Characteristics of Trust in Personal Financial Planning^*

This Australian study utilises quantitative and qualitative research planning. Affective characteristics of trust were found to be essential to the client-adviser relationship. Increased legislation and specific behavioural and technical competencies of advisers were also found to build consumer trust in financial advice. The study’s results provide guidance to financial advisers with regards to the skills and factors that build and maintain trust with clients. This may lead some advisers to engage in additional training or education programs to improve specific skills, or to reconsider the way they interact with clients.