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.