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January 16, 2018 at 07:52 AM
Three out of four U.S. consumers in a survey who worked with a financial advisor said they were more confident in their financial future as a result of the relationship, Million Dollar Round Table reported Tuesday.
MDRT, a global association of life insurance and financial services professionals, reported that 87% of survey participants had at least some trust in financial professionals and 53% had a moderate amount or great deal of trust.
Harris Poll conducted the online survey in August among 2,065 U.S. adults, including 754 who currently worked with a financial advisor, 263 millennials who did not work with a financial professional and 106 millennials who currently did so.
Asked what would make an advisor more trustworthy to them, 56% cited communication on a personal level. Fifty-four percent said they looked at years of work experience, and 35% membership in industry associations.
The vast majority of poll participants said they would have no gender preference if they were to hire a financial professional. Only a fifth said they would prefer to work with an older professional.
Some said they considered a dedication to social responsibility and contributions to local communities important. Twenty-six percent of millennials said they were more inclined to trust professionals who volunteer and are involved at the local level, compared with 14% of respondents 45 and older who said this.
“Consumers should seek advisors who match their personal values and preferences for communication style, experience level and association involvement,” MDRT’s president James Pittman said in a statement. “These factors will help develop a long-term professional and personal connection to set yourself up for success.”
