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When you think of credit unions, you may think of rigid membership requirements that leave you on the outside looking in. While that may be the case with some credit unions, many on this list have flexible requirements that open the door to anyone.

Credit unions are known to offer a unique set of benefits such as free checking accounts, competitive yields on deposit products and a more personalized, customer-focused banking experience.

  • Best credit union: Alliant Credit Union
  • Top credit union: Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union
  • Top credit union: Connexus Credit Union
  • Top credit union: Navy Federal Credit Union
  • Top credit union: American Airlines Federal Credit Union
  • Top credit union: Bethpage Federal Credit Union
  • Top credit union: Lake Michigan Credit Union
  • Top credit union: Patelco Credit Union
  • Top credit union: Quorum Federal Credit Union
  • Top credit union: Pentagon Federal Credit Union


Alliant Credit Union

Large ATM network and generous fee rebates: Customers have access to over 80,000 fee-free ATMs and up to $20 in monthly ATM fee rebates.

Easy to join: You can become a member of Foster Care to Success (FC2S) to become eligible for Alliant membership. Alliant will pay a $5 membership fee to FC2S on your behalf.

Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union

Randolph-Brooks is a Texas-based credit union and one of the largest in the state with more than 800,000 members.

Competitive APYs: RBFCU offers a range of certificate terms and two money market accounts that pay strong yields.

No monthly service fees: Members can enjoy free checking, saving and money market accounts.

Large ATM network: Members have access to nearly 30,000 free ATMs through the CO-OP network.

Connexus Credit Union

Connexus Credit Union is based in Wisconsin and primarily serves customers in the Midwest, but its products and services are available nationwide.

Large ATM network and generous fee rebates: Customers have free access to more than 54,000 ATMs and may qualify for monthly rebates for fees incurred at out-of-network ATMs.

Easy to join: A one-time $5 donation to the Connexus Association is all it takes to be eligible for membership.

Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal Credit Union is regularly praised for its high-quality customer service for millions of military members and their loved ones. It also offers a variety of products and services with competitive rates and noteworthy perks such as free ATM access, no monthly service fees and a highly rated mobile app.

24/7 customer service: U.S. customers can reach a customer service representative by phone 24/7 or use the live chat feature.

Competitive yields: Navy Federal offers a range of CD terms and a money market account that all offer strong APYs with manageable minimum deposit requirements.

Large ATM network and generous fee rebates: Customers have free access to more than 30,000 ATMs and are eligible for $10-$20 in ATM rebates per statement cycle.

American Airlines Federal Credit Union

If you or a family member is an active or retired member of the airline industry, then American Airlines Federal Credit Union may be a good choice for you.

The credit union offers a range of CD terms, checking accounts and savings accounts. Where AAFCU really shines is its competitive APYs, fee-free products and convenient branch footprint.

Fee-free products: None of the deposit products charge a monthly fee, and the minimum deposit requirements are manageable.

Convenient banking: AAFCU has branches in most major U.S. airports and is a part of the CO-OP network of ATMs and shared branches.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union

Bethpage Federal Credit Union is ideal for Long Island, New York residents, but its extensive fee-free ATM network makes it accessible to those outside of the region as well. Bethpage offers a high-rated free checking account that offers the ability to earn interest. Another area where the credit union shines is its highly rated mobile app that lets you do everything from create a budget to search for transactions.

Rewards checking: Customers can earn a competitive yield on their free checking account when meeting certain criteria.

No membership restrictions: Membership is open to all U.S. citizens, with no special restrictions.

Lake Michigan Credit Union

Interest checking: Max Checking account holders can earn an eye-popping APY on balances below $15,000.

Patelco Credit Union

Patelco Credit Union is a full-service credit union serving members in Northern California. Patelco offers competitive yields on its money market account and certificates. Additionally, the credit union also offers a highly rated mobile app and hosts webinars to help members learn more about managing their finances.

