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It started out as a Grand Experiment.
USAA was founded on the unique concept of military brothers looking out for one another.
When 25 Army officers met at San Antonio’s Gunter Hotel on June 20, 1922 they decided
to pool their money and insure one another’s automobiles when no one else would.
As one historian described the founding of USAA:
“Well, about all they seemed to have had was faith in an idea and faith in each other
– brother officers – the people who would make it work.” (Edward Clare Dunn)
That ideal, and that faith in people…people with shared values and a common bond…grew
into an organization whose mission is to help build the financial security of its membership.
Today, more than 9 million members strong, some things have changed…but the values
and dedication to service never will.
The world’s best employees serving the world’s most honorable customers: It’s a mission
that remains the strength of USAA.
No wonder tens of thousands of employees over the decades have been proud to serve.
They are engines of innovation. . .caretakers of our founders’ legacy.
They are the caring voice and problem solvers on the other end of the line.
And our people have made USAA an organization of firsts.
For instance, women had opportunities to succeed at USAA long before that was common around
the nation.
“In September of 1950, there were 350 employees – six of them men. The six men were the
three top executives, a claims attorney, a man in back who bought the supplies, and a
janitor. The rest of us ran the company.”
And today, we focus on hiring employees who are military veterans. One out of four new
USAA employees is currently serving, has served honorably or is a current or former military
spouse. In addition, USAA is recognized as one of the best places to work in America.
Our ongoing quest for innovation changed us from pen and paper correspondence to being
a pioneer in large-scale, toll-free call centers in the 70s and 80s.
We moved from there to the frontiers of the internet with usaa.com and then quickly to
mobile applications.
I tutor children in a military housing community. I am always moving around, running errands.
The primary way I manage my USAA accounts and membership is through the mobile app that
I downloaded. I use that several times a day, pay whatever bills I need to pay, deposit
checks, see what transactions are pending.
Beyond technology, we’re looking out for our members in other ways, too.
From financial advice. . .to making sure we’re on the scene quickly after natural disasters,
when our members need us most.
“I have my immediate family and USAA is my extended family. And just as how this event
was punctuated with me embracing my entire family, that is precisely what USAA has done
for me and my family. They looked at us as people and they placed themselves in our shoes.
The people of USAA don’t just serve our members. They impact the communities in which
we live and work.
From being one of the largest contributors to United Way. . .to providing armies of community
volunteers.
USAA employees and retirees - through personal contributions of both time and money, the
USAA Federal Savings Bank and the USAA Foundation have all helped change our communities in
significant and lasting ways.
And like our employees, millions of members are loyal to us. . .tell their friends and
neighbors about us. . .and can’t wait to pass the legacy of membership on to future
generations.
Our membership numbers are flourishing, and our financial strength is growing – so we
can fulfill our commitments – when our members need us most.
After 90 years, the Grand Experiment is still thriving.
Together, our employees, our members and our communities are keeping the faith while the
future is a bright horizon.