
USAA, or the United Services Automobile Association, is a financial services company that provides insurance and banking products to its members. It was founded in 1922 by a group of 25 Army officers who wanted to insure each other's vehicles. Today, USAA offers a range of financial products, including savings accounts, credit cards, and life insurance policies. USAA membership is typically available to members of the U.S. military, including officers, enlisted personnel, and veterans. One of the key concerns for individuals when choosing a financial institution is the safety of their money. In the United States, banks are commonly insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which safeguards depositors' funds in the event of a bank failure. So, is USAA federally insured?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Organization | Financial services company |
| Year of Formation | 1922 |
| Founders | 25 Army officers |
| Place of Formation | San Antonio, Texas |
| Objective | To insure each other's vehicles |
| Current Members | Over 8 million |
| Target Audience | Members of the U.S. military and their families |
| Services | Auto insurance, life insurance, banking services, credit cards, savings accounts, etc. |
| Insurance Coverage | FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per customer, per account ownership category |
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What You'll Learn
- USAA accounts are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per customer
- USAA Federal Savings Bank provides members with the ability to deposit cheques via mobile applications
- USAA membership is offered to officers and enlisted personnel, including those on active duty
- USAA offers life insurance policies without a war-exclusion clause
- USAA is not a Systemically Important Financial Institution (SIFI)

USAA accounts are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per customer
USAA, or the United Services Automobile Association, was founded in 1922 by 25 US Army officers who wanted to insure each other's vehicles. Since then, it has expanded to offer a range of financial services, including savings accounts, to over 8 million members.
It is important to note that not all financial products offered by USAA are FDIC-insured. The FDIC only insures deposit accounts and does not cover investment products, which can lose value. USAA offers a range of investment services, including brokerage and trading, mutual funds, and ETFs, through its strategic partners.
USAA savings accounts have no monthly service fees, no minimum balance, and come with fraud protection. They also offer competitive interest rates and 24/7 online and mobile access. USAA also provides credit cards and other bank products through its Federal Savings Bank, which is FDIC-insured.
USAA has a unique focus on serving members of the US military, including officers and enlisted personnel, both active and retired, as well as their immediate families.
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USAA Federal Savings Bank provides members with the ability to deposit cheques via mobile applications
The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) is an American financial services company that provides insurance and banking products exclusively to members of the military, veterans, and their families. USAA Federal Savings Bank, which provides banking services, is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
The mobile cheque deposit feature is also available on other mobile devices with Google's Android operating system. To be eligible for this feature, customers must be qualified for credit and have some type of insurance through USAA.
In addition to its mobile cheque deposit service, USAA Federal Savings Bank offers various other services, including online banking, credit cards, and investment management. USAA accounts are also FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per customer, per account ownership category, providing protection for depositors' insured deposits.
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USAA membership is offered to officers and enlisted personnel, including those on active duty
The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) was founded in 1922 by 25 Army officers in San Antonio, Texas, with the aim to insure each other's vehicles. Today, it is a member-owned insurance and financial services company, primarily serving military service members and their families. USAA is headquartered in San Antonio and has some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the insurance and financial services industry.
USAA also offers membership to civilians with a military connection. Individuals who are spouses, unmarried former spouses, or children of a USAA member are eligible for their own membership. For example, if one's parent served in the military and is a USAA member, they are eligible for membership. If a USAA member gets married, their spouse and future children will also be eligible for membership.
It is important to note that USAA membership is not restricted solely to those with a direct military connection. Individuals without a military connection can still be eligible for USAA membership if they are family members of a USAA member. Eligible family members will need to provide their Social Security Number and their military relative's USAA number.
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USAA offers life insurance policies without a war-exclusion clause
USAA is a financial services company that provides various insurance products, including life insurance. Life insurance policies typically include a war exclusion clause, which excludes coverage for losses resulting from war. This clause was expanded after the September 11 terrorist attacks and is now considered standard in the industry. However, USAA offers life insurance policies without a war exclusion clause, providing coverage for active-duty military members and their spouses during wartime.
USAA's life insurance products are available to anyone, unlike its other financial services that cater specifically to current and former members of the US military and their families. The company offers term, whole, and universal life insurance policies, with coverage limits ranging from $25,000 to $10 million. Some of their term policies can be converted to permanent coverage, and they also offer a term policy with simplified underwriting and no medical exam, which is beneficial for individuals with pre-existing conditions.
USAA's life insurance policies include additional benefits for military personnel, such as a $25,000 payment for severe injuries sustained while on active duty. Military members also have the option to replace their Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) with a USAA term policy if they leave the military. Furthermore, USAA allows policy customization with various riders, depending on the chosen policy.
While USAA provides federally insured deposit accounts through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), it is important to note that not all of its financial products are FDIC-insured. FDIC insurance covers up to $250,000 per customer per account ownership category, ensuring that account holders can recover their balances in the event of USAA's failure. However, FDIC insurance does not cover investment products, which can lose value.
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USAA is not a Systemically Important Financial Institution (SIFI)
The process for determining which companies are SIFIs has changed over time. Institutions with more than $50 billion in assets were initially labeled as systemically important. However, in 2018, President Donald Trump signed a bill that increased the threshold to $100 billion and then to $250 billion 18 months later. This change was intended to reduce the regulatory burden on mid-sized financial institutions and give them greater flexibility to expand their businesses.
USAA does not meet the current criteria for a SIFI, as it does not pose a serious risk to the economy if it were to collapse. While USAA is FDIC-insured, protecting depositors against the loss of their insured deposits, it is not considered a SIFI. This indicates that its failure would not trigger a financial crisis or pose a significant risk to the financial system and economy.
It is important to note that the determination of SIFIs is made by U.S. federal regulators, and the threshold and criteria may evolve over time. However, as of the current regulatory framework and understanding, USAA is not classified as a Systemically Important Financial Institution.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a USAA account is FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per customer, per account ownership category.
It means that even if USAA fails, you will eventually be able to recover an individual account’s balance of up to $250,000.
No, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation only insures deposit accounts. They do not insure investment products, which can lose value.
USAA offers savings accounts and checking accounts.
USAA members are referred to strategic partners for other investment services such as brokerage and trading, mutual funds, and ETFs.













