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LEGAL DICTIONARY

ACH Number

What Is an ACH Number?

An ACH (Automated Clearing House) number is a routing number used for electronic transactions between banks and other financial institutions. This number system was created in the 1970s when the shift to larger toward electronic banking began.

ACH routing numbers have nine digits that are unique to their respective financial institutions. The first two digits often range from 61 to 72, another way to distinguish them from ABA routing numbers.

ACH numbers are used for electronic funds, transfers of small one-time payments or scheduled recurring payments. ACH transactions include payroll and other direct deposits, consumer bills, tax refunds, tax payments, and other payment services.

An ACH number helps transfer the funds more quickly –often on the same day or the next business day– than paper check payments or transfers. ACH payments are often free, which makes a good way for businesses to pay salaries.

ACH Numbers Vs. ABA Numbers

ABA (American Bankers Association) Numbers were developed in 1910 to help identify banks and financial institutions. They are typically nine digits long, with the first two numbers ranging between 00 and 12.

ABA numbers apply to paper checks, so they are sometimes referred to as check routing numbers. Smaller banks have a single routing number, while multi-national banks may have several numbers. Customers use routing numbers to pay bills, reorder checks, or set up a direct deposit account with an employer.

How to Find My ACH Routing Number

Both your routing number and checking account number can be found on the bottom of checks issued by your bank.

The routing number is the nine-digit number printed on the bottom-left corner. The font used to print the number is called magnetic ink character recognition (MICR), and it allows financial institutions to process checks efficiently.

The checking account number is located in the bottom center of a personal check or just to the right of the routing number. The account number is unique to your bank account.

The individual check number is found on the bottom right corner of the check.

If you don’t have a check, you can find your bank’s ACH and ABA routing numbers by visiting your bank’s website or a branch office. One bank can have many routing numbers, so your routing number will correspond to the bank location where you opened your account.

What Is an ACH Authorization Form?

An ACH authorization form is a document used to grant permission to a financial institution to debit or credit an individual or business account for the transfer of funds between bank accounts.

The form includes the following information:

  • Account holder’s name and contact information
  • Bank routing number
  • Type of account (Checking or savings)
  • Account number
  • Specification of whether it is a debit or credit transaction
  • Frequency of transactions
  • Amount of each transaction
  • Account holder’s signature

The ACH Network is managed by Nacha (formerly National Automated Clearinghouse Association), an association for the electronic payments industry.

Start your ACH Authorization Form now

Helpful Resources:

Automated Clearing House - Home

Chase for Business - Know the difference between ABA and ACH routing numbers

Nacha - Administrator of the ACH Network

Wise - How do I find my ACH routing number?

What Is an ACH Number?

An ACH (Automated Clearing House) number is a routing number used for electronic transactions between banks and other financial institutions. This number system was created in the 1970s when the shift to larger toward electronic banking began.

ACH routing numbers have nine digits that are unique to their respective financial institutions. The first two digits often range from 61 to 72, another way to distinguish them from ABA routing numbers.

ACH numbers are used for electronic funds, transfers of small one-time payments or scheduled recurring payments. ACH transactions include payroll and other direct deposits, consumer bills, tax refunds, tax payments, and other payment services.

An ACH number helps transfer the funds more quickly –often on the same day or the next business day– than paper check payments or transfers. ACH payments are often free, which makes a good way for businesses to pay salaries.

ACH Numbers Vs. ABA Numbers

ABA (American Bankers Association) Numbers were developed in 1910 to help identify banks and financial institutions. They are typically nine digits long, with the first two numbers ranging between 00 and 12.

ABA numbers apply to paper checks, so they are sometimes referred to as check routing numbers. Smaller banks have a single routing number, while multi-national banks may have several numbers. Customers use routing numbers to pay bills, reorder checks, or set up a direct deposit account with an employer.

How to Find My ACH Routing Number

Both your routing number and checking account number can be found on the bottom of checks issued by your bank.

The routing number is the nine-digit number printed on the bottom-left corner. The font used to print the number is called magnetic ink character recognition (MICR), and it allows financial institutions to process checks efficiently.

The checking account number is located in the bottom center of a personal check or just to the right of the routing number. The account number is unique to your bank account.

The individual check number is found on the bottom right corner of the check.

If you don’t have a check, you can find your bank’s ACH and ABA routing numbers by visiting your bank’s website or a branch office. One bank can have many routing numbers, so your routing number will correspond to the bank location where you opened your account.

What Is an ACH Authorization Form?

An ACH authorization form is a document used to grant permission to a financial institution to debit or credit an individual or business account for the transfer of funds between bank accounts.

The form includes the following information:

  • Account holder’s name and contact information
  • Bank routing number
  • Type of account (Checking or savings)
  • Account number
  • Specification of whether it is a debit or credit transaction
  • Frequency of transactions
  • Amount of each transaction
  • Account holder’s signature

The ACH Network is managed by Nacha (formerly National Automated Clearinghouse Association), an association for the electronic payments industry.

Start your ACH Authorization Form now

Helpful Resources:

Automated Clearing House - Home

Chase for Business - Know the difference between ABA and ACH routing numbers

Nacha - Administrator of the ACH Network

Wise - How do I find my ACH routing number?