Which Bank of America routing number to use for California wire transfers
Bank of America has multiple routing numbers depending on where your account is located and what type of transaction you're making. For wire transfers from a California Bank of America account, the routing number is 121000248. This is the primary routing number for Bank of America's Western region, which covers California and several neighboring states.
The routing number matters because it tells the sending bank exactly which Bank of America branch or processing center will receive your money. Using the wrong number can delay your transfer or send it to the wrong place entirely. If you're sending money to someone else's Bank of America account in California, you'll use this same routing number — it doesn't change based on who receives the money, only on where their account is held.
You can find your own routing number by logging into your Bank of America online account, calling their customer service line, or checking the bottom left corner of your checks. The routing number appears as a nine-digit code at the start of that series of numbers on the check.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America's routing number for California wire transfers is 121000248, used for accounts held at California branches.
- The routing number is the same whether you're sending money out or receiving it — it identifies the bank location, not the account holder.
- Wire transfers using the correct routing number typically process within one business day, though some same-day options exist depending on your bank and the time you send.
- Double-check the routing number before sending because wire transfers cannot be reversed once they leave your bank.
How routing numbers work in wire transfers
A routing number is a code that identifies a specific bank or branch within the U.S. banking system. When you send a wire transfer, your bank uses the routing number to find the receiving bank and direct your money there. Think of it like an address — it tells the payment system where to deliver the funds.
Bank of America operates multiple routing numbers because it has branches across the country. The number 121000248 is specific to the Western region. If you were sending money to a Bank of America account in New York or Texas, you'd still use this same number because it identifies Bank of America as the receiving institution, not a specific branch location.
The routing number is different from your account number. Your account number identifies your specific account within the bank, while the routing number identifies the bank itself. You need both pieces of information to complete a wire transfer.
When you need the routing number versus the SWIFT code
The routing number 121000248 works for domestic wire transfers — money moving between U.S. banks. If you're sending money to a Bank of America account outside the United States, you'll need the SWIFT code instead, which is BOFAUS3N for Bank of America.
SWIFT codes are the international equivalent of routing numbers. They're longer and include letters, and they route money through international banking networks. If you're wiring money to California but the receiving account is at a foreign bank, you'd use that bank's SWIFT code, not Bank of America's routing number.
For transfers between U.S. banks only — even if one party is traveling abroad — stick with the routing number. Your bank will tell you which one you need based on where the receiving account is located.
Confirming the routing number before you send
Wire transfers are final once they leave your bank. You cannot cancel or reverse them the way you can with a check or debit card transaction. For this reason, it's worth taking an extra minute to confirm the routing number is correct before you authorize the transfer.
The safest approach is to ask the person receiving the money to provide their routing number directly from their bank statement or online account. If they give you a number, verify it by calling Bank of America's customer service line or checking the bank's official website. Do not rely on a number someone texted or emailed to you without confirming it independently.
If you're sending money to a business or organization, ask them for their banking details in writing. Many companies provide this information on invoices or payment pages specifically to prevent wire fraud.
What happens after you send the wire transfer
Once your bank processes your wire transfer using the correct routing number, the money typically arrives at the receiving Bank of America account within one business day. Some transfers complete the same day if sent before the bank's cutoff time, usually around 2 p.m. Pacific time for California accounts.
The receiving person will see the money in their account, and it's theirs to use immediately. Bank of America doesn't hold wire transfers for verification the way it sometimes does with other deposit types. The funds are available right away, which is why wire transfers are common for time-sensitive payments like down payments on real estate or urgent bills.
If the money doesn't arrive within two business days, contact your bank's wire transfer department. Provide them with the confirmation number you received when you sent the transfer, the routing number you used, and the receiving account number. They can trace the transfer and determine where it went.
Other Bank of America routing numbers and when they apply
Bank of America publishes different routing numbers for different regions and transaction types. The number 121000248 is the standard one for California wire transfers. However, if you're setting up an automatic payment or direct deposit, you might see a different routing number listed — some banks use separate numbers for ACH transfers (automatic payments) versus wire transfers.
For Bank of America accounts in California, the ACH routing number is also 121000248, so in practice you'll use the same number for both. If you're ever unsure which number to use, call Bank of America directly or check your account statements — they typically show the routing number associated with your specific account.
If you have an older Bank of America account or one that was transferred from a regional bank that Bank of America acquired, your routing number might be different. This is rare, but it's another reason to verify your own routing number rather than assuming it matches what you find online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the routing number the same for all Bank of America customers in California?
Yes, all Bank of America accounts in California use the same routing number for wire transfers: 121000248. The routing number identifies the bank and region, not the individual account. Your specific account number is what distinguishes your account from everyone else's.
Can I use the routing number from my checks?
Yes. The routing number printed on the bottom left of your Bank of America checks is the same one you use for wire transfers. If you have your checkbook handy, you can find it there without calling the bank.
What if I send a wire transfer to the wrong routing number?
The money will go to whatever bank that routing number belongs to. If it's another real routing number, the receiving bank will likely reject the transfer because the account number won't match their system, and the money will be returned to you — but this can take several days. If it's an invalid number, the transfer will fail immediately. This is why confirming the routing number before you send is so important.
Do I need a different routing number if I'm sending money to a Bank of America business account?
No. The routing number 121000248 works for all Bank of America accounts in California, whether they're personal, business, or nonprofit accounts. The account number is what distinguishes the type of account and the account holder.
Can I wire money from Bank of America to another bank using this routing number?
No. This routing number is for receiving money at Bank of America. When you send money from your Bank of America account to another bank, you use that other bank's routing number. Your Bank of America account provides the sending information; the receiving bank's routing number tells your bank where to send the money.