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

I can't be anything more than a fan. I handed them a cheque they handed me back some money. We…read morechatted about the weather, and all friendly Canadian things like that. They have free mints!

This RBC branch recently opened and it is big, bright and clean. They are open on Saturdays and…read morelate on Thursdays (until 8pm). Customer service is excellent. Since they recently opened they sent a flyer to residents in the neighbourhood inviting us to come in and take a look at the new branch and if we brought the flyer we would also get a free $5 Tim Hortons gift card - no strings attached! I was like, I like doughnuts and I especially like free doughnuts, so needless to say, I went with flyer in hand. When I got there I was impressed with the way the branch looked and the various services they offered there. They told me though that they ran out of the gift cards, but if I left them my name and mailing address they would mail one to me when they got some more, so that's what I did. That was back in early December 2016. By late January, I still hadn't received anything from them and figured I probably wasn't going to get anything, but whatever. What a pleasant surprise it was when yesterday I got in the mail, a $5 gift card for Bridgehead from them with a note thanking me for my patience. I guess they switched to Bridgehead cards from Tim Hortons cards (makes sense since there are no Tim Hortons in this neighbourhood, but lots of Bridgeheads.). Anyway, I was most impressed with their professionalism on this matter. It shows accountability on all their services, even their promotional offers!

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.

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

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.

I recently bought a house in Arizona and my Realtor recommended I use FIRMA. As a private…read moreindividual I saved $1000s of dollars on my exchange compared to my bank. The Private Client Services team from Edmonton was very knowledgeable and helpful. They made the transaction easy and stressfree. Would recommend to family and friends.