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Bank's Responsibility-Diminished Capacity Customer

Question: 
What is the bank's responsibility in regards to customers with diminished capacity? I have an elderly customer with dementia who makes frequent trips to the bank (often multiple times a day) and is in an advanced state of confusion. He often requests to take all of the money from his sizable checking account. While he has every right to his money, we are concerned that he is incapable of managing his finances on his own and is an easy target for criminals. He is walking around with a significant amount of cash in his wallet. While it does not appear that he has been abused financially, he does not have family who is willing to help him out. It is obvious that he no longer needs to be in control of his finances. As his bank, what are our options as far as keeping both the customer and his assets safe?
Answer: 

by Andy Zavoina: What is the bank's responsibility in regards to customers with diminished capacity? I have an elderly customer with dementia who makes frequent trips to the bank (often multiple times a day) and is in an advanced state of confusion. He often requests to take all of the money from his sizable checking account. While he has every right to his money, we are concerned that he is incapable of managing his finances on his own and is an easy target for criminals. He is walking around with a significant amount of cash in his wallet. While it does not appear that he has been abused financially, he does not have family who is willing to help him out. It is obvious that he no longer needs to be in control of his finances. As his bank, what are our options as far as keeping both the customer and his assets safe?

Answer: 

by Ken Golliher: As suggested, any "responsibility" you have is established by state, not federal, law. In a circumstance like you describe, there may not be a predator in sight, but one will eventually appear. Contacting your state's version of Adult Protective Services might be the most prudent thing to do.

First published on 11/11/2018

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