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In Practice November 11, 2013
Program Transitions Military to Finance
Edward Jones created FORCES last year to provide training and a compensation package to smooth the transition to a financial services career for veterans.
Reported by Jill Cornfield
The program has been a success on two fronts. Not only does the initiative offer professional careers to military veterans transitioning to civilian life, but it has also been an effective way to recruit skilled, effective financial advisers. Edward Jones research has found that individual investors are drawn to financial advisers with military experience based on transferable characteristics such as discipline (77%), goal-orientation (73%) and integrity (72%).
Slightly more than one in ten of Edward Jones financial advisers (11%) has military experience. The program is designed specifically for people without a financial services background but who have the skills and competencies the firm looks for.
“Edward Jones has a long legacy of hiring military veterans and honoring their service to the country—it’s not just viewed as a corporate initiative, but as a business imperative,” said Jim Weddle, managing partner of Edward Jones. “The competencies and skill sets embraced in the military not only align with, but greatly complement, those needed to be a successful financial adviser.”
More information about FORCES is available at the Edward Jones website.