Help Center

Self-Directed Trading (For the hands-on Investor)

As the owner of a Self-Directed Account, the choice is yours. We offer individual, joint and custodial taxable accounts, as well as Traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP, SIMPLE IRAs and Coverdell accounts. We offer individual and joint taxable accounts, custodial accounts, as well as traditional, rollover and Roth IRAs.

Ally Invest Managed Portfolios (Automated investing, professionally managed)

When you set up your accounts, our questionnaire will guide you in selecting the best investments for your managed portfolio. We offer individual and joint taxable accounts, as well as Traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs. We also offer entity accounts including LLCs, Partnerships, Sole Proprietorships and Trusts.

You don't need to deposit any money to open an account, but you'll need at least $2,500 to start investing in an Ally Invest Managed Portfolio.

There is no minimum balance requirement for a self-directed account.

We do not offer a demo account. You may open an account to test all the features and tools that are available, with the exception of placing trades. We don’t charge any fees for this access, and there is no minimum balance to maintain for cash and retirement accounts. Margin accounts must have a balance of $2,000.

Most foreign citizens with a valid Social Security number and legally residing in the United States full time may open an Ally Invest account. We can’t open accounts for citizens of certain restricted countries.

All customers, including United States citizens, must be living in the United States to open an Ally Invest account, but we make exceptions for active military personnel stationed abroad.

There are 4 ways to fund your account.

1. Wire Transfer

   This is the fastest way to fund your account and begin trading. Once the funds have been deposited into your brokerage account, you can place your first trade. Depending on how quickly your bank initiates the wire, this method can take a few hours to one business day. Use the following information to wire funds to us:

   • ABA
   • 071000288
   • SWIFT
   • HATRUS44
   • Bank
   • BMO Harris Bank
     111 W. Monroe St
     Chicago, Illinois 60603
   • Credit Account #
   • 3713302
   • Credit Account name
   • Apex Clearing Corp
     One Dallas Center
     350 N. St Paul
     Suite 1300
     Dallas, TX 75201
   • Further Credit to account #
   • (Your Ally Invest Account Number)
   • Further Credit to
   • (Legal name of Ally Invest Account)

   Keep in mind, we don't accept third party wires. Download the Wire Transfer Form (PDF)

2. Mail us a check.

   If you mail us a cashier's or bank check, you can trade as soon as we receive and verify the check with your bank.

   • Please instruct your bank to make the cashier's or bank check payable to Ally Invest
   • Make sure the bank prints your name as the REMITTER on the check
   • The Ally Invest account name and registration must match the name of the bank account the check is drawn off of

   If you mail us a personal check:

   • Make all checks payable to Ally Invest
   • Personal checks take 3 business days to clear
   • We don't accept starter checks, money orders or credit card checks

   If you're mailing a check to fund your IRA, please specify the tax year for the contribution on the memo line of the check and submit with the IRA Contribution form (PDF). Please also indicate on your check if this is a rollover contribution to an IRA.

   Regular Mail:

   Ally Invest
   P.O. Box 49050
   Charlotte, NC 28277-3432

   Download the Check Deposit Slip (PDF)

3. Account transfer from another broker

   If you are transferring from another broker or mutual fund company, use the Account Transfer Form (PDF) to start this process. This process generally takes 5 to 7 business days from when we receive the paperwork. If you have questions on how to complete this form, call us at 1-855-880-2559, or you can log in to chat with us.

4. Transfer from a bank

   You can link your bank account to your brokerage account for transfers. Long term, this is a good way to move funds in and out of your Ally Invest account. Transfers from an Ally Bank account are usually available immediately for trading.

   When initially funding your account from a different bank or financial institution, transfers may not be the fastest method due to the time it takes to process your application and the 3-business-day clearing period on transfers. If you want to place a trade as soon as possible, please consider sending a wire to fund your account.

   Once your account is open, log in to select Transfers and then Linked Bank Accounts to get started.