Gallery: Please visit the gallery to view images in full size. From the gallery, you will be able to add the images to the shopping cart and checkout. YouTube: I have a YouTube Channel (Hari PHL) where I post videos once a week. Please subscribe to my channel and share my videos. I appreciate your support. Thank you for visiting my site.
Routing numbers on checks.
At the bottom of your check there will be three sets of numbers. The first set of numbers are the routing numbers. It is a 9-digit code. In the image below the routing number is 123456789.
No two banks will have identical routing numbers. Each number that makes up the routing number has a significance. The first two digits for example signify the jurisdiction that the bank falls under. If the first two digits starts with 03, it indicates that it is the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Routing Numbers are only used in the United States. For international transfers there is something called SWIFT codes.
Account Number on checks.
The account number is the second set of numbers located at the bottom of your check. It is typically 10 to 12 digits long. This account number is specific to your account and should be safeguarded.
How many routing numbers does a bank have?
For a given bank, the routing numbers might be different for different states and some states may have more than one routing number. For example, U.S. Bank has a different routing numbers for Idaho and California. Also, within California, U.S. Bank has different routing numbers for Northern California and Southern California.
Routing numbers are also known as Routing Transit Numbers (RTNs) or ABA Routing Numbers. ABA stands for American Bankers Association. Your routing number basically identifies where your account was open. The concept of the Routing numbers was created by the ABA in 1910.
How can I find my bank routing number?
You can find out bank routing number in the following ways:
- Your Routing Number can be found at the bottom of your check.
- Most banks will show the show your Account Number and Routing number once you login to your account. For example, if you are a Bank of America customer, once you login to your account, go to Accounts Overview and then select Account Details tab. This section will show your Account Number, Routing Number for both paper and electronic and also for wiring.
- You can also find the routing number by contacting the local branch.
- In many cases your routing number will also be in your bank statements.
- You can also perform an online search for “Bank of America Routing Numbers” and find your number based on your State and location (Remember your Routing Number is based on the location where you opened your account). You do not have to change your routing number if you moved to a different State as long as you are with the same bank.
Advantages of making and receiving payments using checks.
There was a time until very recently that most of us were making and receiving payments using checks. A checkbook was something that we used to keep track of our finances (Debits vs Credits). Even with the dramatic increase in making payments and receiving payments electronically, many of us still use check as a form of payment (including the government). The following are the advantages of checks:
- Checks are universal: Checks are accepted all over the world. You can send a check to someone without knowing their account number, routing number or their name of the bank.
- You do not need a bank account: You do not need a bank account to cash a check. There are many institutions where someone can go and cash a check. Many Americans do not have a bank account due to their personal financial situations.
- Checks are easily traceable: There are very secure ways to wire money and the logs and evidences are there. But checks are much easy to trace. You statement will indicate when someone deposited a check. This is very different than wiring money from one PayPal account to another.
Ordering Checks Online
Ordering checks online is safe and is the best way to do it. Ordering checks only from companies like Checks Unlimited will typically save you 50% (compared to ordering checks from your own bank). Checks Unlimited also have a wide verity of designs that you can choose from (Typically your choices are limited when you order from your bank).
How long are checks good for?
The law says that banks do not have to cash a check after six months. Some banks may cash a check if it is older than six months but others might just bounce the check. Always talk to the bank and the individual or institution that issued the bank before depositing a check that is older than six months.
Checks Unlimited Review
Checks Unlimited was established in 1986 and was around long before we were able to place orders for checks online! Over the years, they have provided great products to over 50 million customers. Very importantly their checks meet the standards set by the American Bankers Association (ABA).
Security and Safety Features of Checks Unlimited
Checks Unlimited checks feature Chemical Protection, Erasure Protection and Microprint Signature Line.
At the time of ordering you have the option to select Check Fraud Protection and ID Restoration services. The fee for these services is small and is around $2.45/box. The ID protection program offered by Checks Unlimited is one of the best in the industry when it comes to detection, prevention and resolution.
Checks Unlimited offers the following themes:
- Classic checks: Checks that resemble the checks that we typically get from the banks. Within classic checks there are several options like Executive Grey, Retro Graphics and Securiguard Blue.
- Inspirational checks: These are scripture checks, Zen checks and America the Beautiful checks.
- Scenic checks: I like these a lot. Beautiful scenery from our National Parks, country scapes and songs of the sea checks.
- Major League Baseball checks: Checks representing most of the Major League Baseball teams.
- Checks based on the photo you supply (you can add your favorite photo of Philadelphia taken from the Rocky Steps). Upload your favorite photo and design your own check around it.
- Special edition checks (including Disney, Warner Bros. Harley Davidson, American Red Cross)
- Religious checks: Blessings checks, angel faces checks and believe checks.
- Cartoon checks: If you like Mickey Mouse, Peanuts, Scooby-Doo or Superman, then Cartoon checks is the way to go!
Checks Unlimited also sells accessories including the following:
- Address labels: You can buy the address labels in many different formats including American Red Cross labels, scripture labels, Good Dog labels and National parks labels.
- Check registers: Do you want to keep an updated list of the checks and balances? A check register is something you should have. It will help you organize your check transactions and cash.
- Checkbook covers: A checkbook needs a checkbook cover! Checks Unlimited has a wide verity of Checkbook covers including Harley Davidson, Muppets and my favorite the Stars and Strips.
- Address stamps: Address stamps is a nice to have. Over the years my handwriting skills have deteriorated because I tend to type everything. If you have an address stamp, you do not have to write the address on the envelope.
- ID Stamper: The stamp roller will cover any text with a specially designed character that will make the text impossible to read. This is a simple way to protect yourself from identity theft.
- Rolled labels: Rolled address labels come in different verities and design. You can choose metallic, white background or clear labels.
As a lifelong Philadelphia Phillies fan, my favorite check by Checks Unlimited is the Philadelphia Phillies check? Which one is your favorite? Please comment below.
NOTE: Shoot Philadelphia is supported by readers. Some of the links above are affiliate links. At no cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. It helps me to continue to offer free content on this site. Subscribe below and receive notifications of new posts by email. Your privacy is important to me and I will not market your email ID. Visit the Affiliate Disclosure page and the Privacy Policy page in the About section for additional information.
Leave a Reply