Alliant Credit Union Bank Account Free $50 Signup Bonus
If you are searching for an awesome internet bank which offers great rates and great customer service, look no further.
Over the past years, I’ve used many, many different internet banks (GMAC, Everbank, INGDirect, Bank of America, Chase, PenFed, Presidential, HSBC, etc). Alliant Credit Union is the one that I’ve been most satisfied with.
What I like
- Rates, although not always the highest, are consistently high (Currently on 4/14/09, APY is 2.75 for savings and 2.5 for checking).
- Free ATM withdrawals across a huge ATM network
- Responsive customer service
- Free credit score
- No monthly minimum balance
- No strict requirements (i.e. use of debit cards) for the high rates
- Can fund with credit card (take advantage of credit card rewards)
- eDepositPlus (you can deposit checks be scanning them in. You never need to leave your house or mail anything!). Need to be a member for 6 months before activated.
- Simple, straightforward website
- Random perks such as Sprint Nextel 25% wireless discount
Not so hot
- $10,000 ACH transfer limit (even lower for new accounts)
- Hard pull on your credit score
How do you qualify for this credit union?
- If you happen to live in select Chicago suburbs, you already qualify!
- Sign up for the National PTA organization for $25. I recommend this option as you will be supporting our teachers. Once you become an Alliant member, you do NOT need to maintain your PTA membership.
- Otherwise you might be able to sign up without the PTA. They don’t seem very strict in verifying eligibility. I signed up last year without ever having had a PTA account.
Further eligibility details and sign up information is here.
For a limited time, they are offering a $50 bonus for signing up for a checking account. Just use offer code J534 when signing up (if using the paper application, just write the offer code on the front of the app). To be eligible, you must opt out of paper statements and have 1 electronic deposit per month. This offer expires 5/29/2009.
Alliant Credit Union is a great place to save money. I put most of my savings in there.
