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This paper shows that trust-building characteristics of fund managers affect purchase decisions of mutual fund investors. We exploit variation in fund managers' prior affiliations with the U.S. military, a well-trusted institution, and relate it to fund flows. Funds with ex-military managers receive significantly higher flows and have a 6.5% faster annual growth rate relative to other funds. Investor inclination toward these managers strengthens with their military involvement and its salience and with nationwide confidence in the military. Military managers' superiority in competition for investor funds is not due to variation in fund or managerial attributes and is robust to alternative explanations.