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Veterans Benefits Administration

Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP)

Veterans, beneficiaries, and caregivers can use VBBP to open a checking or savings account and enroll in direct deposit.

Department of Veterans Affairs seal
Association of Military Banks of America logo

Direct deposit is safer and more secure than paper checks. Switch today.

Need a checking or savings account?
Contact a participating financial institution.

VBBP also provides free financial and credit counseling, access to free financial education through VetCents, and encourages Veterans to save through the Veteran Saves program.

Veterans Financial Literacy »

Find additional information on how to manage your finances, protect yourself from fraud or identity theft, and other money management tools.

Woman talks to another woman seated behind an office desk.

Communications Toolkit and Resources

Visit the Communication Toolkit to find flyers, posters and other resources about the banking program.




To switch from check to direct deposit, go online at Change Direct Deposit or call us at 1-800-827-1000.

VA Financial Literacy information is an additional resource available to Veterans and VA beneficiaries.

“Veterans deserve to get their benefits in the safest, most secure way possible – and that’s what the Veterans Benefits Banking Program delivers. Expanding this great program, to include financial counseling and education, will have a real impact on Veterans’ lives [by] helping protect and grow the benefits they’ve earned.” - Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Veterans Benefits Banking Program?


Why did VA create VBBP?


What’s the difference between VBBP and direct deposit?


Why now?


What are my options for receiving VA benefits?


When did VBBP begin?


Who is eligible to participate in the VBBP?


How many Veterans receive their monetary benefits on prepaid cards or paper checks?


Are AMBA or Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) financial institutions the only ones that can offer direct deposit for VA monetary benefits?


What if I already have a bank account and want to set up direct deposit for my VA monetary benefits?


How do VBBP participating bank or credit union services compare to what other banks and credit unions offer?


Are VBBP participating banks insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and are VBBP participating credit unions insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)?


What banks or credit unions can I work with?


What is the process for finding a VBBP bank or credit union?


How do I apply for an account with a VBBP participating bank or credit union?


What if I had issues in the past applying for an account?


What is AMBA and why is the VA working with AMBA?


How does AMBA assist Veterans and other beneficiaries?


Can AMBA assist with the fraud prevention and recovery?


Are banks and credit unions participating in the VBBP located in communities where most Veterans live?


What does obtaining a bank or a credit union account get me and does it come with financial advice?


How is VBBP more than just a website that lists financial institutions?


What is financial counseling? How does the VBBP help me find a financial counselor?


What is credit counseling? How does the VBBP help me find a credit counselor?


What other financial education programs are available through the VBBP?


How does the VA oversee AMBA and affiliated banks to ensure Veterans are receiving appropriate service?


Who can I talk to at VA if I have any questions?


How do I contact a VBBP participating bank or credit union?


Disclaimer of Hyperlinks: The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department and the VA website.