Alterna Bank: Our review of their financial products

CS Alterna Bank, which operates under the Alterna Bank name, is a Canadian financial institution founded over 30 years ago. It is a member of the Alterna Group, which includes Alterna Credit Union and Alterna Bank.

Alterna Bank operates mainly in the Ottawa and Gatineau regions, where its head office is located. It offers many products and services to Canadians, including chequing accounts, high-interest savings accounts, mortgages and investments (TFSAs, RRSPs, GICs, etc.). Deposits in their savings products are eligible for CDIC deposit insurance up to $100,000.

Alterna Bank also offers products and services for small businesses, such as bank accounts, loans and payroll solutions.

As mentioned above, Alterna Bank offers a wide variety of financial products. However, our analysis focuses mainly on bank accounts.

Alterna Bank offers a range of fixed and variable-rate mortgages, both for new mortgages and mortgage renewals. Several advantages are offered, such as early repayment options (up to 20% of the initial balance) and covered closing costs of up to $800.

Alterna Bank offers several investment options. First, the TFSA and RRSP/RRIF savings accounts mentioned above. But, also, guaranteed investment options such as Term Deposits (eTerm Deposits), Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs), Direct investing and Guided Portfolios – the last two in collaboration with Qtrade.

In our Review, the Alterna Bank chequing account is a good choice. Firstly, because there are no monthly fees. But also because there are no fees for day-to-day transactions and no minimum balance required. However, other Canadian banks also offer advantageous chequing accounts, including :

To compare other chequing accounts, use our bank account comparator.

In our Review, Alterna Bank‘s high-interest savings account is another good choice. However, as is the case with chequing accounts, other Canadian financial institutions have tempting offers (especially online banks), including :

To compare other savings accounts, use our bank account comparator.

Overall, Alterna Bank ‘s range of financial products is attractive to Canadians, including bank accounts with no fees and no minimum balance requirements, available through ATMs in Quebec and Ontario.

However, the “High” Interest eSavings account interest rate is lower than many of its competitors, whether EQ Bank, Wealthsimple or Tangerine. What’s more, the range of savings and investment products is limited and offered by another online broker (in collaboration).

TFSA and RRSP savings accounts are available, but the FHSA is not (although it is available in an investment account).

Competition among Canadian financial institutions is fierce, and has been for several years. Of course, Alterna Bank must continue to offer competitive products and services that meet the needs of Canadians. But it also has to develop new financial products to compete with other banks (traditional banks and online banks).