- Competitive rates.ย
- No minimum account requirements.
- Several different CD options.ย
- 10-day best rate guarantee.
Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partnersโ links. This content is created by TIME Stamped, under TIMEโs direction and produced in accordance with TIMEโs editorial guidelines and overseen by TIMEโs editorial staff. Learn more about it.
When looking for places to stash your money, you might debate whether to open a savings account with an online-only bank or a more traditional bank with physical branches.
Ally Bank is the banking branch of Ally Financial. Since 2009 Ally has been a popular digital bank that offers savings, checking, CDs, and money market accounts. So what are some of Ally Bank's main features, offerings, and how does it stack up against some of its competitors - Discoverยฎ Bank, CIT, and Chase?
Let's take a look at Ally Bank's main offerings, overall features, and who Ally Bank is best for.
Ally Spending Account pays interest, gives you early access to direct deposits into your account (two days sooner after youโve made two direct deposits), and has an ingenious feature that lets you set aside money in spending buckets to help you budget. Itโs also relatively low on fees. And provides you with a debit card.
Another huge perk is Allyโs two levels of protection against overdrawing your account: If you have Ally Bank Savings or a Money Market Account, Overdraft Transfer Service will automatically transfer money to cover your negative balance. Or, Allyโs CoverDraft service will cover up to $100 ($250 if you have qualifying direct deposits of at least $250 for two months in a row). Your next checking account deposit will automatically apply to the negative balance. And, if your transaction isnโt covered because it exceeds the CoverDraft limit, you still wonโt be charged an overdraft fee.
Why we recommend it: Ally Spending Account's competitive interest rate, minimal fees, early access to direct deposits, and innovative spending buckets make this account worth considering. And it offers both a debit card and paper checks, for those who still use them.
Ally Spending Account alternatives
Account | Axos Rewards Checking | Sofi Online Checking Account | Chase Total Checkingยฎ |
---|---|---|---|
APY* | Up to 3.30% | 0.50% (though Up to 4.00% APY with direct deposit or $5,000 or more in qualifying deposits during the 30-day evaluation period.) | N/A |
Monthly fee | $0 | $0 | $12 ($0 with qualifying activities); $34 NSF Fee |
Min. deposit | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Bonus | N/A | Up to $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposits available through ย 1/31/2026 | $300* |
View Offer | View Offer | Learn More |
Ally's high-yield savings account features competitive interest rates, no monthly service or overdraft fees, and no minimum deposit requirements. Plus, account holders can set up 10 separate savings "buckets" or sub-accounts, and employ recurring transfers, roundups, boosters and surprise transfers to speed up their savings goals.
Why we recommend it: Competitive interest rates, easy, sophisticated tools to help you save, plus around-the-clock customer service.
Ally Savings Account alternatives
Account | Discoverยฎ Online Savings Account | SoFi Savings |
---|---|---|
APY* | 3.75% | Up to 4.00% APY with direct deposit or $5,000 or more in qualifying deposits during the 30-day evaluation period. |
Min. deposit | $0 | $0 |
Min. balance to earn APY | $0.01 | $0.01 |
Monthly fee | $0 | $0 |
View Offer | View Offer |
Ally offers CDs with terms between three months to five years, and also raise-your-rate and no-penalty CDs. Plus, there's no minimum amount to open your CD, but you'll need to stash something in one to start earning interest.
Why we recommend it: With its competitive rates, different products, and no minimum account requirements, Ally's CD offerings are worth considering.
Ally CDs alternatives
Account | Ally CD | Valley Direct CD Account | Discoverยฎ 1-Year CD |
---|---|---|---|
APY* | 3.90% | 4.00% | 4.00% |
Term | 18 months | 12 months | 1 Year |
Min. deposit | $0 | $500 | $0 |
Monthly fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
This money market account currently offers the same competitive interest rate on all three of its balance tiersโless than $5,000, $5,000 to $24,999, and $25,000 or more. That could change: Ally also states that the โAPY we pay is based on the tier in which your end-of-day balance falls.โ Interest is compounded daily.
Why we recommend it: With its competitive rates, low fees, and no minimum account requirements, Ally's Money Market Account is worth considering.
Ally Money Market Account alternatives
Account | Ally Money Market Account | Quontic Money Market Account |
---|---|---|
APY* | 3.80% | 4.75% |
Min. deposit | $0 | $100 |
Monthly fee | $0 | $0 |
While many banks charge an overdraft fee if you don't have sufficient funds in your bank account to cover a transaction, Ally doesn't charge fees for overdraft items on its checking or savings accounts.
