For purposes of this disclosure, fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. Fair value is based on the assumptions we believe market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. Additionally, entities are required to consider all aspects of nonperformance risk, including the entity’s own credit standing, when measuring the fair value of a liability.

Judgment is used in estimating inputs to our internal valuation models used to estimate our Level 3 fair value measurements. Level 3 inputs such as interest rate movements, prepayment speeds, credit losses, and discount rates are inherently difficult to estimate. Changes to these inputs can have a significant effect on fair value measurements and amounts that could be realized.

GAAP specifies a three-level hierarchy that is used when measuring and disclosing fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices available in active markets (i.e., observable inputs) and the lowest priority to data lacking transparency (i.e., unobservable inputs). An instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. The following is a description of the three hierarchy levels.

Level 2 Inputs are other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in inactive markets for identical or similar assets or liabilities; or inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 Unobservable inputs are supported by little or no market activity. The unobservable inputs represent management’s best assumptions of how market participants would price the assets or liabilities. Generally, Level 3 assets and liabilities are valued using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques that require significant judgment or estimation.

•Available-for-sale securities — We carry our available-for-sale securities at fair value based on external pricing sources. We classify our securities as Level 1 when fair value is determined using quoted prices available for the same instruments trading in active markets. We classify our securities as Level 2 when fair value is determined using prices for similar instruments trading in active markets. We perform pricing validation procedures for our available-for-sale securities.

•Interests retained in financial asset sales — We retain certain noncertificated interests retained from the sale of automotive finance receivables. Due to inactivity in the market, valuations are based on internally developed discounted cash flow models (an income approach) that use a market-based discount rate; therefore, we classified these assets as Level 3. The valuation considers recent market transactions, experience with similar assets, current business conditions, and analysis of the underlying collateral, as available. To estimate cash flows, we utilize various significant assumptions, including market observable inputs (for example, forward interest rates) and internally developed inputs (for example, prepayment speeds, delinquency levels, and credit losses).

•Derivative instruments — We enter into a variety of derivative financial instruments as part of our risk-management strategies. Certain of these derivatives are exchange traded, such as equity options. To determine the fair value of these instruments, we utilize the quoted market prices for those particular derivative contracts; therefore, we classified these contracts as Level 1.

We also execute OTC and centrally cleared derivative contracts, such as interest rate swaps, foreign-currency denominated forward contracts, caps, floors, and agency to-be-announced securities. We utilize third-party-developed valuation models that are widely accepted in the market to value these derivative contracts. The specific terms of the contract and market observable inputs (such as interest rate forward curves, interpolated volatility assumptions, or equity pricing) are used in the model. We classified these derivative contracts as Level 2 because all significant inputs into these models were market observable.

We also enter into interest rate lock commitments and forward-sale commitments that are executed as part of our mortgage business, certain of which meet the accounting definition of a derivative and therefore are recorded as derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Because these derivatives are valued using internal pricing models with unobservable inputs, they are classified as Level 3.

We purchase automotive finance receivables and loans from third parties as part of forward flow arrangements and, from time-to-time, execute opportunistic ad-hoc bulk purchases. As part of those agreements, Ally withholds a portion of the purchase price from the counterparty and may be required to pay the counterparty all or part of the amount withheld at agreed upon measurement dates and determinable amounts if actual credit performance of the acquired loans on the measurement date is better than or equal to what was estimated at the time of acquisition. Because these contracts meet the accounting definition of a derivative, we recognize a liability at fair value for these deferred purchase price payments. The fair value of these liabilities is determined using a discounted cash flow method. To estimate cash flows, we utilize various significant assumptions, including market observable inputs (for example, forward interest rates) and internally developed inputs (for example, prepayment speeds, delinquency levels, and expected credit losses). These liabilities are valued using internal loss models with unobservable inputs, and are classified as Level 3.

