
Are you ready for a more flexible and accessible banking experience? One where you can manage your money straight from a mobile banking app on your phone? Convenience is just one reason you might look into opening an online bank account — not to mention great rates, helpful tools, and more.
No need to worry if you aren’t sure how to open a bank account online. We’ll walk you through the process for opening an account with an online bank — it’s simple.
Step 1: Find the best bank for you.
When you want to open a new bank account, it’s a good idea to shop around different financial institutions, like banks and credit unions, to find one that fits your style and your needs. Be sure to compare the annual percentage yield (APY), monthly fees, ATM fees, and overdraft fees. Because your bank shouldn’t nickel and dime you — it should help you grow your balance!
With competitive interest rates, 24/7 customer support, plus easy-to-use and accessible banking options both online and on mobile, Ally Bank could be the best option for you. And as an FDIC-member bank, all of our customers’ deposits are insured up to the maximum allowed by law.
Whether you’re looking to open an Interest Checking Account or an Online Savings Account, we offer top-notch tools and features that anyone can take advantage of. Our Online Savings Account includes buckets and boosters that allow you to easily super charge and customize your savings strategy.
Step 2: Pick the account type.
You have several bank account options to choose from, depending on what your financial goals are and your reasoning for opening an account.
If you want to put your money into an account with locked-in rates for a specific amount of time, a Certificate of Deposit (CD) could be best for you. Just remember that depending on the type of CD you choose, there may be a penalty for withdrawing your funds before the maturity date.
Perhaps you want to put your savings in an accessible account with competitive interest rates. If so, consider our Online Savings Account.
Read more about how to choose between a CD and a savings account.
If you’d like even more flexible access to your savings, you might sign up for a Money Market Account.
Finally, if you’re interested in opening an everyday checking account — one in which you can earn competitive interest on your cash and pay zero monthly maintenance fees — our Interest Checking Account could be for you.
Step 3: Pull together your personal info.
No matter which account type you choose, you’ll need a few key pieces of information in order to sign up. Be prepared with your:
- Full name
- Social Security number
- Date of birth (you must be 18 years or older to sign up for an Ally Bank account)
- Residential street address (and previous address, if you’ve lived at your current one less than five years)
- Occupation
- Contact info (email and phone number)
- Mother’s maiden name
- Transfer information for your initial deposit
Keep in mind: Most financial institutions will require similar basic information to open a bank account — but if you are not banking with Ally, it’s possible you may be asked to provide additional documentation.
Step 4: Open your account.
Now, you’re ready to make the banking magic happen. And the best part? You don’t even have to leave the couch. Instead of visiting your local bank branch, you can simply visit the website of your bank of choice. Then, follow the instructions for filling out an online application (using the information you’ve already pulled together).
Most online applications, like ours, are easy to use and walk you through each and every step. Your bank may ask questions to find out if you’re already a current customer, what kind of account you’re opening (Individual, Joint, Trust, or Custodial Account), and what your initial deposit amount will be. At Ally, no initial deposit amount is required, and we only ask to help you plan ahead.
If you want to open an account with Ally, all you’ll generally need is about five minutes. Head to Ally.com and find the “Open Account” button under the “Checking & Savings” tab. Then, pick the account type and click “Open Account” to officially start the process.
If you open an Ally Bank Interest Checking Account, you can also choose to receive a free debit card, free Ally Bank standard checks, and Overdraft Transfer Service. If you choose Overdraft Transfer Service, you will need to link an Ally Bank Online Savings Account or Money Market Account to your Interest Checking Account. That way, if you exceed your checking account cash balance, we’ll automatically transfer available funds in increments of $100 from your savings account to cover the transactions at no charge to you.
Whether you bank with Ally or another financial institution, once you’ve entered your personal information (and if you’re opening a joint account, the information of the second account owner as well), be sure to review the legal disclosures. Now, you’re ready to submit your application.
Step 5: Make your initial deposit.
Now that you’ve set up your online bank account, it’s time to make a deposit. Be sure to check if your bank has any minimum deposit or daily balance requirements, so you don’t incur fees. To make a deposit, you may be able to link another bank account to transfer funds or mail in or deposit a check through mobile, depending on the bank you choose.
To fund your Ally Bank account, you can make a direct deposit by transferring funds from another account, wire money, make a mobile deposit using Ally eCheck Deposit℠, or mail us a check. Like we mentioned earlier: We don’t require a minimum deposit to open your account or a minimum daily balance. That being said, the sooner you fund your account, the sooner you can start taking advantage of all our account features.
Step 6: Bank your way.
Once you’ve started using your online bank account, don’t be afraid to take advantage of the benefits and special features your bank may offer. Some of the biggest perks of online banking are the flexibility and accessibility you receive. Whether you choose to access your account through a web browser or a mobile app, if you have internet, you can log in and check your bank account online. That means you can manage your money from wherever you are — and you don’t have to wait for monthly statements in the mail to view your transactions or see where your balance stands.
Read more about how to stay safe while mobile banking.
By downloading the Ally Mobile app to your smartphone, you can check your balance at any time and make transfers when you need to, Plus, you can deposit checks directly from your phone just by snapping a picture.
