An independent survey of the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians’ pilot program for debit cards revealed an overall satisfaction rating of 77 percent among users. OST began enrolling beneficiaries into the pilot program in December 2007 and expanded the program to nationwide coverage in September 2008. As of Dec. 31, 2008, OST had distributed more than $3 million of trust funds through debit cards to Indian trust beneficiaries. 

“We are reaching our target population,” said Special Trustee Ross Swimmer. “Ninety-five percent of the beneficiaries who signed up during the program pilot were receiving disbursements by paper checks before switching to the debit card option.”

OST offered the debit card option as a safer and more convenient way for Indian trust beneficiaries to receive trust income. Sixty-six percent of those who signed up for the program during the pilot did not have bank accounts. Receiving disbursements by check typically meant they incurred check-cashing fees.

An analysis of the survey of users who signed up during the pilot showed the following:

• 82 percent were “extremely” or “very” satisfied with the enrollment process. (This includes 72 percent extremely satisfied and 10 percent very satisfied —  the top two of five categories.)
• 77 percent were “extremely” or “very” satisfied with the overall program. (This includes 64 percent extremely satisfied and 13 percent very satisfied —  the top two of five categories.)
• 78 percent would recommend the program to others.  (This includes 66 percent who would “definitely” recommend and 12 percent who would “probably” recommend the program to others; the top two of five categories.)
• 71 percent reported zero problems using the card  

JP Morgan Chase Bank, who provides the debit card service to OST beneficiaries, arranged for an outside contractor to conduct the survey.

Beneficiaries can enroll in the debit card program at OST field office locations through their Fiduciary Trust Officers or through OST’s Trust Beneficiary Call Center (1-888-678-6836). The call center has trained operators who have access to various trust systems and is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon, Mountain Time.