Ally changed to $0/trade for stocks and ETFs

[MustacheAndaHalf]

Looks like two months ago Ally changed their commission structure, and now charge $0/trade for ETFs and stocks:
https://www.ally.com/invest/self-directed-trading/

I'm thinking of trying it.  Does anyone have an experience with Ally's trading platform?

[terran]

I haven't, but I have an Ally bank account, so I'd be interested to read what you think if you try it. Although, I'll probably stick with other options I already have.

The trading platform is based on the Trade King platform they acquired if you've heard anything about that in the past.

Edit: I found this which might help you decide if you want to try it (it also includes some bonuses depending on how much you transfer there): https://www.creditdonkey.com/ally-invest-review.html

[MustacheAndaHalf]

I'm looking for another place to trade, but already have an Ally account - no sign-up bonus for me.

I rely on nerdwallet's tax charts, which also reviews trading platforms:
"Our choice for best low-cost broker, Ally Invest does it all, but it's especially good for active traders."
https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/investing/brokers/ally-invest?scrollTo=full-review-scroll-target

[terran]

I'm looking for another place to trade, but already have an Ally account - no sign-up bonus for me.

I would ask about that, or just sign up through the promo link and see what happens. All the language I'm seeing says "New Ally Invest customers." Seems like they would say "New Ally customers" or "New Ally Bank and Ally Invest customers" if you couldn't be an existing Ally Bank customer. https://www.ally.com/go/invest/promotion.html

[blue_green_sparks]

I am OK with Ally and have bank, CD, and Investment accounts with them. I do trade individual stocks just for the excitement and the interface is adequate but light on the research side (but getting better) compared to say a Fidelity where I park my retirement accounts. Another issue is any cash in your investment account earns nada and it takes a day or two to transfer back to bank. Also you only get x free transfers in and out of bank over y time.

[terran]

I am OK with Ally and have bank, CD, and Investment accounts with them. I do trade individual stocks just for the excitement and the interface is adequate but light on the research side (but getting better) compared to say a Fidelity where I park my retirement accounts. Another issue is any cash in your investment account earns nada and it takes a day or two to transfer back to bank. Also you only get x free transfers in and out of bank over y time.

Thanks for sharing that info. It seems like there isn't very good integration between Ally Invest and Ally Bank (2 days to transfer and limited numbers of transfers). I wasn't very likely to use it anyway, but I think I'll give that a definite pass based on that as a tight investment/banking integration would be the big advantage IMO.

[blue_green_sparks]

I am OK with Ally and have bank, CD, and Investment accounts with them. I do trade individual stocks just for the excitement and the interface is adequate but light on the research side (but getting better) compared to say a Fidelity where I park my retirement accounts. Another issue is any cash in your investment account earns nada and it takes a day or two to transfer back to bank. Also you only get x free transfers in and out of bank over y time.

Thanks for sharing that info. It seems like there isn't very good integration between Ally Invest and Ally Bank (2 days to transfer and limited numbers of transfers). I wasn't very likely to use it anyway, but I think I'll give that a definite pass based on that as a tight investment/banking integration would be the big advantage IMO.

Is Ally reading this forum? Just got notification the are speeding up transfers between investment and banking accounts to "minutes" during trading hours, LOL.