A great option: Remember there may be more local options listed on my forum
I was recently told that USAA is now back to being open to anyone for membership and that you do not have to be military or affiliated to get an account there.
IMPORTANT: you can apply online
Please note: USAA does use EWS. I have been told by CS that they do not use chexsystems or telecheck and only now use EWS.
The process is effortless and takes about ten minutes.
You do not need to be military to get an account. After you've denied being a military member in response to a series of questions you can continue forward through the questions.
The first series of questions established membership eligibility. At the end a membership number is provided, then one is given an option to choose to open whatever account(s) you are eligible for.
Checking has to be opened with min. $25, checking & savings min. $50. You can set up a transfer from a pre-existing checking account into USAA to open the USAA account. A phone call would have to be made if you want to pay using a credit or debit card. That option wasn't offered online.
I talked USAA Federal Savings Bank and they said they do indeed accept the first $25.00 deposit with any pre-paid Mastercard. Be sure they said to get the pre-paid for a little more than $25.00 since there may be a fee included by the card issuer. They also said that they can take the initial deposit from any debit card or credit card by a friend or relative if you know someone that can make that for you. If none of this works for you, you can ask them to mail you an application guide and they will provide a postage free envelope in it that you will be able to send in a $25.00 money order to make the first deposit.
At the end was an option to order checks and deposit slips. They clearly state they use Harland Clarke. Decline check ordering at that time. I would suggest that you only order checks with a safe company to keep your account and information confidential and from possibly closing.
Confirmation stated that funds would be available for withdrawal in 4 days and the debit card would arrive by mail in 7 - 10 days.
features of USAA
Bank from anywhere
Every ATM nationwide is your ATM — if another bank charges you, we refund the fees.
if you go on the USAA site they have a search tool that shows you the nearest UPS locations that have Easy Deposit: they are posted to the account immedicately (They have an arrangement to have checks scanned and deposited at UPS Stores.)
You can deposit checks with a computer and scanner with Deposit @home
Pay, manage and view all your bills in one place with bill pay
Get free unlimited checking funds transfers to any U.S. bank.
Testimonials:
6-10-11
Mary, USAA accepted me and I am not military. You just keep going through the process and keep checking boxes that say you are NOT in the military and they will open the acount,this is a very good account as you can make deposits at UPS stores and you can also deposit business checks as well as personal.