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If you have ever set up a direct deposit, sent money within the U.S., or received a payroll payment, your bank used an ABA code without you even noticing. It is one of those details that is always there, but that almost no one knows how to read or why it matters.
The ABA code, also called a bank routing number, is a 9-digit number that identifies each financial institution within the United States banking system. Without it, no domestic transfer, direct deposit, or check payment can be completed correctly.
What is the ABA code and who assigns it?
ABA stands for the American Bankers Association, the entity that has managed this bank identification system in the U.S. since 1910. Every bank and credit union registered in the country is assigned one or more unique ABA codes.
Unlike an account number, which identifies your personal account, the ABA code identifies the bank as a whole. All customers of the same bank share the same ABA code for a given operation and state, even though each has their own account number.
The ABA code identifies the bank; your account number identifies your specific account within that bank. You need both for a transfer to reach the right place.
Some large banks operate with more than one ABA code depending on the state where you opened your account or the type of transaction. We will explain when this distinction matters later on.
What is the ABA code used for in the U.S. banking system?
The ABA code is used in four main operations within the U.S.:
Direct deposit: when your employer deposits your salary into your account, they need your bank's ABA code to route the payment correctly. The same applies to IRS tax refunds or government benefit payments.
ACH transfers: ACH transfers are the U.S. domestic electronic payment system. They work between banks using the ABA code to know which institution to send the funds to.
Domestic wire transfers: wire transfers within the U.S. also require the receiving bank's ABA code. Note: some banks have a different ABA code for ACH and another for wire transfers, so check with your bank to see which one to use.
Check processing: the routing number printed on your checks allows banks to physically process those documents and charge the funds to the correct account.
How do you find your ABA code?
There are three ways to find your bank's ABA code, and all of them are equally reliable:
At the bottom of your personal checks: if you have a checkbook, the ABA code appears in the bottom left corner of each check as the first 9 digits of the printed sequence. Your account number follows immediately after, and the check number is at the end.
In your bank's app or website: most banks publish their ABA code (or routing number) within the account settings section or on the direct deposit page. Look for "routing number" in your account menu.
By calling or chatting with your bank's customer service: if you have questions about which one to use for a specific operation, the bank can confirm whether the code is for ACH, wire, or both operations.
ABA, SWIFT, and CLABE: when to use each one
The ABA code is not the only bank identifier that exists. Depending on where you are sending or receiving money, you will need a different one.
| Identifier | What it identifies | Where it is used | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABA (Routing Number) | Bank in the U.S. | Domestic transfers within the U.S. | 9 numeric digits |
| SWIFT / BIC | Bank in any country in the world | International bank transfers | 8 or 11 alphanumeric characters |
| CLABE | Bank account in Mexico | Receiving transfers in Mexico | 18 numeric digits |
The rule of thumb is simple: if money is moving within the U.S., you need the ABA code. If the money is crossing a border, the receiving bank needs the SWIFT code for their institution, and in some countries, the local equivalent as well (such as the CLABE in Mexico).
The ABA code only works for movements within the U.S. banking system. For international transfers, the SWIFT code is used; in Mexico, the recipient also needs their 18-digit CLABE.
Is the ABA code used when you send money with Félix?
Félix does not process payments via ACH bank transfer or wire transfer. Senders pay for their transfer using a debit or credit card (issued in the U.S., excluding American Express) or with cash at participating retail locations. That is why, when you use Félix to send a remittance to Latin America, you never need to enter your ABA code at any point in the process.
However, knowing your routing number is still useful as a Latino in the U.S.: you will need it to set up direct deposit for your paycheck, to pay bills via ACH, or to receive IRS refunds directly into your bank account.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ABA code change if I move to a different state?
It depends on the bank. Some large banks assign ABA codes by state, so if you opened your account in Texas and moved to California, the ABA code linked to your account might still be the one for Texas. Your bank can confirm the current code for your specific account.
Can I use the ABA code for any branch to receive my paycheck?
The ABA code you should use is the one linked to your bank account, not necessarily the one for the branch closest to where you live now. Check it in your bank's app or on your checkbook.
Are the ABA code and the routing number the same thing?
Yes. "Routing number" and "ABA code" are two names for the same thing: the 9-digit identifier assigned by the American Bankers Association to every financial institution in the U.S.
Why do some banks have more than one ABA code?
Some large banks use different codes for ACH transfers and domestic wire transfers. If you are going to make a wire transfer, verify with your bank exactly which code is correct for that type of transaction, as using the ACH code could cause the transfer to fail or be delayed.
Sources and references
American Bankers Association
- ABA Routing Number (aba.com) (Official information on the ABA routing number system and its administration.)
Federal Reserve
- The Fed - ACH Payment System (Description of the ACH system and the role of routing numbers in domestic electronic transfers.)
Related content
- ACH transfers: what they are, how they work, and when to use them
- Wire transfer vs. bank transfer: what is the difference?
- Bank routing number: what it is and how to identify it
- SWIFT code: what it is, how to read it, and when you need it
- Interbank CLABE vs. account number: which one to provide to receive money from abroad
- Glosario: Códigos SWIFT
- Glosario: Transferencia bancaria internacional
