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AARP Recognizes 190 Financial Organizations for Their Role in Fighting Financial Exploitation
Today, AARP announced that 190 banks, credit unions and financial advisory firms nationwide have earned the 2026 BankSafe Trained Seal in recognition of the steps they’ve taken to curb financial exploitation of older adults.
WASHINGTON—Today, AARP announced that 190 banks, credit unions and financial advisory firms nationwide have earned the 2026 BankSafe Trained Seal in recognition of the steps they’ve taken to curb financial exploitation of older adults. A list of the financial organizations that received the 2026 BankSafe Trained Seal can be found here.
“AARP BankSafe continues to serve as a valuable resource for financial organizations and frontline staff across the country,” said Jilenne Gunther, National Director of AARP’s BankSafe Initiative. “This training is just one of the many ways that BankSafe drives the financial industry to prevent exploitation and build stronger corporate policies that protect older adults.”
AARP BankSafe includes a free online platform developed in collaboration with more than 2,000 industry professionals to learn how to spot and stop financial exploitation. It helps safeguard consumer assets by preventing financial exploitation, empowering financial caregivers, helping those with dementia and making the banking environment easier to access.
To earn the esteemed seal, organizations must ensure at least 80% of their frontline staff complete AARP’s comprehensive BankSafe training annually, alongside confirming they have a policy to report financial exploitation. Eligibility for the seal also requires a positive standing in Better Business Bureau ratings and adherence to specific legal and regulatory standards.
The BankSafe Trained Seal is not a product or service endorsement but indicates that a financial institution’s frontline employees have been substantially trained in financial exploitation prevention. Training courses for each respective industry are available at no cost to banks, credit unions and financial advisors in the United States.
Based on a Virginia Tech study, it is estimated that BankSafe-trained employees save consumers 12 times more than frontline workers who don’t complete the training. BankSafe saved an estimated $133 million in 2025, based on external, self-reported consumer account data and Virginia Tech’s 2019 study of the BankSafe training, which measured the average losses prevented when trained employees recognized and intervened to stop financial exploitation.
More information about AARP’s BankSafe trainings and resources, including how to sign up for the training, can be found at aarp.org/banksafe.
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About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the 125 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest-circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPLatino and @AARPadvocates on social media.
Media Contact: Emily Pickren, epickren@aarp.org