Bank of America's ABA number is 121000248
Bank of America's ABA number (also called a routing number) is 121000248. This nine-digit code tells the banking system which Bank of America location to send money to when you receive a wire transfer, direct deposit, or ACH payment. The same number works for all Bank of America accounts nationwide, regardless of which branch you use or where you live.
You need this number when someone outside your bank wants to send you money electronically. Your employer uses it to set up direct deposit. A creditor uses it to pull a payment from your account. A person sending you a wire transfer uses it to route the funds to the right place. Without the correct ABA number, the payment either goes to the wrong bank or gets rejected entirely.
Bank of America publishes this number publicly because it is not a secret — it is the same for every customer. Scammers cannot use it to access your account; they would also need your account number, which is private. You can safely share your ABA number with anyone who needs to send you money.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America's ABA number 121000248 is the same for all customers and all account types.
- You provide your ABA number along with your account number when setting up direct deposit, wire transfers, or ACH payments.
- The ABA number is public information and sharing it does not put your account at risk.
- If you are unsure whether you have the correct number, you can find it on the bottom left of your checks or by calling Bank of America customer service.
- Different banks have different ABA numbers, so make sure you are using Bank of America's number if your account is with Bank of America.
Where to find your ABA number on a check
If you have Bank of America checks, the ABA number appears in the bottom left corner as a nine-digit code. It is printed before your account number. The format looks like this: the ABA number comes first, then your account number, then the check number on the right side.
Not all Bank of America accounts come with checks. If you have a savings account or money market account that does not use checks, you will not see the ABA number printed anywhere. In that case, you can call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 or log into your online banking to find it. The customer service representative can confirm the number in seconds.
When you need to provide your ABA number
You need your ABA number whenever someone is sending you money electronically. The most common situations are direct deposit from your employer, automatic bill payments you set up, wire transfers from another person or business, and ACH transfers from friends or family.
When you set up direct deposit, your employer's payroll department will ask for your ABA number and account number. They use both pieces of information together to route your paycheck to the correct account. If you give them the wrong ABA number, your paycheck will go to a different bank, and you will have to contact your employer to correct it.
If someone is sending you a wire transfer, they will need your ABA number, account number, and your full name as it appears on the account. Wire transfers move faster than ACH payments (usually within hours rather than one to three business days), but they also cost money — typically $15 to $30 depending on whether the wire is domestic or international.
The difference between ABA number and account number
Your ABA number identifies your bank (Bank of America). Your account number identifies your specific account within that bank. You need both pieces of information for electronic transfers to work correctly.
Think of it this way: the ABA number is like the address of the bank building. The account number is like your apartment number inside that building. The mail carrier (the banking system) needs both to get your money to the right place. If you give only the ABA number, the bank knows which institution to send the money to, but not which account. If you give only the account number, the bank does not know which institution you use.
Your account number is private and should not be shared with people you do not trust. Your ABA number is public and safe to share. Anyone who has both numbers can set up a transfer to your account, but they cannot withdraw money without your permission — the transfer goes in one direction only, from their account to yours.
What happens if you use the wrong ABA number
If you provide an incorrect ABA number, the payment will either be rejected or sent to a different bank. If it is rejected, you will find out quickly — usually within one business day — and you can correct it and try again. If it is sent to a different bank, that bank will eventually notice the account number does not match any of their accounts and send the money back to the originating bank, which then returns it to the sender. This process can take several business days.
If you are expecting a direct deposit and it does not arrive on payday, contact your employer's payroll department immediately. Ask them to confirm the ABA number and account number they have on file. If they used the wrong ABA number, they can correct it and resubmit the deposit, though you may not receive the money until the next pay period.
For wire transfers, the sending bank usually confirms the account holder's name before processing. If the name does not match the account at the receiving bank, the wire may be held or rejected. This is a safety feature to prevent sending money to the wrong person.
How ABA numbers work across different banks
Every bank in the United States has its own ABA number. Wells Fargo's ABA number is different from Bank of America's. Chase's ABA number is different from both. The Federal Reserve assigns these numbers to ensure that each financial institution has a unique identifier in the banking system.
When you move money between banks — for example, transferring from your Bank of America account to a Wells Fargo account — both ABA numbers are used. Your Bank of America ABA number tells the system where the money is coming from. The Wells Fargo ABA number tells the system where the money is going. The two banks then communicate through the Federal Reserve's clearing system to complete the transfer.
If you have accounts at multiple banks, each account will have a different ABA number because each is tied to a different institution. Bank of America's ABA number will always be 121000248, no matter which branch you opened your account at or which state you live in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bank of America's ABA number the same for checking and savings accounts?
Yes. The ABA number 121000248 is the same for all Bank of America account types — checking, savings, money market, and others. The account number is what distinguishes one account from another within the bank.
Can someone steal money from my account if they have my ABA number?
No. The ABA number alone cannot be used to withdraw money. A person would also need your account number and authorization to pull funds from your account. Sharing your ABA number with someone who needs to send you money is safe.
What if I have a Bank of America account at a different branch — is the ABA number different?
No. All Bank of America branches use the same ABA number: 121000248. The branch location does not change the routing number. Your account number is what ties your account to your specific branch.
Do I need my ABA number to receive a payment from someone?
Yes. Anyone sending you money electronically — whether it is a wire transfer, ACH payment, or direct deposit — will need your ABA number and account number. You should provide both pieces of information together.
Where can I find my ABA number if I do not have checks?
Call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 or log into your online banking account. You can also visit a Bank of America branch in person and ask a representative. They can confirm the number immediately.