Brandwave

Alliant Credit Union vs PenFed Credit Union:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, PenFed Credit Union had more branded searches than Alliant Credit Union among credit unions in the United States. PenFed Credit Union had about 201,000 branded searches, while Alliant Credit Union had 90,500. PenFed Credit Union made up 3.5% of all credit union searches we track, and Alliant Credit Union accounted for 1.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about credit unions, both Alliant Credit Union and PenFed Credit Union appeared in all four answers. Alliant Credit Union was mentioned before PenFed Credit Union in every answer.

Among credit unions in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

PenFed Credit Union, about 2 searches for every 1 for Alliant Credit Union

PenFed Credit Union 201K searchesAlliant Credit Union 90.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

Alliant Credit Union in 4 of 4PenFed Credit Union in 4 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Alliant Credit Union, named ahead of PenFed Credit Union in every answer

Alliant Credit Union first in 4PenFed Credit Union never first

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Top credit unions in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, both Alliant Credit Union and PenFed Credit Union showed up in all four answers. Alliant Credit Union was listed before PenFed Credit Union in every answer.

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

+1 more

See every answer about credit unions

4 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.

Is Alliant Credit Union or PenFed Credit Union more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Alliant Credit Union and PenFed Credit Union by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 credit unions we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

Alliant Credit Union and PenFed Credit Union among credit unions in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for PenFed Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNavy Federal Credit UnionState Employees' Credit UnionBECUSuncoast Credit UnionSchoolsFirst Federal Credit UnionPenFed Credit UnionConsumers Credit UnionAlliant Credit UnionGolden 1 Credit UnionFirst Tech Federal Credit UnionQuorum Federal Credit Union
Oct 202567.7%6.7%6.7%5.4%3.6%3.6%2%1.3%1.3%1.5%0.15%
Nov 202565%7.8%6.4%6.4%4.3%3.5%1.9%1.6%1.6%1.4%0.14%
Dec 202562%9.1%7.5%7.5%4.1%3.3%1.8%1.5%1.5%1.6%0.13%
Jan 202662.3%7.5%7.5%6.1%5%4.1%2.3%1.8%1.5%1.7%0.17%
Feb 202663.6%7.7%6.3%6.3%5.1%3.4%2.3%1.9%1.9%1.5%0.14%
Mar 202661.6%7.4%7.4%7.4%5%4.1%2.2%1.8%1.5%1.5%0.16%
Apr 202662.5%7.5%7.5%6.2%5%4.1%2.3%1.8%1.5%1.4%0.17%
May 202665%7.8%6.4%6.4%4.3%3.5%2.3%1.6%1.3%1.2%0.17%
Jun 202662%11.2%6.1%6.1%5%3.3%2.2%1.5%1.2%1.1%0.16%
Jul 202663.9%7.7%6.3%6.3%5.1%4.2%2.3%1.5%1.3%1.2%0.17%
Aug 202663%7.6%7.6%6.2%5.1%4.1%2.3%1.5%1.2%1.1%0.2%
Sep 202664.6%7.8%6.4%6.4%5.2%3.5%1.9%1.6%1.3%1.3%0.21%

How has the Alliant Credit Union and PenFed Credit Union comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for United States credit unions in September 2026?

1 change

  1. In September 2026, PenFed Credit Union lost share of searches among credit unions in the United States, from 4.1% to 3.5%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Alliant Credit Union’s and PenFed Credit Union’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Alliant Credit Union

1 branded search term

  • alliant credit union

PenFed Credit Union

1 branded search term

  • penfed

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among credit unions

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