2 days Ago By Lauren Towner
Just 4-in-10 vulnerable customers say they have disclosed their needs to their financial services provider, new research from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) shows.However, those that do open up tend to have better experiences. Three quarters of vulnerable customers who told their firm about their circumstances (74%) said that staff asked the right questions to understand their situation, 6 in 10 (57%) said their firm ‘cared’, and (58%) said their firm took action to provide support they needed.
Anyone can become vulnerable due to health, life events, ability to withstand financial or emotional shocks, or because of poor financial or digital literacy.The research finds that vulnerable customers are more likely to report a negative experience with financial services firms, such as their bank or insurer, when compared to non-vulnerable customers. The FCA issued guidance to help financial services firms support consumers in vulnerable circumstances in 2021 and introduced the Consumer Duty in 2023, which requires firms to deliver good outcomes for all customers, including those in vulnerable circumstances.
The FCA has today published a review and good and poor practice examples to further help firms provide the right care consistent with the Consumer Duty.Sarah Pritchard, Executive Director, Competition, Markets and International said: “It can be hard to tell your bank or insurer about your specific needs but those who ask for help tend to feel more supported. We’ve seen good examples where financial firms are making a difference for vulnerable customers, but we know that vulnerable people report more negative experiences than others.
“We want firms to build on the good work identified, to help people open up and make sure they get the support they may need.”The post Vulnerable Customers Encouraged to Open Up to Financial Services Firms to Get the Right Support appeared first on FF News | Fintech Finance..
