Skip to Main Content
Routing #: 221381867

Open a Personal Account

Welcome to a Nonprofit Financial Cooperative Dedicated to Making a Difference in our Community 

At Alternatives, our purpose is to help everyone begin a financial journey forward, no matter where they’re starting from. Opening your account is the first step to get you towards the next goal, such as buying a home, starting a business, reducing debt, raising your credit score, saving money, etc. Many of our front line staff are certified as financial counselors and prepared to connect you with the resources to move you closer to your financial goals.   

We are a small financial institution. If you prefer to open your account in person, we recommend you schedule an appointment. Thank you!

Open Your Account Online
Schedule an Appointment

Who Can Join?

You are eligible to become a member of Alternatives by joining the Alternatives Fund of Ithaca, Inc. and reside in the counties of Tompkins, Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Monroe, Orleans, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, Yates, Onondaga, and Broome.

Simple Steps to Become a Member

Joining Alternatives is straightforward:

  1. Membership Enrollment: A one-time fee of $2 enrolls you in the Alternatives Fund of Ithaca, Inc., our not-for-profit membership association.
  2. Activate Your Membership: Deposit $5 into a savings account to become a shareholding owner-member of Alternatives Federal Credit Union.
  3. Required Documents: To open your account, you’ll need an unexpired government-issued ID and proof of physical street address.

Acceptable Forms of Identification:

  • State Driver’s License
  • State Learner’s Permit
  • State Issued Non-Driver Identification Card
  • US Passport

If you do not have one of the listed IDs, please visit our branch or schedule an appointment to open your account.

Proof of Address Can Include:

  • Paycheck stub
  • Utility bills
  • Copy of lease (fully signed by tenant and landlord)

If you do not have one of the listed proofs of address, please visit our branch or schedule an appointment to open your account.

If you are opening your new account in-person, you must download and complete the consumer questionnaire (below). Open your account online to avoid downloading this form.

You may also send it via fax or mail or bring it with you in-person:

  • Fax: 607-277-6391 ATTN: New Accounts
  • Mail: 125 N Fulton St. Ithaca NY 14850 ATTN: New Accounts 

This is required for all personal account types including Rep Payee* and UTMA** accounts. 

Download the Consumer Questionnaire

*A representative payee bank account is an account used by an appointed person or organization to manage the finances of a Social Security beneficiary

**Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) refers to a law that allows a minor to receive gifts with the aid of a guardian or trustee

Account Types

All accounts start with $5 in a savings. There is no additional cost or minimum deposit for checking, we offer an Alternatives VISA Debit Card, and no monthly service fees if you opt out of paper statements. Consider adding a Lucky Savers Certificate to your account for a chance to win monthly and quarterly cash prizes.

You may choose to add a joint owner or certified (convenience) signer to your account at the time of account opening.

A joint owner may use the account as their own; they may deposit checks and request a debit card in their name.

An authorized signer (convenience signer) is not an owner, however they may transact on your behalf. A convenience signer may not deposit checks made payable to them or request their own debit card. The account owner may request a debit for convenience signer(s) on the account.

You may choose to add beneficiaries to your account. If you choose to do so, please be prepared with Name, SSN, Date and Place of Birth, and Address for each.

Open a Youth Account for those under 18 with just a $1 minimum balance. Youth aged 14 and older can have a checking account and a free VISA debit card with the consent of an adult joint owner. There are no monthly fees, and free paper statements are available until age 19.

Required for Youth Applicants:

    • Social Security Number.

    • One of the following for identification:

        • Original Social Security Card

        • Birth Certificate

        • Current Local School ID

    • A valid email address. If the youth does not have an email, a parent must provide one for the account.

For the following account types please make an appointment at the credit union:

An UTMA is a custodial account that can be used to save funds for a minor. Funds deposited in an account opened under the New York Uniform Transfer to Minors Act represent an irrevocable gift to the minor.

To open an UTMA account, you must provide the minor’s Social Security Number.

If you are opening a court appointed UTMA account, you will be required to provide court documentation.

If you are a Representative Payee for a Social Security or Supplemental Security Income recipient and need an account to manage their benefit income, you may open a Rep Payee Account. You will be required to provide your Rep Payee designation or award letter, or copy of Rep Payee benefit check.

Other account types

  • Business
  • Trust
  • Estate
  • Foreign
  • IRA (Individual Retirement Account)
  • SEP IRA (Simplified Employee Pension)
  • HSA (Health Savings Account)
Open Your Account
Schedule an Appointment

Support Our Mission!

Unlike traditional banks, we specialize in lending to individuals, organizations, and businesses in under-resourced communities, offering financial education, business coaching, and low-interest rate loans that increase economic potential and help build wealth.

Join Us!

Speak with a Financial Coach

No need to figure it out yourself, coaches can provide help with money management, paying bills, building credit and housing issues. Speak with a financial coach through our non-profit partner, Balance.

Schedule an Appointment