高齡金融消費者保護比較法研究

Legal Study on Elder Financial Consumer Protection Policy

本研究聚焦於高齡金融消費者的保護制度，分析其在金融消費過程中，可能遇到的風險，以及各國在面對該風險時，提出何種的預防措施，以保護高齡人士。隨著全球經濟論壇如國際貨幣基金（IMF）和20國集團（G20）峰會紛紛發出警訊，人口老齡化對國際金融體系的潛在衝擊，已經成為各國重要議題。台灣也與世界各國相同，預估到2026年將進一步進入超高齡社會，每5人當中，就有1人年齡為65歲以上。這意味著高齡者在金融市場中的保護需求愈加迫切。
本研究透過文獻資料法、比較研究法及歸納分析法，研究國際組織與國際金融體系，如何透過研究與交流合作，給予各國保護高齡人士之指導與建議；深入研究美國、英國以及澳洲在面對高齡金融剝削議題，提出何種預防損害發生的預警機制。包括資訊交流平台的建立、潛在案件通報機制、金融機構與第一線金融服務人員的積極保護責任義務，甚至是法律責任豁免。而除了金融機構做為消極保護高齡消費者的最後防線，也同時探討美、英、澳三國如何運用其他制度，積極保護高齡消費者，如重要第三人制度、授權書制度、信託制度、監護制度，讓高齡消費者財務保護不只是在接受金融服務服務當下，甚至是考量到之後的當高齡消費者身體狀況不允許時，其名下財產之保護。
在普惠金融概念普及，各國金融服務機構，無不跟上時代，落實公平待客原則，其中亦包含我國，除了保護高齡金融消費者以外，同時也仰賴金融科技協助其推展業務。然而，對於認知能力與學習能力較低之高齡消費者而言，金融科技也造成其接受金融服務之障礙、甚至提高有心人士濫用金融科技，侵害高齡消費者。因此，透過研究普惠金融下，高齡金融消費者保護制度，在我國制度面的應用，同時研究美、英兩國對於金融科技、甚至是人工智慧之監管與運用，能得到更多借鏡與經驗。
研究借鑒美國、英國與澳洲的制度與經驗，針對我國目前法制與監管，提出以下改善建議：1.建立高齡金融可疑活動報告系統，第一時間連線監管機關與執法機關，同時賦予第一線金融機構權力，暫停交易、延遲付款等，並給予相關的法律責任豁免。2.金融服務機構需提升第一線金融服務人員訓練，建立對高齡消費者的警覺意識。3.修訂相關法律政策，建立「可信任聯絡人」制度，積極強化高齡消費者的保護措施。4.更新我國高齡人士財務保護制度、包括建立財務授權書制度、甚至是我國信託、監護制度的更新，使高齡金融消費者保護範圍更加全面。5.更新金融科技相關監管策略，同時利用新興金融科技，如生成式人工智慧等，保護高齡人士。

This study focuses on the protection regime for senior financial consumers, analyzing the risks they may encounter in the process of financial consumption, and what preventive measures are proposed by various countries to protect the elderly in the face of such risks. As global economic forums such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Group of 20 (G20) summits have issued warnings, the potential impact of an aging population on the international financial system has become an important issue for all countries. Like other countries around the world, Taiwan is expected to enter a super-aged society by 2026, with one out of every five people over the age of 65. This means that the need to protect the elderly in the financial market is becoming more and more urgent.
Through literature, comparative research and inductive analysis, this study examines how international organizations and the international financial system can provide guidance and suggestions to protect the elderly in various countries through research and exchanges and cooperation; and in-depth studies of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia in the face of the issue of financial exploitation of the elderly, and what kind of early warning mechanisms can be put forward to prevent the occurrence of damages. These include the establishment of an information exchange platform, a notification mechanism for potential cases, the obligation of financial institutions and front-line financial service providers to actively protect the elderly, and even exemption from legal liability. In addition to financial institutions as the last line of defense to protect elderly consumers, we also explore how the U.S., U.K., and Australia use other systems to actively protect elderly consumers, such as the significant third party system, the power of attorney system, the trust system, and the guardianship system, so that the financial protection of the elderly consumers is not only in the moment of receiving the financial services, but also in the future, when the physical condition of the elderly consumers does not allow it. The protection of property under the name of the elderly consumer is also taken into consideration.
With the popularization of the concept of Inclusive Financing, financial service providers in various countries have all kept up with the times and implemented the Principle for Financial Service Industries to Treat Clients Fairly, including Taiwan, which not only protects senior financial consumers, but also relies on fintech to help them promote their business. However, for elderly financial consumers with lower cognitive and learning abilities, fintech has created barriers to their access to financial services, and has even increased the risk of misuse by those who wish to abuse fintech and victimize elderly consumers. Therefore, by studying the application of the senior financial consumer protection system under the financial inclusion system in Taiwan, and at the same time studying the regulation and utilization of financial technology and even artificial intelligence in the United States and the United Kingdom, we can gain more experience and lessons learned.
Drawing on the systems and experiences of the U.S., theU.K., and Australia, the study proposes the following improvements to ’s current legal system and regulation in Taiwan: 1. Establish a system for reporting suspicious activities of senior financial institutions, which would connect them to regulatory and law enforcement agencies in the first instance, and at the same time, empower frontline financial institutions to suspend transactions, delay payments, etc., and grant them exemptions from relevant legal liabilities. 2. Financial service providers should enhance the training of frontline financial service personnel, and establish a system for the training of senior financial service staff. 3. Revise relevant laws and policies to establish a“Third Important Person”system to actively strengthen the protection of senior consumers. 4. Update the financial protection system for senior citizens, including the establishment of a system of financial power of attorney, and even the updating of the trust and guardianship system, so as to make the scope of protection for senior consumers more comprehensive. 5. Update the regulatory strategy related to financial technology and take advantage of the emerging financial technologies. Update the relevant regulatory strategies, and at the same time, utilize emerging financial technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence, to protect senior citizens.