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Veterans Benefits Administration
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Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)
Veterans Benefits Administration
Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)
Veterans, beneficiaries, and caregivers can use VBBP to open a checking or savings account and enroll in direct deposit.
VBBP also provides free financial and credit counseling, access to free financial education through VetCents, and encourages Veterans to save through the Veteran Saves program.
Find additional information on how to manage your finances, protect yourself from fraud or identity theft, and other money management tools.
Communications Toolkit and Resources
Visit the Communication Toolkit to find flyers, posters and other resources about the banking program.
To switch from check to direct deposit, go online at Change Direct Deposit or call us at 1-800-827-1000.
VA Financial Literacy information is an additional resource available to Veterans and VA beneficiaries.
“Veterans deserve to get their benefits in the safest, most secure way possible – and that’s what the Veterans Benefits Banking Program delivers. Expanding this great program, to include financial counseling and education, will have a real impact on Veterans’ lives [by] helping protect and grow the benefits they’ve earned.” - Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Frequently Asked Questions
- The Veterans Benefits Banking Program, or VBBP, is a partnership between VA and the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA). The program provides Veterans and beneficiaries a safe, reliable, and inexpensive way to receive and manage their VA monetary benefits. The VBBP connects Veterans with banks and credit unions who understand Veterans’ financial needs and can provide Veterans and their beneficiaries the highest level of service.
- VA, in partnership with AMBA, created VBBP to provide Veterans with banking options and educational resources to help them achieve greater financial independence, resiliency, and literacy. VBBP lets Veterans and beneficiaries receive VA benefits through direct deposit, effectively manage monetary benefits, and reduce fraud.
- VBBP is a comprehensive program that helps Veterans and beneficiaries manage their monetary benefits using direct deposit. Direct deposit is a form of electronic funds transfer (EFT) whereby VA will automatically deposit money into checking or savings accounts. Direct deposit is a safer alternative than a paper check, and VBBP provides Veterans with an opportunity to open an account with banks and credit unions participating in the program. These institutions understand the unique financial issues Veterans face and can help Veterans and beneficiaries enroll in direct deposit. Bank and credit union customers also have access to other financial products and services unavailable to those receiving benefits through prepaid cards or paper checks.
- Veterans face increasing challenges from a variety of predatory marketplace factors. For example, scams and unsavory business practices often target military members and Veterans. A 2019 report sponsored by AMBA, conducted by the Better Business Bureau Institute of Marketplace Trust, and available on the AMBA VBBP website identifies many of those threats. Under these circumstances, it’s critical that Veterans receiving VA monetary benefits have access to the kinds of regulated, safe, and reliable financial services banks and credit unions provide.
- Currently, you can have your VA benefits deposited into any bank or credit union account via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), deposited on a Direct Express prepaid debit card, or issued on paper checks (waiver approval required by Treasury).
- VBBP began on Dec. 20, 2019. Since then, Veterans and beneficiaries have used the VBBP to open accounts at participating banks and credit unions that can meet their financial needs.
- Any Veteran or beneficiary who receives federal monetary benefits can participate in the VBBP.
- Approximately 160,000 Veterans and beneficiaries receive their VA benefits through a Direct Express pre-paid card or US Treasury-issued paper check. These Veterans may or may not have a bank account. VA and AMBA partnered to create the VBBP to help these Veterans and beneficiaries open accounts at VBBP participating institutions and enroll in direct deposit – which is a safer alternative than debit cards and paper checks.
- No. Although any Veteran with an account at any bank or credit union may utilize direct deposit, VBBP participating banks and credit unions have experience dealing with the unique financial issues facing military and Veteran communities. They have undertaken an additional commitment to open accounts for any qualified Veterans and help Veterans who may not currently qualify for an account become qualified. Veterans may also enjoy other financial products and services at banks or credit unions not participating directly in the VBBP and still receive their VA benefits electronically.
- The fastest way for you to set up direct deposit with VA is to call VA’s toll free number at 1-800- 827-1000 and work with one of the agents to enroll in Direct Deposit (if you use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, the Federal number is 711). To enroll for direct deposit online, click the “Sign In or Create an Account” button.
- Veterans may receive their monetary benefits in an account at any bank or credit union that offers direct deposit. However, members of the VBBP bank and credit union coalition are financial institutions that are very familiar with the financial challenges and needs of service members, Veterans, and their families. As such, they can provide the kinds of financial services that are appropriate for Veterans based on their individual circumstances.
- Yes, all VBBP participating banks are FDIC insured and all participating credit unions are NCUA insured.
