Routing Number
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Read moreA routing number is a standardized, nine-digit number used in the US to identify a specific bank or financial institution and the part of that organization where a bank account is held. Routing numbers are typically used to process domestic transfers of funds between accounts via ACH, wire transfer or other means.
In the US, a routing number is located at the bottom of a check and may also be available from a bank’s online portal or via a bank statement or official correspondence. Individuals or businesses that want to receive funds from elsewhere will often have to provide a routing number and an account number, or an international equivalent like an IBAN.
Routing numbers can also be used to identify American banks and financial organizations for international currency exchange, although these numbers are integrated into SWIFT, IBAN and other international banking identifiers. If you are providing one of those numbers, you do not normally need to provide a routing number as well.
If you are sending money internationally and want to pay via wire or bank transfer from an American bank, you will typically need to provide your routing number and account number.
Routing numbers are made up of several different areas. The first four numbers are a “Federal Reserve Routing Symbol,” the next four are the American Bankers Association (ABA) Institution Identifier and the last number is a check digit.
Routing numbers are assigned by the American Bankers Association (ABA).
Routing Number — Related terms
Routing numbers are related to bank identifiers, SWIFT, BIC, IBAN, ACH, SWIFT-BIC, SWIFT ID and account numbers.
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