USAA Banking Reviews

San Antonio, TX

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Edited by: Tammy Burns

About USAA Banking

This profile has not been claimed by the company. See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review.

USAA is a leading provider of financial services to the U.S. military and their families. The company offers a wide range of products and services, including banking, insurance, investments and retirement planning. USAA is committed to providing its members with the best possible financial experience, as is shown by its low fees and competitive interest rates.

Pros
  • No minimum balance requirements
  • More than 100,000 USAA-preferred ATMs
  • Competitive APYs
Cons
  • Strict eligibility requirements
  • Few branch locations

Helpful Reviews

Valley Center, CA
Verified purchase
I experienced a $400 discrepancy during an ATM cash deposit with USAA and was unable to get the issue resolved. I inserted 50 twenty-dollar bills ($1,000) into a USAA ATM. The mac...

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La Mesa, NM
Verified purchase
All banking is online with USAA...but it is one stop shopping.... insurance, checking, savings, CDs etc...Always someone to speak with if needed...Husband has been a customer sinc...

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What is USAA?

USAA is a members-only bank for active-duty military personnel, veterans and those who have close family ties to military personnel. USAA offers a wide selection of financial services, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards and loans for cars, homes and personal expenditures. Members can also manage their financial assets with variable- and fixed-rate certificates of deposit (CDs) in a range of terms.

USAA’s online banking includes online bill pay and a suite of free budgeting tools. USAA members can send and receive money using the USAA bank app or Zelle, and deposit checks from their phones.

How does USAA work?

USAA membership is open to all active-duty and retired U.S. military members, as well as their immediate families. To join, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and you must be able to provide proof of your military service.

USAA offers a variety of customer service options, including phone support, online chat and in-person assistance. The company also has a network of over 100,000 ATMs that are available to members without fees.

USAA products and services

With USAA, members can enjoy these products:

Checking accounts
USAA offers two checking accounts — USAA Classic Checking and USAA Youth Spending. USAA Youth Spending is a checking account with parental controls for people under 18 years old. Classic Checking and Youth Spending have no monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements. Checking accounts require a $25 deposit to open.
Savings accounts and CDs
USAA has a few savings account options. USAA Savings and USAA Youth Savings are free accounts with a low $25 opening deposit. USAA Performance First earns more interest but has a $10,000 minimum opening deposit.

USAA has standard CDs, as well as jumbo and super jumbo CD options. Most have competitive annual percentage yields (APYs), with terms ranging from 30 days to seven years.

Credit cards
USAA offers several Visa and American Express credit cards, including rewards cards, cashback cards, 0% intro annual percentage rate (APR) cards, and secured cards that report credit activity to all three credit bureaus.
Loans
USAA offers home mortgages and loans for cars, motorcycles, RVs, boats and personal use. USAA Bank has several mortgage options, including conventional loans, VA loans and jumbo loans.
Insurance
USAA sells auto, property and life insurance to members of the U.S. military. The company has auto coverage options for all active and retired military personnel and their immediate family members. It provides drivers with several coverage and discount options.

USAA fees

USAA does not charge monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, incoming wire transfer fees or non-network ATM fees. If you’d like USAA to cover overdrafts, you can enroll in free overdraft protection by linking an eligible account.

Here’s a short list of fees you may come across:

  • $20 for outgoing wires
  • $25 service fee if you need assistance with outgoing international wires
  • $10 for statement copies
  • Early withdrawal penalties for CDs

USAA FAQ

Who can open a USAA bank account?

Any active or former military member or a member of their immediate family (spouse or child) can open a USAA banking account.

What ATMs are free with USAA?

Members have access to more than 100,000 USAA-preferred ATMs nationwide. Any USAA Bank-owned ATM is free for USAA members. Members get $10 in ATM withdrawal refunds each month at non-USAA Bank ATMs.

How can I deposit money into my USAA account?

You can use the USAA mobile app to deposit checks into your account from anywhere. You can also deposit money into your account at select USAA ATMs and branch locations.

Can I join USAA if my grandfather served?

No. Only current spouses, widows/widowers and un-remarried former spouses of USAA members who joined before or during the marriage can join USAA. Individuals whose parents are USAA members are also eligible.

Can you open a second checking account with USAA?

Yes. You can open another checking account with a $25 deposit. USAA does not require you to maintain a minimum balance after opening your account.

Still have questions?

Is USAA legit?

