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Language Foundation

routing number

A routing number is a nine-digit number used in the US to identify a bank or other financial institution for processing payments to or from an account.

In plain English

It is the number that tells payment systems which bank or financial institution is involved. In the United States, it has nine digits and is used when money is processed into or out of an account.

In context

Here, it requests the nine-digit identifier for the bank or financial institution linked to the payroll account so payments can be processed to or from that account.

Situation
Completing employee onboarding, payroll setup, policies, and mandatory forms
What it communicates
requests the bank-routing identifier for the payroll account.

Meaning limits

By itself, this term does not identify the specific account within the institution.

Examples

“Everyone at the same bank shares the routing number, but each customer has a different account number.”

Core meaning

“When payroll asked for her bank details, Nina provided her routing number and account number.”

In context

  • bank code Broader Term

    A routing number is one kind of code used to identify a financial institution for payment processing.

  • account number Contrast

    An account number identifies a specific account, while a routing number identifies the institution.