Need a Parent Loan? Hit Dad Up First

The study targets baby boomer parents and their adult children (and in some cases, their elderly parents, as well).

Ameriprise notes that a whopping 93% of boomers have given money to their adult children, and the gender differences come into play almost immediately. That's especially true of big-ticket purchases such as a car or a request from a son or daughter with help on paying off a fat credit card bill.

From the study:

• By 58% to 48%, dads are more likely than moms to help out with a car purchase.
• By 42% to 32%, dads are more likely to co-sign a lease or a loan.
• By 51% to 43%, fathers are more likely than mothers to have their child's car insurance.
• By 37% to 29%, dads were more likely than moms to have made a car payment for their kids.

Why are mothers slower on the draw? Ameriprise says moms want to have a conversation about money, and generally won't come across with the dough until that discussion happens.

The survey says that, by 54% to 46%, boomer moms are more likely than dads to need to talk it over before cutting a check to an adult child. That's also true of the adult daughters surveyed -- they say they follow their mother's lead more than their brothers do when handling family financial issues.