USAA is one of the most trusted banks in the country, known for its renowned customer service and strict eligibility requirements. The bank offers free bank accounts with no service fees or minimum balance requirements, as well as competitive interest rates.

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USAA Banking Reviews

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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 20
    Customer ServiceTransparency

    Reviewed June 26, 2026

    I used to love this bank. But, not anymore 1. Why do I hear Spanish when I call? This is supposed to be a bank for Veterans. Everyone in the United States military speaks English. 2. Why did USAA have to update its app? Most veterans don’t have phones that support it. 3. Why did they stop thanking us for our service? This bank has really gone downhill.

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    CoveragePriceRefunds & PayoutsStaffBillingResolution

    Reviewed June 15, 2026

    I have had people getting into my account for the past 6 months taking several thousands of dollars out of my account. Hell, those people have better access to my account than I do!!!🤬 They hold my funds so I cannot pay my bills. They keep stating they will escalate the issue but just found out they NEVER did. These people get into my account and add their auto pay to my account then withdraw the money soon after that. I have been with USAA for OVER 30 years and have now started closing ALL of our accounts and since their insurance is way too expensive and they refused to help after a hailstorm. We will NEVER use them again, what a letdown USAA is anymore. Stay away from this pathetic bank.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed June 13, 2026

      If I could leave a zero I would. I have been a customer for over 18 years and have lots of accounts with them. I had a company cut me some checks and when I received them they were past 90 days. I called the company and they said they were fine to deposit. More than three weeks after depositing the checks (and 3 weeks after the checks clearing) USAA illegally closed our accounts. Upon talking to them 3 different team members stated they were wrong for closing the accounts and holding our funds, yet here we are stranded out of town due to their illegal and immoral actions, and if this is how they treat an 18 year veteran... DON'T TRUST THEM WITH YOUR MONEY OR ANYTHING ELSE.

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      Customer ServiceMaintenanceStaffBillingResolution

      Reviewed June 12, 2026

      21 years of banking with USAA and their customer service has never been this bad.. Only means of banking is online and ATM.. They shut my ATM card down, marked fraud and then tells me it will take 72 hours to restore the card.. Beware of their non existent customer service. Their rep told me to use a credit card until they could fix the issue. There was never any fraud on my account.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed June 1, 2026

      I tried to send a wire transfer to my son's landlord. They decided it was fraud and shut down access to my entire account. That was Friday. It's now Monday and I still can't access my account. I've called 3 times and the response is always "It's under review." I tried to cancel the transfer and they wouldn't let me. After being a customer for over 10 years, I'm done with them.

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      Customer ServicePriceStaff

      Reviewed May 26, 2026

      Terrible bank and terrible customer service! It's like dealing with Nazis. USAA Bank is threatening to close all my accounts if I don't send them my sister's death certificate! I live in Asia and don't have access to her death certificate in the United States. They don't care and continue by to harass and threaten me. AVOID this bank at all costs so you don't get trapped with accounts that they will threaten to close for ridiculous reasons. AVOID at all costs.

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedBillingLoan ProcessRatesResolution

      Reviewed May 21, 2026

      I am a 100% service connected disabled veteran on fixed VA disability income. I have held a USAA RV loan since 2019. In May 2020, USAA sent me written confirmation stating "No interest will accrue during the extension period" during a COVID relief deferment. My payment history obtained directly from USAA shows the first payment after that deferment was entirely consumed by interest with zero applied to principal — directly contradicting their written promise. Over 6.5 years, I have made every payment early, never once late. I have paid approximately $53,895 toward a $75,000 loan and still owe $62,711. Fourteen payments totaling $10,922.55 were entirely consumed by interest, with nothing reducing my principal.

      When I escalated to USAA's Executive Resolution office they dismissed my concern. I filed a CFPB complaint. In their official CFPB response, USAA confirmed in writing that they did promise no interest would accrue during the COVID extension. They nonetheless denied all relief. USAA markets itself as serving those who serve. My experience has been the opposite. I have documented evidence of every claim made in this review.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed May 1, 2026

      The first person I spoke to set up my account wrong. I had to go into file recovery, which sent me to a different department. She said I would get a call in two business days. I did not so after a week and a half I called back and the lady had no idea what was going on and I had to go into file recovery again. It was a mess very difficult to work with. I was on the phone with them probably three hours over the last two weeks. I am not dealing with this company.