You might get hit with a monthly account fee from some banks. Ally's checking and savings accounts don't have monthly maintenance fees.
A bank might have a fee if your balance dips below a minimum amount. You won't get charged a low balance fee with an Ally checking account.
Whereas some banks charge a fee for ACH transfers, Ally's savings and checking accounts don't charge you a fee for standard or expedited ACH transfers.
If you are receiving a domestic or international wire, Ally won't charge you a fee if you have a savings or checking account. However, there is a $20 fee per domestic wire.
If you have a savings or checking account, you won't be charged a fee for an official or cashier's check.
If you need a check overnighted, Ally charges an expedited delivery fee of $15.
Should you be in need of extensive research, for example, if you need statements from years past, Ally will charge a research fee of $25 per hour. You'll be informed ahead of time of any such fees.
If you're an existing Ally member, you can access Ally's customer support team via chat by logging into your account. Available 24/7, Ally's customer support team is highly accessible, and can be reached via phone, chat, email, or written correspondence.
You can manage your account, check your balance, make transfers and deposits, and pay bills all online or via Ally's mobile app. If you use assistive technology, you can reach out to Ally's customer support for assistance.
UI/Technology With Ally's mobile app and desktop experience, you can deposit checks, and opt for direct deposit and and manage your accounts anytime, anywhere. Plus, you can decide on paperless statements. Security To keep your accounts safe, you can receive account alerts via phone, email, or text to set spending limits and preferences to block transactions in certain merchant categories.Plus, you can set up controls so that your card can only be used within a certain geographic range.
Ally started out as an auto finance company in 1919, and has grown into online banking, credit lending and wealth management.
In 2021 Ally Bank faced a data breach where a coding error on its website led to customers' usernames and passwords being exposed to a third-party business associates. A related class action lawsuit was filed that accused Ally of being responsible for the breach was dismissed.
In 2021 Ally Financial agreed to pay a settlement worth $757,500,000 for consumers who received notices from Ally that turned out the notices didn't comply with each state's form and content requirements.
Ally Bank is a strong fit for those who are comfortable with an online-only bank and with doing all their banking on a desktop or mobile app. As Ally Bank has competitive high-yield savings and CD accounts, we find it to be a top contender for those who are focused on optimizing short-term savings, don't want to worry about fees, and enjoy using savings features and tools to help them reach their goals.
Yes, if you have a deposit account with Ally Bank, up to $250,000 per account holder per qualifying account is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Qualifying accounts include checking, savings, money market, CD, and retirement accounts.
While Ally Bank is an online-bank, its physical headquarters is in Sandy, Utah, and it has a corporate center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ally Financial, the holding company that owns Ally Bank is located in Detroit, Michigan.
Ally has employee offices across the U.S. include locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Jacksonville, Little Rock, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.
Comparing Ally Bank with its competitors is not a straightforward linear process, as certain products may present a superior overall package compared to others, taking into account factors such as customer service, monthly fees, and rates.
For example, while Ally Bank, Discoverยฎ Bank and CIT Bank have high interest savings rates to offer, Discoverยฎ Bank has a higher rate than Ally Bank, while not requiring a minimum deposit like CIT Bank.
While they are part of the same company, they aren't the same. Ally Bank is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Ally Financial.
Ally Bank ranks third overall in J.D. Power's 2022 Customer Service Satisfaction Study, after Charles Schwab and Discoverยฎ Bank.
As Ally Bank is part of Ally Financial, and Ally Financial is a publicly traded company, institutional investors own the majority of Ally. In fact, that percentage is nearly 90%. The remaining percentage is retail investors and Ally Insiders.
You can contact Ally's Bank department in a number of ways. If you're in the U.S., the number is 877-247-2559. If you're outside the U.S., the number is 757-247-2559. Need to report fraud? The line to call is 1-833-226-1520. You can also send an email by logging into your account. You can also reach Ally's customer care department at:
Ally Bank Customer Care
P.O. Box 951
Horsham, PA 19044
Yes. You can access Ally's chat feature by logging onto your account on your desktop or via the mobile app.
SoFi Disclosures: 1. Up to $300 Bonus Tiered Disclosure: New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Direct Deposit can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 4.00% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Direct Deposit will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
2. APY disclosures: SoFi members with Direct Deposit or $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Only SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
3. Fee Policy: We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.
The information presented here is created by TIME Stamped and overseen by TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About Us page.