Ally Bank does not issue its own credit cards

Ally Bank stopped offering credit cards to new customers in 2015 and no longer issues them at all. If you have an older Ally credit card from before that date, you can still use it, but Ally is not taking new applications. The bank focuses on deposit accounts (checking and savings), auto loans, and home loans instead.

If you are looking for a credit card and have an Ally checking or savings account, you have two paths: apply for a card through a partner bank, or look elsewhere entirely. Ally does not have a co-branded card or a partnership that lets you build credit through Ally itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Ally Bank stopped issuing credit cards in 2015 and does not accept new credit card applications.
  • Existing cardholders from before 2015 can continue using their Ally credit cards, but no new cards are being issued.
  • Ally's focus is on deposit accounts, auto loans, and mortgages rather than credit products.
  • If you want a credit card and bank with Ally, you will need to apply through a different issuer.

What happened to Ally credit cards

Ally (formerly GMAC Bank) issued credit cards for years, but the company made a strategic decision to exit the credit card business. In 2015, Ally stopped accepting new credit card applications and began winding down its card portfolio. The bank determined that credit cards did not fit its long-term business model, which emphasizes online banking, lending, and deposit products with low overhead.

If you held an Ally credit card before the shutdown, your account may still be active. Ally honored existing accounts and did not force immediate closure. However, the bank has not issued new cards since 2015, and there is no indication that this will change. Calling Ally's customer service can confirm whether your old card is still usable, but you cannot open a new Ally credit card account today.

Why Ally focuses on other products instead

Credit cards require significant infrastructure: fraud monitoring, dispute resolution, customer service for chargebacks, and compliance with complex regulations. Ally's business model prioritizes simplicity and low costs. The bank operates primarily online, with no physical branches, which keeps overhead down. Credit cards do not fit that model as neatly as deposit accounts and loans do.

Ally makes money on auto loans and mortgages by lending at rates higher than what it pays depositors. Credit cards are a different business—they depend on interchange fees, annual fees, and interest on revolving balances. For a bank Ally's size, the return on that investment did not justify the operational complexity. Exiting the credit card market let Ally concentrate on what it does well: competitive savings rates, checking accounts, and installment lending.

Where to get a credit card if you bank with Ally

You can open a credit card with any issuer that accepts your application, regardless of where you keep your checking account. Your Ally deposit account does not restrict you. Major issuers like Chase, Capital One, American Express, Discover, and Citi all accept online applications and will review your credit history and income independently.

When you apply elsewhere, the issuer will pull your credit report and make a decision based on your credit score, payment history, and debt-to-income ratio—not on your relationship with Ally. Having an Ally account may help you manage your finances, but it does not give you an advantage with other credit card companies. You start from the same place as anyone else.

How to check if you have an active Ally credit card

If you think you may have opened an Ally credit card before 2015, log into your Ally online account or mobile app. If a credit card account appears in your dashboard, it is still active. You can also call Ally's customer service at the number on the back of your card or on Ally's website to confirm the account status.

Ally will tell you whether your card is open, what your current balance and credit limit are, and whether there are any restrictions on use. If the account has been closed by Ally, the representative can explain when and why. If it is still open, you can continue using it for purchases and payments, though you cannot request a credit limit increase or add authorized users in most cases.

Alternatives if you need a credit card now

If you do not have an existing Ally credit card and need one, your options depend on your credit history. Applicants with good or excellent credit (typically a score of 670 or higher) can choose from hundreds of cards with varying rewards, annual fees, and interest rates. Applicants with fair or poor credit can look at secured credit cards, which require a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit.

Secured cards from Capital One, Discover, and others let you build credit history while using a card. After a year or more of on-time payments, many issuers will convert your secured card to an unsecured one and return your deposit. This is a common path for people rebuilding credit. You can hold a secured card and an Ally checking account at the same time with no conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use my old Ally credit card?

If you opened your Ally credit card before 2015 and the account is still active, yes. Log into your Ally account or call customer service to confirm the account status. Ally has not closed existing cards, though the company is not issuing new ones or expanding the program.

Will Ally ever issue credit cards again?

There is no public announcement from Ally indicating a return to credit card issuance. The company has maintained its focus on deposit accounts and loans for nearly a decade. While business strategies can change, Ally has shown no sign of reversing this decision.

Does having an Ally checking account help me get approved for a credit card elsewhere?

Not directly. Other credit card issuers do not see your Ally account when they review your application. They look at your credit report, credit score, and income. However, if an Ally account helps you manage money responsibly and build a good credit history, that will help you over time.

What if I was denied a credit card—can Ally help?

Ally cannot override another company's credit decision. If you were denied by Chase, Capital One, or another issuer, contact that company to ask why. You can request a free copy of your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com to check for errors, then dispute inaccuracies with the credit bureau.

Can I transfer my Ally credit card balance to another card?

If your Ally card is still active and has a balance, you can pay it off using a balance transfer from another card, or pay it down with money from your Ally checking account. You cannot transfer the Ally card balance itself because Ally is not issuing new cards and does not accept balance transfers from other issuers.