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      CoveragePriceBilling

      Reviewed April 23, 2026

      Insurance cost is outrageous! Bill pay now sucks! Customer first was gone years ago. USAA is no longer, since they sold out to another company. Military members is no longer any concern. It's just another profit bank like any other, screwing over consumers.

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      Customer ServiceCoveragePriceStaffBillingEase of UseHonesty & Transparency

      Reviewed March 13, 2026

      We've been loyal USAA customers for almost 30 years, since I attended Warrant Officer Candidate Schoool in 1998. I've found customer service to be decent overall, but like most places; there is oftne some person that is having a bad day. Aside from insurance costs rising with no explanantion, claims adjustors who don't communicate, it's their online banking bill pay that has become the final straw for us. Bill payment was previously simple and intuitive...not sure how the decision came about to make the change last year, but to be blunt and honest...it's no longer easy, or simple and it just plain sucks.

      Member input (of robust users) around the pay bill interface should have been solicited, but in another case - it seems that USAA cares less about our input over the last few years. Very disappointed and they've turned our bill pay experience into an entire day affair with the new interface. For clarity, in case it’s not clear... it sucks...frankly, it's easier to mail a check (and that's a statement that should be shared among the stakeholder teams, as it should have an impact).

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      BillingTransparency

      Reviewed March 9, 2026

      I experienced a $400 discrepancy during an ATM cash deposit with USAA and was unable to get the issue resolved. I inserted 50 twenty-dollar bills ($1,000) into a USAA ATM. The machine rejected the transaction and returned 30 bills. The remaining $400 was neither returned nor credited to my account. During the investigation, USAA provided electronic journal logs showing “50 items” inserted and “30 items” returned. Despite this discrepancy, I was never provided a clear explanation reconciling the missing funds. My claim was denied after internal reviews and regulatory complaints.

      Because USAA does not operate traditional full-service branches for in-person cash deposits, members often rely heavily on ATMs. When problems occur, resolving them can be extremely difficult. For military families who relocate frequently, resolving disputes tied to a specific state (such as small claims court) can also become logistically challenging after a move. Following this experience, I decided to move my banking to another institution.

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      Reviewed March 7, 2026

      Poor General McDermott. He sought a way to make things easier for his subordinates. That was a selfless and extremely generous undertaking. The last few CEO's trashed his good intentions. I've been a member for over fifty years. The last fifteen of those years there has been a steep decline of products and quality of service. The recent leadership should be ashamed.

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaff

      Reviewed Feb. 28, 2026

      I started a new job and my first check was a paper check. I deposited it into my account and they froze my account instead of cashing my check. I was working out of town. I had $50 in my pocket. And no way to get a hotel or food made numerous attempts to find out what happened. How the review worked? And if I could speak to somebody about because it even froze the money that was already in the account. So I got to spend 3 nights in my vehicle. And had to borrow money from co workers for food.

      I have been a member of this bank for 13 years. Not only will I be closing my accounts. My kids will be closing their accounts and I will be warning everyone I know about USAA and how they like to make veterans homeless. I could understand putting the check on hold but let me have access to the money that was already in the account. This is ridiculous, Navy Federal credit union has never done this. And all my banking will be moved to them. You can't even talk to someone other than customer service Representative, without waiting 5 days for a manager to call you back. I feel bad for the people who have to answer the phone. This bank is setting their employees up for nothing. But horrible horrible days talking to people who are mad and upset yeah, and then being unable to help them. No wonder they have a huge turnaround.

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      Customer ServiceCoveragePunctuality & SpeedMaintenanceStaff

      Reviewed Feb. 26, 2026

      After 15 years I must say I am extremely disappointed in USAA. My wife fell down the stairs breaking both of her arms and neck. Our insurance was canceled for nonpayment. We checked our email accounts and there was nothing ever received. We paid the late amount and called in to get the issue worked on. We were flat out told that they could not help us and that if we wanted insurance it would be over 300 additional dollars over what we had been paying and that we would have to start a new policy and pay the entire amount up front. Very disappointed with the service and company after being with them for so long and dealing with a major family crisis and told it didn't matter. Basically being gone told we didn't matter. I would suggest staying away from this company for any type of insurance.

