SPANISH FORT, Ala. — BP PLC announced Monday the first $3 billion of an eventual $20 billion escrow account has been deposited in a trust to pay legitimate claims stemming from the April 20 Deepwater Horizon incident.

“The purpose of the escrow account was to assure those adversely affected by the spill that we indeed intend to stand behind our commitment to them and to the American taxpayers,” said Bob Dudley, CEO of BP’s Gulf Coast Restoration Organization, in a written statement.

“Establishing this trust and making the initial deposit ahead of schedule further demonstrates our commitment to making it right in the Gulf Coast,” Dudley said.

The oil company announced June 16 it would shift the claims process to an independent claims facility managed by Kenneth Feinberg and create the $20 billion escrow account. At that time, the initial deposit of $3 billion was not expected until the end of the third quarter, or no later than Sept. 30.

According to the details disclosed Monday, an additional $2 billion will be deposited in the fund before the close of the fourth quarter with $1.25 billion deposited quarterly until the total $20 billion has been received.

The company also announced New York-based Citigroup will serve as corporate trustee for the account, and claimants can cash claims checks for free at any of 160 Whitney National Bank locations across the Gulf Coast.

To date, BP has spent $6.1 billion responding to the spill, the company announced Monday.