Edward Jones Named a Most Valuable Employer for Military by CivilianJobs.com

Firm Hired Nearly 500 Military Veterans Through FORCES Training Program over Past Year; Recognized by Numerous Organizations for Veteran Hiring Success

News provided by

Edward Jones

May 15, 2013, 09:00 ET

ST. LOUIS, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As recognition for the firm's efforts in recruiting, training and retaining military veterans, Edward Jones has been named a winner for the 2013 Most Valuable Employers (MVE) for Military® by CivilianJobs.com.

The firm has a history of hiring veterans, and has an existing roster of 1,500 financial advisors with military experience. In advance of Armed Forces Day on May 18, Jones is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its FORCES program, a training and compensation package designed to make the transition to a career in financial services more attractive to veterans. The program has hired 473 military veterans as financial advisors through the FORCES program since its May 2012 launch. More than two hundred of which have completed their regulatory exams and training and are currently financial advisors operating Edward Jones branches.

"We are honored to receive such an important recognition from CivilianJobs.com for the second year in a row," said Jim Weddle, managing partner of Edward Jones. "It is important to us as a firm to attract and retain the 'best of the best' to serve our clients and military veterans represent a large and high-quality applicant pool. This has translated into success for our FORCES program, and with many more veterans in great careers as financial advisors with Edward Jones."

The program has received additional recognition from G.I. Jobs, earning a spot on the 2013 "Military Friendly Employer" list and Military Times EDGE, ranking No. 43 on the 2013 Best for Vets ranking.

"The majority of our veteran hires served in the military for six or more years. Their time spent in the service has provided them with a great foundation for success as a financial advisor, enabling them to develop key strengths such as planning, organizing, decision-making, and the ability to build relationships, all of which are key in serving our clients," said Mark Eberlin, an Edward Jones principle responsible for military talent acquisition.

The FORCES program is structured to satisfy federal requirements for GI Bill benefits, but program participation does not depend on their use and no tuition is charged. Veterans receiving GI Bill benefits are paid directly by the Veterans Administration during the initial six months of employment and training with Edward Jones in addition to their compensation from Edward Jones. G.I. Bill on-the-job training benefits are approved for veteran use as part of FORCES at branches in 10 states, including Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington, and approvals are being sought at other locations.

The program is designed specifically for people without a financial services background, but who possess the skills and qualities that would make a successful Edward Jones advisor. Those eligible for the program include most veterans as well as non-military population holding advanced degrees such as a legal or medical degree or those with an MBA and who have less than 3 years of professional work experience.

To learn more about the program and apply visit: http://www.ejcareer.com/forces/.

For veterans looking to check on their entitlement, please call the VA's Toll Free Number, 1.888.442.4551 and visit its web site, www.gibill.va.gov.

About Edward Jones

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm's business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm's 12,000-plus financial advisors work directly with nearly 7 million clients to understand their personal goals - from college savings to retirement - and create long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward Jones embraces the importance of building long-term, face-to-face relationships with clients, helping them to understand and make sense of the investment solutions available today.

Edward Jones, which ranked No. 8 on FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For 2013," is headquartered in St. Louis. The Edward Jones Web site is located at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting Web site is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Follow on Twitter @EdwardJones. Member SIPC.

SOURCE Edward Jones