When people intend to track the location of a bank account, they need to know the routing number. If you got here to try to have the information about how long is a routing number, then you are in the right place.
In the United States, accessing a routing number is essential in an attempt to gain in-depth knowledge of the location or information about a bank account, or even an academic profile.
What is a routing number?
You should know that a bank routing number is nothing more than a code that identifies each U.S. Bank and its respective accounts. Routing numbers are composed of a nine-digit code.
To learn how to identify it quickly, you should know that this code is printed on the bottom of the checks, specifically on the left side.
The routing number is also sometimes referred to as the RTN (Routing Transit Number) and the ABA (American Bankers Association) routing number. With your account number and routing number, an individual account number can be easily located.
How do I know the routing number of my account?
If you are currently unaware of this information and have needed to provide it to an organization or entity, simply follow the steps below to access your account number:
- Log in to your favorite bank’s mobile application.
- After entering your data, you must go to a section where it indicates: “What is the routing number of my current account?
- Finally, the system will present you with your account information.
Another easier way to get this type of information is through the following way; pay close attention:
- Log in to your account and select the desired account.
- Go to the Account Options link, it will appear below the available balance.
- Choose the account information.
When you get your bank information, you will be able to see the last digits of your account number, these are linked to the full account number and also to the routing number.
Your monthly statement
In order for you to have the opportunity to know the location of your routing, you should know that it is located in the upper right corner of your monthly statement. There you will be able to find the routing without any problem.
How do I differentiate my routing number from my account number?
If you have any doubts, you should know that on a check or any document issued by the bank. You will need to learn to identify that the nine-digit data are the routing data, while the specific account numbers are usually in the order of 10 or 12 digits.
The rightmost number on a check is the check number. It is important that you learn not to confuse these data.
The US bank routing number directory
We have already discussed how to identify and work with routing numbers. However, what many do not know is that in U.S. Bank, there are dozens of routing numbers. Each one is identified according to the different functions it serves.
To give you an idea of how this type of information works, as an example we will give you the routing numbers found in a particular bank.
What will allow you to identify it? Through the place and region where you have opened your account number. Keep an eye out to these lines:
Region routing number
Arizona 122105155
Arkansas 082000549
California – Northern 121122676
California – Southern 122235821
Colorado – Aspen 102101645
Colorado – all other areas 102000021
Idaho 123103729
Illinois – Northern 071904779
Illinois – Southern 081202759
Indiana 074900783
Iowa – Council Bluffs 104000029
Kansas 101000187
Kentucky – Northern 042100175
Kentucky – Western 083900363
Minnesota – East Grand Forks 091215927
Minnesota – Moorhead 091300023
Missouri 081000210
Missouri – Western 101200453
Montana 092900383
Nebraska (+ Council Bluffs, IA) 104000029
Nevada 121201694
New Mexico 107002312
North Carolina 064103707
North Dakota (+ Moorhead, MN) 091300023
Ohio – Cleveland 041202582
Ohio – all other areas 042000013
Oregon 123000220
South Dakota 091408501
Tennessee 064000059
Utah 124302150
Washington 125000105
Wisconsin 075000022
Wyoming 307070115
All other states 091000022
As you can see, there is a different code for each State or Region that is part of the United States. The same is true for each of the banking entities that operate legally in the United States.
In fact, there are more than 5,000 commercial banking institutions operating in the United States alone. This means that the base routing numbers can exceed 50,000 digits, plus the additional data you have from your personal bank account.
Curious, isn’t it? Banks need additional information beyond your basic data to access your account. Therefore, routing sheets play a vital role in generating their own measurement system.
What do I need my routing number for?
Generally, financial institutions use the routing number every time a financial transaction is executed in the United States. This happens immediately and fully automated, so you hardly notice it.
In fact, the routing number is important in an electronic transaction when:
- You wish to pay a bill online or by phone.
- Bank transfer.
- You decide to write a check.
How it works when writing a check
In case you want to know the routing number of your account to try to write a check, we mention the following steps you should follow:
- Place the date of the check on the line in the upper right corner.
- Write the name of the person or institution to which the check is addressed on the “Pay to Order” line.
- Write the amount in numbers in the box on the “Pay to payer” line.
The amount should be written, but in the following way: the cents should be written by placing the cents above 100 as a fraction. For example: you should write “Ten dollars and 25/100”, which would mean $10.25.
Do I need the routing number for mobile or online banking?
If you are interested in doing all kinds of banking transactions whenever you want without the need to enter your routing number, we tell you that digital banking makes it possible.
Each of the banks that operate in the United States has an electronic banking application where you can access and move your money 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Importance of my routing number in international transfers
Many people don’t realize that the routing number is just as important as the account number itself. The ABA or ACH routing number is an identification code for your account that only works when you want to make direct deposits within the United States.
Of course, there are different ways to identify the international transactions that exist: account, bank and country of origin. However, we will tell you about those keys or routes that you will need to be able to make international transfers:
IBAN
This type of code is usually used for countries that are part of the European Union. They are known as IBANE numbers. These are made up of 34 digits, all of which determine the origin of the money being transferred.
With this information you will even be able to know the bank office from which the operation was performed.
SWIFT
It is one of the most known ways; since it is used to make transfers outside the countries belonging to the European Union. It usually has a code of 8 to 11 digits, unique for each account.
CLABE
It is ideal for those who decide to make transfers in Mexican banks. To do so, you will need the bank code known as CLABE. In order for you to effectively identify this code, we tell you that it has 18 unique digits for each account.
Is it dangerous for my routing number to be known?
Honestly, no. Although through your routing number banks can track from where you have made a transaction or transfer; this should not be a problem that threatens the security of your account.
Remember that in order to make a bank transfer you need the security codes given to you by the bank and the ones you create with them.
Are the routing numbers exclusive in the United States?
No. The truth is that routing numbers on bank accounts are a system of recording and tracking that is done all over the world, or at least in banking transactions.
In this way, an international registry of money movements is carried out. Basically, it is a way in which banks protect themselves and also safeguard the integrity of their users.
As you may realize, the routing number is much more important than you think, at least as far as bank accounts are concerned. If you have ever asked yourself: how long is a routing number? We hope you now have it clear.