Get a free, no obligation personal loan quote with rates as low as 6.99%
Get Started You can apply with no effect to your credit score

Have you ever wondered how your money is transferred to and from your bank account without getting lost in cyberspace? To make sure your money goes where it’s supposed to, your account and your bank are given a unique set of numbers to properly identify them. And part of what makes up this numerical identification is your financial institution number.

What Is A Financial Institution Number?

A financial institution number is a three-digit number that identifies a specific bank. All banks have their own unique institution number. The financial institution number is part of the routing number, along with the five-digit transit number that identifies the bank branch.

Big Banks: Bank Institution Number 

Financial institutionCode
Bank of Montreal (BMO)001
Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank)002
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)010
National Bank of Canada (NBC)006
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)003
Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank)004

Other Financial Institutions: Bank Institution Number 

Alberta Treasury Branches219
Amex Bank of Canada303
B2B Bank (formerly B2B Trust)618
Bank of America, National Association241
Bank of Canada177
Bank of China (Canada)308
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (Canada)245
Bank West342
Barclay’s Bank PLC Canada Branch360
BNP Paribas (Canada)250
BofA Canada Bank311
Bridgewater Bank347
Canadian Tire Bank338
Canadian Western Bank030
Capital One Bank (Canada Branch)323
CIBC Trust Corporation548
Citibank Canada260
Citibank N.A.328
Citizens Bank of Canada309
Comerica Bank330
Community Trust Company507
Concentra Financial Services Association853
CS Alterna Bank608
CTC Bank of Canada315
Deutsche Bank AG265
DirectCash Bank352
Dundee Bank of Canada343
Effort Trust Company532
Fifth Third Bank345
First Commercial Bank332
First Nations Bank of Canada310
General Bank of Canada344
Habib Canadian Bank321
HomEquity Bank358
Household Trust Company630
HSBC Bank Canada016
HSBC Bank USA National Association333
HSBC Mortgage Corporation (Canada)604
ICICI Bank Canada340
Industrial Alliance Trust Inc.625
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Canada)307
ING Bank of Canada614
Investors Group Trust Co. Ltd.536
J.P. Morgan Bank Canada314
Jameson Bank354
JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association270
Korea Exchange Bank of Canada275
Laurentian Bank of Canada039
Laurentian Trust of Canada Inc.522
M&T Bank357
Manulife Bank of Canada540
Manulife Trust Company626
Maple Bank336
Mega International Commercial Bank (Canada)269
Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd. Canada Branch277
MonCana Bank of Canada361
Montreal Trust Company of Canada550
National Trust Company590
Pacific & Western Bank of Canada334
Peace Hills Trust Company568
Peoples Trust Company621
President’s Choice Financial326
Rabobank Nederland322
ResMor Trust Company620
Royal Bank Mortgage Corporation592
Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. (Canada Branch)240
Royal Trust Company570
Royal Trust Corporation of Canada580
Scotia Mortgage Corporation606
Shinhan Bank Canada355
Société Générale (Canada Branch)292
Société Générale (Canada Branch) Ontario346
State Bank of India (Canada) Alberta294
State Street327
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation of Canada301
Sun Life Financial Trust Inc.551
TD Mortgage Corporation597
TD Pacific Mortgage Corporation603
The Bank of New York Mellon242
The Canada Trust Company509
The Equitable Trust Company623
The Northern Trust Company Canada Branch349
U.S. Bank National Association318
UBS AG Canada Branch339
UBS Bank (Canada)290
United Overseas Bank Limited335
Walmart Canada Bank359

Credit Unions: Bank Institution Number 

Credit UnionCode
Airline Financial Credit Union Limited830
All Trans Financial Services Credit Union Limited810
Alliance des caisses populaires de l’Ontario Limitée890
Alterna Savings and Credit Union842
Arnstein Community Credit Union Limited808
Atlantic Central839
Central 1 Credit Union British Columbia809
Central 1 Credit Union Ontario828
Communication Technologies Credit Union Limited807
Credit Union Central Alberta Limited899
Credit Union Central of Manitoba Limited879
Credit Union Central of Saskatchewan889
Dundalk District Credit Union Limited840
Goderich Community Credit Union Limited844
Golden Horseshoe Credit Union Limited854
La Confédération des Caisses Populaires et D’Économie Desjardins du Québec815
La Fédération des Caisses Populaires Acadiennes Limitée865
La Fédération des Caisses Populaires de l’Ontario Inc.829
La Fédération des caisses populaires du Manitoba Inc.819
Latvian Credit Union Limited803
Meridian Credit Union837
Ontario Civil Service Credit Union Limited846

How To Find The Financial Institution Number On A Cheque 

The easiest way to find your bank’s financial institution number is to look at the bottom of your cheque. It will be the third string of numbers in the sequence of numbers at the bottom of your cheque: 

The image of the cheque below illustrates the different components of your bank account number, broken down into four parts:

  1. First set: cheque number
  2. Second set: five-digit transit number (also known as your routing or branch number). 
  3. Third set: financial institution number (every bank has a different 3-digit number)
  4. Fourth set: bank account number 

How Do I Find A Bank Institution Number Without A Cheque?

