Alliant Credit Union Personal Loans: 2024 Review

Written by
Lauren Nowacki
Edited by
Rhys Subitch
Updated on September 25, 2024

At a glance

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4.5
Bankrate Score
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Availability
5.0
Affordability
4.7
Customer Experience
5.0
Transparency
3.5

About Bankrate Score

Full methodology

Formerly known as the United Airlines Employees’ Credit Union, Alliant has been operating since 1935. Although the credit union has changed its business model to an online-only service, it is still one of the largest credit unions in the country. Since its inception, Alliant has funded a total of $10 billion in loans, and services 700,000 members nationwide.

Lender Details

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Loan amount

$1,000-$100,000

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APR from

8.99%

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Term lengths

12-60 months

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Funds available in

as soon as the same day

Alliant Credit Union is best for emergency loans for existing members

Alliant’s loan application process is entirely online, and the lender offers same-day approval and funding. In case you need assistance, there’s an online chat option, or customer support is available 24/7 over the phone. This, combined with its flexible loan amounts and the fact that it doesn’t charge an origination fee, makes Alliant a good choice to cover both small and large emergencies.

That said, Alliant is only a good choice for emergencies if you’re already a member. That’s because the credit union requires a 90-day waiting period for new members to qualify for its loans. Becoming a member has other benefits, too. Named Best Credit Union in the 2024 Bankrate Awards, Alliant Credit Union grants fee-free access to thousands of ATMs across the country.

Alliant Credit Union personal loan purposes

With loan amounts starting at $1,000, Alliant provides funding for smaller home maintenance projects and emergency repairs. Larger loan amounts are also available for borrowers looking to consolidate debt, pay for medical expenses or take on more extensive home renovations.
 
While you can use a personal loan for almost anything, most lenders do not allow borrowers to use them to pay for tuition, business expenses or illegal activities.

Where Alliant Credit Union personal loans stand out

  • Flexible loan amounts: Borrow as little as $1,000 or as much as $100,000.
  • Quick funding: Alliant offers same-day approval and funding, with direct deposit into your account.
  • No origination fees: Unlike other lenders, Alliant doesn’t charge an origination fee, meaning it won’t cost you extra to borrow money when you need it.
  • Autopay discount: You can get a 0.40 percent discount if you enroll in autopay.
  • 24-hour assistance: While other lenders may not be available on the weekends, Alliant provides 24/7 customer support over the phone.

Where Alliant Credit Union personal loans fall short

  • High starting APR: The minimum APR is higher than that of other lenders, meaning you may pay more over the life of the loan.
  • No joint applications: Alliant doesn’t allow co-borrowers on personal loan applications, so if you have lower credit, you may not get the best terms — or may not qualify at all.
  • Required membership: You must be a member of Alliant Credit Union for at least 90 days to get a personal loan from this lender.

Alliant Credit Union customer experience

Customer support

Unlike other lenders, Alliant offers 24/7 support by phone. That means you can get help outside of business hours. If you have a quick question, there’s also an online chat option.

Digital experience

Alliant is an online-only service, meaning application and account management is done completely online. With a 4.5 star rating on Android and 4.7 on the App Store, Alliant’s mobile app allows you to easily access your account on the go.

What people are saying about Alliant Credit Union

This lender has a 1.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, though it’s important to note that is based on very few reviews available. There are only 60 reviews and even fewer about personal loans, specifically. 

That said, Alliant members on Trustpilot and other review platforms seem to enjoy the zero-fee ATM access but are mixed on the quality of customer support and ability to qualify. Many negative reviews focus on how the lender handles fraudulent activity.

One satisfied reviewer said, in part:

"Been banking here since 2008. Great loan rates. Great credit card rates and most important, great functionality! In other words, I have the same functions pretty much as I would with a bigger bank"

— Trustpilot User

Another customer who had a less satisfactory experience said:

"Bad experience with their loan officers. The few times I have called to try to work things out I get talked down to and told multiple different things depending on who I speak with. Really tired of hoping I'd get someone to truly help me and tell me all rather than call several times to get a full picture or all the options that available to me. Not very friendly or helpful and they give serious attitude, get a different job bud if you're tired of dealing with people on the phone."

