The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has warned it will demand compensation awards from businesses for non-financial errors if they are deemed to have failed vulnerable clients by "rigidly applying rules".
The FOS will look at how firms have responded to their clients' personal needs when handling complaints and will take into consideration the "non-financial impact of a business' error" when awarding compensation, it said in a newsletter out on 18 August. Complaints are often made worse by firms rigidly applying their rules when dealing with vulnerable clients instead of responding to their personal circumstances, the FOS said. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has also come across problems in the way firms deal with clients in difficult circumstances. Its main gripe, it said in...
To continue reading this article...
Join Professional Adviser for free
- Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
- Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
- Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
- Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
- Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
- Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes