Hong Kong Monetary Authority: The banking industry will enhance support for seniors and people with disabilities in using banking services.

On January 21, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Hong Kong Association of Banks announced that the banking industry will implement the "Elderly-Friendly Banking Services Guide" and the "Accessible Banking Services Practice Guide (Second Edition)" to strengthen support for the elderly and persons with disabilities in using banking services. The two industry guidelines are published by the Hong Kong Association of Banks and are approved by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. The "Elderly-Friendly Banking Services Guide" aims to establish practical standards for elderly-friendly services, supporting the government's promotion of the silver economy. It includes eight main principles and multiple proposed measures that banks should adopt, as well as strengthening financial education to help the elderly understand financial information and digital skills. The "Accessible Banking Services Practice Guide (Second Edition)" further enhances measures for accessible banking services to ensure that customers with different needs, including physical disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and the elderly, receive appropriate banking services. Arthur Yuen, Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, stated that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority has always closely cooperated with the banking industry to promote financial inclusion. The two guidelines, based on the industry's years of practice experience, cover multiple specific measures to further enhance the banking customer experience. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority hopes that banks will continue to uphold the principle of fair treatment while digitizing, providing more convenient and inclusive banking services for the elderly and other customers with special needs. Sun Yu, Chair of the Hong Kong Association of Banks and Vice Chairman and President of BANK OF CHINA (Hong Kong), stated that the association closely communicates with regulatory agencies and stakeholders to actively introduce measures to provide more caring and convenient banking services for the elderly and customers with special needs. The association will continue to optimize relevant service guidelines in response to social and technological developments to further promote financial inclusion.