How Do I Find The Routing Number On A Debit Card?

There is no routing number on a debit card. So, there is no point in looking for a routing number on a debit card. Usually, the first 6 digits of the debit card indicate the financial institution that issued the debit card. Some banks have only one routing number for the entire US while most of the major banks have multiple routing numbers based on the state that the bank account was initially opened. Usually, every debit card is associated with a bank account and the bank account has the routing number you need.

Key Takeaways

• A routing number is a 9-digit number and it is used by U.S. financial institutions to identify a specific financial institute
• A routing number is required for transactions made by paper checks, direct deposits, wire transfers, etc.
• A routing number offers added protection by providing added accuracy for transactions
• If you want to transfer money from one bank to another then you will need the routing number of the recipient bank
• If you want to receive the tax refund by check then you have to provide the routing number of your bank

What Is A Routing Number?

A routing number is a 9-digit number that is used by U.S. financial institutions to identify the specific financial institution tied to a bank transaction. A routing number is very important because it helps the correct transfer of funds for transactions such as:

1. Paper checks

2. Direct deposits

3. Electronic fund transfers between financial accounts

4. Wire transfers

Usually, the checking or savings account number is unique to your account but the routing number is not. The account number is used to identify ownership of the account within the bank’s computer systems. While the routing number offers added protection by providing added accuracy of transactions. The bank account number can be the same for the different banks but the routing number won’t be the same for different banks.

How To Find A Bank’s Routing Number

There are many reasons you might need the routing number. Therefore, it is very important you should know your bank’s routing number. Locating the routing number is much easier than you think. Here is how you can find a bank’s routing number – 

1. If you have a checking account then look at the bottom of one of your checks, here you’ll find your account number. In the front of your account number, you will find the 9 nine-digit routing number.

2. If you don’t have a check then also find your routing number on your bank statement. Usually, the routing number is printed near your account number on the bank statement.

3. If the above two steps fail then call your bank or visit a branch and ask for your routing number.

4. You can also find the routing number on the Bank’s official website. Just visit the website and find the routing number.

Moreover, if you have an online banking account then you can also find the routing number easily. Just log in to your online profile and select the bank account number. Then select Account Numbers & More to find your routing number.

Reasons You Will Need The Routing Number

There are many reasons you might need to know your Bank’s routing number. Here are some important reasons – 

1. Setting Up Direct Deposit

Many employers pay their employees with checks while others offer direct deposit. Direct deposit has some benefits like you will be able to access your cash sooner than if you’d received a check. Moreover, there is no cost to set up direct deposit, and it also eliminates a trip to the bank. So, if you want to receive direct deposit then you have to provide the routing number. This routing number will help to identify your bank account branch and number.

2. Transferring Money Between Banks

If you want to transfer money from one bank to another then you will have to provide your bank’s routing number. The routing number helps the banks identify the financial institution that receives the funds. If you want to initiate an online banking transaction then you will need to provide the routing number and account number to move funds between these accounts.

3. Receive Tax Refund Deposit

If you want to receive the tax refund by check then you might have to wait for weeks. Therefore, you can opt to have your tax refund automatically deposited into a bank account. To do so, you should provide your routing number and your account number to ensure that the tax refund deposits into the right account.

4. Pay Your Bills Online

You can set up an automatic bill payment to pay all your bills online and simplify your finance management. You can easily set up ACH payments and have funds automatically drafted from your bank account. To initiate the ACH payments, you have to provide the routing number of your bank account.

5. Wire Transfers

If you want to transfer money quickly then a Wire transfer can allow you to securely send cash from one bank to another. In many cases, Wire transfer is quicker than an ACH transfer. If you want to initiate a wire transfer then you have to provide your routing number and account number as well as the recipient’s account number and routing number.

FAQs About How Do I Find The Routing Number On A Debit Card?

References:
1. https://wallethub.com/edu/routing-number/14293
2. https://www.valuepenguin.com/banking/what-is-a-routing-number

Last Updated on October 29, 2022 by Magalie D.