit Union, Service Credit Union, SoFi, State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Upgrade, USAA Bank, Valley Bank, Varo, Venmo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo, Western Alliance Bank, Zolve and Zynlo Bank.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for banks and credit unions and our editorial guidelines.