We are required to consider all aspects of nonperformance risk, including our own credit standing, when measuring fair value of a liability. We reduce credit risk on the majority of our derivatives by entering into legally enforceable agreements that enable the posting and receiving of collateral associated with the fair value of our derivative positions on an ongoing basis. In the event that we do not enter into legally enforceable agreements that enable the posting and receiving of collateral, we will consider our credit risk and the credit risk of our counterparties in the valuation of derivative instruments through a credit valuation adjustment (CVA), if warranted. The CVA calculation would utilize the credit default swap spreads of the counterparty.

The following tables display the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis including financial instruments elected for the fair value option. We often economically hedge the fair value change of our assets or liabilities with derivatives and other financial instruments. The tables below display the hedges separately from the hedged items; therefore, they do not directly display the impact of our risk-management activities.


	Recurring fair value measurements
December 31, 2020 ($ in millions)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Investment securities
Equity securities (a)	$	1,064	$	—	$	7	$	1,071
Available-for-sale securities
Debt securities
U.S. Treasury and federal agencies	803		—		—		803
U.S. States and political subdivisions	—		1,088		7		1,095
Foreign government	17		159		—		176
Agency mortgage-backed residential	—		18,588		—		18,588
Mortgage-backed residential	—		2,640		—		2,640
Agency mortgage-backed commercial	—		4,189		—		4,189

Asset-backed	—		425		—		425
Corporate debt	—		1,914		—		1,914
Total available-for-sale securities	820		29,003		7		29,830
Mortgage loans held-for-sale (b)	—		—		91		91

Finance receivables and loans, net
Consumer other (b)	—		—		8		8

Derivative contracts in a receivable position
Interest rate	—		—		16		16
Foreign currency	—		1		—		1

Total derivative contracts in a receivable position	—		1		16		17

Total assets	$	1,884	$	29,004	$	129	$	31,017
Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Derivative contracts in a payable position

Foreign currency	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	1
Credit contracts	—		—		28		28
Equity contracts	4		—		—		4
Total derivative contracts in a payable position	4		1		28		33

Total liabilities	$	4	$	1	$	28	$	33


	Recurring fair value measurements
December 31, 2019 ($ in millions)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Investment securities
Equity securities (a)	$	608	$	—	$	8	$	616
Available-for-sale securities
Debt securities
U.S. Treasury and federal agencies	2,047		1		—		2,048
U.S. States and political subdivisions	—		639		2		641
Foreign government	15		171		—		186
Agency mortgage-backed residential	—		21,404		—		21,404
Mortgage-backed residential	—		2,850		—		2,850
Agency mortgage-backed commercial	—		1,382		—		1,382
Mortgage-backed commercial	—		42		—		42
Asset-backed	—		368		—		368
Corporate debt	—		1,363		—		1,363
Total available-for-sale securities	2,062		28,220		2		30,284
Mortgage loans held-for-sale (b)	—		—		30		30
Finance receivables and loans, net
Consumer other (b)	—		—		11		11
Interests retained in financial asset sales	—		—		2		2
Derivative contracts in a receivable position
Interest rate	—		62		2		64


Total derivative contracts in a receivable position	—		62		2		64

Total assets	$	2,670	$	28,282	$	55	$	31,007
Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Derivative contracts in a payable position
Foreign currency	$	—	$	5	$	—	$	5


Total derivative contracts in a payable position	—		5		—		5
Total liabilities	$	—	$	5	$	—	$	5

The following tables present the reconciliation for all Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 in the periods presented. We often economically hedge the fair value change of our assets or liabilities with derivatives and other financial instruments. The Level 3 items presented below may be hedged by derivatives and other financial instruments that are classified as Level 1 or Level 2. Thus, the following tables do not fully reflect the impact of our risk-management activities.


