Bank of America has multiple ABA numbers because different accounts and transaction types use different routing codes
An ABA number (also called a routing number) is a nine-digit code that identifies which bank holds your account. When you receive money via wire transfer, ACH payment, or direct deposit, the ABA number tells the payment system exactly where to send it. Bank of America does not have one ABA number — it has dozens, depending on which division processes your transaction and which state your account is in.
The ABA number you need depends on what you are doing and whether you are sending or receiving money. If someone is sending you funds, you give them your routing number. If you are sending money out, you typically do not need to provide your own routing number — the recipient's bank already knows where Bank of America is. Using the wrong routing number will not send your money to the wrong place, but it may slow down processing or cause the transaction to fail and bounce back.
Key Takeaways
- Your Bank of America account's routing number appears on the bottom left of your checks and in your online banking under account details.
- Bank of America's general ABA number for consumer accounts is 026009593, but your specific account may have a different routing number depending on when and where you opened it.
- When someone is sending you money, always give them the routing number from your checks or online banking, not a generic Bank of America number.
- Different divisions of Bank of America — consumer banking, business banking, and investment accounts — may have separate routing numbers.
- Wire transfers, ACH payments, and direct deposits all use the same routing number; the difference is in how the bank processes the payment, not which code you provide.
How to find your Bank of America ABA number
The fastest way is to look at a check from your account. The first nine digits at the bottom left of the check are your routing number. This is the ABA number tied to your specific account and branch. The format is always nine digits, and it appears before your account number on the check.
If you do not have a check, log into your Bank of America online banking or mobile app. Go to Account Details or Account Information — the exact name varies by app version. Your routing number will be listed there alongside your account number. You can also call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and ask for your routing number; they will confirm it over the phone and can verify which account you are asking about.
Do not assume all Bank of America customers have the same routing number. Your number depends on which state your account was opened in and which division of the bank holds it. A customer in California may have a different routing number than one in New York, even though both are Bank of America accounts. Always use the number specific to your account rather than a general Bank of America number.
When you need to give out your ABA number
You need your routing number when someone is sending you money, not when you are sending it. If your employer is setting up direct deposit, your landlord is accepting ACH rent payments, or a friend is wiring you cash, they will ask for your routing number and account number. These two pieces of information together form your complete banking address.
When you are the one sending money — paying a bill, wiring funds, or transferring to another bank — you typically do not enter your own routing number at all. The payment system already knows where Bank of America is. You only enter the recipient's routing number and account number so the money reaches the right place.
The exception is wire transfers. If you are wiring money out of your Bank of America account to another bank, you will need the recipient's ABA number. Your own bank (Bank of America) already knows how to reach you, so you do not provide your own routing number when initiating the wire.
Common Bank of America ABA numbers by account type
| Account Type or Region | ABA Number | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer checking/savings (general) | 026009593 | Most ACH transfers and direct deposits for personal accounts |
| Business accounts | Varies by state and account setup | Check your account details or business banking portal |
| Merrill Edge brokerage | 026009593 | Transfers to and from investment accounts |
| Your specific account | On your checks or in online banking | Always use this number when someone sends you money |
The number 026009593 works for most Bank of America consumer accounts, but it is not universal. Your actual routing number — the one printed on your checks — is the authoritative one for your account. If you are unsure which number to provide, always use the number from your checks or your online banking account details rather than guessing or using a general Bank of America number.
Business accounts often have different routing numbers than consumer accounts, even within the same state. If you have a business checking account with Bank of America, check your business account details or business banking portal for the correct routing number rather than assuming it matches your personal account.
What happens if you use the wrong ABA number
If you give someone the wrong routing number, the transaction may still go through if the account number is correct — the banking system has built-in safeguards to catch mismatches. However, the payment could be delayed by a day or more while the system verifies the routing number against your account number. This delay is frustrating but not permanent; the money will eventually reach you if the account number is right.
If the routing number and account number do not match at all, the payment will bounce back to the sender. They will see a rejection notice and have to resubmit with the correct information. This is why it is important to double-check before giving out your details, especially for recurring payments like payroll or rent. A single mistake can cause a missed payment or delayed deposit.
For wire transfers, an incorrect routing number is more serious. The money may go to a different bank entirely, and recovering it takes time and effort. Always confirm the recipient's routing number with them directly — call them or ask them to send it in writing — before wiring a large amount. Do not rely on email or text for this information, since those can be intercepted or misread.
ABA numbers versus account numbers and SWIFT codes
Your account number is different from your routing number. The routing number identifies the bank; the account number identifies you within that bank. Together, they form your complete banking address. You need both for any transfer into or out of your account. Your account number is typically 10 digits, while your routing number is always 9 digits.
A SWIFT code is used only for international wire transfers. Bank of America's SWIFT code is BOFAUS3N (for domestic transfers) or BOFAUS6S (for some international transfers). If you are sending money outside the United States, ask the recipient which SWIFT code to use, since different countries and banks may require different codes. SWIFT codes are not needed for domestic ACH or wire transfers within the United States.
ACH transfers (the system used for direct deposits, bill payments, and most peer transfers) use only the routing number and account number. SWIFT codes are not needed for domestic ACH. Wire transfers within the United States also use only the routing number and account number, not SWIFT codes. The SWIFT code is a separate system used only when money crosses international borders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the routing number on my check the same as Bank of America's main routing number?
Not always. Your check shows your account's specific routing number, which may differ from the general Bank of America routing number you see online. Use the number on your checks when someone is sending you money. Both are valid Bank of America numbers, but yours is the most accurate for your account and the one you should provide to others.
Can I use the same routing number for wire transfers and ACH payments?
Yes. The routing number works for both ACH and wire transfers. The difference is not the routing number — it is the system the bank uses to process the payment and how long it takes. You provide the same nine-digit code either way.
What if I have multiple Bank of America accounts?
Each account may have the same routing number or different ones, depending on when and where you opened them. Check each account's details separately in your online banking. When someone sends you money, make sure you give them the routing number for the specific account where you want the deposit to land.
Do I need a routing number to pay a Bank of America credit card bill?
No. Credit card payments do not use routing numbers. You pay through the credit card company's website or app, or by mailing a check to the address on your statement. Routing numbers are only for bank accounts (checking and savings), not credit cards.
Where do I find the routing number for a Bank of America account opened in another state?
Check your checks or log into online banking for that account. The routing number is printed on the checks and listed in the account details, regardless of which state the account is in. If you do not have access to those, call Bank of America customer service with your account number and they will provide it.