The University of Wisconsin’s Center for Financial Security developed the Financial Capability Scale (FCS) with the support and Annie E. Casey Foundation in 2011 with the goal of developing a standardized client financial capability scale that could be used in the field with clients as well as in evaluation studies. In 2013, the Center conducted field testing to establish the reliability and validity of the scale. The FCS has been shown to be associated with credit use, credit scores, savings and financial attitudes. Although designed for financial coaching, the FCS can be applied to other financial capability services and programs.

Users may make small changes to the scale items as needed, including the reference period for questions (3 months in the most recent versions). These types of minor changes generally will not degrade the validity of the scale.