You can find a bank by its routing number using the Federal Reserve's official lookup tool
If you have a routing number but don't know which bank it belongs to, the Federal Reserve's routing number lookup is the fastest way to find out. Go to frbservices.org, click "Routing Number Lookup," enter the nine-digit routing number, and the system will show you the bank name, address, and phone number. This is the same database that banks themselves use, so the information is always current.
You might need this information if someone gave you a routing number to send money to, or if you found a number on an old check and want to know which institution it came from. The lookup takes seconds and costs nothing.
Key Takeaways
- The Federal Reserve's routing number lookup at frbservices.org is the official tool and works for any U.S. bank routing number.
- You need all nine digits of the routing number for the lookup to work — partial numbers will not return results.
- The lookup shows the bank name, city, state, and phone number, but not branch locations or account information.
- If the routing number does not appear in the Federal Reserve database, it may be outdated, mistyped, or belong to a credit union or non-bank financial institution.
How to use the Federal Reserve lookup tool
Start at frbservices.org. Look for the "Routing Number Lookup" link — it is usually in the main navigation or under a "Tools" section. Click it and you will see a search box asking for a nine-digit routing number.
Type the routing number carefully. All nine digits matter. If you are missing a digit or have one wrong, the search will return no results. Once you enter the number and click search, the system will display the bank's legal name, the city and state where it is headquartered, and a phone number you can call.
Write down the bank name and phone number. You can use the phone number to confirm details, ask about wire transfer instructions, or learn about the bank has branches near you.
What the lookup shows and what it does not
The Federal Reserve lookup tells you the bank name and main office location, but it does not show you branch locations, hours, or whether the bank offers accounts to new customers in your state. It also does not show account details — the lookup cannot tell you anything about an account that uses that routing number.
If you need to know whether a bank has a branch near you or what products it offers, use the bank name from the lookup to search the bank's website or call the number provided. Many banks have branch locators on their websites that let you search by zip code.
When a routing number does not appear in the database
If you enter a routing number and get no results, the number may be incorrect, outdated, or it may belong to an institution the Federal Reserve database does not cover. Credit unions use routing numbers too, but they are sometimes listed differently or may not appear in the Federal Reserve tool.
If you believe the number is correct, try searching the number online in quotes — for example, "123456789" — to see if it appears on any bank or credit union websites. You can also contact the institution that gave you the routing number and ask them to confirm it or provide the correct one.
Why you might need to find a bank by routing number
The most common reason is to send money. If someone gives you their routing number and account number to set up a direct deposit or wire transfer, you need to know which bank holds that account so you can enter the information correctly into your own bank's system.
Another reason is to verify information. If you found a routing number on a check, statement, or document and want to confirm which bank it belongs to, the lookup tool answers that question when ready. This is especially useful if you are dealing with an unfamiliar bank or if you inherited documents from someone else's account.
Routing numbers versus account numbers
A routing number identifies the bank itself — it is the same for everyone who banks there. An account number identifies your specific account within that bank. You need both pieces of information to send or receive money, but the routing number lookup only helps you find the bank. It cannot and will not show you account details.
If you are setting up a direct deposit or wire transfer, you will need to provide both the routing number and the account number. The routing number tells the sending bank where to send the money; the account number tells that bank which account to deposit it into.
Other ways to find a bank's routing number
If you need to go the opposite direction — you know the bank name but need the routing number — you can find it on a check, on the bank's website, or by calling the bank directly. Most banks list their routing number on the "Wire Transfer" or "Direct Deposit" page of their website. You can also ask a bank representative for the routing number when you call.
Some banks have multiple routing numbers for different regions or services. If you are setting up a direct deposit or wire transfer, always use the routing number the bank provides for that specific service, not just any routing number you find.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I look up a routing number if I only have part of it?
No. The Federal Reserve lookup requires all nine digits. If you are missing digits, contact the bank or institution that gave you the number and ask them to provide the complete routing number.
Will the lookup tell me if an account is real or active?
No. The routing number lookup only identifies the bank. It cannot verify whether a specific account exists, is active, or belongs to a particular person. If you need to verify an account, contact the bank directly.
What if the bank name in the lookup does not match what I expected?
Banks sometimes operate under different legal names than their customer-facing brand names. For example, a bank you know by one name might be registered under a parent company or holding company name in the Federal Reserve database. Call the number provided to confirm you have the right institution.
Do credit unions have routing numbers?
Yes, credit unions have routing numbers and use them the same way banks do. However, credit union routing numbers may not always appear in the Federal Reserve lookup. If you cannot find a credit union's routing number there, visit the credit union's website or call them directly.
Is the Federal Reserve lookup safe to use?
Yes. The Federal Reserve's website is an official government tool and is find. The lookup does not ask for personal information — only the routing number, which is not sensitive data. Routing numbers are meant to be shared.