Competitive APYs: Members can earn a highly competitive yield on the money market account and certificates, and the minimum deposit requirements are very low.

Highly rated mobile app: Customers have access to a highly rated app on both iOS and Android devices.

Customer education resources: Patelco regularly hosts webinars to help members learn more about improving their financial situation.

Quorum Federal Credit Union

Easy to join: All it takes to join Quorum is becoming a member of the American Consumer Council or the Select Savers Club.

Digital leader: Members can enjoy mobile perks, like Apple Pay. Quorum offers customers access to plenty of digital features, like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay. Both iOS and Android apps also receive high marks from users.

Extensive ATM network: Customers have free access to more than 90,000 ATMs nationwide.

Pentagon Federal Credit Union

Pentagon Federal Credit Union was traditionally a banking option for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and employees of certain associations and government departments. However, after a merger with Progressive Credit Union in 2019, it now gives anyone the opportunity to join. The Washington, D.C.-based credit union stands out thanks to its competitive yields and low minimum deposit and balance requirements. Additionally, its flexible membership requirements make it accessible for anyone looking to join a credit union.

Best banks in Florida 4x3

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The best banks in Florida for October 2021

Savings rates at the largest banks in Florida

Here are the savings rates you'll earn with the biggest banks in Florida. Two of these, Chase and Bank of America, made our list of the best banks in the state.

We didn't choose others because they didn't have branches in as many parts of Florida as some of our top picks, or they lacked distinguishing features, such as high APYs or sign-up bonuses.

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However, you may still decide one of these Florida banks is a good fit for you, and you might like banking with a widespread institution you're familiar with.

BankSavings APYNo. of FL branchesNext steps
Wells Fargo0.01% to 0.02% APY568Learn more
Bank of America0.01% to 0.05% APY510Learn more
Chase0.01% to 0.05% APY411Learn more
SunTrust0.01% APY400Learn more
Regions0.01% APY307Learn more
BB&T0.01% APY258Learn more
PNC0.01% to 0.03% APY173Learn more
TD Bank0.01% to 0.05% APY157Learn more
Fifth Third Bank0.01% to 0.02% APY153Learn more
SouthState Bank0.01% to 0.05% APY126Learn more

As of October 2021, the average savings interest rate is 0.06%, according to the FDIC.

Below you'll find more about our top picks for the best banks and credit unions in Florida. Each of these is federally insured and offers a variety of products, including bank accounts, investment accounts, home loans, credit cards, and more.

Our expert panel for this guide

We consulted banking and financial planning experts to inform these picks and provide their advice on finding the best banks and credit unions for your needs. You can read their insights at the bottom of this post.

We're focusing on what makes a bank most useful, including low fees, branch access, interest rates, and more.

Best bank for opening a checking account: Bank of America

Why it stands out: Bank of America has over 500 branches around Florida and a $100 sign-up bonus offer.

Checking accounts aren't known for paying interest, and if they do, then the rate is often pretty low. Cash sign-up bonuses can be good tools to earn money even if a checking account doesn't pay a good rate.


You may qualify for the $100 bonus when you open a Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance, Plus, or Relationship Banking Checking Account through the bank's promotional page. To earn the bonus, you must receive at least two recurring direct deposits of at least $250 within 90 days of opening the account.

What to look out for: Monthly service fees. Depending on which checking account you open, you could pay $4.95, $12, or $25 per month. You might qualify to waive the monthly fee, though.

Best bank for opening a savings account: Ally

Ally High Yield Savings Account

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Min Deposit

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Editor's Rating
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Min Deposit

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Editor's Rating
  • High APY
  • No minimum opening deposit
  • No monthly service fees
  • Savings buckets help you save for different goals
  • Surprise savings transfers help you save extra money from your checking account
  • No physical branch locations
  • No way to deposit cash
  • Create separate savings buckets in a savings account
  • Link to your Ally checking account and enroll in surprise savings transfers to have extra money transferred to savings three times per week
  • Interest compounded daily, paid monthly
  • FDIC insured

Why it stands out: Some of our top picks are offering sign-up bonuses for savings accounts right now. But when it comes to savings accounts, you probably want a bank that is going to pay a high APY so that you can earn more than a couple hundred dollars in the long run. This means an online bank like Ally is probably going to be your best bet.

