Ally Bank Fees: What You’ll Pay and How To Avoid Charges
Written by
Daria Uhlig
Edited by
Elizabeth Constantineau
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Many banks charge a monthly maintenance fee, but most give you ways to avoid it, such as keeping a certain amount of money in your account. Ally Bank is unique because it operates entirely online and doesn’t require customers to jump through hoops to get fees waived — all of Ally’s checking and savings accounts are free of monthly fees.
Monthly Service Fees at Ally Bank
Ally Bank doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees on its checking or savings accounts. Therefore, you don’t need to meet any minimum balance requirements or have a certain direct deposit amount to waive fees.
| Account Type | Monthly Fee | Waiver Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Spending Account | $0 | None |
| Online Savings | $0 | None |
| Money Market | $0 | None |
Ally Bank Checking Account Fees
Ally has just one checking account: the Spending Account. This account has no minimum deposit or balance requirement, no maintenance fees and earns up to annual percentage yield (APY). You don’t need to pay for copies of your online statements, incoming wire transfers or cashier’s checks, either.
However, this account does have some fees to note:
| Type | Fee and Details | How To Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly maintenance fee | $0 | N/A |
| Overdraft | $0 | Overdraft fees are not charged |
| Expedited delivery | $15 | Use standard shipping, which has no charge |
| Outgoing domestic wires | $20 | Use online transfers |
How To Avoid Ally Bank’s Checking Account Fees
Since this checking account doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees, you don’t need to worry about meeting a minimum balance or fulfilling other requirements. There are Ally Bank fees for expedited delivery and outgoing wires, however. You can avoid these by using standard delivery or making an online transfer instead.
Ally Bank Savings Account Fees
Ally offers two savings accounts to choose from — the Online Savings and Money Market accounts. Neither account charges a monthly maintenance fee, and both pay higher APYs than traditional savings accounts.
| Fee Type | Online Savings | Money Market | How To Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly maintenance fee | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Excessive transactions | $0 | $0 | N/A – no transaction limits |
| Overdraft fee | $0 | $0 | Overdraft fees are not charged |
| Expedited delivery | $15 | $15 | Use standard shipping |
| APY | N/A |
How To Avoid Ally Bank Overdraft Fees
As of June 2, 2021, Ally Bank stopped charging overdraft fees. Instead, the bank approves or denies transactions based on account balances. As the customer, it’s your responsibility to bring your balance back up to positive within six days before the account becomes limited.
Overdraft Protection Options
Ally’s Overdraft Transfer Service will automatically transfer funds from either your Ally Online Savings or Money Market account to cover an overdraft. If Ally charges you an overdraft fee, the bank reimburses you. This overdraft protection transfer service is free.
| Fee Type | Amount | How To Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Standard overdraft fee | $0 | N/A |
| Insufficient funds fee | $0 | N/A |
| Overdraft protection fee | $0 | Link Online Savings or Money Market account for automatic transfers |
Other Common Ally Bank Fees
Here’s an overview of other fees beyond accounts and transactions.
ATM Fees
Ally doesn’t charge a fee for using out-of-network ATMs. You will also be reimbursed up to $10 per statement cycle for third-party ATM surcharges.
Wire Transfer Fees
Ally doesn’t charge to receive wire transfers, but it does cost $20 to send one. International wire transfers are not a feature at this time.
| Wire Transfer Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Incoming domestic wire | $0 |
| Outgoing domestic wire | $20 |
Foreign Transaction Fees
You cannot use your Ally Bank debit card internationally, so there are no foreign transaction fees.
Tips for Minimizing Ally Bank Fees
Ally doesn’t charge many fees, but you can keep costs even lower with a few smart moves:
- Stick to in-network ATMs: Avoid out-of-network fees beyond Ally’s $10 reimbursement limit.
- Choose standard shipping: Skip expedited delivery fees when possible.
- Use online banking: Wire transfers can add up, so online transactions are the cheaper choice.
Ally Bank Tools That Help You Save More
Ally gives you several options to help you get the most out of your accounts. Here are a few highlights.
Savings Boosters
- Savings boosters are automated transfers from your Ally checking account to your linked savings account.
- You can schedule boosters in advance to control when and how much gets transferred.
- You can also let Ally analyze your checking account activity and automatically move unneeded funds.
Buckets
- Buckets work like digital envelopes, letting you organize your savings into separate goals.
- You can create up to 10 buckets for specific goals.
- All funds stay in one account, so your interest calculations remain the same.
Key Takeaways for Banking With Ally
Ally stands out as a customer-friendly bank, thanks to:
- No maintenance fees or penalties for overdrafts and excess transactions
- A wide range of products, including loans, certificates of deposit, savings and investment accounts
- Competitive rates designed to help you save more compared with traditional banks
If low fees, competitive rates and a full suite of accounts are important to you, Ally is worth considering as your next banking partner.
Ally Bank Fees FAQ
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Ally Bank fees.- How can I get my Ally Bank monthly service fee waived?
- Since Ally Bank doesn't charge monthly service fees, there is no fee waiver option.
- What is the overdraft limit for Ally Bank accounts?
- Ally doesn't charge an overdraft fee. However, the bank may choose to decline your transaction based on the available funds in your account. For example, if your account is negative for six consecutive days, Ally may restrict account privileges.
- Does Ally Bank refund ATM fees?
- Yes. The Ally Bank ATM refund limit is $10 per statement cycle if you're using an out-of-network ATM.
- Are there fees for closing an Ally Bank account?
- No. There are no fees for closing an Ally Bank account.
More on Ally Bank
- Ally Bank Review
- How To Open an Ally Bank Account
- Newest Ally Bank Promotions
- Ally Bank Holiday Hours
- Ally Bank Interest Rates
- Ally Bank Routing Number
Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts and data is accurate as of Aug. 1, 2025.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
