The Index climbed six points during the second quarter to reach 90, just ten points below its benchmark and the highest quarterly finish of the past 12 months. This was the second consecutive increase for the Index, a promising upward development in 2009 that is in sharp contrast to the steadily declining results experienced during the deteriorating economic conditions of 2008.

“With the savings rate on the rise and home sales showing signs of improvement, the recent surge in the First Command Financial Behaviors Index is an understandable and promising development,” said Scott Spiker, CEO of First Command Financial Services, Inc. “Americans are turning away from unchecked consumerism and embracing the traditional values of personal responsibility and self-reliance. While this new frugality may seem like a short-term negative for the retail economy, it will help us build a genuinely healthy economy that is strong enough to address long-term problems like the Medicare and Social Security deficits. We must be prepared to take care of ourselves by spending and saving wisely.”