Did some business here on occasion, staff were professional and were able to help me outread more

Worst bank in all of Canada!!!! I sent a full payment to payoff my card and because I sent it to…read morethe wrong branch, they returned it to me and refused to apply to my account when they simply could have forwarded it to the correct location in their own business. I called them to complain and they could care less about their customers and only want to take fees and every drop of money they can from them. Stay away from this horrible business!!!

Great location, super professional my favourite Alterna…read morelocation

For years, Alterna Savings has been my bank of choice because of their dedication to community,…read moresmall businesses and their support to me as a client. As a long term customer, I am particularly pleased with Asma Shams, a personal banking officer at the Billings Bridge location in Ottawa. Asma is extremely knowledgeable about the services Alterna offers, financial matters in general, and provides sound advice and options to support my financial goals. Asma goes out of her way to ensure customers are aware of Alterna services and financial options. She is one of the most pleasant, people oriented and business minded banking officers I have met over the past few years. I highly recommend her as a point of contact to discuss any banking or financial issues.

Update: As time as gone on I am more familiar now with this Coop. While the branch has good staff,…read morethe credit union not so much. I DO NOT recommend using Alterna. For a number of reasons. They come out on top for withholding information, and outright lying and not being honest with their customers. It is astounding what we have found out about them in the last few days. Discussions with their people for some banking needs has led us to find out certain information they withheld; discussions with other finance institutions (not banks) has revealed that they have the reputation in finance circles as a ridiculously difficult place to obtain a mortgage and were advised to stay away from them. Indeed we see now that after 4 years there have been promises not kept, and that they have no inclination to really help a customer...just keep your business. It's hard enough right now to live in this day and age. One would think that a bank would want to take your money, help you invest, or purchase a home. Let me tell you, the joke was on us. Don't let it be on you as well.

As I stand here waiting for 47 min with a line of 4 people ahead of me...and 8 more behind us. Why…read moreare they going on break? Why don't they have someone here taking the "difficult" cases. As the manager walks by...is she not trained to jump on a computer and help out? We will not be back to this location!!!! The wait time is disgusting and no one else to help!

Other Canadian ATMs don't think my US Dollar debit card is good enough for their non-recession…read moreravaged economy and non-inflated currency...and, probably, rightfully so. Thank you CIBC for allowing me to withdraw desperately needed funds.

I was moving to Ottawa from another province and I went shopping around multiple banks including…read morethe big 5, the best rate I was able to find was through Alterna, this saved my family and I a significant amount of interest and I cant say how much this was appreciated. Especially in the age of rising real estate prices.

It is unfortunate that I have to review this establishment as I am going to. One would think that…read morebeing the old small fish in the pond of big fish that they would have better policies than they do. More human and less administrative. At least that is what they would like you to believe. Without getting into too much detail, lets just say that this branch thinks it's no different than "the big 3". They just wear a different skin and like to make you think you are just that little bit more special, when in reality they are just the same as everybody else. Also, we have had more problems with this institution than any other bank....ever. Apparently you are considered "new" until you have been there for TWO YEARS! No matter whether your account is in good standing or not, they will do nothing for you (i.e.line of credit, etc,). They are not very forthcoming with specialized assistance when requested and use the excuse that "the system won't allow it". Who runs the bank? The people or the computer system? This is a FAIL of the largest kind in my opinion. Especially when they use this as justification. Do they think people are so ignorant that overrides are not an option?? It makes one feel that there is a large monolith computer standing over the shoulder of each employee. The policies of holding cheques is ridiculous to say the least, especially when it comes to standard and timely cheques from bonafide companies (i.e. your employer). They request that the employer/company SEND THEM A LETTER stipulating that you will be receiving these payments on a regular schedule. So it is up to you to put the onus on your company/employer to take the time to contact them even though it is obvious that these are regular payments. I am baffled at their misleading effort to make you feel like a "member", when all you really are is a number.

They are very nice people working there they are quick and they know what they're doing every step…read moreof the way plus there's a wheel chair ramp or those motorized chairs it's where I do my banking and so should you. The service is wonderful and great atmosphere with a place to sit and rest for a bit while you wait for your wife or girlfriend

This bank is awesome the service is just the best I've ever seen i will forever be grateful for…read morebeing a member