Ally pays 0.50% APY, which is one of the highest rates out there right now. The bank also doesn't charge any monthly maintenance fees.

The Ally High Yield Savings Account has been a power player in the high-yield savings space for a few years now, and it consistently nabs top awards for online banking. Although it's an online bank, you can use over 40,000 Allpoint ATMs for free around the US.

Ally makes it easy to save for specific goals. You may decide to open a separate account for each goal, but Ally has a bucket feature that allows you save for multiple goals in one account. Assign each one a nickname, like "Emergency Fund" or "Travel Account" to track your progress and stay motivated.

What to look out for: While Ally is extremely competitive, other banks offer similar online high-yield savings accounts. Ally is certainly one of the best out there, but depending on your needs and your existing banking, you may find you prefer a different bank, such as Capital One 360, Varo, or Discover.

Best credit union: Vystar Credit Union

VyStar Primary Savings Account

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Min Deposit

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Editor's Rating
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Min Deposit

A five pointed star

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Editor's Rating
  • No monthly service fee
  • $5 minimum opening deposit
  • Link to checking for overdraft protection
  • Mediocre APY
  • Interest compounds monthly, not daily
  • Must maintain $50 balance to earn APY
  • Join VyStar by living or working in certain parts of Florida or Georgia, or by having a relative who is already a member
  • Free access to over 20,000 ATMs in the US, Canada, and Mexico
  • Earn interest with a $50 minimum account balance
  • Interest compounded monthly, paid monthly
  • Federally insured by the NCUA

Why it stands out: Maybe you prefer a credit union over a bank. Each option comes with trade-offs — credit unions often have higher APYs and better customer service, while brick-and-mortar banks may have more locations and adapt to new technology faster.

If you're looking for a credit union in Florida, then VyStar is a good choice. It's available in over 20 cities, and you contact customer service seven days per week. SunCoast Credit Union is another good choice if you live in certain parts of Florida, but VyStar still pays higher rates on checking and savings.

There are more than 50 branch locations around Florida, and you have free access to over 20,000 ATMs around the US, Mexico, and Canada.

VyStar pays lower rates on some accounts than online banks , but higher than many brick-and-mortar banks.

What to look out for: Compound interest and branches. Like most credit unions, VyStar compounds interest monthly rather than daily, which will affect how much money you earn in the long run. VyStar is one of the largest credit unions in Florida, but branches are lacking from certain regions of the state. If you don't have a branch nearby, then you may want to go with a local credit union.

Are these banks and credit unions trustworthy?

The Better Business Bureau grades companies' trustworthiness based on customer complaints, advertising, and transparency about business practices. Here are the BBB scores for out favorite banks and credit unions in Florida:

InstitutionBBB grade
Bank of AmericaA+
AllyC
Vystar Credit UnionA+

Ally is the only one of our top picks without an A+ from the BBB right now. The BBB cites the number of customer complaints for Ally's C grade.

A strong BBB grade doesn't guarantee you'll have a smooth relationship with a bank, though. You may want to read online reviews or ask family and friends about their experiences. You also might want to consider any recent scandals — Bank of America has had some issues in the past few years.

The Department of Justice charged Bank of America for unfairly denying home loans to adults with disabilities, even though they qualified for loans. Bank of America paid around $300,000 total to people who were refused loans. The Department of Labor required Bank of America to pay $4.2 million to people who claimed the bank discriminated against women, Black, and Hispanic applicants in the hiring process.

You may prefer to use Ally or Vystar if any of these scandals worry you, or bank with another institution in Florida.

Frequently asked questions

Why trust our recommendations?

