Financial abuse is not a niche social issue. It is a material banking issue that affects customer safety, employee well-being, institutional trust and long-term community stability. Financial abuse is present in an estimated 99% of domestic violence cases and cuts across income, geography and demographic lines. One in four women and one in seven men experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes, and Colorado’s rates exceed national averages. For financial institutions, this reality carries a clear implication: Survivors of financial abuse are already among your customers and employees. Yet, outside of elder abuse, most bankers have never been trained to recognize financial abuse or to respond in ways that support safety while maintaining sound banking practices. This gap does not reflect institutional neglect. It reflects the absence of sector-wide awareness and training, and it presents an opportunity for leadership within Colorado’s banking community. How Financial Abuse Appears in Banking Systems Financial abuse involves the use of money, credit or access to financial systems to exert power and control over a partner. In banking environments, it often surfaces through patterns that are operationally familiar: • Identity theft by an intimate partner • Account takeovers and unauthorized digital access • Forced address changes or transaction monitoring • Unusual transfer activity tied to coercion rather than fraud alone These behaviors are typically categorized as fraud, account misuse or high-risk activity. For survivors, however, they represent a sustained pattern of control rather than isolated incidents. When bankers understand what financial abuse looks like, responses shift. Interactions become grounded in discretion, safety and informed support. For many survivors, this recognition marks the first step toward financial stability. Financial Abuse in the Workplace Financial abuse also affects employees. In a financial institution with 200 employees, statistically, around 40 are likely navigating some form of financial abuse. These individuals may be managing custody disputes financed through economic control or coping with housing instability created by financial sabotage. Most employees never disclose what they are experiencing. They continue to perform, lead and serve customers while managing invisible burdens that affect well-being, productivity and retention. At the same time, banks are often places where survivors find stability, benefits and pathways to upward mobility. When institutions foster awareness and support, without requiring disclosure, employees experience belonging rather than stigma. This directly influences engagement, loyalty and organizational resilience. What Colorado’s Banking Community Needs to Know About Financial Abuse By Dr. Christa Kuberry, Director of Partnerships, FinAbility Colorado Banker 8
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==