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9. Blind and Illiterate Customer Service and Dealing

No: 65681/67 Date(g): 3/7/2019 | Date(h): 1/11/1440 Status: In-Force
-The bank must open an account for any blind or illiterate customers who request so. The bank must also provide the blind or illiterate customer with an ATM card, in addition to a checkbook upon his/her request. The blind or illiterate customer has the right to obtain any banking services (telephone banking and/or Internet banking), provided he/she has been advised of the terms and conditions governing these services. Further, his/her signature must be obtained in this regard, confirming that such services are provided for him/her upon his/her request and choice, that he/she is aware of the risks associated with the use of such services, and that he/she is legally liable for all dealings being conducted through such type of services.
 
-Both the blind customer and illiterate customer must present a personal reference to introduce them to the banking procedures taken and documents and papers required by the bank. Such personal reference shall have an ID, be 15 years old or older, and be able to read out to the blind or the illiterate and to act as a witness. The bank must obtain from the personal reference a copy of his/her ID, in addition to his/her national address and signature.
 
-Should the blind or illiterate customer request to go through banking procedures without the presence of the personal reference, then the banking procedures will be introduced to him/her by one of the customer service representatives at the bank. Such introduction will be certified by one of the branch’s authorized signatories (branch/operations manager), confirming that the customer has been introduced to all necessary information and terms and conditions for the opening of accounts as well as the account management controls and that such terms and conditions and controls have been read out to him/her.
 
-Both the blind customer and illiterate customer must provide a thumbprint and a personal stamp as his/her specimen signature. Should either of them wish to use the (manual) personal signature as a specimen signature, he/she will be permitted to do so. In this case, it should be documented that this procedure has been taken at his request and choice and on his/her own responsibility.