	Level 3 recurring fair value measurements
			Net realized/unrealized (losses) gains													Fair value at Dec. 31, 2020		Net unrealized (losses) gains still held at December 31, 2020
($ in millions)	Fair value at Jan. 1, 2020		included in earnings			included in OCI		Purchases		Sales		Issuances		Settlements				included in earnings		included in OCI
Assets
Investment securities
Equity securities	$	8	$	(1)	(a)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	7	$	(1)	$	—
Available-for-sale securities	2		—			—		5		—		—		—		7		—		—
Mortgage loans held-for-sale (b)	30		67		(c)	—		2,734		(2,740)		—		—		91		1		—
Finance receivables and loans, net (b)	11		4		(d)	—		18		—		—		(25)		8		—		—
Other assets
Interests retained in financial asset sales	2		—			—		—		—		—		(2)		—		—		—

Total assets	$	53	$	70		$	—	$	2,757	$	(2,740)	$	—	$	(27)	$	113	$	—	$	—


	Level 3 recurring fair value measurements
			Net realized/unrealized gains													Fair value at Dec. 31, 2020		Net unrealized gains still held at December 31, 2020
($ in millions)	Fair value at Jan. 1, 2020		included in earnings			included in OCI		Purchases		Sales		Issuances		Settlements		Fair value at Dec. 31, 2020		included in earnings		included in OCI
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities, net of derivative assets	$	(2)	$	(10)	(a)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	24	$	—	$	12	$	(10)	$	—
Total (assets) liabilities	$	(2)	$	(10)		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	24	$	—	$	12	$	(10)	$	—


	Level 3 recurring fair value measurements
			Net realized/unrealized gains													Fair value at Dec. 31, 2019		Net unrealized gains still held at December 31, 2019
($ in millions)	Fair value at Jan. 1, 2019		included in earnings			included in OCI		Purchases		Sales		Issuances		Settlements				included in earnings		included in OCI
Assets
Investment securities
Equity securities	$	7	$	5	(a)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(4)	$	8	$	5	$	—
Available-for-sale securities	—		—			—		2		—		—		—		2		—		—
Mortgage loans held-for-sale (b)	8		12		(c)	—		742		(732)		—		—		30		—		—
Finance receivables and loans, net (b)	—		1		(d)	—		15		—		—		(5)		11		—		—
Other assets
Interests retained in financial asset sales	4		—			—		—		—		—		(2)		2		—		—
Derivative assets, net of derivative liabilities	—		2		(c)	—		—		—		—		—		2		2		—
Total assets	$	19	$	20		$	—	$	759	$	(732)	$	—	$	(11)	$	55	$	7	$	—

We may be required to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value from time to time. These periodic fair value measures typically result from the application of lower-of-cost or fair value accounting or certain impairment measures. These items would constitute nonrecurring fair value measures.

The following tables display assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and still held at December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively. The amounts are generally as of the end of each period presented, which approximate the fair value measurements that occurred during each period.


	Nonrecurring fair value measurements								Lower-of-cost-or-fair-value reserve, valuation reserve, or cumulative adjustments		Total gain (loss) included in earnings
December 31, 2020 ($ in millions)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets




Loans held-for-sale, net	$	—	$	—	$	315	$	315	$	—	n/m	(a)






Commercial finance receivables and loans, net (b)
Automotive	—		—		27		27		(5)		n/m	(a)
Other	—		—		54		54		(20)		n/m	(a)
Total commercial finance receivables and loans, net	—		—		81		81		(25)		n/m	(a)
Other assets
Nonmarketable equity investments (c)	—		7		118		125		88		n/m	(a)

Repossessed and foreclosed assets (d)	—		—		9		9		(1)		n/m	(a)

Total assets	$	—	$	7	$	523	$	530	$	62	n/m

(a)We consider the applicable valuation allowance, loan loss allowance, or cumulative impairment to be the most relevant indicator of the impact on earnings caused by the fair value measurement. Accordingly, the table above excludes total gains and losses included in earnings for these items. The carrying values are inclusive of the respective valuation reserve, loan loss allowance, or cumulative adjustment.

