When dealing with a vulnerable customer who is partially blind, what is the adviser’s obligation?

When dealing with a vulnerable customer who is partially blind, what is the adviser’s obligation?

• A. Provide assistance to facilitate her dealings.
• B. Recommend only risk-free investments.
• C. Provide only generic investment advice.
• D. Wait 14 working days after a written recommendation before acting.

Answer: (A)

The obligation is to provide assistance to facilitate her dealings. When a customer has a vulnerability like partial blindness, the adviser must take practical steps to help her access information, understand options, and participate in the decision-making process. This can include presenting information in accessible formats, reading documents aloud, offering to complete forms, and allowing extra time or the help of a trusted person with the customer’s consent. The goal is to enable fair treatment and informed choices, ensuring she isn’t disadvantaged by her disability. This isn’t about offering only risk-free investments or generic advice, or delaying action. Those approaches would fail to address the customer’s actual needs or the duty to support her in making informed financial decisions.

The obligation is to provide assistance to facilitate her dealings. When a customer has a vulnerability like partial blindness, the adviser must take practical steps to help her access information, understand options, and participate in the decision-making process. This can include presenting information in accessible formats, reading documents aloud, offering to complete forms, and allowing extra time or the help of a trusted person with the customer’s consent. The goal is to enable fair treatment and informed choices, ensuring she isn’t disadvantaged by her disability.

This isn’t about offering only risk-free investments or generic advice, or delaying action. Those approaches would fail to address the customer’s actual needs or the duty to support her in making informed financial decisions.