— Trustpilot User

Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate. Please see the issuer’s website for updated terms and conditions.

How this lender compares

logo
4.5
Bankrate Score
APR from
8.99%
Loan Amount
$1,000-$100,000
Term Length
12-60 months
Min Credit Score
Not disclosed
Compare ratesArrow Right Icon
on Bankrate
logo
4.7
Bankrate Score
APR from
8.99%-17.99%
Loan Amount
$600 to $50,000
Term Length
Up to 60 months
Min Credit Score
700
Read our reviewArrow Right Icon
on Bankrate
logo
4.7
Bankrate Score
APR from
8.99% to 29.49%* with autopay
Loan Amount
$5,000–$100,000
Term Length
24 to 84 months
Min Credit Score
300
Read our reviewArrow Right Icon
on Bankrate

Alliant Credit Union vs. PenFed

While both lenders don’t charge an origination fee, PenFed’s minimum APR starts at 8.99 percent, so it could cost less to borrow than it would with Alliant. PenFed also allows a co-borrower, so those with low credit scores may have an easier time qualifying. However, PenFed only offers loans up to $50,000, so if you need to borrow more, Alliant may be a better option.

Read a full review about PenFed

Alliant Credit Union vs. SoFi

Like Alliant, SoFi is an online-only bank, with no mandatory origination fees and same day approval and funding. However, SoFi does allow co-borrowers and offers longer repayment terms — up to seven years. You also don’t need to be a member to get a personal loan.

Read a full review about SoFi

Do you qualify?

If you’re already an Alliant Credit Union member, you can apply for the loan by logging into your account and filling out the form. If you’re not an Alliant member, you’ll have to join the credit union and wait at least 90 days before applying for its personal loans.

How to apply for a personal loan with Alliant Credit Union 

  1. Check your membership status: You must be an Alliant Credit Union member for at least 90 days and in good standing to receive a personal loan.
  2. Add information and finalize your application: During the online application, you’ll first specify your loan purpose and desired amount and term. You’ll also need to provide personal, contact and employment information. You may be asked to supply supporting documentation. Once your information is submitted, you may get a decision as early as the same day.
  3. Review the loan details: Once you're approved, make sure to review the loan terms carefully. If everything looks good, you can sign along the digital line and dictate where to deposit the funds.

How Bankrate rates Alliant Credit Union

Overall Score 4.5 Explanation
Availability 5.0 Alliant got a perfect score in this category due to its quick approval and funding process, in addition to its wide range of repayment terms and flexible loan amounts.
Affordability 4.7 Alliant’s loans feature decent starting APRs and as a credit union has a low APR maximum. This, combined with the fact that they don’t charge origination fees, makes its loans relatively affordable.
Customer Experience 5.0 Alliant offers 24/7 customer support, a highly rated mobile app, in addition to a quick online application process.
Transparency 3.5 Alliant only lists its starting APRs. The lender also doesn’t list its credit or income requirements, which is why they earned a lower score in this category.

Methodology

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

Read our full methodology

48

years in business

30

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

665

data points collected

Bankrate considers 20 factors when reviewing lenders. Credit requirements, APR ranges, fees, loan amounts and flexibility are all taken into account so that ratings are representative of how competitive lenders are for a wide range of credit profiles and budgets. The Bankrate Score for personal loans consists of four categories:

  • Availability: What the minimum loan amounts are, its eligibility requirements and loan turnaround are considered in this category.
  • Affordability: The interest rates, penalties and fees are measured in this section of the score. Lower rates and fees and fewer potential penalties result in a higher score.
  • Customer experience: This category covers customer service hours, if online applications are available, online account access and mobile apps.
  • Transparency: This category is measured by how accessible credit requirements, rates and fees are on the lender's page. We also considered whether prequalification was available, as all these factors are key for consumers to make an informed decision.

Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by Bankrate.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the lender’s website for the most current information.

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