The main ways to transfer money to Ally

You can move money into an Ally savings account through external transfers (from another bank), internal transfers (between your own Ally accounts), or direct deposit. The method you choose depends on where the money is coming from and how quickly you need it there. External transfers typically take one to three business days. Direct deposit and internal transfers are faster — usually one business day or same-day, depending on the time you initiate the transfer.

Ally does not charge fees for incoming transfers, regardless of the method. The sending bank may charge a fee if you are transferring from an external account, but that fee comes out of the sending account, not your Ally account.

Key Takeaways

  • External transfers from another bank take one to three business days and require your Ally account number and routing number (021000021).
  • You can set up a one-time transfer or recurring transfer through Ally's online banking or mobile app without calling customer service.
  • Direct deposit is the fastest method if your employer or benefit provider supports it, and you only need to provide your account and routing information once.
  • Internal transfers between your own Ally accounts post within one business day and are free.
  • Transfers initiated before 11 p.m. ET on a business day typically post the next business day; transfers after that time or on weekends are processed the following business day.

Setting up an external transfer from another bank

Log into your Ally account online or through the mobile app and navigate to the Transfers section. Select "Transfer money in" and choose the bank you are transferring from. Ally will ask for your login credentials for that external bank so it can pull the money directly — this is called ACH transfer (Automated Clearing House). You will need to authorize the transfer and confirm the amount.

If you do not want to provide your external bank login to Ally, you can instead give your Ally account details to the sending bank and have them initiate the transfer from their side. Your Ally account number and routing number (021000021) are all they need. This method takes the same amount of time but puts you in control of the authorization at your original bank.

Transfers initiated before 11 p.m. ET on a business day (Monday through Friday) typically arrive the next business day. If you initiate a transfer on a weekend or after 11 p.m. ET on a Friday, it will not process until the following Monday or Tuesday.

Using direct deposit to fund your account

Direct deposit is the fastest and most reliable way to move regular income into your Ally savings account. You need to provide your employer or benefit administrator with your Ally account number and routing number (021000021), plus a completed direct deposit authorization form. Many employers let you set this up through their payroll portal; government benefits programs usually have a form you can submit online or by mail.

Once direct deposit is set up, the money arrives on your payday or benefit payment date without any action from you. There is no waiting period — the funds post the same day or the next business day, depending on when your employer or benefit program processes payroll. You can set up direct deposit for your salary, Social Security, unemployment benefits, tax refunds, or any other regular payment.

Transferring between your own Ally accounts

If you have multiple accounts at Ally — for example, a checking account and a savings account — you can move money between them when ready through the Transfers section of your online banking or app. Select the account you are transferring from and the account you are transferring to, enter the amount, and confirm. The transfer posts within one business day, and there is no fee.

This is useful if you want to move money from checking to savings without leaving your Ally accounts, or if you are consolidating balances across multiple Ally products you own.

What information you need to provide

For an external transfer, you will need either your login credentials for the sending bank (if you authorize Ally to pull the money) or your Ally account number and routing number (if the sending bank initiates the transfer). Your Ally account number appears in your online banking dashboard and on your statements. The routing number for all Ally accounts is 021000021.

For direct deposit, provide your employer or benefit administrator with the same account number and routing number, plus any direct deposit authorization form they require. Some employers ask for your name and address as well, but the account and routing numbers are the core information they need.

Timing and when transfers post

External transfers initiated on a business day before 11 p.m. ET typically post the next business day. Transfers initiated after 11 p.m. ET or on weekends are processed the following business day. So a transfer you start on a Thursday at 10 a.m. ET will likely arrive Friday. A transfer you start Friday at midnight will not arrive until Monday.

Direct deposit and internal Ally-to-Ally transfers are faster. Direct deposit arrives on the scheduled payment date. Internal transfers post within one business day, often the same day if you initiate them before 11 p.m. ET on a business day.

If a transfer does not arrive within the expected timeframe, check your Ally account to confirm the transfer was submitted. Then contact Ally customer service through the app or website — they can trace the transfer and tell you where it is in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer money to Ally from a credit card?

No. Credit cards are not bank accounts, and ACH transfers only work between bank accounts. If you want to move money from a credit card to Ally, you would need to pay off the credit card first (using cash, a check, or a bank transfer), then transfer that money from your bank account to Ally.

What is the maximum amount I can transfer at once?

Ally does not publish a single-transfer limit, but most banks cap external ACH transfers at $10,000 to $25,000 per day for security reasons. If you need to transfer more, you can set up multiple transfers on different days or contact Ally to ask about higher limits on your account.

Do I need to verify my external bank account before transferring?

If you are authorizing Ally to pull money from your external bank, you typically do not need separate verification — your login credentials serve as authorization. If the sending bank initiates the transfer, they may require you to verify your Ally account through a small deposit or other method, but this is rare for transfers into savings accounts.

Can I set up automatic recurring transfers to Ally?

Yes. When you set up an external transfer through Ally's online banking or app, you can choose to make it a one-time transfer or set it to repeat weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or on a custom schedule. You can edit or cancel recurring transfers at any time through your account settings.

What happens if I transfer money to the wrong Ally account by mistake?

If you transferred to the wrong account within Ally, you can move the money back through an internal transfer — no fee, and it posts within one business day. If you transferred to someone else's Ally account by mistake, contact Ally customer service when ready. They can sometimes reverse the transfer if it has not been claimed, but the sooner you report it, the better.