If you don’t have cheques, you can find your financial institution number by logging into your online banking or by checking your bank statement. Otherwise, you can do a quick online search to find out what your bank’s financial institution number is. You can also find your bank institution number by simply visiting your closest bank branch and asking the teller for the number. 

What Is A Bank Institution Number Used For?

In addition to identifying a specific bank, credit union, trust company or any other financial institution, a bank institution number is required when you set up your bank account for direct deposits, wire transfers, and automatic withdrawals.

Do note that when setting up a direct deposit or automatic withdrawal, you’ll need to provide your routing number. This number is represented through your financial institution number and the five-digit transit number that identifies the bank branch.

Final Thoughts

Your bank’s financial institution number ensures that the funds in your bank account can be deposited and withdrawn accurately. It’s part of a longer sequence of numbers that properly identifies your financial institution, bank branch, and bank account. Without it, you won’t be able to move your money.

Financial Institution Number FAQs

Where can you find a bank transit (branch) number?

Your bank transit number can be found at the bottom of your cheque. It is the five-digit number following the cheque number and preceding the three-digit financial institution number. You can also find your transit number through online banking. Simply log into your account and look up your direct deposit information.

Is the institution and branch number the same?

No, the branch transit number is a five-digit number that identifies your specific bank branch, while the institution number is a three-digit number that identifies the bank.

What is a routing number?

A routing transit number is used to identify a specific bank and includes the five-digit transit number and the three-digit financial institution number.

Who needs a financial institution number from me?

When you want to set up a direct deposit with your employer, you’ll need your financial institution number. Similarly, if you want to set up automatic withdrawals or a wire transfer, you’ll need to provide your financial institution number. When you apply for a loan, it’s common for your lender to request your financial institution number to set up pre-authorized debit payments.
Lisa Rennie avatar on Loans Canada
Lisa Rennie

Lisa has been working as a personal finance writer for more than a decade, creating unique content that helps to educate Canadian consumers in the realms of real estate, mortgages, investing and financial health. For years, she held her real estate license in Toronto, Ontario before giving it up to pursue writing within this realm and related niches. Lisa is very serious about smart money management and helping others do the same.

More From This Author

Special Offers

More From Our Experts

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GlobeMailTopCompanies2023-1.png
Loans Canada places No. 228 on The Globe and Mail’s fifth-annual ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies.

By Caitlin Wood, BA
Published on September 29, 2023

Loans Canada is excited to announce it has made it onto the Globe and Mail’s Top Growing Companies list for the second year in a row.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Finder-Awards.png
Finder Awards Finalists: Personal Loans Customer Satisfaction Awards 2023

By Priyanka Correia, BComm

Loans Canada is happy to announce it received the finalist award in the Best Personal Loan Search Platform category.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/caution-1.jpg
Beware of Fraudulent Lenders Impersonating Loans Canada

By Caitlin Wood, BA

A note to our clients about fraudulent lending practices and illegal upfront fees.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/T1213.png
The T1213 Form Explained

By Corrina Murdoch

The names of specific tax forms in Canada can be confusing, like the T1213 tax form. What is it and do you need to file this year?

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/How-To-File-A-Notice-Of-Objection-To-Dispute-Your-Tax-Return.png
Filing A Notice Of Objection To Dispute A Tax Return

By Corrina Murdoch

Do you disagree with your notice of assessment? Find out how to file a CRA notice of objection and have the issue resolved.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Notice-Of-Assessment.png
What Is A Notice Of Assessment?

By Corrina Murdoch

A Notice of Assessment is the government’s evaluation of your income tax return. After you file your taxes each year, the CRA sends you an NOA.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Canada-tax-reviews.png
Canada Tax Reviews

By Lisa Rennie

Wondering if you have any unclaimed cash with the CRA? Canada Tax Reviews can help you recover unclaimed tax credits from previous years.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Nyble-vs-bree.png
Nyble vs. Bree: Which One Is Better?

By Lisa Rennie

Bree and Nyble make great alternatives to expensive payday loans. If you're short on cash, these services can help cover you.

Recognized As One Of Canada's Top Growing Companies

Loans Canada, the country's original loan comparison platform, is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's fastest growing companies by The Globe and Mail!

Read More

Why choose Loans Canada?

Apply Once &
Get Multiple Offers
Save Time
And Money
Get Your Free
Credit Score
Free
Service
Expert Tips
And Advice
Exclusive
Offers

Build Credit For Just $10/Month

With KOHO's prepaid card you can build a better credit score for just $10/month.

Koho Prepaid Credit Card