We’re a digital-first bank, but with our Interest Checking Account, there’s no need to stress about ATM fees. You can use any Allpoint ATM in the U.S. for free or be reimbursed up $10 per statement cycle for fees charged by other ATMs nationwide.
Our goal is to help you make the most of each and every penny in your bank account, no matter if it’s interest checking or an Online Savings Account. With competitive and often higher interest rates than you’ll see for traditional brick-and-mortar banks, as well as easy-to-use buckets and boosters, you can grow your savings knowing that we always have your back.
Comment on this article
Comments
Eric K. on November 24, 2017 at 11:22pm
Ok
amanuel on December 20, 2017 at 3:16pm
help full i got what i need
Hung on December 26, 2017 at 2:38am
I want open checking accunt
Muhammed E. on December 28, 2017 at 12:50pm
Yes
Ally on January 3, 2018 at 10:31am
We're glad to hear that, Amanuel. Thanks for sharing!
Ally on January 3, 2018 at 11:24am
Hi Hung, opening an account is easy! Your options are: call us, mail us an application, or submit an application online. Links to the applications are available in our FAQ section: http://www.ally.com/help/bank/opening-account.html
ricky e. on May 17, 2018 at 4:56am
ok
Roselyn s. on June 29, 2018 at 6:04am
I have already bank account from bankalbilad but i want use online for sending me money from philippine how can i registered to use online sending money pls help me thnks
Ally on July 9, 2018 at 10:02am
Hi Roselyn, opening an account is easy and you can do it online at ally.com! In order to open an Ally account, you must be either a US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident with a valid Social Security number and US street address. If you need any assistance, don't hesitate to call us at 1-877-247-2559 or chat with us online at ally.com. We're here to help!
Oluseguntimileyinsolomon@gmail.com on August 2, 2018 at 6:46am
Please I want to open your bank account
Kato G. on September 10, 2018 at 8:58am
THIS ARTICLE IS HELPFUL
Ally on September 10, 2018 at 11:37am
We're glad to hear that, Kato! Thanks for sharing your feedback.
Nuhu s. on October 1, 2018 at 2:44am
It is really good and nice
G.O. on October 17, 2018 at 9:46am
Your terms of service state "US Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident with a valid Social Security number and US street address" as a requirement... most banks allow resident aliens (US persons for tax purposes / meeting the US person description on a W-9), do you allow resident aliens as well?
Ally on October 18, 2018 at 9:56am
Hi, thanks for your interest! Currently you must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident and have a valid U.S. street address (not just a P.O. box) and either a Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number. If you'll give us a call at 1-877-247-2559, a member of our team would be glad to discuss further.
Ricardo J. on November 21, 2018 at 5:48pm
Well think every meaning was useful in my endeavor to obtain a satisfactory online Bank such as ally quote unquote.
Darren C. on September 10, 2019 at 12:18pm
The process to open the account was very easy. I was also pleased to find Ally offers low interest home loans too! Great banking app too of course. Keep up the good work Ally!! Best, Darren Chaker
Ally on September 11, 2019 at 5:27pm
Hi Darren, thank you so much for your comment. We LOVE hearing this. 😊
thomas m. on December 14, 2019 at 8:42am
I want to gain acces to own bank account details
Elbert A. on August 27, 2020 at 6:00pm
Do you offer any African American owned financial institutions? I would be happy to open an account in a African American owned and operated Bank
aracely on September 26, 2020 at 2:59am
send money to my boyfriend
william on October 2, 2020 at 9:23pm
If I open account, will i be able to transfer funds abroad?
Ally on October 2, 2020 at 10:33pm
Hi William, while we can accept incoming international wires, we aren't able to process outgoing international transfers of any kind.
Gurudeva K. on November 4, 2020 at 4:47am
I have registered a company in USA. They told I.can get venture.funding etc.but did not get any. I came to India in 2019 to visit my daughter who is missing in India since 2018.She was stpottef in a dacoits bangalow in Gulbarga Karnataka in 2019.I could not get her out of that dacoits compound in Gulbarga who have also taken much of my property.from my house. However I am trying to run my IT Training and Consultancy company from India till the time that I.can come back to USA. I need some business funding as well as an ability to open a bank account in USA.I have a PO box in USA. Pls let me.know if it can be done.
Leslie O. on December 9, 2020 at 4:48am
Hello i would like to know if i can still be able to open a checking account without my california Id ??
Ally on December 9, 2020 at 9:02am
Hi Leslie, if you’ll please give us a call at 1-877-247-2559, or chat with us online at @ally.com, one of our team members will be happy to help answer your questions.
John on December 29, 2020 at 10:50pm
I would like to open a checking account. I am a US citizen with a US address but will be moving permanently to the UK in 2021 and will no longer have a US address. I need to retain the US checking account for an automated Social Security deposit. Is this possible?
Ally on December 29, 2020 at 10:51pm
Hi John, in order to open an account with Ally Bank or Ally Invest, you must currently be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a U.S. mailing address. Please give us a call at 1-877-247-2559 if you have any additional questions.