- You can set up direct deposit to manage your VA monetary benefits at any bank or credit union. Banks and credit unions taking part in the VBBP are very familiar with the financial challenges and needs of service members, Veterans, and their families. As such, they understand and can provide the kinds of financial services that are appropriate for Veterans based on their individual circumstances.
- To find information about participating banks and credit unions, visit Veterans Benefits Banking to help you choose one that meets your needs.
- Each VBBP participating bank and credit union has their own unique application process, and you will need to directly contact the specific bank or credit union where you want to open an account to learn about their processes. The VBBP website provides information about and links to participating banks and credit unions to help get you started.
- Each financial institution participating in the VBBP is committed to helping Veterans, beneficiaries, and their families find banking services they qualify for. Please reach out to any of the participating banks and credit unions.
- The Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) is the only trade association representing financial institutions that specialize in providing banking services for military personnel, Veterans, and their families. AMBA has a long history of partnering with the Department of Defense for the benefit of military members and their dependents. AMBA’s membership includes large and small national- and state-chartered banks, most operating on military installations and all insured by the FDIC. AMBA represents the interests of banking institutions serving the military and Veterans.
- AMBA itself is not a bank but serves to help Veterans and beneficiaries connect with participating financial institutions and applying for bank and credit union accounts. For example, AMBA can help Veterans compare the benefits of banking to other ways of receiving VA monetary benefits and can help banks and credit unions understand the unique financial challenges Veterans routinely encounter so that they can consider those challenges in their decisions to offer specific financial services.
- AMBA provides education about fraud on its website and through its participating banks to help Veterans avoid fraud and to mitigate the effects of fraud when it occurs.
- VBBP participating banks include large and small national- and state-chartered banks, and all of them can accept customers regardless of where they live. Most VBBP banks and credit unions operate on military installations and all are insured by either the FDIC or the NCUA. VBBP participating credit unions have “field of membership” criteria that Veterans must meet before becoming customers. Some credit unions may accept Veterans wherever they live while others may accept only Veterans who live in the geographic areas served by the credit union. Visit the VBBP website to find a financial institution that best fits your needs.
- The services available to accountholders varies among financial institutions. One of the reasons we included many banks and credit unions in the VBBP is because we want Veterans to have choices. Veterans can select financial institutions based on their services and attributes – and how those services and attributes align with individual banking needs.
- VBBP participating banks and credit unions are a coalition of financial institutions familiar with the challenges faced by service members, Veterans, and their families. These financial institutions are ready and willing to work with you to help you open an account, utilize direct deposit, and increase financial security. Many of them also offer financial counseling and credit counseling, along with other financial education programs.
- Financial counseling is a service offered by financial institutions and non-profit organizations to help you build financial literacy skills and create sound financial habits. Financial counselors offer guidance related to understanding your financial situation, setting goals, and budgeting to help you improve your saving practices, control your expenses, and reach your goals. They can also help you work through a financial crisis, manage your debts, and improve your credit score. As a Veteran, you can receive a free session with an Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®), courtesy of AMBA. You can work with an AFC® to create a plan to achieve your goals and build a sustainable foundation for long-term financial well-being. To learn more, visit VBBP Financial Counseling web page.
- Credit counseling is a service offered by financial institutions and non-profit organizations to help you solve money problems typically related to outstanding debt. Credit counselors offer guidance related to managing your debt, setting up repayment plans, and budgeting to help you improve your money management skills and prevent future debt problems. A credit counselor and financial counselor are very similar in these respects, but if your main goal is to get out of debt, avoid a foreclosure or eviction, or qualify for a first-time home purchase, a credit counselor may be your best option. As a Veteran, you can receive a free session with a credit counselor, courtesy of AMBA. To learn more, visit VBBP Financial Counseling web page.
- You can find a variety of VBBP endorsed financial education programs on the VBBP website by selecting the following:
- Money management for Veterans to learn more about opening a checking account, purchasing a home with a VA loan, and other general financial education resources.
- Fraud Protection Resources to learn more about protecting your identity and preventing fraud.
- VetCents to learn about budgeting, saving, credit, and homebuying. VetCents is a financial education program created specifically for you and your family members.
- AMBA strives to educate Veterans on the benefits of banking as a way to receive, secure, and manage their VA benefits. Each bank and credit union participating in VBBP is regulated by federal and/or state banking authorities and insured by the FDIC or the NCUA. VA will continue to seek feedback from Veterans to resolve any issues with VBBP participating banks through AMBA. A financial institution’s participation in VBBP is based on their safety, reliability, and customer service.
- VA’s toll-free number is 1-800-827-1000.
- Visit VBBP for a list of all participating banks and credit unions.
Disclaimer of Hyperlinks: The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department and the VA website.