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      CoveragePriceRefunds & PayoutsBillingRatesHonesty & Transparency

      Reviewed Feb. 22, 2026

      Member for 31 years so I've been around long enough to watch the decline in almost every area, from banking, to auto and life insurance. This is a systematic top down problem. The entire executive team is tone deaf to the problems their policies have created. As member owned organization there is zero accountability among the executive ranks. USAA has gone from a member centric company to just another bloated banking and insurance company. I experienced first hand their predatory tactics when they renewed my life insurance that I specifically instructed them to cancel. They debited my checking account the outrageously high rate for several months before I caught them. They gave me the runaround before only agreeing to refund me part of what they stole from my checking account. Their member advocacy team is complete joke - it's very clear where their allegiance lies, with their employer.

      They continued to increase my auto insurance despite clean driving records. I had enough and moved to Progressive at a substantial cost savings. USAA for some inexplicable reason keeps changing the design and functionality of their online banking portal. Their latest change locked me (the primary account holder) out of being able to control every aspect of my account to include being able to manage/change/cancel automatic payments set up by the secondary account holder - TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. Their CTO should be fired.

      I am about done with USAA to the point that I leaning towards closing down ALL of my banking accounts, to include terminating my home owners and umbrella insurance policies and canceling the remaining Term Life Insurance policy. Horrible management - the board of trustees needs to be held accountable for the rapid decline.

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      CoveragePunctuality & SpeedHonesty & Transparency

      Reviewed Feb. 21, 2026

      Loyal customer over 35 years, never have I been so disappointed with USAA banking services. (Auto insurance is only reliable product that remains.) My local bank offers better service, no longer waits, no hidden fees, more personalized service.

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      Customer ServiceCoverageSales & MarketingPricePunctuality & SpeedOnline & AppRefunds & PayoutsStaff

      Reviewed Feb. 13, 2026

      I was in an accident and it’s been 7 days and my adjuster or her manager won’t call me back. They don’t reply to messages inside the app under my account and all 3rd parties have been prompt to follow up with me, yet MY INSURANCE company won’t take its own member’s calls. YOU PAY FOR THE MARKETING OF COMPANY WHO PRETENDS TO CARE ABOUT OUR ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES. IT'S B.S. I will be leaving them for another company and take all my products to another. By the way I’ve got quotes and they’re about 30% cheaper….Glad I figured this out sooner than later. Sad to look deeper into the complaints and see a track record of customer neglect.

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      Reviewed Feb. 6, 2026

      See their recent (2024) problems with the Office of the Comptroller (OCC) and expect them to get away with as much as they can. Thankfully, filing complaint with the OCC does appear to get their attention.

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      Customer ServiceCoveragePriceStaff

      Reviewed Feb. 4, 2026

      Everyone that have USAA banking knows that USAA has been known to called their customers and verifying their customer with six digit pins and full name. I recently had a phone call from 1-800-531-8722. Yes, that's USAA phone number. Well when I answered I was told to confirm my accounts like I mentioned above. Next thing I know I got disconnected and I had a notification that money was being sent to my CashApp account. I notified USAA bank right away. The representative saw and noticed that my accounts was hacked. They gave me a $5k credit because that's the amount it was taken from me.

      After all the investigation with valid proof of IP address, phone, and the state it was coming from. I was held liable at the end. All because USAA could not maintain their number from being used by scammers. On top of this USAA does not disclose a lot of information when you call in regarding Homeowners insurance, auto insurance. I have 6 claims that I did not make rather asking for second opinion or wanting to know the cost of repairs. USAA secretly claim these items and forcefully keep you with them as other insurance companies will not take you because of the supposed claim you made.

      I used to be proud to say that I am a USAA member but no longer. Their CEO representative name Esmeralda needs to be retrain in customer service. She didn't called me to see what can be done. She called me to point fingers at me. Who has ben loyal customer to USAA for 19+ years. My 19+ years bank account statements show consistency. Yet, they blame even though they have proof that it was not me nor did I engage or authorize in this fraudulent act. If you Bank with USAA I highly recommend that you leave them and go bank elsewhere. USAA CEO I hope everyone read this review and everyone leaves USAA bank.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed Jan. 29, 2026

      I have been a USAA customer for over 30 years, and it has turned from the best bank to one of the worst. They are constantly making errors, their chat function is useless even when you reach a real person, and their customer service is a complete joke. I recently uploaded tons of documents to open a new account and they just....lost them. Like seriously, lost them. I have scaled back my services with them and shortly will be removing myself entirely once the last annuity I have with them ends. If you ever wanted to write a review of how a bank can go from the top one in the US to one of the bottom 5, this would be the place to go.

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      USAA Banking Company Information

      Company Name:
      USAA
      Website:
      www.usaa.com