Living in San Antonio, where many soldiers reside, you often come across a name throughout the city.

That name is USAA (United Services Automobile Association), which is deeply embedded in the economy and culture of San Antonio.

USAA dates back to 1922. It began when 25 military officers gathered to solve the problem of "where can we get auto insurance?" At that time, civilian insurance companies were reluctant to insure soldiers, viewing them as a 'high-risk group.' These officers came together to create an auto insurance organization for each other. Over time, it grew in scale and evolved into the large financial institution known as USAA today.

Today, USAA is not just an auto insurance provider. It is a multi-financial group offering comprehensive financial services, including insurance, banking, investment, and financial advice. However, a unique aspect is that only those with military service experience and their families can become members.

The primary targets are active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and their spouses and children. This limitation helps maintain a unique identity as 'customized financial services for military members and their families.'

The relationship with San Antonio is even more interesting. USAA's headquarters is located in this city, and its scale is enormous.

The headquarters complex, located northwest of San Antonio, is designed like a small campus and is considered one of the largest corporate headquarters buildings in the United States. It employs tens of thousands of staff and is recognized as one of the largest employers in the San Antonio area. Naturally, its impact on the local economy is significant. It invigorates the local business community, and many families have established stable living conditions thanks to USAA.

Looking more closely at what USAA does, the most basic service is insurance.

While it offers auto, home, and life insurance similar to regular insurance companies, it provides products tailored to the unique situations of military members and their families. For example, when deployed overseas, they may defer auto or home insurance for a certain period or adjust it under special conditions.

The second service is banking. USAA Bank offers services such as debit cards, credit cards, loans, and mortgages.

Especially since military personnel often work across the U.S. or overseas, online and mobile banking services have developed well from early on. The convenience of ATM fee reimbursement is also quite high.

The third area is investment and asset management. Military families also need to prepare for retirement and grow their assets over the long term. USAA provides funds, stocks, and retirement products while offering financial advice. It tends to emphasize stability, making it well-suited for clients with a conservative investment approach.

Finally, an important aspect is the member-centric culture. USAA is not a typical stock company but operates as a 'mutual company,' returning profits to members rather than shareholders. Therefore, it often pays annual insurance premium rebates or reinvests in service improvements. This structure leads to very high member loyalty, and USAA consistently ranks high in customer satisfaction surveys.

For the citizens of San Antonio, USAA is not just a large corporation. It plays a crucial role in the city's economy while also being a cultural symbol that respects military members and their families. San Antonio itself has a strong military city character, with several military bases nearby and many military families residing there. In this context, USAA can be seen as an entity closely connected to the regional identity.

Ultimately, the relationship between San Antonio and USAA is a partnership that has grown together, influencing each other. USAA has established itself as a trusted financial partner for military families, while San Antonio has supported the company's growth as its home base, simultaneously reaping significant benefits for the local economy.

Even now, countless citizens of San Antonio pass by the USAA campus on their commutes, encountering this company in their daily lives. For some, it is a workplace, and for others, it is a financial institution responsible for their family finances. This is why USAA cannot be overlooked when discussing the city of San Antonio.