What is Banking Routing Number?

A banking routing number is a nine-digit code used in the United States to identify a specific financial institution in a transaction. As of 2023, there were approximately 27,000 active routing numbers registered with the American Bankers Association (ABA), according to LexisNexis Risk Solutions, the official registrar. It ensures accurate processing of payments like direct deposits and wire transfers.

Most financial institutions do not use a single routing number for all of their accounts. The routing number for your account is frequently determined by the branch where you opened your account.

Furthermore, depending on the type of transaction you are attempting to complete, the same account may have multiple routing numbers assigned to it at some banks.

Your current account, for example, may have a routing number for ordering a box of checks, another for setting up direct deposit, and a third for sending an ACH or wire transfer. Remember this when looking for your routing number.

What is the bank routing number?

A routing number is a nine-digit code that banking institutions use to recognize one another. An RTN (routing transit number) and an ABA (American Bankers Association) routing number are also terms for it. It allows institutions to locate your individual account when combined with your account number.

The ABA issues routing numbers to banks and financial institutions that hold Federal Reserve accounts. A bank’s routing number is made up of nine numbers and can be found near the bottom left corner of its checks.

The routing number tells the Federal Reserve Bank which commercial bank will receive the funds.

Following the routing number are the individual account number and the check number.

For example, the bottom of a check could read ‘623852453 1234567 001.’ The first nine digits are the routing number, the second seven digits are the account number, and the last three digits are the check number.

Is a transit number a routing number?

A routing number, also known as an ABA RTN, is a bank transit number (American Banking Association routing transit number).

It is a nine-digit code that identifies a specific financial institution and is used to transfer funds or identify specific bank accounts. The transit number is printed on checks so that other banks can determine which bank issued the check.

Each financial institution (commercial banks, investment banks, credit unions, and brokerage firms) has its own transit number. This figure appears on all negotiable instruments issued by the institution.

A negotiable instrument is a document that guarantees the payment of money, for example, a check, a promissory note, or a bill of exchange.

The bank owns the transit number, not you. So, if you and a friend opened checking accounts at the same bank branch, your routing numbers would almost certainly be the same. Your account number, which is unique to your personal bank account, is the different number to the right.

Bank routing numbers list

Here is a list of some of the banks with US ACH routing numbers:

• AMERIS BANK (23)
• BANCO POPULAR (25)
• BANCORP SOUTH (15)
• BANCORPSOUTH (21)
• BANCORPSOUTH BANK (11)
• BANK OF AMERICA (216)
• BANK OF COMMERCE (12)
• BANK OF HOPE (17)
• BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON (20)
• BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA (14)
• BANK OF THE OZARKS (44)
• BANK OF THE WEST (18)
• BANKPLUS (11)
• BANNER BANK (36)
• BEAR STATE BANK (13)
• BERKSHIRE BANK (11)
• BMO HARRIS BANK (140)
• BRANCH BANKING & TRUST COMPANY (39)
• BUSEY BANK (12)
• BYLINE BANK (14)
• CADENCE BANK (14)
• CAMDEN NATIONAL BANK (11)
• CAPITAL BANK CORPORATION (11)
• CAPITAL BANK (38)
• CAPITAL CITY BANK (16)
• CAPITAL ONE (87)
• CATHAY BANK (11)
• CENTENNIAL BANK (38)
• CENTRAL BANK (43)
• CHEMICAL BANK (32)

How to find the routing number

If you have personal checks and deposit slips, they are printed on them. Although some account numbers are also nine digits, your routing number is easily distinguished because it is usually the bottom left or middle set of numbers surrounded by a pair of identical symbols.

Don’t look for your routing number on your ATM, debit card, or prepaid card, however. The numbers on those cards are assigned by a different system.

It is available on your bank’s website or through its online banking system. It might appear on your user account page. They are, however, sometimes published in obscure locations, so you may need to search within your bank’s website.

Please contact your bank or prepaid card provider. When in doubt, contact your bank’s customer service department.

How to find your routing number online

• Online banking: Logging into online banking will allow you to obtain your bank’s routing number.
• Check or statement: – bank-issued check or bank statement
• Fedwire – You can look up your routing number on the Federal Reserve’s official website.

How to Find a Routing Number Without a Check

Even if you don’t have a checkbook, you can find your routing number by visiting your bank’s website or calling your local branch. The routing number differs depending on the bank and region. Because one bank may have multiple routing numbers, double-check that your routing number corresponds to the bank where you opened your account.

Difference Between ABA and ACH Routing Numbers

ABA routing numbers are used for paper checks, whereas ACH routing numbers are used for electronic transfers and withdrawals. Today, most major banks use the same routing number for both. Regional lending institutions, on the other hand, frequently have separate ABA and ACH routing numbers.

The ABA routing number is also known as the “check routing number,” while the ACH routing number is known as the “electronic routing number” or “number for electronic transfers.” If only one number is given, the ABA and ACH routing numbers are most likely the same, but it never hurts to double-check.

What is a routing number on a debit card?

Routing numbers are not found on credit or debit cards. And, while the number on your card is sometimes referred to as your primary account number (PAN), it is not the same as your bank account number.

Bank of America routing number

For domestic and international wire transfers, Bank of America’s routing number is 026009593.

MetaBank routing number

MetaBank’s routing number is 273970116 for domestic wire transfers and 73972181 for international wire transfers.

Why you should know your routing number?

Your routing number will be required in a variety of situations, including setting up direct deposit, automatic loan payments, and recurring transfers such as bill payments.

You’ll also need it when you file your taxes to receive your tax refund or debt a tax payment, or when you conduct Automated Clearing House, or ACH, transfers between bank accounts.

You only need your routing number when transferring funds to or from your bank account — never for debit or credit card purchases.

Conclusion

In a variety of situations, you will be asked for your routing number. You must provide your account number and routing number when making a payment over the phone or online, or when setting up automatic bill payments.

Furthermore, if you’re processing checks or transferring money internationally, you’ll be asked for your routing number so the banks know where the money should be sent.

Your bank can tell you which routing number to use for the task at hand. Because check routing numbers may differ from those required for wire transfers, it is best to look them up online to avoid processing delays.

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