Bank of America routing numbers vary by state and transaction type

Bank of America does not use a single routing number across all locations. The routing number you need depends on which state your account is held in and what kind of transaction you are making. For wire transfers from a Bank of America account in New York, you will use a different routing number than someone in California or Texas would use.

New York Bank of America customers sending domestic wire transfers use routing number 021000021. This is the routing number for Bank of America's New York processing center. If you are sending an international wire transfer, you may need different information — the SWIFT code and the specific branch address — rather than a routing number alone.

The routing number is a nine-digit code that tells the banking system which institution and which regional processing center should handle your transfer. When you initiate a wire transfer through Bank of America, the system typically fills in the correct routing number automatically based on your account location. You only need to look it up manually if you are wiring money from another bank to your Bank of America account in New York, or if you are setting up a transfer through a third-party service.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America's routing number for domestic wire transfers from New York accounts is 021000021.
  • Routing numbers are specific to the state where your account is held, so accounts in other states use different numbers.
  • When you send a wire through Bank of America's own system, the routing number is usually entered automatically.
  • International wire transfers require a SWIFT code and branch address instead of a routing number.
  • You can confirm the correct routing number by calling Bank of America customer service or checking your account statements.

When you need to enter the routing number yourself

You will need to manually enter Bank of America's routing number in a few specific situations. If someone outside Bank of America is sending you money and needs your bank details, you provide them with 021000021 along with your account number. If you are setting up a recurring transfer from another bank to your Bank of America account, that bank's system will ask you for Bank of America's routing number.

Some employers and payroll services also ask for routing numbers when setting up direct deposit. In those cases, you would give them 021000021 if your Bank of America account is in New York. Third-party payment platforms — like some bill-pay services or peer-to-peer transfer apps — may also ask for a routing number if they do not have a direct connection to Bank of America's system.

How to confirm you have the correct routing number

The safest way to verify the routing number is to check your Bank of America checks. The routing number appears in the bottom left corner of every check, printed as a nine-digit code. If you do not have checks on hand, you can log into your Bank of America online account and look for account details or wire transfer information in the settings menu.

You can also call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-432-1000 and ask a representative to confirm the routing number for your account. Have your account number ready when you call. Bank of America's website also lists routing numbers by state, though you should verify the number matches your specific account location before using it.

Routing numbers versus account numbers and SWIFT codes

A routing number is not the same as your account number. Your account number is unique to you and identifies your specific account within the bank. The routing number identifies the bank and the processing center. When you send a wire transfer, you need both pieces of information: the routing number tells the system which bank to send the money to, and the account number tells that bank which account within the bank should receive it.

For international wire transfers, you will also need a SWIFT code instead of a routing number. Bank of America's SWIFT code is BOFAUS3N for most U.S. locations, though some branches have their own codes. You may also need the full branch address and sometimes an IBAN (International Bank Account Number) if the receiving country requires it. These details are different from the domestic routing number and serve a different purpose in the international banking system.

What happens if you use the wrong routing number

If you enter an incorrect routing number, the wire transfer may be delayed, sent to the wrong bank, or rejected entirely. The sending bank's system may catch the error and ask you to correct it before processing. If the transfer does go through to the wrong institution, it can take several days to trace and recover the funds.

Some wire transfers include a verification step where the sending bank confirms the routing number matches the account number you provided. This is a safety feature, but it is not universal. To avoid problems, always double-check the routing number before submitting a wire transfer, especially if you are entering it manually rather than letting the system fill it in automatically.

Bank of America routing numbers for other transaction types

The routing number 021000021 is used for domestic wire transfers from New York accounts. ACH transfers — which are slower, less expensive transfers often used for payroll and bill payments — may use a different routing number depending on which Bank of America processing center handles them. For most New York accounts, the ACH routing number is also 021000021, but you should confirm this with your bank if you are setting up an ACH transfer.

Check deposits and other in-branch transactions do not require a routing number. Only transfers that move money between banks — whether by wire, ACH, or other electronic means — need routing information. If you are unsure which routing number to use for a specific type of transfer, Bank of America's customer service can tell you which number applies to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 021000021 the routing number for all Bank of America locations?

No. 021000021 is the routing number for Bank of America accounts in New York. Other states have different routing numbers. For example, California accounts use 121000248, and Texas accounts use 111000025. Always confirm the routing number matches the state where your account is held.

Can I find the routing number on my debit card?

No. Routing numbers do not appear on debit cards. They appear on the bottom left of checks, in your online account settings, or by calling customer service. Your debit card shows your card number and expiration date, but not the routing number for wire transfers.

What if I am sending money to someone else's Bank of America account in New York?

You would use 021000021 as the routing number, along with their account number. The routing number tells the system to send the money to Bank of America's New York processing center, and the account number directs it to their specific account within that center.

Do I need a routing number to receive a wire transfer into my Bank of America account?

Yes. Anyone sending you money will need your routing number (021000021 for New York accounts) along with your account number. You should provide both pieces of information to the person or organization sending the funds.

Can I use the same routing number for both sending and receiving wire transfers?

Yes. The routing number 021000021 works for both sending wire transfers out of your Bank of America New York account and receiving transfers into it. The routing number identifies the bank and processing center, not the direction of the transfer.