Your Essential Guide to Washington Federal’s Routing Number
Your checking account has two important numbers: your account number and your routing number. The account number is assigned by the bank when you open an account and is used to identify you and process your transactions. The routing number identifies the bank itself. Both numbers are needed for setting up certain payments and deposits, but the routing number can be tricky to find if you don’t know where to look.
**Washington Federal’s Routing Number**
Washington Federal Bank, now known as WaFd Bank, has a single routing number: 325070980. This number is used for all activities requiring a routing number, such as wire transfers, direct deposits, Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions, and check orders.
**Finding Your Washington Federal Routing Number**
You can find the routing number on your checks at the bottom left edge, below the memo line. It’s also printed on your bank statements and available through online banking.
**Using Your Washington Federal Routing Number**
You’ll need the routing number for various transactions:
– **Wire Transfers**: Request wire transfers through online banking or by visiting a branch.
– **Direct Deposits**: Set up direct deposits for payroll or government checks. For payroll, fill out the Washington Federal direct deposit form and submit it to your employer. For Social Security checks, use the Go Direct website and provide your Social Security number, recent benefit check information, routing number, and account number.
– **ACH Payments**: When signing up for online payments, enter your personal information along with the routing and account numbers. To transfer money from your Washington Federal account, log in to online banking or the mobile app, select the “Transfers” tab, and follow the instructions.
– **Order Checks**: Log in to online banking, select your checking account, and choose “Order Checks” from the “Action” menu. Complete the order form on the partner website.
**Understanding Routing Numbers**
A routing number, also known as a routing transit number or ABA routing number, is a nine-digit code that identifies financial institutions with a master account at a Federal Reserve bank. It’s used for transactions between U.S. banks. The routing number allows member banks to transfer funds and settle transactions through the Fed’s payment system, FedNow. Initially for paper checks, it now also identifies participants in ACH, electronic funds transfer, and online banking.
Each routing number consists of:
– The first four digits identifying the Federal Reserve district and office location.
– The next four digits identifying the financial institution.
– The last digit is a check digit that verifies the bank’s identity.
**International Wire Transfers**
The Washington Federal routing number is only for domestic wire transfers. For international transfers, you’ll need a SWIFT code, also known as a BIC. The SWIFT code identifies the financial institution, the country, the bank’s headquarters location, and sometimes the specific branch.