USAA (United Services Automobile Association)

Insurance and financial services company founded in 1922 by 25 Army officers, serving exclusively U.S. military members, veterans, and their families. USAA exemplifies badge signaling - membership restriction creates a conventional signal whose meaning is socially enforced through verification rather than production cost.

The membership badge activates military community identity and in-group loyalty, resulting in exceptional customer metrics. USAA's visual signaling extends through simplified military-aesthetic branding, service training that recognizes military context, and product names explicitly signaling who they serve. The badge signal works because it's backed by service substance tailored to military needs.