Things I learned today about bank routing numbers

[tvguy]

The routing number on your checks is different than the routing number on the DEPOSIT slips in the back of your packet of checks.

Which is the number you should when setting up Direct DEPOSIT ?

Nope, NOT the one on the DEPOSIT slip. The one on the checks.

My wife is going to have to sort that out Monday and find her paycheck. Second frustration is, she went back to work at her old employer that she left 2 years ago, and they say all her information is still in the system but she had to reenter the Direct Deposit information.

 

[RedAngie]

What are deposit slips???

I don’t think I’ve used one from the back of my checkbook this millennium. On the rare occasion I deposit a check, I use the banking app and take a photo. Or if I go into the bank, I use the generic slips and write my account number.

I THINK when I set up direct deposit with my employer, I sent a voided check and let them figure the rest out.

 

[Skywalker3]

I just checked mine after reading this. My checks and deposit slips have the exact same routing number, so no difference.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

I can’t remember the last time I even looked at a cheque. If I need a routing number, I Google it.

 

[nw6675]

I'm with RedAngie, but mine are exactly the same, too.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Just look it up via google. I dunno but I think the routing code for my banks are the same. Like others it’s been awhile since I needed to walk into a branch.

 

[tvguy]

I THINK when I set up direct deposit with my employer, I sent a voided check and let them figure the rest out.

They don't do that anymore. They make the employees do everything now.
I just deposit checks at an ATM, no deposit slip needed. When we retired it was interesting rolling over 401k money., Electronic transfers weren't an option. Check, in the mail only.

 

[fla4fun]

I just checked mine after reading this. My checks and deposit slips have the exact same routing number, so no difference.

I'm with RedAngie, but mine are exactly the same, too.

Mine is the same on deposit slips and checks as well. It’s been the same on both since I opened the account back in the 1990’s.

 

[tony67]

Yeah there are still a handful of places where you have to write a check. Surprisingly Doctors and Dentists. I don't like mailing checks at all so its pretty annoying.

Also had a situation where I needed a voided check for direct deposit - and I had no such check to give them for that account. I was able to print something out and that seemed to satisfy them but was a PITA.

Checked several account and the routing numbers are all the same.
Never heard of it being different as it usually point to the bank - but some banks do do this for some reason.

 

[sam_gordon]

Two accounts, both of them have different routing numbers for checks vs deposits.

BUT, I agree with others, when I'm setting things up, I go online to the bank and then search "routing number".

 

[luv2cheer92]

Yeah there are still a handful of places where you have to write a check. Surprisingly Doctors and Dentists. I don't like mailing checks at all so its pretty annoying.

Also had a situation where I needed a voided check for direct deposit - and I had no such check to give them for that account. I was able to print something out and that seemed to satisfy them but was a PITA.

Checked several account and the routing numbers are all the same.
Never heard of it being different as it usually point to the bank - but some banks do do this for some reason.

I haven't had to write a check for a doctor or dentist in at least 10 years, they all take credit/debit.

 

[tony67]

I haven't had to write a check for a doctor or dentist in at least 10 years, they all take credit/debit.

You would think - just got a bill Friday from a very expensive dentist visit. (actually Endodontics)

No CC option at all - unless you come into the office - makes no sense to me at all - they are raking in the bucks.

Just to go off on a tangent about things that make no sense to me - sorry.
So The MBTA has a very outdated system for their Charlie Cards.
Even if you top up on line you MUST go into the Station and tap your card at a machine.
Randomly for no reason at all and I don't know way - it will just update without taping - maybe a deferent bus with a newer machine IDK. I have reached out and they say you have to go to the station.
So - if you only take the bus and don't go as far as the station you have to make a special trip to the station to tap your card. What year is it? No you cant tap and go, No you cant use your phone in 2023 either.

Wait for it - it gets better...

The just announced an update and a new website and an auto pay option..wow - but you cant even add money to your card anymore. You have to go to the station and use the machines to put money on your card now.

Even better - the website no longer shows you the balance on your card.

How is this a thing?

Just to bring it back to the topic at hand - you cant use your routing numbers to pay on the site either - only CC for bus passes.

 

[tvguy]

Yeah there are still a handful of places where you have to write a check. Surprisingly Doctors and Dentists. I don't like mailing checks at all so its pretty annoying.

Also had a situation where I needed a voided check for direct deposit - and I had no such check to give them for that account. I was able to print something out and that seemed to satisfy them but was a PITA.

Checked several account and the routing numbers are all the same.
Never heard of it being different as it usually point to the bank - but some banks do do this for some reason.

I have solar panels with a PPA agreement and my solar company has revised their website is such an awful way that this month I couldn't figure out how to pay my bill. They got a check. But they still include an return envelope with the bill, and the bill says "make checks payable to....." so clearly enough customers still pay by check for them to still include an envelope. Oh, and this is a company I think of as being pretty high tech, TESLA.
My daughter bought a house in 2019 and she never had checks before but had to order some because so many of the services she needed were cash or check only. One time hauling, landscaping, handyman repairs, etc.

 

[tvguy]

I haven't had to write a check for a doctor or dentist in at least 10 years, they all take credit/debit.

My dentist gives a 15% discount if you pay by cash or check. And yes, I am THAT cheap that I want that discount.

 

[tony67]

My dentist gives a 15% discount if you pay by cash or check. And yes, I am THAT cheap that I want that discount.

Id be thrilled with that - a root canal cost almost 2000.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We don’t even own checks. I get my routing and account numbers from the bank app, and there are 2 different routing numbers listed, one for direct deposits and most everything else and one for “wire transfers”.

 

[tony67]

What will all the people without checks do when something bigger than the Carrington Event happens?

I know - checks probably wont help either.

 

[_19disnA]

There are some things I will only pay by check. Someone doing one-time home repairs/landscape work/etc. gets paid by check. Then I have proof of payment vs. handing them cash, even if they provide a receipt. The person doing the work probably has to hand that to someone at the office who does their deposits. Never had any issues doing that. The routing number is on the lower left corner of your check. You can also go online to various websites to look up routing numbers since they aren't a secret.

 

[tvguy]

What will all the people without checks do when something bigger than the Carrington Event happens?

I know - checks probably wont help either.

LOL. Sort like what happened here when the Point of Sale Network went down for all the gas stations. If you had cash, you could fill up. Otherwise, enjoy your walk.

 

[nw6675]

I paid DD's orthodontist balance by check in person two months ago. Still hasn't cleared. When I called she said my account was good and they just don't go go the bank much lol.