a. It has more sense and better operating standards than Citibank???

b. Unless there's been a change, soldiers are required to first approach the American Red Cross if financial help is required. If the ARC declines and if the the solider demonstrates potential hardship for which he essentially is not totally responsible as opposed to merely needing or wanting some money, the AER will then generally lend him the minimum amount to get by. They do not do debt service or counseling, the Army itself does that. Been my observation that about a third of troops get money from the ARC, another third get if from AER and the remaining third could not satisfy either the chain of command, the ARC or AER there was a need and they were not at fault.

NOTE: For the probably larger number of troops who could not convince the chain of command, ARC or AER, there is a long standing remedy. Drive down the roads leading to any US Armed Forces Post, Camp, Station or Bases. Note the number of Payday Loan shops, Title Loan shops, Pawn Shops, Household Finance Corporation, GAC and similar operations prepared to lend money at usurious rates. Note also that the relative number of such operations has declined over the last 20 years or so due to the fact that Citibank (and others) would give a PFC a $10K or even more credit limit on his credit card (also with usurious rates) even if he already had a car he couldn't afford. That's why Your and my Tax dollars are going to Citibank.

OTOH, AER exercised sensible discretion in lending and AER has some money...