The FCA is taking immediate action on customer vulnerability; but how does this impact advisers?

Published On : 07/06/2022

By Jonathan Barrett, CEO and Co-Founder at Comentis

Just recently new guidance has been issued by the FCA, alongside an open Dear CEO letter explaining that it will no longer wait for Customer Duty to take effect before taking action to improve customer outcomes when it comes to vulnerability. Seldom have we seen the FCA act so urgently. That being said, it’s plain to see what’s prompted this change. Last week’s communications from the FCA feature discussion of how more than 80% of adults reported an increase in their cost of living during March 2022, and how 27% of the population is suffering with low financial resilience.

Certainly the FCA’s direction of travel on vulnerable customers has been clear for some time, but the pressure caused by current inflation and the so called ‘cost-of-living crisis’ has brought the urgency of implementation into sharp focus due to last week’s FCA communications to lenders.

While many firms are eager to be there for their vulnerable clients, there are plenty for whom this announcement will cause concern, not least due to the immediacy of the communication. The guidance has made clear that identifying and supporting vulnerable customers’ needs to be as systematic as it is consistent, and it needs to be done quickly, too. But, of course, even identifying who is at risk in the first place can be difficult. And then there’s the question of the various processes that need to be in place. Which systems should you choose? How can you ensure that every eventuality is covered? How can one ensure consistency?

If firms are struggling, we urge them not to panic. Help is out there, but they must not delay to seek that help as changes do need to be made and quickly.

First, advisers should identify whether any vulnerabilities exist. The FCA describes a vulnerable person as somebody whose circumstances make them “especially susceptible to harm – particularly when a firm is not acting with appropriate levels of care”. It also outlines four key drivers for advisers to consider, namely, health, life events, resilience and capability.

These signs can be difficult to spot, especially when clients either hide their situation or don’t believe they’re financially vulnerable. This is particularly true for the more cognitive based triggers, resilience and capability. Likewise, what one adviser deems vulnerable might not be considered the same by another. But with the right tech and processes, a truly objective process can be achieved.

Then they must understand the link between the driver and the creation of a vulnerability. What’s imperative here is assessing the extent to which each driver impacts that person’s circumstances. In other words: which factors are making a tangible difference? The impact of the driver (or drivers) needs to be fully understood for the appropriate support to be adopted. What we have seen through the assessments carried out on our platform is that there are often a number of impacts to a single driver. For example, where bereavement is the driver, we are seeing multiple vulnerabilities identified, and these vary from person to person. What is clear is that one approach to bereavement for example, is unlikely to offer the right levels of support another client. It is really important to understand how the circumstance is affecting the individual and then support accordingly.

Finally, they will need to identify the optimum response pathway. They should ask: what is the temporal nature of the situation? A customer might only be at risk temporarily – perhaps they’re between jobs or have suffered a breakdown of their relationship. Others might be permanently at risk (for example, suffering from a terminal injury or condition), while some could be experiencing fluctuating fortunes dependant on a wide range of circumstances.

They will also need to determine where the vulnerability is rooted. The factors could be individual (personal health circumstances), environmental (redundancy), institutional (use of jargon, selective communication channels) or even a mixture of all of these.

Once advisers understand the situation, they can identify appropriate responses. For example, if a financial adviser discovers that their customer is hard of hearing, and a company they deal with only communicates with them over the phone, it’s likely they’re dealing with a permanent presentation that stems from an institutional root. The solution would be to change the way the institution engages with the customer – email or live chat, for instance, would be an easier way to communicate. This is one of countless potential scenarios, of course, and there are many many more.

The underlying message, however, in light of last week’s announcement from the FCA, is that firms must not approach this half-heartedly. There’s no scope to simply paper over the cracks here. A long-term solution is required; and indeed, one that will hold up to regulatory scrutiny.

There’s no doubt about it, identifying vulnerable customers can be daunting for firms. But help is available. Technologically driven assessment tools exist that can help to identify financially vulnerable customers and get the right systems in place to ensure consistency across a whole client base. For instance, our platform at Comentis combines clinical expertise from mental health experts and psychologists with hard data, to present a fact-based assessment of individuals and their circumstances, as well as how a vulnerable circumstance is likely to impact the client, removing the subjectivity from the process. Given what we have discussed above, arguably clinical led solutions are the only way to assure that all the vulnerability drivers are in scope, thereby giving firms reassurance that their systems and controls will be adequate to meet the scrutiny of regulatory requirements.

In the long run, this process will benefit everyone; clients and firms alike. If you’re struggling, or if you know that you need to bring in additional expertise, don’t delay. This needs to be done properly. And as of last week, it needs to be done now.

Jessica Weisman-Pitts

Jesse Pitts has been with the Global Banking & Finance Review since 2016, serving in various capacities, including Graphic Designer, Content Publisher, and Editorial Assistant. As the sole graphic designer for the company, Jesse plays a crucial role in shaping the visual identity of Global Banking & Finance Review. Additionally, Jesse manages the publishing of content across multiple platforms, including Global Banking & Finance Review, Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune.