All City Big Block is a routing category, not a product you buy
All City Big Block refers to a classification used by some banks and payment processors to describe how they route transactions across their network. It is not a service you sign up for, a fee you pay, or a feature you enable. Instead, it is a behind-the-scenes label that affects how your bank processes certain types of transfers — mainly ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments and wire transfers that move between different financial institutions.
The term appears most often in older banking documentation and internal routing guides. If you have seen it on a bank statement, in a fee schedule, or in a payment system manual, it usually means your bank uses a specific set of processing rules for transactions that cross multiple banking networks in a single day. Understanding what it means can help you predict how long a transfer will take and whether your bank will charge a fee for routing it a particular way.
Key Takeaways
- All City Big Block is a routing method banks use to process transfers between institutions, not a service you purchase or sign up for.
- It typically applies to ACH payments and wire transfers that move through multiple banking networks on the same day.
- The term is most common in older banking systems and internal documentation; newer banks rarely use this language.
- Knowing whether your bank uses this routing method can help you understand transfer timelines and any associated fees.
- If you do not see this term on your statements or in your bank's fee schedule, your bank likely uses a different routing system.
How All City Big Block routing works
When you send money from your account at Bank A to someone at Bank B, the transfer does not move directly. Instead, it passes through a clearing house — a central system that matches payments, verifies accounts, and settles the money. All City Big Block is one method a bank can use to bundle and send these transfers through that clearing house.
Under this routing method, a bank collects all transactions destined for different cities and institutions, groups them together in one large batch (the "block"), and sends them through the clearing house in a single submission. This can sometimes reduce processing fees for the bank, though that savings is not always passed to you. The trade-off is that your individual transfer may take slightly longer because it waits for the batch to fill up before it is sent.
Most modern banks have moved away from this terminology and now use real-time payment networks like the Federal Reserve's FedNow or the Clearing House's RTP (Real-Time Payments). These systems process transfers in seconds rather than hours or days. If your bank still references All City Big Block, it is likely an older institution or one that has not fully updated its documentation.
Where you might see this term
All City Big Block language typically appears in three places: bank fee schedules from the 1990s and 2000s, internal routing manuals that banks use to train staff, and legacy payment processing systems that have not been updated. You are unlikely to see it on a modern online banking portal or a recent account statement.
If you work in banking operations, payment processing, or accounting, you may encounter it when reviewing older documentation or when working with regional banks that have kept their original routing infrastructure. Some credit unions and smaller community banks still use terminology from this era, even if the underlying technology has been modernized.
If you are a customer and you see "All City Big Block" mentioned in a fee schedule or transfer confirmation, it usually means your bank is charging you a fee for routing your transfer through this particular method. You can ask your bank whether a faster or cheaper routing option is available for your specific transfer.
All City Big Block versus modern routing methods
The main difference between All City Big Block and today's systems is speed and automation. All City Big Block batches transactions and processes them in scheduled windows — often once or twice per day. Modern systems like FedNow and RTP process transactions in real time, meaning the money moves within seconds.
All City Big Block also requires more manual intervention. A bank employee or automated system has to sort transactions, verify routing numbers, and prepare the batch for submission. Real-time systems are fully automated and require no human review between submission and settlement.
Cost is another factor. All City Big Block routing can be cheaper for banks to operate because they process many transactions in one batch, but they pass those savings along inconsistently. Real-time systems cost banks more per transaction, but they offer customers faster service and more predictability. Most banks now include real-time transfers in their standard accounts at no extra charge.
When All City Big Block fees might explore
If your bank still uses All City Big Block terminology, you may see a fee for it under these circumstances: you request a transfer to a bank outside your institution's normal network, you send money to a different city or region, or you ask for a specific routing method that is not the bank's default.
The fee is usually small — often $1 to $5 per transaction — but it is worth asking about. Many banks will waive it if you use their standard transfer method instead, or if you are a customer with a certain account type or minimum balance. Before you pay the fee, ask your bank whether a faster or cheaper option exists for your specific transfer.
If you do not see this term on your bank's current fee schedule, your bank has likely moved to a different routing system and you do not need to worry about it. Most banks that have modernized their systems do not charge extra for routing; the cost is built into their standard service.
How to learn about your bank uses this routing method
The easiest way to find out is to call your bank's customer service line and ask: "Do you use All City Big Block routing, and if so, when does it explore to my transfers?" A representative can tell you whether your bank still uses this term and whether it affects any fees you pay.
You can also check your bank's fee schedule, which is usually available on their website under "Pricing" or "Fees and Charges." Search the document for "All City," "Big Block," or "routing." If you do not find it, your bank does not use this method.
If you are sending a specific transfer and want to know which routing method your bank will use, ask before you submit it. Some banks let you choose between routing options, and knowing your choices can save you money or time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will using All City Big Block routing make my transfer slower?
Possibly. All City Big Block batches transactions and processes them in scheduled windows, so your transfer may wait a few hours before it is sent. Modern routing methods process transfers in seconds or minutes. If speed matters, ask your bank whether a real-time transfer option is available.
Is All City Big Block routing safe?
Yes. It is a standard banking method that has been used for decades. The routing method does not affect the security of your transfer — your bank's encryption and fraud prevention systems protect your money regardless of which routing method is used.
Can I avoid All City Big Block fees?
Often. Ask your bank whether a standard transfer option is available at no charge, or whether the fee is waived for certain account types. Some banks also waive routing fees if you transfer above a certain amount or if you are a long-time customer.
Do all banks use All City Big Block routing?
No. Most modern banks have moved to real-time payment systems. Smaller regional banks and credit unions are more likely to still use older routing terminology, but even they are gradually switching to newer methods.
What should I do if I see this charge on my statement?
Contact your bank and ask what triggered the charge. It may have been applied because you used a specific routing method or sent money to an institution outside your bank's network. Ask whether you can avoid the fee on future transfers by using a different method.