Commercial banks have been told to study the process of opening payment accounts and ATM cards for visually impaired people.

The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) has asked institutions providing payment services to review the accessibility of all processes, procedures and applications to open a bank account for people with disabilities. They were asked to develop suitable instructions for visually impaired people to use bank accounts while following laws and regulations.

The SBV also asked commercial banks to disseminate information to their employees and managers to help visually disabled people in opening and using bank accounts.

In particular, banks should note some difficulties that people may encounter in providing necessary information and identifying documents required by law to open contracts or use a payment account or bank card.

Banks were asked to provide warnings of possible risks which visually impaired people could encounter in the process of using bank accounts and ATM cards to ensure security and asset safety to customers.

Previously, some visually impaired people faced difficulties in opening bank accounts and receiving ATM cards at commercial banks.

One visually impaired singer was denied a bank card and told to come back with a guardian.

Banks require visually impaired people to have a guardian when opening a card to ensure the safety of both the bank and its clients.

Experts said the guardian requirement could be troublesome and inconvenient. It limits the rights of visually impaired people, who must have the consent of another person to withdraw their own money. The guardian has the right to withdraw money from the account, meaning visually impaired customers can be more easily taken advantage of by those who are supposed to provide help. Other risks such as the loss of passwords and money are issues for all ATM and internet banking customers. — VNS