You can close your Ally checking account by phone, online, or by visiting a branch — but you need to empty it first and settle any outstanding fees
Ally Bank has no physical branches, so you cannot walk in and close your account in person. Instead, you close through their customer service phone line or through your online account dashboard. Before you close, you must withdraw or transfer out all your money, pay any fees you owe, and make sure no automatic payments are still linked to the account.
The process itself takes a few minutes, but the account may take several business days to fully close after you request it. During that time, any checks you wrote or automatic transfers you set up could still process, so timing matters.
Key Takeaways
- Remove all money from your account before closing — transfer it to another bank or withdraw it in cash.
- Cancel any automatic bill payments, direct deposits, or recurring transfers linked to the account.
- Call Ally customer service at 1-855-925-2559 or request closure through your online dashboard to start the process.
- The account takes several business days to fully close after you request it, so do not write checks or set up new transfers during that time.
- If you have an Ally savings account, you can keep it open or close it separately — closing your checking account does not automatically close savings.
Empty your account and cancel linked payments
Before you contact Ally to close the account, move all your money out. You can transfer funds to another bank account you own, or withdraw cash at an ATM or through a teller at any bank that accepts Ally's network (usually Allpoint ATMs or partner banks). If you have pending direct deposits or automatic bill payments set to hit this account, cancel those first or redirect them to your new account.
Check your recent statements for any recurring charges — subscriptions, gym memberships, insurance payments — and update those with your new bank details before you close. If you miss one and it tries to process after closure, it will bounce and may trigger overdraft fees at your new bank or cause the merchant to flag your account.
Pay any outstanding fees or negative balance. If your account is overdrawn or you owe Ally fees, settle that before closing. Ally will not close an account with a negative balance, and if you close without paying, they may send the debt to a collections agency.
Request closure through the phone line
Call Ally customer service at 1-855-925-2559. Have your account number ready. Tell the representative you want to close your checking account. They will confirm that your account balance is zero and that no automatic payments are pending. If everything is clear, they will process the closure request.
The representative may ask why you are closing — this is optional to answer, but some customers find it useful to mention if there is a specific issue (slow transfers, poor customer service, found a better rate elsewhere). Ally does not penalize you for closing, and there is no early closure fee.
Ask the representative for a confirmation number and note the date. They will tell you how many business days the closure will take — usually three to five.
Close your account through the online dashboard
If you prefer not to call, log into your Ally online account and look for account settings or account management. The exact location varies, but it is usually under "Account" or "Settings" in the main menu. Some versions of the Ally website have a "Close Account" option in the account details section.
Click the option to close and follow the prompts. Ally will ask you to confirm your account balance is zero and that you understand the account will be closed. You will receive a confirmation number on screen — write it down or take a screenshot.
If you cannot find the closure option online, the phone line is faster than searching. Not all account types or situations allow online closure, and the phone representative can handle exceptions.
What happens after you request closure
Your account will remain open for three to five business days after you request closure. During this time, checks you wrote before closing may still clear, and any automatic transfers you forgot to cancel might process. This is why it is important to cancel recurring payments before you request closure, not after.
Once the account is fully closed, Ally will send you a final statement by mail or email (depending on your preferences). This statement shows the closing date and confirms your final balance was zero. Keep this for your records.
If you had a debit card linked to the checking account, it will stop working once the account closes. You do not need to do anything with the card — just stop using it. If you want to destroy it, you can cut it up or shred it.
Closing a checking account does not affect your Ally savings account
If you have both a checking and savings account with Ally, closing the checking account leaves your savings account open and untouched. Your savings balance, interest rate, and account number all stay the same. You can keep the savings account indefinitely or close it separately using the same process.
If you want to close both accounts, you can do it in one phone call or in one online session — just request closure for each account separately.
What to do if you cannot close your account
If Ally will not let you close your account, the most common reason is that your balance is not zero or you have pending transactions. Check your account balance one more time and wait a few days for any transfers or checks to clear. Then try again.
If you have a negative balance (you owe Ally money), you must pay it before closure. If you cannot pay the full amount, call customer service to discuss a payment plan — they may close the account once you have made a good-faith payment.
If there is a hold on your account or a dispute pending, Ally may not allow closure until it is resolved. The phone representative can tell you what is blocking closure and what you need to do to clear it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my Ally checking account if I still have pending direct deposits or bill payments?
No. You must cancel or redirect all automatic payments and direct deposits before Ally will close the account. If you forget and request closure anyway, Ally will ask you to cancel them before processing. It usually takes one to two business days for cancellations to take effect.
Will closing my Ally checking account hurt my credit score?
No. Closing a checking account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Credit scores track borrowing and repayment history, not deposit accounts.
What if I close my account and then realize I need it again?
Once an account is closed, you cannot reopen it. You would need to open a new checking account with Ally, which means a new account number and a new debit card. If you are unsure about closing, you can straightforward stop using the account and leave it open instead.
How long does it take for Ally to send my final statement after closure?
Ally typically mails or emails your final statement within one to two weeks after the account closes. If you need it sooner, call customer service and ask them to email it to you — they can often send it the same day.
Do I need to close my account in person at a branch?
No. Ally Bank has no physical branches, so you cannot close in person. Phone and online are your only options. Both are equally valid and take about the same amount of time.