Ally Bank Review September 2024: CD rates, checking, savings, and more
Ally is an online-only bank based in Detroit. It offers a range of financial products and services that include deposit accounts as well as credit cards, investment accounts, mortgages, personal loans, and more. Ally Bank does not have any physical branches or the ability to make cash deposits but it does offer more than 43,000 free ATMs and 24/7 customer service.
This allows it to offer high-yield savings accounts with annual percentage yields (APYs) that top the national average. All rates and fees are current as of July 1, 2024, and are subject to change.
Ally Bank
| Checking accounts | No minimum requirements or maintenance fees |
| Savings accounts: | 4.20% APY |
| Money market accounts (MMAs): | 4.40% APY |
| Certificate of deposit (CD) rates: | 4.50% |
Pros
- APY is higher than the national average
- Transparent pricing with no account balance minimums
- Offers credit cards, investment accounts, and loans
- Easy-to-use online portal
Cons
- Does not offer the highest rates available
- Online-only without any physical branches
- Outgoing domestic wires are charged a fee
- Cannot send outgoing international wires
Ally Bank offers additional products, such as credit cards, brokerage accounts, and various loan types. Because of this, it’s also good for those who want their deposit accounts, investment accounts, and loans at the same bank.
Ally is an online-only bank without any physical locations or the ability to make cash deposits. If you need branches with the ability to make cash deposits, then Ally Bank isn’t right for you. Furthermore, while it does offer some of the highest rates on its savings products, there may be other alternatives available with higher rates.
Ally Bank rates and products
Ally offers a multitude of deposit accounts, including checking accounts, savings accounts, MMAs, and CDs of varying lengths. Because Ally is an online bank it offers APYs that are more than five times the national average but there may be slightly higher options available. Check out the overview of Ally Bank’s rates and then dive deeper into each product below.
Ally Bank checking accounts
Ally’s Spending Account is the bank’s free checking account with up to a 0.25% APY and no account minimums or service fees. However, checking accounts with less than $15,000 only earn 0.10% APY. The account offers a debit card with access to a network of over 43,000 free ATMs and reimbursements of up to $10 per statement cycle for fees charged at other ATMs nationwide.
Checking account bonuses include features such as early direct deposit and overdraft protection. Deposit checks and send or receive money directly from the Ally Bank mobile app. While its checking account is free, there are some fees associated with things such as outgoing domestic wire transfers.
Ally Bank savings accounts
Ally Bank offers a high-yield savings account with a 4.35% APY which is much higher than the national average of 0.47% APY. Ally’s savings account does not have a required minimum balance, monthly maintenance fee, or overdraft fees. While Ally is a reputable online bank with a good APY on its savings accounts, other current high-yield savings accounts may offer better rates.
Ally Bank’s savings rate compared to current top rates
While Ally is a strong option with great features, there may be some institutions that offer higher interest rates. Compare the rates above to this list of competitors:
Ally Bank MMAs
MMAs give you the benefits of both a checking and savings account. Ally Bank offers an MMA with a 4.40% APY and a debit card that lets you access more than 43,000 free ATMs with up to $10 in reimbursements for out-of-network ATMs. You can even deposit checks remotely using the Ally app. Ally’s MMAs don’t have any maintenance fees, minimum requirements, or overdraft fees.
Certificates of deposit from Ally Bank
Ally Bank offers CDs that can yield high interest in return for setting aside money for a fixed period. Ally offers three types of CDs with varying lengths between three months to five years and some of the best CD rates ranging from 3.00% to 5.15% APY. There is also a 0.05% loyalty bonus if you renew your CD with Ally.
There are no monthly fees but there are early withdrawal penalties on the High Yield CD and the Raise Your Rates CD. Penalties range from 60 to 120 days of interest for withdrawals that occur within 48 months and charge 150 days of interest after 49 months. Ally Bank does offer a No Penalty CD that lets you withdraw your money after the first six days for free but the APY is the same as its savings account.
Other services Ally Bank offers
Apart from Ally’s checking and savings account options, customers can also benefit from a number of other products, including:
- Credit cards: Ally offers four different credit cards—the Ally Platinum Mastercard, Ally Everyday Cash Back, Ally Unlimited Cash Back, and the Ally Unlimited Cash Back for Nurses and Educators. With these cards, customers can earn cash back on purchases made at gas stations, grocery stores, drugstores, and more.
- Investment accounts and services: Ally offers a host of investment accounts and tools including a self-directed trading account, robo portfolios, personalized guidance from experienced wealth advisors, Forex trading, IRAs, cryptocurrency accounts, and more.