Personal Finance Insider's mission is to help smart people make the best decisions with their money. We understand that "best" is often subjective, so in addition to highlighting the clear benefits of a financial product or account — a high APY, for example — we outline the limitations, too. We spent hours comparing and contrasting the features and fine print of various products so you don't have to.

How did we choose the best banks in Florida?

We looked at the banks and credit unions with the most branches in the state. Then we zeroed in on those that offered appealing features, like sign-up bonuses or high interest rates. None of the biggest banks in Florida paid high rates on savings accounts, so we chose an online bank, Ally, as our top choice for a savings account.

For the best credit union, we chose one that is easy for Florida residents to join and has branches in multiple parts of the state.

What is the No. 1 bank in America?

It depends on what you're looking for. Wells Fargo has the most branches in the US, followed closely by Chase and Bank of America. If you're looking for high savings rates and low fees, then you'll probably want to go with an online bank. (See our picks for the best online banks here.)

What's the safest bank to put your money in?

As long as an institution has federal insurance, then your money should be safe. Banks need to be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and credit unions need to be insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

An individual account is insured for up to $250,000, and a joint account is insured for up to $500,000. This means you won't lose all your money should the bank go under.

The experts' advice on choosing the best bank or credit union for you

To learn more about what makes a good bank or credit union and how to choose the best fit, four experts weighed in:

Here's what they had to say about finding a bank. (Some text may be lightly edited for clarity.)

How can someone determine whether an institution is the right fit for them?

Mykail James, CFEI:

"The No. 1 thing about a checking account is you should know what provider the debit card is coming from. And a lot of people don't think about that, because there are places that don't accept MasterCard or don't accept an Amex."

Laura Grace Tarpley, Personal Finance Insider:

"I would look for the bank that charges you the least in fees. This means either no monthly fees, or you qualify to waive the monthly fees. If you never overdraw from your account, then a bank's overdraft fees won't matter much to you. But if you occasionally overdraw, then I'd look at the fees or overdraft protection options."

How can someone decide between a bank and a credit union?

Tania Brown, CFP:

"For most people, it falls into five categories: location, interest rates, services, technology, and relationships. Next, prioritize what's important and you will have your answer. For instance:

  • If multiple regional and national locations are important: Banks typically have more locations than credit unions.
  • If the most important thing to you is a high interest rate: Credit unions, on average, offer better interest rates than banks.
  • If a lot of services (commercial banking, business banking, investment services, etc.) are valuable to you: Larger banks offers more services than most credit unions.
  • If feeling like a person, not a number, matters to you: Credit unions are known for great personalized customer service.
  • If you are a tech junkie: Larger banks typically offer more tech bells and whistles for online users than credit unions."

Laura Grace Tarpley, Personal Finance Insider:

"Look at interest rates and how often interest compounds. The more often an institution compounds interest, the more money you'll earn. Many credit unions pay higher rates than banks. But they only compound interest monthly, whereas banks compound daily. Do the math to figure out where you'll earn the most."

What should someone look for in a brick-and-mortar institution?

Tania Brown, CFP:

"How can that bank grow with you? If you are 25, single or newly married, and all you need is a checking account, that's going to look very different 15 years from now when you may have had a couple of jobs, you may have an IRA roll over, or you may want a financial adviser."

Mykail James, CFEI:

"How accessible it is. So where are the branches? And if I am to go out of town or something, how accessible is my money to me?"

What should someone look for in an online institution?

Tania Brown, CFP:

"With an online bank, absolutely online customer service, because you do not have the advantage of walking inside and talking to a human being. How often are you able to get them? What are their hours?"

Roger Ma, CFP:

"How onerous the transfer process is, transferring money in and transferring money out. Is it same day, next day? Is it pretty easy to sync a brick-and-mortar checking account to this particular high-yield savings account?"

