BCBS association opens HSA-oriented bank

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has decided to enter the national healthcare banking business, angling for the dollars flowing into health savings account portion of their members' CDHPs. Blue Healthcare Bank, which has just gotten a federal savings bank charter, will be owned by 33 Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. Between 12 and 15 of the Blues should begin offering HSAs by the end of this year, according to Blue Healthcare Bank CEO Robert Gross. The bank already offers local services to Blue plans in Arkansas, Idaho, Michigan and South Carolina, but is now hoping to attract HSA deposits of $500 million or more nationwide within three years. In starting such a bank, the association follows in the footsteps of UnitedHealth Group, whose Exante Bank holds more than $300 million in HSA deposits.

For more information on the association's plans:
- read this Kansas City Business Journal article
- see the press release from the BCBS association

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