Bank of America's routing number depends on which state your account is in

Bank of America does not have a single routing number for all direct deposits. The routing number you need changes based on the state where your account was opened or where your branch is located. This matters because payroll systems and government agencies use the routing number to send money to the correct processing center.

The most common Bank of America routing number is 026009593, which covers most states. However, if your account is in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, or Pennsylvania, your routing number is 021200025. If your account is in Illinois, Indiana, or Iowa, use 071000013. Some older accounts or accounts opened at specific branches may have different routing numbers, so the safest approach is to check your own account rather than assume.

You can find your specific routing number in three ways: check the bottom left corner of any check you have from that account, log into your Bank of America online banking and look under account details, or call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and ask them to confirm your routing number before you provide it to your employer or a government agency.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America's routing number varies by state, with 026009593 covering most states and different numbers for Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa.
  • Your account number is a separate piece of information from your routing number and appears on the bottom right of your checks or in your online banking portal.
  • The fastest way to confirm both numbers is to check a blank check from your account or log into your Bank of America online banking.
  • Always verify your routing and account numbers with Bank of America directly before submitting them to an employer or government program, because an incorrect number will cause the deposit to fail or go to the wrong account.

Where to find your account number on a check

If you have a blank check from your Bank of America account, the account number appears on the bottom right side of the check, after the routing number. The format is usually: routing number (nine digits), then account number (up to 17 digits). Your account number is unique to you and stays the same for the life of the account.

The account number is what tells Bank of America which specific account to deposit the money into. Without it, the bank knows the money is headed to Bank of America but not which customer should receive it. This is why both the routing number and account number are required for direct deposit.

How to find these numbers in online banking

Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com or through the mobile app. Go to the account you want to use for direct deposit. Look for a section labeled "Account Details," "Account Information," or "Routing Number." Bank of America displays both your routing number and account number in this section.

If you cannot find this section, click on the account name or account settings. Some versions of the Bank of America website show this information on the main account page. If you are still unable to locate it, call 1-800-432-1000 and a representative can read both numbers to you over the phone.

What information your employer or agency will ask for

When you set up direct deposit, you will need to provide your employer or the government agency with your routing number, account number, and the account type (checking or savings). Bank of America accounts are almost always either checking or savings — checking is more common for direct deposit because it allows unlimited deposits and withdrawals.

Some employers use a form called a direct deposit authorization form. This form has fields for routing number, account number, and account type. Fill it out carefully and double-check the numbers before submitting. A single digit wrong in either number will cause the deposit to fail, and your paycheck or benefit payment will be delayed while the error is corrected.

Common mistakes that delay direct deposit

The most frequent error is transposing digits in the routing number or account number. Because these are long strings of numbers, it is straightforward to accidentally swap two digits or type one incorrectly. Always copy the numbers directly from your check or online banking rather than typing them from memory.

Another common mistake is providing the wrong routing number for your state. If you moved to a different state after opening your account, your routing number may have changed depending on where you now bank. Call Bank of America to confirm which routing number applies to your current account.

A third mistake is providing a savings account number when your employer expects a checking account, or vice versa. Make sure you know which type of account you are using and that you tell your employer the correct type. Some employers will not process direct deposit to a savings account.

What happens if you provide the wrong number

If the routing number is wrong, the money will either be rejected by the banking system or sent to a different bank entirely. If the account number is wrong, the money may go to another Bank of America customer's account. In either case, your payment will not arrive on the expected date.

If this happens, contact your employer or the agency sending the payment when ready and provide the correct numbers. Ask them to resubmit the deposit. At the same time, contact Bank of America to report that a deposit may have been sent to the wrong account. Bank of America can sometimes recover funds that were sent in error, but the faster you report it, the better the chance of recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the routing number on my check the same as the one I use for direct deposit?

Yes. The nine-digit number at the bottom left of your check is your routing number, and it is the same one you use for direct deposit. However, if your account is in one of the states with a different routing number (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, or Iowa), make sure you are using the correct one for your state, not just the one printed on an old check.

Can I use a savings account for direct deposit?

Most employers and government agencies allow direct deposit to a savings account, but some do not. Check with your employer or the agency sending the payment before you provide your savings account number. If they reject it, you may need to set up a checking account instead or ask them to deposit to a different account type.

What if I do not have any checks?

Log into your Bank of America online banking and look for your account details or routing number section. If you do not have online banking set up, call 1-800-432-1000 and a representative will provide both your routing number and account number. You do not need a physical check to find this information.

Do I need to tell Bank of America that I am setting up direct deposit?

No. You do not need to notify Bank of America before setting up direct deposit. Once you provide your routing and account numbers to your employer or a government agency, they will handle the rest. Bank of America will straightforward receive and process the deposit when it arrives.

Will direct deposit work if my account is very new?

Most direct deposits will process to a new Bank of America account, but some employers and government agencies have policies that require an account to be open for a certain number of days before they will send a deposit. If your account is fewer than 30 days old, contact your employer or the agency to ask whether there are any restrictions on new accounts.