Mykail James, CFEI:

"When it comes to online banks, you want to be a little bit more strict about what type of interest rates they're providing. That's the biggest thing, because online banks are supposed to have the higher interest rate because they don't have the overhead of the brick-and-mortar. You want to make sure that it's well above the national average.

"What type of securities do they provide? Do they have two-factor identification? If it's an online bank, they should definitely have — at the bare minimum — two-factor authentication in how easy it is to change your passwords and things like that, because you want to be a little more hypersensitive about the cyber security for a strictly online bank."

Our experts continually research, review, and rate banks to help you objectively compare and choose financial institutions to fit your needs.

No monthly fees

VyStar could be a great option for Floridians and Georgians in select counties looking for a low-cost banking experience with accounts for the whole family.

Jump to section

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Goldman Sachs Bank USA

Min. balance for APY

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

Quontic Bank

Axos Bank

The listings that appear on this page are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This table does not include all companies or all available products. Bankrate does not endorse or recommend any companies.

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

Min. balance for APY

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

Overall

VyStar Credit Union is northeast Florida’s largest credit union offering various deposit accounts and services to hundreds of thousands of members.

What we like

Minimum deposit and balance requirements overall are low.

The credit union charges no monthly service fees or ATM fees.

Account options are available for kids, teens and college students.

Checking account holders will earn some interest.

What we don't

Membership is mainly limited to folks who live, work or are part of a group based in Florida and parts of Georgia.

Yields are low relative to what you can earn at other banks and credit unions.

CD rates

The listings that appear on this page are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This table does not include all companies or all available products. Bankrate does not endorse or recommend any companies.

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

VyStar Credit Union offers traditional CDs across terms ranging from three months to five years. It also has additional terms like a 30-month CD. All traditional CDs require a minimum $500 deposit to open. Consumers who deposit more money benefit from a slightly higher APY. But account holders have to deposit at least $50,000 in order to qualify for the highest yield for each term.

The minimum balance required to open is low.

Larger deposits are needed to earn more interest.

Savings accounts

The listings that appear on this page are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This table does not include all companies or all available products. Bankrate does not endorse or recommend any companies.

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

Min. balance for APY

Applicants can go online or visit a local branch to open a VyStar savings account. A primary savings account is required for membership. The minimum deposit needed to get started is just $5. To earn a yield, you’ll have to deposit $50. The account’s APY is slightly higher than the national average, but you can find yields much higher if you shop around. The savings account doesn’t charge a monthly service fee, though.

In addition to a regular savings account, VyStar offers a Holiday Savings Account, a VyTeen Savings Account, a Bravo Account for college students and an Achieve Account geared toward young adults trying to reach certain goals.

There’s a low minimum deposit to open and earn a yield.

The account doesn’t charge a monthly service fee.

Savings account options are available for youth, teens and college students.

The yield for the savings account is low compared with other institutions.

Checking accounts

The listings that appear on this page are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This table does not include all companies or all available products. Bankrate does not endorse or recommend any companies.

Quontic Bank

VyStar offers several checking account options, including a regular checking account, accounts for teens and college students and an account for seniors age 50 and older.


  • Free check-writing.
  • Free debit card or ATM card.
  • Free use of any VyStar ATM when you use your VyStar debit card.

VyStar offers a range of checking accounts to meet individual needs.

The account comes with lots of features such as free check-writing.

Account holders earn a little bit of yield on their checking balance.

Charge for same-day and next-day online bill payments.

Money market accounts

Vystar Credit Union also offers a money market account that can be opened online or at a branch. Within each balance tier, yields overall are higher than those for savings account holders.

VyStar’s money market account pays an APY that’s more than twice the national average, though you can find higher yields elsewhere if you shop around. The account requires a minimum deposit of only $5 to earn interest, and it doesn’t charge a monthly fee. It does offer check-writing ability as well, and checks are free for customers ages 50 and above.

Only $5 is required to earn interest, and it doesn’t charge a monthly fee.

Check-writing is available, and checks are free for customers ages 50 and above.

