  We discuss the connection between models of fermion masses and mixing
involving a string-motivated flavor/generation U(1)$_A$ gauge symmetry and the
$\mu$ term. We point out that in a certain class of such models the flavor
physics can provide an appealing solution to the $\mu$ problem, naturally
yielding a $\mu \sim O(m_{_W})$. A simple relationship between the $U(1)_A$
charge $q_{H}$ of the $\mu$-term and the average generational $U(1)_A$ charges
of the down quark and leptonic sectors is derived. Finally, we construct an
explicit model illustrating our results.
