Banking

mom3boys

10-Year Member
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Nov 3, 2007
Messages
2,174
I contacted USAA to attempt to open the account for DS. They say he cannot open account until after he physically reports to WP. However, WP wants this authorization for direct deposit completed and sent back. How do non-military families deal w/ this? Are you all just keeping the kiddos banking at the local home-town bank?
 
My son kept his hometown bank account and has his pay deposited there. He uses their online banking. He has a checkbook and debit card for purchases and getting cash.

He plans to open an account with USAA sometime in the next year and switch his direct deposit to them.
 
It might be easier for now to just keep him at my bank...that way if he needs money for something big it's easier to do an online transfer.
 
My d set up an account with Pentagon Federal Credit Union when we went up for an overnight orientation. There is a branch outside Thayer Gate and a small branch and ATMs on post, so she is able to get money any time she needs to. She received a debit card and a credit card through them. They also gave her a line of credit, in case she would ever accidentally overdraw her account.

You may even be able to set this up via phone and fax/mail.
 
Pentagon Federal Credit Union

My son opened an account with PFCU online and opened a checking account with them. He had to do some things through the mail but it was really simple. I had to send them a check for $5 to open the account, and he did the rest.
 
I cannot recommend USAA strongly enough. Banking so easy it hurts, insurance rates so low compared to the competition that it makes the mind spin, and customer service fit for a king.

Do it. You'll NEVER regret it!

As for the immediacy of the first few SA paychecks, in my day they marched us down to NFCU and had us open an account there. I imagine there is an equivalent evolution at West Point.
 
so something like pentagon fed (near campus) AND USAA? why would a cadet need accounts at both?
 
A cadet wouldn't necessarily need both accounts while at West Point. We chose PFCU for her banking because of easy access on post.

There is a USAA branch outside Thayer Gate. My d will probably set up a USAA account around/after graduation because of the availability of services to deployed military personnel. She has her "non-owner" car insurance thru USAA, but that's for another thread.

It's whatever you and your cadet feels will meet his/her needs the best.
 
USAA

If your son/daughter has an academy appointment - they are USAA eligible. Here is a direct line into the unit that specializes with academy appointments 1-210-913-7821.
 
If you accept the Cow Loan, you will have to have you pay deposited into a USAA account, its like the only thing you have to do. I cant stress how great USAA is, their credit card is like the best there is, the have great insurance rates, low interest rates on loans, great investments, wonderful people willing to help you, and it really is so easy it hurts.
However, I rocked PedFed my first three years, and I think thats the easiest way to do it. The PenFed office on post made things easy, and they were very good with cadets. I have no regrets with the time I spent with them, but eventually move onto USAA, you will no regret it.
 
If you accept the Cow Loan, you will have to have you pay deposited into a USAA account, its like the only thing you have to do. I cant stress how great USAA is, their credit card is like the best there is, the have great insurance rates, low interest rates on loans, great investments, wonderful people willing to help you, and it really is so easy it hurts.

At the risk of sounding like a paid commercial- I've been a USAA customer for 33 years and my Dad for 55 and every service they provide is top notch- from insurance to banking to mortgage loans. I use Navy FCU as well just cause I never canxed one of my direct deposits - they are ok but USAA is just way too good for anybody to touch. You can call them from a drop hooked into a switch in the field and they will work around the static and keep you out of trouble. They get my vote for company of the century!!
 
I cannot recommend USAA strongly enough.

...

As for the immediacy of the first few SA paychecks, in my day they marched us down to NFCU and had us open an account there.

oddly enough, i was able to join USAA online using my NROTC info - so easy. but I can't join NFCU since it requires me to be 18yo first.
 
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