What you need to complete a Bank of America direct deposit form

Bank of America does not have a single "direct deposit form" that you fill out yourself. Instead, your employer or the organization sending you money — your payroll department, Social Security, a pension fund, the IRS — uses Bank of America's routing and account information to deposit funds directly into your account. You provide your account details to them, not to the bank.

What you do need from Bank of America is your routing number and your account number. These two pieces of information are what your employer or benefits administrator enters into their system to send money to you. Bank of America's routing number is the same for all customers: 026009593. Your account number is unique to you and appears on your checks, statements, and in your online banking portal.

You may also need to know whether your account is a checking or savings account, since some employers ask for that detail on their direct deposit form. Most payroll goes to checking accounts, but you can direct it to savings if you prefer.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America's routing number for all direct deposits is 026009593, and you combine this with your personal account number to set up deposits.
  • You provide your routing and account number to your employer or benefits administrator, not to Bank of America directly.
  • Your account number appears on your checks, in your online banking portal under account details, or by calling Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000.
  • Direct deposits typically appear in your account within one to two business days after your employer or benefits administrator processes the payment.
  • You can change or cancel direct deposit at any time by updating your information with your employer or benefits administrator.

Where to find your Bank of America account number

The fastest way is to log into your Bank of America online account or mobile app. Once you are signed in, go to the account details or account information section — the exact label varies by device, but it is usually near your account summary. Your full account number will be displayed there, along with the routing number if you need it.

If you do not use online banking, look at the bottom left of any check you have. The account number is the second set of numbers, after the routing number. The format is usually: routing number (nine digits), then account number (up to 17 digits), then check number.

You can also call Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 and speak to a representative who can read your account number to you over the phone. Have your Social Security number and a form of identification ready.

How to give your information to your employer

Your employer's payroll or human resources department will provide you with a direct deposit authorization form or a digital form in your payroll portal. This is where you enter Bank of America's routing number (026009593) and your account number. Some employers also ask whether the account is checking or savings — select checking unless you specifically want deposits to go to a savings account.

Fill out the form completely and return it to payroll. Many employers now use online portals where you enter this information directly into their system rather than printing and signing a paper form. Either method works the same way: once payroll has your information, they will begin depositing your pay on your regular pay schedule.

The first deposit may take longer than usual — sometimes up to two pay periods — while the employer's system processes the new routing and account information. After that, deposits should arrive within one to two business days of your pay date.

Setting up direct deposit for government benefits

If you are receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans benefits, a tax refund, or unemployment benefits, the process is similar but the form comes from the government agency, not an employer. Social Security, for example, has you fill out a form at your local Social Security office or through their online account portal. Unemployment benefits programs vary by state, but most have you enter your banking information when you file your claim or through your state's benefits portal.

For tax refunds, the IRS lets you enter your Bank of America routing and account number directly on your tax return or through the IRS website when you file. This is the fastest way to receive a refund — usually within 21 days if you file electronically.

In all cases, you are providing the same information: Bank of America's routing number and your account number. The agency then deposits funds on their schedule, which varies by program.

What happens if you enter the wrong information

If you give your employer the wrong account number or routing number, the deposit will either be rejected or sent to the wrong account. If it is rejected, your employer will usually contact you to correct the information, and the payment will be delayed. If it goes to the wrong account, contact your employer's payroll department immediately and ask them to recall or reverse the transaction if possible.

Bank of America cannot reverse a direct deposit on your behalf if the routing number is correct but the account number belongs to someone else. The receiving bank must handle the reversal. This is why it is important to double-check your account number before submitting the form to payroll.

If you realize the error after the deposit has already been made to the wrong account, contact Bank of America customer service and explain what happened. They can document the error and may be able to help trace the funds, but the process can take time.

Changing or canceling direct deposit

You can change your direct deposit at any time by updating your information with your employer or the benefits administrator. Log into your payroll portal or contact your HR or payroll department and request a new direct deposit authorization form. Fill it out with your new routing and account number, and submit it. The change usually takes effect on your next pay cycle.

To stop direct deposit entirely, submit a new form or contact payroll and ask them to remove your direct deposit authorization. They will then revert to paying you by check or another method. Again, this typically takes effect on your next pay cycle.

If you close your Bank of America account, notify your employer or benefits administrator as soon as possible so they can update your banking information. If a deposit arrives after your account is closed, it will be rejected and returned to the sender, which can delay your payment.

Troubleshooting common direct deposit problems

If your direct deposit does not arrive on the expected date, first check your Bank of America account to confirm it has not already posted. Direct deposits sometimes arrive a day earlier or later than expected due to processing delays. If it has been more than two business days past your pay date and the deposit has not appeared, contact your employer's payroll department to confirm they processed the payment.

Ask payroll to verify that they have the correct routing number (026009593) and your correct account number. If either is wrong, they can resubmit the payment with corrected information. If the information is correct, ask them to check the status of the transaction on their end — they may be able to see whether the payment was sent and rejected, or whether it is still pending.

If payroll confirms the payment was sent but Bank of America has not received it, contact Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number, the amount of the deposit, and the date it was supposed to arrive ready. A representative can investigate whether the deposit arrived under a different name or account, or whether there was a system error on the bank's side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up direct deposit to a savings account instead of checking?

Yes. When you fill out the direct deposit form, select "savings" instead of "checking" if your employer or benefits administrator asks for the account type. Your routing number stays the same. Some employers may ask why you want deposits to go to savings, but there is no rule against it.

What if I do not have a Bank of America account yet?

You need to open an account before you can set up direct deposit. Bank of America offers checking and savings accounts online or at any branch. Once your account is open and you have your account number, you can provide it to your employer or benefits administrator.

Is Bank of America's routing number the same for all states?

Yes. Bank of America uses the same routing number (026009593) for all direct deposits nationwide, regardless of which state your branch is in or where you live.

How long does it take for direct deposit to start after I submit the form?

The first deposit may take up to two pay periods to process while your employer's system sets up the new direct deposit. After that, deposits should arrive within one to two business days of your pay date. Government benefits vary — Social Security typically takes one to two pay periods to set up, while tax refunds can arrive within 21 days if filed electronically.

Can I have my paycheck split between two accounts?

Yes, if your employer supports it. Some payroll systems allow you to split your deposit — for example, sending 80 percent to checking and 20 percent to savings. Ask your payroll department whether they offer this option and what form you need to complete.