Ever tried to set up a direct deposit or wire some money and suddenly hit a wall because you weren't sure which nine-digit string to use? It happens. A lot. Finding the right Santander routing number MA feels like it should be a five-second Google search, but the reality of Massachusetts banking is a bit messier than a single PDF list.
Routing numbers aren't just random digits. They are essentially the "address" for your money. If you get one digit wrong, your paycheck might end up in a digital void for three business days while the ACH system tries to figure out where you live.
The Specific Number for Massachusetts Santander Accounts
If you opened your account in a Massachusetts branch, you’re almost certainly looking for 011000390.
That’s the big one. It’s the primary ABA (American Bankers Association) routing transit number for Santander Bank N.A. in the Commonwealth. You’ll see this number printed on the bottom left corner of your physical checks. It’s the sequence that comes before your account number.
But here’s where things get kinda tricky for people who moved around.
Maybe you live in Worcester now, but you opened that student account back in Rhode Island or Connecticut. If that's the case, the Massachusetts routing number won't work for you. Banking systems are legacy systems. They care more about where the account was born than where you’re currently standing.
When One Number Becomes Two
Wait. There is a second number you might see floating around: 011000138.
Why are there two? Honestly, it usually comes down to the type of transaction. While 011000390 is the workhorse for standard stuff—think direct deposits from your boss, paying your electric bill, or connecting your Venmo—the other number is sometimes associated with specific legacy accounts or internal transfers.
If you're doing a domestic wire transfer, Santander often directs people toward a specific wire routing number which can differ from the "paper check" routing number.
Does it matter which one you use?
Yes. Use the wrong one and the transaction fails. Banks call this a "return." It’s annoying. It can sometimes trigger a fee from the person you’re trying to pay.
Always check your mobile app first. If you log into the Santander mobile banking app, tap on your specific account, and look for "Account Details," it will spit out the exact routing number tied to that specific bucket of money. This is the only way to be 100% sure you aren't using a legacy number from a branch that was swallowed up in a merger ten years ago.
The "Sovereign Bank" Ghost
You might remember Santander wasn't always Santander in New England. It was Sovereign Bank. When the Spanish banking giant Santander fully took over and rebranded in 2013, they inherited a massive web of routing numbers from dozens of smaller community banks that Sovereign had previously bought.
This is why your neighbor might have a different routing number than you even if you both use the same branch in Boston.
If you still have an old box of Sovereign Bank checks in a junk drawer, stop. Don't use them. While many of those old routing numbers were "mapped" to forward to the new Santander system, those mappings eventually expire. You don't want your mortgage payment bouncing because you're using a routing number that was retired during the Obama administration.
How to Find Your Number Without Calling Support
Nobody wants to sit on hold for forty minutes just to get nine digits. You have better things to do.
- The Check Method: Look at the bottom of your check. The routing number is the first set of nine numbers on the left. It’s always nine digits. If it’s not nine digits, you’re looking at your account number or the check number.
- The Digital Method: Log in. Click "Accounts." The routing number is usually right there under the account name.
- The Statement Method: Download a PDF of your most recent bank statement. Usually, the routing info is tucked in the top header or the very last page under "Electronic Transfers."
Dealing with International Wires
International stuff is a whole different beast. If someone in London or Tokyo is trying to send you money to your Massachusetts account, a routing number isn't enough. They need a SWIFT/BIC code.
For Santander US, that code is typically SANTUS33.
Don't confuse a SWIFT code with a routing number. A routing number is for the US domestic "highway" (the ACH system). The SWIFT code is for the international "highway." If you give a European bank your 011000390 number, their system will likely reject it because it doesn't fit the international format.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
People mess this up all the time. I've seen it.
The biggest mistake? Using the routing number for "Santander Consumer USA." That is a completely different entity. They handle car loans. If you use their information for your checking account, your money is going to go to a clearinghouse for auto leneding and you'll be spending your Saturday morning on the phone with customer service trying to claw it back.
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Another one is "borrowing" a routing number from a friend. "Hey, you use Santander too, right? What's the routing number?" This is a recipe for disaster. If your friend opened their account in New Jersey, their routing number is different. Period.
Quick Facts for MA Residents
- Primary MA Routing Number: 011000390
- Paper Check Location: Bottom left corner
- Number of Digits: Exactly 9
- Transfer Type: Use for ACH, Direct Deposit, and Bill Pay
Banks are complicated because they are built on layers of history. Santander in Massachusetts is a prime example of a modern bank running on a foundation of older regional institutions.
If you are ever in doubt—like, if you're about to wire $20,000 for a down payment on a house—don't guess. Walk into a branch or use the secure chat feature in the app. A two-minute confirmation is worth avoiding a week of financial stress.
Actionable Next Steps
- Verify via the App: Log into your Santander online portal and confirm the routing number listed under your specific account "Details" tab. This overrides any general list you find online.
- Update Your Employer: If you’ve recently moved to MA from another state and opened a new Santander account, ensure your payroll department has the 011000390 number rather than your old out-of-state one.
- Audit Your Autopay: Check your external links (like utility companies or credit card autopay) to ensure they are using the modern Santander routing info and not an old Sovereign Bank number that might be phased out soon.
- Secure Your SWIFT: If you expect international transfers, save SANTUS33 in your notes alongside your domestic routing number so you have both ready for different scenarios.