USAA History
For over a century, we've been there for our members
Get to Know USAA
In 1922, when 25 Army officers met in San Antonio and decided to insure each other's vehicles, they couldn't have imagined that their tiny organization would one day serve millions of members and become a fully integrated financial services organization.
Here is a table of USAA's military affiliate groups.
1920s
The Roaring Twenties
Our company is founded during a time of significant social and political change.
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1922 — Our company is founded in San Antonio when 25 Army officers come together to insure each other's automobiles.
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1922 — William Garrison is elected as our first president. Harold Dunton becomes our first USAA employee, a general manager.
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1922 — Maj. Walter Moore purchases an automobile insurance policy and becomes our first member.
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1923 — We expand our membership to include Navy and Marine Corp officers.
1930s
The Great Depression
Our membership grows considerably as the country faces a turbulent decade of financial crisis and natural disasters.
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1931 — Our membership doubles from 15,000 to 30,000, despite the Great Depression.
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1932 — The first Annual Report to Members is published, highlighting our financial success and commitment to members.
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1934 — Membership is expanded to include Foreign Service officers, State Department officials and their widows.
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1934 — Stuart Gwyn is the first woman to join our management team.
1940s
World War II
We're there for our members during a time of war and change, and as more women enter the workforce.
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1941 — We automatically renew auto insurance policies for any members outside of the United States, easing the burden of those deployed at war.
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1946 — We add several new automated office machines, becoming an industry leader in technology.
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1948 — We open up our membership to Air Force officers after the department is created by the National Security Act of 1947.
1950s
The Computer Age
We expand our company in a decade of economic prosperity.
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1952 — We open an office in Frankfurt, Germany, our first location outside of San Antonio.
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1956 — Consuelo Kerford becomes our first female officer.
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1957 — We automate operations by installing a new IBM punch-card processing machine.
1960s
The Vietnam War
We continue to serve our growing membership in a time of unrest — with conflicts abroad and at home.
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1961 — We update our bylaws to reflect a new level of commitment to our members. USAA membership is no longer relinquished when officers resign their commission or leave the service.
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1962 — We open an office in London, England.
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1969 — Our 1 millionth member joins, Officer Candidate Eugene Butel of Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
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1969 — We form our first disaster response team and send them to the Gulf Coast with a printout of information on members impacted by Hurricane Camille.
1970s
The First Email Is Sent
In a decade defined by technological growth, political change and inflation, our company ushers in new innovations.
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1973 — We open offices in Tampa, Colorado Springs, and San Diego, as well as a new headquarters in San Antonio.
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1978 — We begin offering toll-free phone service to members in the continental United States. Prior to this, most of our business was conducted by mail or telegraph.
1980s
The Rise of Personal Computing
We open our USAA Federal Savings Bank as the country rallies through a national recession and stock market crash.
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1982 — We provide 22 ROTC scholarships for each branch of the military to support future officers.
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1983 — We create the USAA Volunteer Corps to coordinate our employee volunteer efforts in the community.
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1983 — The USAA Federal Savings Bank opens.
1990s
The Growth of the Internet
As the military community faces another deployment during the Gulf War, we become more accessible through digital growth and the launch of our online site.
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1990 — The USAA Educational Foundation is established to help consumers make informed decisions by providing free information on financial management, safety concerns and significant life events.
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1991 — We launch the USAA Road and Travel Plan, offering emergency roadside assistance and travel benefits.
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1991 — Electronic funds transfer (EFT) is made available to members so they can move money from their bank accounts to pay insurance premiums or purchase mutual funds.
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1994 — We form The USAA Foundation to help strengthen our community and provide opportunities for others to succeed.
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1996 — We create the USAA Ethics Office to formalize our long-standing commitment to ethical business conduct.
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1996 — Enlisted personnel become eligible for membership.
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1999 — We launch usaa.com, allowing members to conduct business online.
2000s
The War on Terrorism
We expand our services and eligibility requirements as our membership faces a decade defined by war and uncertainty.
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2001 — We provide special deployment assistance to members called to respond to the fight on terrorism.
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2006 — We begin offering ATM reimbursement for members.
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2006 — We are the first company to let members deposit checks from home, needing only an internet connection and a scanner.
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2008 — Our eligibility requirements are expanded to include military retirees, regardless of when they retired. After they join, their spouses and children may also be eligible for membership.
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2009 — All men and women who are serving or have honorably served in the U.S. military — and their families — become eligible for membership.
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2009 — We become the presenting sponsor of the Army—Navy Football Game.
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2009 — We launch the USAA Mobile App with Deposit@MobileSee note® capabilities, allowing members to make deposits from their iPhoneSee note®.
2010s
Serving Members Where They Are
We open in-person financial centers in strategic locations, appear on Fortune's Global 500 list for the first time and are recognized for veteran hiring.
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2010 — We open financial centers in key locations and partner with hundreds of UPS Stores to offer face-to-face services for members.
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2010 — We launch digital tools to help members with home and car buying.
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2010 — We debut our USAA Mobile App for iPad, allowing members to manage their finances or access advice on the go.
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2011 — We become the Official Military Appreciation Sponsor of the National Football League.
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2015 — We create our Financial Readiness Score, an assessment that helps members financially prepare for the future.
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2016 — We're the first bank to offer voice—guided mobile app check deposit for visually-impaired members.
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2017 — We proudly serve over 12 million members, with a net worth of $31 billion.
2020s
Present Day and Beyond
We continue to provide cutting-edge technology and new services to support our members with their financial needs.
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2020 — In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, USAA quickly shifts nearly all of its workforce to work from home.
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2021 — The first commercial insurance product underwritten by USAA became available to member small business owners.
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2022 — USAA celebrates 100 years of serving its members and fulfilling its mission.