ALEC, Gurnee, IL

SERVICE and VALUE is declining. We have been with ALEC since its inception. Historically, it has been one of the best places to do all your banking. Great loan rates, competitive savings rates and always great customer service. I am sad to say that has all changed over the past year or so. First I noticed that they have changed who manages their credit cards - the former benefit of getting points is now quite laughable, as you can only use points to buy price-limited gift cards. We used to use ours for travel - used to be able to book hotels through the site - no longer. I used points to help my aging and cash-strapped parents to buy a new fridge and dryer in the past - no longer possible. But I was willing to continue to chug along with ALEC - now we use a Chase card mostly - since they have better programs. Now, the most recent thing that I take most issue with are some fees popping up, that I NEVER have had before. Five bucks here, another five there , etc. I found out that one was for not using our credit card enough in a month..ok, so I began to use the card a few times more just to avoid the fee. Now I am getting 5 dollar fees in my checking(interest bearing) for what - I have no idea yet. I called and spoke with someone who is clearly an out-sourced person who just quoted the obvious info on the new ALEC website - but could not tell me why MY ACCOUNT specifically was charged. I have noticed the outsourced folks really know nothing about ALEC at all and just are there to process calls so they can shuttle you off to someone else , or a call back that never comes. So I have to say - I am DONE with you, ALEC. Time to move on, as painful as that process will be for us - in the long run, I deserve better. I deserve - we ALL deserve - the level of service and value that brought us here in the first place. You changed, so now we will change. good bye!

If you work for or are retired from Abbott or AbbVie, are a family member of an Abbott or AbbVie employee, or are a family member of an existing ALEC member, you can join ALEC.

The day before closing on my house I was so nervous with everything, but I walked in, Christina R. sat me down, helped me with some money processes, clarified a lot of details for me, and overall made me so much more confident and relaxed about it all. Closing went perfectly the next day and I can't thank her enough! Great customer service.

I hate this bank. Your technology is terrible. It took you guys FOREVER to adopt Zelle and now that you have, I still can't use it. I was really excited because I finally had a way to get money I transferred to ALEC back to my preferred bank Chase. But it takes a ridiculous amount of time to get services activated and your bank deactivates services without permission. The only upside of ALEC is the interest rates. Even the customer services is lacking. It's like y'all live to say no.

Terrible over the phone customer service. It’s like blind leading the blind. In person service is better but if there is no need to go in, then why, right? That’s why there’s a customer service #. Nobody ever calls back. Wait times are ridiculous. The information I received when I finally got to someone was incorrect and HAD to go in because nobody ever got back to me… the only reason I changed banks is because my husband and I have a joint account now and it benefitted to join his, alec. And their is no point to the app other than checking balances/transfers.

Quick, easy and friendly personal banking. The rates are very competitive. ALEC has a wide variety of investment options and a convenient mobile app. The personal bankers listen to what you want and offer excellent investment options. Have been banking at ALEC for 30+ years.

I have had an account here since 1991. I opened an account for my daughter when she was a child (She is 30 now). I remember ALEC telling me that as long as she had money in her account she was good (this was probably 10 years ago). Now I find out they charge an $18 fee per month on dormant accounts (no activity for 1 year per the representative is considered dormant) and "it could be negative" according to the representative on the phone. This is just wrong on so many levels. What happened to turning dormant accounts over to the State Treasurer? Anyway, after reading other reviews, it does seem like ALEC has jumped on the fee bandwagon like the big banks.

No longer live in IL; however, the ALEC’s team has helped with financial dealings remotely and securely. Love my credit union.