Routing transit number
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A routing transit number (RTN) or ABA number is the nine digit code on the bottom of negotiable instruments such as checks that identifies which financial institution it is drawn upon. This code is also used by the Automated Clearing House to process direct deposits and other automated transfers. This system is named after the American Bankers Association, which designed it in 1910.
Thompson Financial Publications (TFP) is responsible for tracking and assigning new ABAs. They have published this list in the American Bankers Association Key to Routing Numbers semi-annually since 1911. There are approximately 30,000 ABAs currently in use.
The first two digits of this nine digit number must be 00 through 12, 21 through 32, 61 through 72, or 80. 00 is used by the United States Government. 21 through 32 were assigned to thrift institutions through 1985. 61 through 72 are used for electronic transactions. 80 is used for traveller's checks. These two digits correspond to the 12 Federal Reserve Banks as follows:
| Primary | Thrift | Electronic | Federal Reserve Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 21 | 61 | Boston, Massachusetts |
| 02 | 22 | 62 | New York, New York |
| 03 | 23 | 63 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 04 | 24 | 64 | Cleveland, Ohio |
| 05 | 25 | 65 | Richmond, Virginia |
| 06 | 26 | 66 | Atlanta, Georgia |
| 07 | 27 | 67 | Chicago, Illinois |
| 08 | 28 | 68 | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 09 | 29 | 69 | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| 10 | 30 | 70 | Kansas City, Missouri |
| 11 | 31 | 71 | Dallas, Texas |
| 12 | 32 | 72 | San Francisco, California |
External links
- TFP's ABA web site (http://www.tfp.com/aba.html)
- American Bankers Association web site (http://www.aba.com)
- Federal Reserve Districts (http://www.federalreserve.gov/otherfrb.htm)
- Bank Routing Numbers (http://www.fedwiredirectory.frb.org/reserve.cfm)