The top yield is low relative to what some other banks and credit unions offer.

Bank experience

VyStar Credit Union has more than 50 full-service branches. In addition to more than 200 ATMs located in the state of Florida, there’s access to more than 20,000 surcharge-free ATMs across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Some ATMs are available at retailers such as CVS Pharmacy, Target and Walgreens.

Branch hours vary by location. Representatives are available through the contact center every day. Members can also contact the credit union through the live chat feature on their website.

Members can use the credit union’s mobile app and take advantage of capabilities like Zelle and account alerts. Account holders can use touch ID or fingerprint recognition to get into the VyStar mobile app. There’s also a VyStar card control app that members can use to manage access to their debit cards.

Other tools for members include financial calculators. There’s free financial counseling for members who need it and free financial courses for teens and college students. Digital wallet capabilities are available, too, through Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay.

About VyStar Credit Union

VyStar Credit Union was chartered in 1952 and was originally known as the Jax Navy Federal Credit Union, which offered services to military and civil service members.

VyStar is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and today has more than 700,000 members. It is northeast Florida’s largest mortgage lender.

Membership is open to local residents who live or work in 49 Florida counties or in four counties in Southeast Georgia. You can also qualify for membership if you're part of a business, church or organization located in one of the counties within the field of membership.


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Other offers you may like

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Alliant Credit Union 4x3

The bottom line: Alliant is one of the best credit unions out there, especially if you want to earn high interest rates on savings, checking, and certificates.

Should you use Alliant Credit Union?

  • Are comfortable banking digitally
  • Prioritize earning high interest rates
  • Want a checking account that earns interest
  • Use ATMs frequently
  • Want to avoid overdraft fees
  • Aren't comfortable banking digitally
  • Prefer a bank over a credit union and/or want an institution that compounds your interest daily rather than monthly

Savings

Alliant High-Rate Savings Account

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Min Deposit

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Editor's Rating
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Min Deposit

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Editor's Rating
  • Competitive APY
  • Alliant covers your $5 minimum opening deposit
  • No monthly service fee if you opt for eStatements instead of paper statements
  • Interest compounded monthly, not daily
  • Minimum $100 balance to earn interest
  • Several ways to become a member; the easiest is to join Foster Care for Success (Alliant will cover your $5 membership fee)
  • Must maintain $100 balance to earn interest
  • Interest compounded monthly
  • Federally insured by the NCUA

Alliant High-Rate Savings is a solid online savings account. It pays a competitive interest rate, and there are no monthly service fees. There's technically a $5 minimum opening deposit, but Alliant will cover the cost. Keep in mind that you do need to keep a $100 balance to earn interest, though.

Checking

Alliant High-Interest Checking Account

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Min Deposit

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Editor's Rating
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Min Deposit

A five pointed star

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Editor's Rating
  • Earn interest
  • No minimum opening deposit
  • No monthly service fees
  • $20/month in out-of-network ATM fee refunds
  • No overdraft fees
  • No incoming wire transfer fee
  • Compounds interest monthly, not daily
  • $25 outgoing wire transfer fee
  • Several ways to become a member; the easiest is to join Foster Care to Success (Alliant will cover your $5 membership fee)
  • 80,000+ free ATMs
  • Alliant does not charge overdraft fees; you can overdraw, but you will not pay a fee. You may also link checking to a savings account and select for funds to automatically transfer to cover overdrawn amount.
  • Interest compounded monthly
  • Federally insured by the NCUA

If you're searching for an online checking account, then the Alliant High-Interest Checking Account is a worthwhile option. You'll earn 0.25% APY, regardless of your balance.

You don't need any money to open an account, and there are no monthly service fees. You'll have free access to over 80,000 ATMs nationwide. If you do use an out-of-network ATM and the provider charges you a fee, then Alliant will reimburse you up to $20 per month.

