Money moves fast, but only if you have the right numbers. If you're sitting in a coffee shop in Philly or a home office in Scranton trying to set up a direct deposit, you probably just need that nine-digit string of numbers right now. Honestly, banking shouldn't be this confusing, but because TD Bank grew through a bunch of mergers—remember Commerce Bank?—the routing situation in Pennsylvania is a bit of a maze.
The TD Bank routing number in PA is usually 031201360.
Wait. Don't just copy that and run. While that is the primary number for most accounts opened in the Keystone State, banking isn't always a one-size-fits-all situation. Depending on when you opened your account or if you’re dealing with an old Commerce Bank legacy branch, things might get weird. Most people don't realize that routing numbers are basically just digital addresses. If you send a "letter" (your money) to the wrong address, it might eventually get there, but it's going to be a massive pain in the neck to track down.
Why Pennsylvania Has Its Own TD Bank Rules
TD Bank calls itself "America’s Most Convenient Bank," and they do have a ton of branches from Erie down to the Delaware Valley. But here's the thing: routing numbers are assigned by the American Bankers Association (ABA) based on the geographic region where the account was originally birthed.
Pennsylvania falls under a specific Federal Reserve district.
If you opened your account at a branch in Allentown, your routing number is likely different from someone who opened theirs in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, even though those cities are less than an hour apart. It’s about the "home" of the account. If you moved to PA from New York but kept your old account, you aren't using a Pennsylvania routing number. You're still tied to the NY one.
Checking the Bottom of Your Check
The easiest way to be 100% sure is to look at a physical check. Seriously.
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Look at the bottom left corner. There are three groups of numbers. The first group, surrounded by those weird little brackets that look like stick-figure goalposts, is your routing number. It’s always nine digits. If it starts with 03, you’re looking at the Philadelphia/PA/Delaware region. If it starts with 02, you’ve probably got a New York or North Jersey account.
The middle set of numbers is your account number. Don't mix them up. If you give your employer your account number instead of your routing number for payday, you aren't getting paid on Friday. That’s a weekend you don't want to experience.
The Wire Transfer Trap
Here is where people usually mess up.
There is a massive difference between a domestic ACH transfer (like your paycheck or paying your electric bill) and a domestic wire transfer. For a standard direct deposit or an e-check, you use the standard TD Bank routing number in PA.
But for incoming wire transfers? TD often uses a centralized routing number.
If you are receiving a wire from another bank, TD Bank typically directs those to a specific "Wire Routing Number" which is often 026013673. This is their main hub in the Northeast. If you use the 031201360 number for a wire, it might bounce, or worse, get stuck in "manual processing purgatory" for three days while some poor back-office employee tries to figure out where the money belongs.
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Always ask the sender: "Is this an ACH or a Wire?" It matters.
What About International Transfers?
If your cousin in London is sending you money, the routing number isn't enough. You need a SWIFT code. For TD Bank in the US, that is generally TDBKUS33. Pennsylvania accounts don't get their own special SWIFT code; the bank uses one for the entire US entity.
When the "Default" PA Number Might Be Wrong
I mentioned earlier that 031201360 is the go-to. However, TD Bank has acquired so many smaller institutions over the decades that some "zombie" routing numbers still exist in the system for old accounts.
- Legacy Accounts: If you’ve had the same account since the 90s when it was a different bank name, check your latest statement.
- Online Accounts: If you opened your account online while sitting in PA, TD usually assigns you to the region based on your zip code. But if their system glitched or you used a VPN, you might be registered to a different state's hub.
- Business vs. Personal: Generally, they use the same routing number for both in the PA region, but high-volume commercial accounts sometimes get specific instructions.
If you’re ever in doubt, the TD Bank mobile app is actually pretty decent for this. You log in, tap on your account, and hit "Account Details." It’ll show you the exact routing number tied to that specific bucket of money.
Real-World Consequences of Using the Wrong Number
I once saw a guy try to close on a house in Bucks County. He gave the title company his "standard" routing number for a large wire transfer. The money didn't show up. The sellers were fuming, the movers were sitting in the driveway charging by the hour, and he was on hold with customer service for forty minutes.
It turns out he used the ACH number instead of the Wire number.
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The bank eventually found the money, but the delay cost him hundreds in "convenience" fees and a whole lot of stress sweat. Use the right tool for the job.
Keeping Your Data Safe
Never, ever email your routing and account number to someone. It’s not encrypted. If you have to send it, use a secure portal or—call me old fashioned—read it over the phone. While the routing number itself is public knowledge (I'm literally giving it to you right now), the combination of that and your account number is the key to your vault.
Actionable Steps for PA Residents
Don't just guess. Do these three things to make sure your money lands where it should:
- Log into the TD Bank App: Click on your checking account. Tap the "Summary" or "Details" tab. Look for the 9-digit number. This is the "source of truth" for your specific account.
- Identify the Transfer Type: If it’s for a paycheck, Venmo, or a utility bill, use the PA routing number (031201360). If it’s for a same-day house closing or a massive settlement, call your local branch to confirm the wire-specific routing number.
- Check Your Paperwork: Find your original account opening documents if you suspect you have a legacy account from the Commerce Bank era. Sometimes those old numbers are still active but "redirected" by the bank.
If you’re still staring at a screen wondering if you’ve got it right, just call the TD Bank customer service line at 1-888-751-9000. They’re open 24/7. Ask them specifically: "I am in Pennsylvania, what is my ACH routing number?" They’ll confirm it in seconds.
Banking in the 215, 610, or 717 doesn't have to be a headache. Just double-check that nine-digit string before you hit "submit" on that direct deposit form. It’s much easier to spend two minutes checking now than two weeks chasing a missing paycheck later.