Wells Fargo Study Finds Veterans Report Greater Career Satisfaction, Financial Confidence and Optimism About AI

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 5, 2026--

A new Wells Fargo survey, conducted by Morning Consult, finds veteran respondents report stronger outcomes than non-veterans across career satisfaction, financial confidence and readiness for an AI-enabled workplace. The research also identifies a continuing challenge: nearly half of veterans say the transition from military to civilian life was difficult.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261105599985/en/

Of those surveyed, veterans are more likely than non-veterans to be very satisfied with their career progress (44% vs. 32%), very confident about achieving financial security and peace of mind (35% vs. 21%), and optimistic about how AI will affect their future (58% vs. 46%).

“Veterans bring resilience, leadership and adaptability that continue to create value long after military service ends,” said Sean Passmore, Head of Enterprise Military and Veteran Initiatives, Neurodiversity, and Disability Employment Strategy for Wells Fargo. “Our research shows veterans report strong career satisfaction and financial confidence and view themselves as ready to embrace emerging technology. At the same time, the findings reinforce the important role employers can play in helping veterans translate their military experience into meaningful civilian careers.”

Veterans report stronger career progress

Veteran respondents report greater satisfaction with their careers and place more emphasis on leadership and mentorship:

At the same time, veterans are more likely to report difficulty of past experiences translating into civilian job qualifications (16% vs. 7%), pointing to an opportunity for employers to strengthen skills-based hiring and veteran career pathways.

Veterans show greater financial confidence

Among those who consider each part of financial success, veterans surveyed report greater confidence in achieving several financial goals:

Veterans are more optimistic about AI

Veterans also report greater optimism and confidence related to artificial intelligence and workplace technology:

And among employed respondents:

Employers have an opportunity to support veteran talent

Nearly half of surveyed veterans (49%) say their transition from military to civilian life was difficult. Veterans who experienced a difficult transition report lower career satisfaction, less financial confidence and greater concern about job security than veterans whose transitions were easier.

Veterans also identified employer practices that influence where they choose to work, either a great deal or a fair amount:

Competitive pay and purpose both matter: 59% of veteran respondents say competitive pay is very important when selecting an employer, while 53% say they would accept lower pay for work that feels more meaningful.

Wells Fargo's commitment to veterans

For more than 170 years, Wells Fargo has supported veterans, service members and military families, with a continued focus on helping military-connected individuals successfully navigate life’s transitions. Today, that commitment includes creating pathways to meaningful careers, providing financial education and resources, investing in workforce development and supporting programs that help veterans translate their military experience into civilian opportunities and prepare for the future of work.

About the survey

This survey was conducted online by Morning Consult from October 1 to 11, 2026, among a total of 4,000 U.S. adults from the general public ages 18-65: 2,000 veterans and 2,000 non-veterans. Results are weighted by gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, region, and employment status to reflect a representative sample of each respective audience. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points. Differences cited are statistically significant at the 95% confidence level.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $2.3 trillion in assets. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 38 on Fortune's 2026 rankings of America's largest corporations. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellsfargo

News Release Category: WF-V

Wells Fargo survey graphic showing 82% of veterans say support programs for veterans and military spouses influence where they choose to work. A graphic of two people represents workplace support. Wells Fargo logo appears in the lower right.

Wells Fargo survey graphic showing 58% of veterans are optimistic about how AI will affect their future, compared with 46% of non-veterans. A computer monitor represents technology and AI. Wells Fargo logo appears in the lower right.

Wells Fargo survey graphic showing 35% of veterans are very confident about achieving financial security and peace of mind, compared with 21% of non-veterans. Stacked coins and a dollar symbol represent financial security. Wells Fargo logo appears in the lower right.

Wells Fargo survey graphic showing 44% of veterans are very satisfied with their career progress, compared with 32% of non-veterans. An upward-pointing arrow illustrates career progress. Wells Fargo logo appears in the lower right.

Wells Fargo Military Veterans Survey graphic featuring two uniformed U.S. military service members walking outside a Wells Fargo location. The survey highlights career satisfaction, financial confidence, artificial intelligence and employer support. The online survey, conducted by Morning Consult Oct. 1–11, 2026, included 4,000 U.S. adults: 2,000 veterans and 2,000 non-veterans.

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Thursday he won’t play for Portugal anymore, ending a career that spanned six World Cups and included a European title and the men’s all-time international scoring record.

The announcement marked the end of a lauded career that began more than two decades ago before Euro 2004 and finished with him walking out on the national team after falling out with coach Jorge Jesus.

"To the Portuguese people, the day has come for me to hand back the No. 7 shirt of our national team,” the 41-year-old Ronaldo said in a long video message on social media. "I never felt it belonged to me alone but for 23 years I had the privilege and the responsibility of wearing it, defending it and carrying it with me into stadiums all around the world.

“Today the time has come to pass it on to the future. It was not an easy decision because some decisions are not made with the mind alone. They are also made with the heart. A journey that began in August 2003 and changed my life forever has come to an end.”

While long-time peer Lionel Messi finished his career with Argentina after a much anticipated farewell match last month, Ronaldo’s final appearance with Portugal has ended up being on Sept. 24 in a 1-0 win over Wales in the Nations League.

Jesus kept him on the bench for the following match and said he didn’t plan to start him in the next one, so Ronaldo decided to leave the team’s training camp. Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcome back and the decision to return was up to him.

The Portuguese soccer federation released a statement expressing “deep gratitude and immense admiration” for Ronaldo’s service to the country.

“Cristiano Ronaldo has raised Portugal’s profile and inspired generations of young people who dream of following in his footsteps; for many of us, he is the greatest player of all time!” the federation said.

It said it intends to organize a tribute to Ronaldo “in which the fans and the country can one more time applaud and celebrate a player who has given us so much.”

Like Messi, Ronaldo will keep playing at club level, and is expected to finish his club career at the end of this season with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

He is in pursuit of his 1,000th career goal and sits on 985. Of those, a record 146 goals came in 234 appearances with Portugal.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

FILE - Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures after having a goal disallowed by the VAR during the Nations League soccer match between Portugal and Wales in Lisbon, on Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, File)