Veterans Benefits Banking Program

The ABA Foundation is proud to partner with the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) in support of the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP). The goal of the VBBP is to help veterans, beneficiaries, and caregivers join the banking system so they can easily access their benefits as well as free financial and credit counseling services. ABA encourages all banks to join the VBBP and help demonstrate the banking industry’s continued commitment to our nation’s veterans. A bank does not have to be a member of ABA or AMBA to participate in the program and there are no costs for participation.

About VBBP

Established in 2019 in partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Association of Military Banks of America, the VBBP aims to provide veterans and other VA benefit recipients with a safe, reliable and inexpensive way to receive and manage their VA monetary benefits. The program seeks to simplify banking choices for veterans by providing them with a list of participating financial institutions that understand the unique financial needs of veterans and meet requirements for account offerings and customer service. The VBBP encourages veterans to open an account at a participating financial institution, where they can safely and efficiently manage their monthly monetary benefits using direct deposit.

How It Works

On the VBBP website, veterans and VA benefit recipients can find a wealth of helpful information about their VA benefits payment options and locate participating financial institutions. Banks participating in the VBBP must make a commitment to provide free, no minimum balance checking accounts to any veteran using direct deposit for their VA benefits. Additionally, participating banks must agree to help veterans overcome any obstacles that might have made opening a checking account impossible or more difficult. VBBP banks are committed to encouraging and helping veterans and VA benefit recipients to join the banking system so they can enjoy all of the benefits that come with a bank account.

Why Should Your Bank Participate?

Banks participating in the VBBP are demonstrating their commitment to support the financial wellbeing of America’s veterans. By joining VBBP, banks can help unbanked or underbanked veterans find easy, affordable access to the financial products and services they need, while also adding new customers. Banks of all sizes are welcome to join the program; the registration process is simple. Even if your bank is already serving the veteran community, participation in the VBBP can highlight an expanded commitment to those who served.

Participation Requirements

To join VBBP and be listed on the VBBP’s website as a participating bank, there are some simple requirements:

AMBA requires that participating financial institutions complete and sign a brief a commitment form. To join VBBP, a bank must commit to:
- Offer a low-to-no-cost checking account (no monthly maintenance fees) and no minimum balance, to a VA benefit recipient (Veteran, beneficiary, caregiver) who brings a monthly Direct Deposit to the institution.
- Offer assistance to VA benefit recipients if they do not qualify to open a deposit account. At the financial institution’s discretion, this assistance can be provided through financial products, education, and/or counseling.
Participating banks also must provide AMBA with a logo, URL for their designated VBBP landing page, and a description of their financial institution with language in support of veteran and/or military communities.

Interested in Participating?

Please complete the interest form and an AMBA employee will contact you.

Questions?

If you have questions about the program, please email communityengagement@aba.com