The world of smartphones has made us all a little less likely to remember important strings of numbers.
This includes your checking account number and your banks routing number, both important for direct deposit payments.
But what do these account and routing numbers actually mean?
Whats a Bank Account Number?
Your bank account number is a unique identifier connected just to that individual account.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
Whats a Routing Number?
Its smart to know where to find the bank routing number so your money gets to your financial home.
Did you know?
A routing number is your banks unique identifier; an account number isyourunique identifier.
Just check your checks.
You might considerordering themfrom either the bank or an online check-making service.
That personal check is also handy for finding important checking account information, including your routing and account numbers.
If you have multiple accounts with a bank, youll have unique account numbers for each individual account.
Look at the bottom of your paper check.
The first group of numbers in the bottom left is your bank routing number.
This routing number will always be nine digits long.
Each individual number or set of numbers carries a significance.
Remember, routing numbers can vary by location, even for the same financial institution.
The third numberis associated with a check processing center assigned to your bank or credit union.
The fourth digitspecifies the Federal Reserve district where your financial institution is located.
The next four numbersis unique to your financial institution.
This ninth and final numberis based on the sum of the eight other digits in the routing number.
Its more than simple addition, so well leave that math to the accountants.
Your account number is just to the right of the routing number.
After the nine-digit number, youll typically see a colon, then a second set of numbers.
This is your checking account number.
These can vary in length but typically max out at 12 numbers.
If you are unfamiliar with writing checks, thesesix easy stepswill help you conquer that #adulting task.
The check number is used to identify the specific check for your reference or the recipients.
But not all mobile apps and digital banking platforms are created equal.
Monthly Bank Statement
The next option is to find a statement from your financial institution.
If you receive electronic statements, log into your institutions online banking site to access your account info.
Provide proof of identity to receive your bank account info.
But because ABA routing numbers apply to specific financial institutions that thousands of customers bank with, thesearepublic.
To find yours, you’re able to use theABA routing number lookup.
Users are limited to two searches a day and 10 a month.
Alternatively, you’ve got the option to google to determine your routing number.
Its fairly easy to find routing numbers for popular banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Chase.
A word of caution, however: Individual financial institutions have multiple routing numbers.
Routing numbers at larger financial institutions can vary by state.
Timothy Moore and Dana Sitar are contributors to The Penny Hoarder.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