- Home loans: Ally also provides mortgage loans and refinancing for homebuyers with zero lender fees and a pre-approval in just a few minutes.
- Auto loans: Ally offers auto financing for personal and business vehicles.
- Personal loans: Customers can also look to Ally for personal loans to cover the cost of medical treatments, procedures, home repairs, renovations, and more.
Ally Bank’s online banking platform
Ally Bank was rated one of the best online banks and credit unions by Fortune Recommends. While it doesn’t have any physical locations, it offers free access to a network of over 43,000 ATMs and up to $10 in reimbursements for out-of-network ATMs. Its online platform provides a full banking experience and lets you deposit mobile checks as well as send or receive money entirely online.
Ally Bank customer support
Ally offers customer service support via live chat, email, or phone 24/7. Ally Bank even includes wait times for each communication option. However, if you need to speak with someone specifically for the bank’s lending services, phone support is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time or on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
Is Ally Bank secure?
Ally is a secure online bank that is Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)-insured. This means that your Ally deposits are insured up to $250,000 per person, per ownership category. There was concern, however, that Ally Bank inadvertently revealed customers’ usernames and passwords to its business partners. However, a Manhattan federal judge ruled that no concrete injuries were suffered.
Ally Bank user reviews
While Ally is a safe and secure online bank with competitive APY, users of Ally haven’t been kind with online reviews. For example, third-party reviews on ConsumerAffairs rate Ally just 1.5 stars out of five with almost 1,500 reviews. The third-party review site TrustRadius has Ally rated just a hair higher at 1.6 out of five stars with fewer reviews at slightly below 200.
Compare Ally Bank alternatives
 Ally Bank |
 SoFi Checking & Savings |
 Quontic Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Checking APY | Checking APY | Checking APY |
| 0.25% | Up to 0.50% | 1.10% |
| Monthly fee | Monthly fee | Monthly fee |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Overdraft fee | Overdraft fee | Overdraft fee |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Savings APY | Savings APY | Savings APY |
| 4.20% | Up to 4.50%* | 4.50% |
| Learn more | Learn more | Learn more |
| View offer at MoneyLion |
View offer at SoFi |
View offer at Quontic |
*SoFi members with Direct Deposit or $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 4.50% 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 8/27/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
See more bank reviews
- Quorum Federal Credit Union review: Competitive APYs, various account offerings, but limited customer service hours
- Rising Bank review: Offers mobile and online banking and zero monthly maintenance fees but a higher minimum opening deposit
- PurePoint Financial review: Offers a high-yield savings account and a range of CDs, but no checking and has steep minimum balances
- Ivy Bank review: Competitive high-yield savings and CDs, but no checking accounts and steep minimum deposit requirements
- TAB Bank review: High-yield savings and CDs, but limited checking options
Is Ally Bank right for you?
Ally Bank is a solid online bank with low fees that makes it easy to manage your money from anywhere. It offers comparatively high rates on its savings products and offers things, such as credit cards, brokerage accounts, and loans. For this reason, Ally is best for those needing an intuitive online bank that offers high-yield savings accounts without any minimums or maintenance fees.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ally Bank a legit bank?
Ally Bank is an online-only bank but it is a legitimate, FDIC-insured bank.
Where can I deposit cash into Ally Bank?
Ally does not accept cash deposits, but customers can still deposit checks via mobile app, online transfers, direct deposit, wire transfers, or mail.
How do I withdraw money from Ally Bank?
You can withdraw funds from your Ally bank account by using any of the 43,000+ Allpoint® ATMs in the U.S. for free.
Is Ally Bank a good bank?
Despite what the online reviews might say, Ally is regarded as one of the best and most reputable online banks available. It offers free checking and savings accounts without any minimum balance requirements. Its online portal is intuitive and easy to use, and the bank even offers credit cards, brokerage accounts, and various types of loans.
What are the advantages of Ally Bank?
Ally Bank is known for having few fees and no account balance minimums. It offers competitive rates on its savings products and a robust yet easy-to-use online portal to manage your money. Its free checking account gives you access to over 43,000 free ATMs as well as up to $10 in reimbursements per statement cycle for out-of-network ATMs.
What are the disadvantages of Ally Bank?
Ally Bank is an online-only bank without any physical branches or the ability to make cash deposits. If you need physical locations and the ability to deposit cash, then it’s probably best to go with a traditional brick-and-mortar bank instead.
