FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

At a time when defense downsizing and career uncertainty is driving financial worries in Americas military families, men and women in uniform are putting their trust in financial planners.

Recent survey findings from the First Command Financial Behaviors Index reveal that 86 percent of middle-class military families (senior NCOs and commissioned officers in pay grades E-6 and above with household incomes of at least $50,000)who work with a financial planner say they trust their planner. Servicemembers say planners are earning that trust through the personalized care they are providing during this time of change.

Through personalized advice and knowledgeable service, financial planners are delivering a sense of security to military professionals in a challenging environment, said Scott Spiker, CEO of First Command. The professional advice and service offered by planners generates important economic and emotional support. The high degree of trust revealed in our survey results underscores the profound value that financial planners bring to the lives of servicemembers and their families.

Servicemembers who trust their own personal financial planner attribute that feeling to a variety of factors, including:

The Index reveals 37 percent of middle-class military families have a financial planner, and more servicemembers may soon join them. Among survey respondents without a financial planner one in five say they are likely to engage with one in 2012. Many servicemembers will likely turn to friends and family for help in the decision-making process; 45 percent of respondents who work with a financial planner based their hiring decision on a recommendation.

Consumers are looking to put their trust in a professional, someone who is willing to listen and is committed to providing honest guidance and patient advice, Spiker said. What they want is a financial coach who will help them in their pursuit of financial security and success.

About the First Command Financial Behaviors Index

Compiled by Sentient Decision Science, Inc., the First Command Financial Behaviors Index assesses trends among the American publics financial behaviors, attitudes and intentions through a monthly survey of approximately 530 U.S. consumers aged 25 to 70 with annual household incomes of at least $50,000. Results are reported quarterly. The margin of error is +/- 4.3 percent with a 95 percent level of confidence. http://www.firstcommand.com/research

About Sentient Decision Science, Inc.

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Financial Planners Earning Trust of Military Families, First Command Reports