Regulatory

Supporting vulnerable customers

Life events, health and financial pressure can affect anyone. We are committed to recognising vulnerability and adapting our advice so every client receives a fair outcome.

Our commitment

In line with the FCA’s guidance on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers (FG21/1) and the Consumer Duty, we design our advice process to work for people in a wide range of circumstances. Every adviser is trained to recognise the signs of vulnerability, respond with empathy, and adapt what we do so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

What vulnerability can look like

The FCA identifies four drivers of vulnerability. They are not labels — they describe circumstances that may be temporary, fluctuating or long-term.

01

Health

Physical or mental health conditions, cognitive impairment, addiction, or long-term illness that affect the ability to engage with financial decisions.
02

Life events

Bereavement, divorce or separation, redundancy, relationship breakdown, or caring responsibilities that change financial circumstances quickly.
03

Resilience

Low financial or emotional capacity to withstand shocks — reduced savings buffers, income volatility, or dependence on a single earner.
04

Capability

Limited knowledge or confidence with financial products, poor numeracy or literacy, or restricted digital access.

How we adapt our advice

Practical adjustments we make as standard, at any point in the process and for as long as you need them.

  1. 01

    Time and pace

    Extra time on calls and meetings, with no pressure to decide. We are happy to revisit anything as often as you need.

  2. 02

    Plain language

    No jargon. We explain each step in everyday terms and check understanding before moving on.

  3. 03

    A trusted third party

    With your consent, we can involve a family member, friend or attorney in conversations and correspondence.

  4. 04

    Your choice of channel

    Phone, email, post or video — whichever works best for you, including larger print on request.

  5. 05

    Preferences on record

    We record what you tell us securely and revisit it at each interaction, so you never have to repeat yourself.

  6. 06

    Specialist signposting

    Where needs fall outside our advice, we point you to free, independent specialist support.

Tell us what you need

If something is affecting your ability to engage with the mortgage process — whether that is bereavement, illness, a change at work, or simply a preference for how we communicate — please tell us at any point. Nothing you share will affect the advice you receive; it helps us tailor it. Your preferences are recorded securely, treated in confidence, and reviewed each time we speak.

Useful contacts

The following organisations offer free, independent support that may complement our advice.

At a glance

Policy owner
Geoffrey Arnold, Compliance Officer (SMF16)
Complaints Officer
Ian Arnold
Scope
all regulated mortgage and protection clients
Training
all advisers trained on vulnerability awareness
Need to raise a concern?
Contact our Complaints Officer, Ian Arnold, via our complaints procedure.
Last reviewed
26 July 2026, and at least every 12 months

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