When you call Ally Bank's Customer Service phone number with a customer problem, you're greeted by an automated message system. After stating that the conversation may be recorded for quality assurance, the following options are presented: press one for bank accounts and CDs; press two for auto; press three for invest; press four for home loan; press five for personal loan; press six for credit card; and press seven to repeat the options.

Specifics regarding each option aren't presented in the main phone menu. The recording simply says "auto" or "home loan" rather than something like, "Press four to inquire about or check the status of a home loan."

This main menu will repeat for two cycles if no option is selected, and then requests you to use the keypad. I assume with this automated system, you can verbally say which number option, although this wasn't stated or implied.

The second recording, which is the same main menu except with a statement at the beginning that explicitly instructs callers to use the keypad, has a new option presented at the second cycle: press zero to speak to an associate. So, to even be presented with the option to directly speak to an associate, the main menu has to repeat for a minimum of four cycles. This is very frustrating, as an immediate option to speak with a representative increases accessibility and allows a greater number of individuals to be adequately assisted.

After the fifth total cycle, and the third with the new "use the keypad" statement, the recording says it is unable to assist you at this time, says goodbye, and ends the call. I'm not sure why the system wouldn't automatically route to a representative. I'm also not sure why the keypad option to speak to a human wasn't available at the beginning. It's also worth noting there aren't alternative language options, such as Spanish or French, which further limits caller accessibility.

If you press any of the presented options, one through six, you're taken to an additional automated message system aimed at narrowing down your area of inquiry. Although, this system seems to operate by voice more so than by using the keypad. I had to press my option on the keypad twice for it to register.

Overall, calling Ally Bank's customer service phone number was frustrating. Once I was able to reach an associate, she was largely helpful but a bit terse. In my opinion, going to the bank's website would be a better option than trying to navigate its customer service phone number, especially if your call is unsuccessful.