DoD Announces New Community Banking Program

The Defense Department is arranging to use unique DoD identification numbers on checks and automated teller machine cards instead of checks and automatic teller machine cards provided by the banking program contractor.

Overseas customers will soon receive checks and ATM cards bearing the name "Community Bank." Defense officials said this new arrangement will eliminate the need to change payroll information and reissue checks and ATM cards each time DoD selects a new contractor.

The Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller) administers the overseas military banking program. The program provides banking and other financial services for defense personnel and their families assigned outside the United States. NationsBank of San Antonio, Texas, is the current contractor and will continue under the Community Bank concept.

With these new arrangements, defense personnel can bank at any of 118 overseas facilities. Banks are in Germany, Holland, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Panama, South Korea, Diego Garcia and Japan, including Okinawa.

Officials expect to issue new Community Bank checks and ATM cards to customers in Germany, the United Kingdom, Iceland and Holland in November. Customers should continue using their old checks and ATM cards until they receive new ones. Customers in the remaining locations will receive checks and ATM cards at a later date.

Officials said they expect banking to be more efficient and cost effective than in the past. They also said they hope the changes maintain a highquality standard and provide a significant benefit to American military personnel and their families stationed overseas.

(From a DoD Release)