Share certificates (CDs)

Alliant Certificate

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Min Deposit

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

Editor's Rating
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Min Deposit

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

Editor's Rating
  • Competitive APY
  • Low-to-standard early withdrawal penalties
  • Interest compounded monthly, not daily
  • $1,000 minimum deposit
  • No terms under 1 year or over 5 years

An Alliant Certificate (the credit union version of a certificate of deposit) pays pretty good rates. Its early withdrawal penalties are relatively low, especially for longer-term certificates. Alliant requires $1,000 to open a CD, but if you don't have that much money on hand, you can find other institutions that require less.

How Alliant Credit Union works

Alliant Credit Union is an online institution, and you can open accounts from anywhere in the US.

Unlike banks, credit unions require you to become a member to open accounts — and Alliant makes it easier to join than most credit unions. Join Alliant by being an employee, retiree, or member of certain organizations. You can also qualify by living in certain parts of Illinois or being a relative of an existing Alliant member. But the easiest way to become a member is to join Foster Care to Success, and Alliant will cover your $5 joining fee.

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Alliant pays competitive interest rates. But like most credit unions, it only compounds your interest monthly. Most banks compound interest daily, which helps you earn more money in the long run. If it's important to you to maximize your earnings, then you may prefer an online bank over a credit union.

But if you prefer a credit union over a bank, then Alliant is a strong contender.

The Alliant mobile app has received mostly positive reviews. It has 4.7 out of 5 stars in the Apple store, and 4.6 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store.

Speak to an Alliant representative by calling customer service 24/7. Alliant doesn't have a live online chat feature, but you can fill out an online form and wait for a response if you don't want to talk over the phone.

Your deposits are federally insured by the NCUA for up to $250,000, or $500,000 for joint accounts.

Is Alliant trustworthy?

The Better Business Bureau gives Alliant Credit Union an A+ in trustworthiness. A good BBB rating signifies a company responds effectively to customer complaints, has honest advertising practices, and is transparent in how it handles business.

Alliant doesn't have any public scandals. Between the strong BBB rating and positive public image, you may decide you're comfortable banking with Alliant.

How Alliant compares to similar credit unions

We've compared Alliant to two other online credit unions that are easy to join: Pentagon Federal Credit Union and Connexus Credit Union.

Account types

Savings, checking, certificate

Account types

Savings, checking, certificate, money market account

Account types

Savings, checking, certificate, money market account

Savings APY

Savings APY

Savings APY

Monthly fees

Monthly fees

Monthly fees

ATM network

Yes; $20/month for out-of-network fee refunds

ATM network

Yes; $1.50 charge for using out-of-network ATM

ATM network

Yes; no charge for using out-of-network ATM

Alliant Credit Union review vs. Pentagon Federal Credit Union review

Pentagon Federal Credit Union is the clear choice if you want to open a money market account, because Alliant doesn't have money market accounts .

You'll probably prefer PenFed if you want a combination of online and in-person banking, and live near a PenFed branch. You can open a PenFed account online, but there are also branches in 13 US states and DC, and on military bases in Guam, Puerto Rico, and Japan.

But you might like Alliant if you use ATMs regularly. Both credit unions have large free ATM networks, but PenFed doesn't reimburse any fees charged by out-of-network ATM providers. PenFed will also charge you a $1.50 fee for using an out-of-network ATM.

Alliant Credit Union review vs. Connexus Credit Union review

You'll want to go with Connexus Credit Union for a money market account, because Alliant doesn't offer money market accounts.

You might prefer Alliant if you think you'll use out-of-network ATMs. Connexus has an ATM network and doesn't charge you for using out-of-network ATMs. But if a provider charges you for using an out-of-network ATM, then Connexus doesn't refund you. Alliant reimburses up to $20 per month for fees charged by ATM providers.

If you care about interest rates, then your choice between the two credit unions could depend on whether you keep more money in savings or checking. Alliant pays a better APY on savings, but you can earn a much higher APY with Connexus' checking account.

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