Great Rates on Insurance for Veterans ( Business Wire)

USAA Opens Membership to All Veterans Who Honorably Served
Thu Nov 5, 2009 1:00pm EST
Financial Services Provider Focused on Military Community Expands Potential
Customer Base by an Estimated 35 Million
SAN ANTONIO--(Business Wire)--
More than 18 million U.S. military veterans and their 17 million family members
who are looking for competitive alternatives to their current insurance, banking
and investment providers now can take advantage of USAA and its 87-year record
of strength, stability and performance in service to the military community.

Citing steady growth in financial strength and operational capacity, USAA
announced that effective immediately, membership now is open to all veterans of
the U.S. Armed Forces who served honorably, regardless of years of service.

The change expands USAA`s potential customer by an estimated 35 million,
including 18 million veterans, and 17 million spouses and children who also
would be able to access USAA services after their veteran relative becomes a
member.

"We believe everyone who served honorably in the armed forces should be able to
manage their financial well-being with USAA, a company committed to caring more
about the unique needs of the military community than any other," said retired
Army Maj. Gen. Joe Robles, USAA`s President and CEO. "Today, USAA is stronger
than at any time in our 87-year history, and we are thrilled to open our doors
wider to offer the benefits of USAA membership to more military families than
ever before."

USAA began as an officer-only association in 1922, opened to enlisted personnel
in 1996, and today serves 7.3 million current and former military members and
their families. Throughout its history, USAA has played an important role in
helping military families with their financial security, providing them with
insurance, investments and banking products as well as financial planning and
advice.

Operating without commissioned sales agents, the company has earned numerous
customer service accolades, including winning BusinessWeek`s #1 Customer Service
Champs award in 2008 and 2007.USAA is the only company to be ranked in the top
two each year since the list`s inception in 2007.

More recently, through innovations such as the banking industry`s first mobile
check deposit service, USAA Deposit@Mobile, USAA is leveraging technology to
enable its eligible customers to manage their finances anytime and from anywhere
a mobile signal is available.

"Having served as an Army private and many ranks along the way to major general,
it gives me great personal satisfaction to know that another 35 million former
service members, their spouses and children now have access to all that USAA
offers," said Robles.

Who is eligible for USAA P&C Group membership?

Military personnel

* All current members of the U.S. Armed Forces, active duty, Guard and reserve,
as well as those who retired or honorably separated in the past, regardless of
dates or branch of service (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast
Guard).
* Cadets, midshipmen, and officer or warrant officer candidates in
government-sponsored programs leading to a commission.

Family members

* Adult children, widow(er)s, and un-remarried former spouses of USAA members.
* Widow(er)s of officer and enlisted personnel who were killed in action while
eligible.

Additionally, USAA life insurance, investment, retirement and deposit products
are also available to members` extended families and others who are not eligible
for USAA membership.

Today, with heightened concerns about the economy and the solvency of financial
institutions, USAA is recognized for its conservative approach to financial
management. In 2008, the company`s net worth increased to $14.6 billion, and
USAA earned $423 million in net income. In addition, USAA`s Property & Casualty
Insurance Group maintains the highest ratings for financial strength from
Standard & Poor`s, A.M. Best and Moody`s rating agencies, making USAA one of a
small, elite group of companies to retain the highest possible ratings. More
current mid-year 2009 results are available on usaa.com.

About USAA

USAA, a diversified financial services group of companies, is among the leading
providers of financial planning, insurance, investments, and banking products to
members of the U.S. military and their families. For the past three years,
BusinessWeek magazine ranked USAA among the top two "Customer Service Champs,"
highlighting its legendary commitment of providing highly competitive financial
products for 7.3 million members. For more information about USAA, or to learn
more about membership, visit usaa.com.


Copyright Business Wire 2009


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