As it turns out, the shooting of these Ally commercials was a lot like “Candid Camera.” The kids walked into the situation blind. They didn't know they were shooting a commercial. The parents told them only that they were going to a meeting with someone and that they were going to get to play.

the humorous and more lighthearted executions we've seen in the past. Ultimately, Ally's latest TV spot falls under the broad category of bank-bashing ads. Instead of really focusing on Ally's core points of differentiation, the main message seems to be: “If you don't like banks, consider switching to Ally.”

The company was known as GMAC, an acronym for General Motors Acceptance Corporation, until 2010.

SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications) is a global member-owned cooperative that functions as a huge messaging system. Members (banks and other financial institutions) use it to quickly, accurately, and securely send and receive information, primarily money transfer instructions.

and Ally Bank. The CFPB ordered Ally Financial Inc. and Ally Bank to pay $80 million in damages to African-American, Hispanic, and Asian and Pacific Islander consumers harmed by Ally's discriminatory auto loan pricing, and $18 million in civil money penalties.

Merriam-Webster defines “ally” as “one that is associated with another as a helper; a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity or struggle.” In recent years, the term has been adopted specifically to a person supporting a marginalized group.

Unisex Ally (name)

Yes, banks may use text messages to help protect accounts and provide convenient messages to customers.

To verify a bank account of a customer, financial institutions will request information like the account holder's name, bank account number, and routing number. They'll check these details against other customer documentation to ensure that there are no inconsistencies.

Terms apply to offers listed on this page. The bottom line: Ally is one of our top picks for the best online banks. It's a great option for banking and investing. Other financial institutions have more offerings for mortgages and other types of loans, though.

It offers one of the best online checking accounts, and pays a competitive interest rate. While there's no one bank that's best for everyone, Ally is also strong in other categories, including savings and customer service. How do you deposit cash with Ally Bank? Ally does not accept cash deposits.

If you have an ally, you have someone who is on your side, like a more experienced teammate who is your ally in convincing the coach to give you more playing time. Ally comes from the Latin word alligare, meaning "to bind to," like nations who are allies in wartime - they will act together, and protect one another.