If you’ve heard us rave about USAA’s stellar financial services but grown sad when you learned that it’s only available for military-members and their family, have heart: you can get still get access to some of their services like banking and checking.

You can apply online at USAA.com or over the phone at 1-800-531-USAA. Unfortunately, cool features like depositing checks via iPhone or scanner are only available for full-fledged USAA members. Fortunately, however, cool features like the best customer service in the business are open to all.

You also get free checks and up to $15 in ATM fees/month covered. To apply for online banking, all it takes is a $25 initial deposit. Here is the list of USAA products available for non-military members:

USAA’s investment products, most bank deposit products, life insurance, and shopping and discounts are available to other individuals. While auto and property insurance policies are not available due to membership eligibility requirements, we can still help. USAA’s General Agency has a 20-year relationship with Progressive Insurance.
The following products are available to other individuals:

Insurance –
Life insurance
Auto insurance not available through USAA. Please call 1-888-870-8096.
Property insurance not available through USAA.

Banking-
Checking
Teen Checking
Savings
College Checking
Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
CD IRAs
Youth Savings
Prepaid Card

Investments – All products
Shopping and Discounts – All products

Former Consumerist and decidely non-military affiliate Carey Greenberg-Berger got himself a USAA account this way and loves it. He flashed his card at me recently like it a rare hologram collectible trading card – because we’re just consumer nerds like that.

Become a Member [USAA] (Photo: jeku arce)

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