VA program offers veterans access to banking services
Charles S. Tapp II
February 11
Packs of freshly printed $20 bills are processed for bundling and packaging at the U.S. Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington on July 20, 2018. (Eva Hambach/AFP via Getty Images)
As chief financial officer at the Veterans Benefits Administration, I am responsible for ensuring veterans and their beneficiaries receive the monetary benefits they deserve. While most veterans opt to receive benefits through direct deposit — which is faster, safer and cheaper than getting a paper check in the mail — we noticed a significant number of veterans did not have bank accounts and were still receiving checks or prepaid debit cards.