Check Bank Routing Numbers Online

Bank routing numbers are used to signify which financial institution a check originates from. This can be important on a number of levels and can be checked online.

What Is A Bank Routing Number?

A bank routing number, otherwise referred to as an ABA routing number or a routing transit number, is a nine digit code. The purpose of it is to signify what financial institution a particular account is connected with. They are generally located at the bottom of checks or other financial negotiating equipment. Such routing numbers are used generally in the USA and each financial institution has at least one bank routing number.

What Do The Digits Mean?

All bank routing numbers follow a standard format. The first two numbers refer to a US city or state. For instance, 59 would mean that the check comes from Hawaii. The following three digits signify which financial institution the check is from. The next three digits refer to the Federal Reserve Symbol which is an indication as to which Federal Reserve Bank the money originates from. The last number is used by the computer to check that the first eight digits were recognized correctly.

Why Are They Used?

In general, a bank number enables people to write checks as opposed to having to pay with cash. In this sense, the bank routing number, in essence, is the address of where the check originated and the return address of where the money should go. This information can then be used by those sorting and delivering the checks.