CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It's not the typical career path of a Black Hawk helicopter pilot to end up leading the Wells Fargo trading floor.

• Several financial institutions say they are committed to hiring more veterans
• The veteran unemployment rate is near a record low, according to HUD
• 1,300 new veterans and family members join civilian life each day

Frank Van Buren served six years in the U.S. Army before taking on his role directing trades for major hedge funds and mutual funds.

“So everything can change by day-to-day, minute-by-minute information,” Van Buren said.

He says he's not that different from many veterans.

“There are a quarter of a million veterans transitioning every year,” Van Buren said. “And they are an excellent source of talent.”

Only eight years ago, veteran unemployment was three times higher than today, at 8.7 percent. The veteran homeless rate was almost double today's numbers.

Over the last decade, Bank of America committed to hiring 10,000 veterans over several years. TIAA established an employee resource group for military employees. Wells Fargo has committed to employing 20,000 veterans by 2020.

Today, the veteran unemployment rate is at near record lows, at 2.9 percent. Veteran homelessness dropped 5.4 percent in the last year, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

But with 1,300 new veterans and family members joining civilian life every day, Van Buren says businesses still need to be ready to help, and benefit from, veterans.

"Finding an organization that will really focus on being larger than an individual perspective,” Van Buren said.