(c)Primarily relates to an investment in one entity for which there was a subsequent funding round. This subsequent funding round resulted in an observable price change in the value of our investment in the entity. Refer to Note 13 for further discussion.


	Nonrecurring fair value measurements								Lower-of-cost-or-fair-value reserve, valuation reserve, or cumulative adjustments		Total gain (loss) included in earnings
December 31, 2019 ($ in millions)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Loans held-for-sale, net	$	—	$	—	$	128	$	128	$	—	n/m	(a)
Commercial finance receivables and loans, net (b)
Automotive	—		—		64		64		(12)		n/m	(a)
Other	—		—		45		45		(21)		n/m	(a)

Total commercial finance receivables and loans, net	—		—		109		109		(33)		n/m	(a)
Other assets
Nonmarketable equity investments	—		5		7		12		—		n/m	(a)
Equity-method investments	—		—		4		4		(6)		n/m	(a)
Repossessed and foreclosed assets (c)	—		—		12		12		(1)		n/m	(a)

Total assets	$	—	$	5	$	260	$	265	$	(40)	n/m

Additionally, on April 30, 2020, we recognized a $50 million impairment of goodwill at Ally Invest. At the time of impairment, the fair value of goodwill at Ally Invest was classified as Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy. Refer to Note 13 for further discussion.

We elected the fair value option for an insignificant amount of conforming mortgage loans held for sale and certain acquired unsecured consumer finance receivables. We elected the fair value option for conforming mortgage loans held for sale to mitigate earnings volatility by better matching the accounting for the assets with the related derivatives. We elected the fair value option for certain acquired unsecured consumer finance receivables to mitigate the complexities of recording these loans at amortized cost. Our intent in electing fair value measurement was to mitigate a divergence between accounting gains or losses and economic exposure for certain assets and liabilities.

The following table presents the carrying and estimated fair value of financial instruments, except for those recorded at fair value on a recurring basis presented in the previous section of this note titled Recurring Fair Value. When possible, we use quoted market prices to determine fair value. Where quoted market prices are not available, the fair value is internally derived based on appropriate valuation methodologies with respect to the amount and timing of future cash flows and estimated discount rates. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting current market data to develop the market assumptions and inputs necessary to estimate fair value. As such, the actual amount received to sell an asset or the amount paid to settle a liability could differ from our estimates. Fair value information presented herein was based on information available at December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019.


			Estimated fair value
($ in millions)	Carrying value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
December 31, 2020
Financial assets
Held-to-maturity securities	$	1,253	$	—	$	1,331	$	—	$	1,331
Loans held-for-sale, net	315		—		—		315		315
Finance receivables and loans, net	115,243		—		—		122,156		122,156
FHLB/FRB stock (a)	725		—		725		—		725
Financial liabilities
Deposit liabilities	$	55,210	$	—	$	—	$	55,932	$	55,932
Short-term borrowings	2,136		—		—		2,136		2,136
Long-term debt	22,006		—		19,161		6,310		25,471
December 31, 2019
Financial assets
Held-to-maturity securities	$	1,568	$	—	$	1,600	$	—	$	1,600
Loans held-for-sale, net	128		—		—		128		128
Finance receivables and loans, net	126,957		—		—		130,837		130,837
FHLB/FRB stock (a)	1,150		—		1,150		—		1,150
Financial liabilities
Deposit liabilities	$	60,146	$	—	$	—	$	60,678	$	60,678
Short-term borrowings	5,531		—		—		5,532		5,532
Long-term debt	34,027		—		22,789		14,138		36,927

In addition to the financial instruments presented in the above table, we have various financial instruments for which the carrying value approximates the fair value due to their short-term nature and limited credit risk. These instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, cash collateral, accrued interest receivable, accrued interest payable, trade receivables and payables, and other short-term receivables and payables. Included in cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value due to interest rate, quoted price, or penalty on withdrawal. Classified as Level 1 under the fair value hierarchy, cash and cash equivalents generally expose us to limited credit risk and are so near maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.