MorganAsh has announced a full range of upgrades to its consumer vulnerability assessment platform, MorganAsh Resilience System (MARS).

The latest version of MARS now offers improved functionality, with a new interface and a redesign of the main case page.

The resilience rating, which is the platform’s version of a credit score for vulnerability, now has a new look, whilst the entire page has been made easier for users to navigate between key information.

The consumer vulnerability assessment itself has also been enhanced, giving more options on what to ask in the questionnaire and what areas to assess. As part of the enhancements, firms can now choose to include or exclude questions about obsessive and compulsive behaviours or addictions, abusive or controlling relationships and communication preferences, including sign language.

This joins current questions on financial assessments, protected characteristics, identity issues or wills and power of attorney. Although these are normally set as defaults for companies, there is also the option for them to be selected on a case-by-case basis.

Furthermore, the platform now has more than 80 standard treatments, which are the relevant ‘next steps’ presented to users when vulnerability is detected. As part of the update, firms now have the option to configure treatments, set rules and select what treatments are ‘active’.

Managing director at MorganAsh, Andrew Gething, said: "MARS has helped to simplify the otherwise onerous task of assessing, monitoring and reporting on consumer vulnerability. In addition to supporting financial services firms of all sizes with Consumer Duty compliance, the platform is now being developed for use within the utilities sector. Even so, we continue to listen to feedback and find new ways to refine and improve the platform.

"This latest round of upgrades marks another step forward, improving functionality and configurability, all while adding greater granularity to both assessments and reporting. The Financial Conduct Authority is now actively encouraging firms to consider their annual board reports as this, and the management information that sits behind it, will be key for the regulator to assess a firm’s compliance. Rather than a mad scramble or a shot in the dark, MARS users will have this vital intelligence at their fingertips."

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