☑️ Chapter 11: Ethics in Mortgage Lending Flashcards
(182 cards)
Ethical and Legal Considerations:
Ethics in the mortgage industry may seem like a complex issue, but it really boils down to a few simple points:
• Serve the mortgage lending needs of the public in an _____ manner.
• Treat everyone EQUALLY.
• Be HONEST.
• Give FULL disclosure about all terms and conditions of the mortgage loan.
• Don’t use your knowledge to take ______ of people.
• Keep good DOCUMENTATION.
• Adhere to a CODE of ethics from a professional organization.
A. ethical
B. advantage
Ethical and Legal Considerations:
While there are obviously many laws in place to protect consumers, potential customers generally rely on the honesty and integrity of those mortgage professionals with whom they deal.
The Federal Trade Commission has the authority to act in the interest of all consumers to prevent deceptive and unfair acts or practices. Title ___ Section ____ of the ____ Act prohibits unfair or deceptive practices of any kind, which includes advertising in any medium. Therefore, advertising must be designed to tell the truth and NOT mislead consumers.
A claim can be MISLEADING if either it implies something that is not true or if relevant information is left out.
For example, an advertisement for a loan that promotes “$0 Down” may be misleading if SIGNIFICANT charges that are due at closing are NOT disclosed in the advertisement.
A. Title 15
B. Section 5
C. Federal Trade Commission Act
Ethical and Legal Considerations: The most prominent example of such ethical guidelines is presented by the ______, which is the leading national trade association for the mortgage industry. The following ideals are found in NAMB’s code of ethics:
• Honesty and ________: NAMB members shall conduct business in a manner reflecting honesty, honor, and integrity.
• Personal ________: NAMB members shall conduct their business activities in a professional manner. Members shall NOT pressure any provider of services, goods, or facilities to circumuent industry professional standards. Equally, members shall NOT respond to any such PRESSURE placed upon them.
• ________ in Advertising: NAMB members shall provide ACCURATE information in all advertisements and solicitations.
• ________: NAMB members shall not disclose UNAUTHORIZED confidential information
• ________ with Law: NAMB members shall conduct their business in COMPLIANCE with all applicable laws and regulations.
• ________ Of Financial Interests: NAMB members shall disclose any equity or financial INTEREST they may have in the collateral being offered to secure a loan.
A. National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB)
B. Integrity
C. Conduct
D. Honesty
E. Confidentiality
F. Compliance
G. Disclosure
Ethical and Legal Considerations:
National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB):
In 2008, NAMB instituted the award called the _______ for its most prestigious members. To qualify to use and advertise the seal, MLOs undergo a rigorous _______ process and must meet NAMB’s high national standard for ethics, professionalism, integrity, and service. This seal is the nation’s first national standard for licensed MLOs. In addition to character investigation, annual education requirements must be met, with courses requiring study in ETHICS, INTEGRITY, and other topics that raise the _______ level of the MLO.
A. Lending Integrity Seal of Approval
B. validation
C. professionalism
Ethical and Legal Considerations:
By participating in and adhering to the standards implemented by NAMB, MLOs are working to improve themselves and the mortgage industry. Membership is ______ to anyone in the mortgage or affiliated industries. By developing ethical behavior, practicing professionalism, and promoting integrity, MLOs can help to ensure the reputation of their profession. To accomplish this, it takes every licensee and registered originator to follow the professional standards set for them.
A. Open
Ethical and Legal Considerations: Penalties for Unethical Behavior:
When an MLO behaves in an _______ manner or otherwise breaches his professional obligations, there are several possible consequences:
• ACTION by the state licensing and regulatory authority.
• _______ lawsuits filed by injured parties.
• ________ action by professional associations.
• Filing of ______ charges (in very serious cases).
A. unethical
B. Civil
C. Disciplinary
D. criminal
Ethics in Advertising:
An MLO spends hours every day dealing with the details of the industry. However, most consumers are significantly less informed and buying or refinancing a home is usually a stressful and confusing undertaking.
According to the ______, many consumers begin their search for a mortgage by reviewing printed advertisements in newspapers or magazines. Television and radio commercials–as well as the Internet–are also used more frequently as a means of advertising mortgages and other loan products. According to The Truth In Lending Act TILA Regulation ______, an advertisement is a commercial message in any medium that promotes, directly or indirectly, a credit transaction. This Act is the federal regulation that has the primary responsibility of overseeing _______.
A. Better Business Bureau (BBB)
B. The Truth In Lending Act TILA / Regulation Z
C. advertising
Ethics in Advertising:
While there are obviously many laws in place to protect consumers, potential customers generally rely on the honesty and integrity of those mortgage professionals with whom they deal.
The Federal Trade Commission has the authority to act in the interest of all consumers to prevent deceptive and unfair acts or practices. Title ___ Section ___ of the Federal Trade Commission Act prohibits unfair or deceptive practices of ANY kind, which includes _____ in ANY medium. Therefore, advertising must be designed to tell the truth and NOT mislead consumers.
A claim can be misleading if either it implies something that is NOT true or if relevant information is LEFT out.
For example, an advertisement for a loan that promotes “$0 Down” may be misleading if significant charges that are due at CLOSING are NOT _____ in the ADVERTISEMENT .
A. Title 15: Section 5
B. advertising
C. disclosed
Ethics in Advertising:
To comply with the mandate to be truthful and fair, advertising should NOT:
• Misrepresent _______ FACTS or make ______ PROMISES likely to influence, PERSUADE, or INDUCE an applicant for a mortgage loan or mortgagor to take a mortgage loan
• Can NOT ______ any material factors, terms, or conditions of a transaction to which the MLO is a party, including the receipt of payment from a third party, pertinent to an applicant for a mortgage loan or a mortgagor.
A. Material
B. False
C. Conceal
Ethics in Advertising:
Regulation N:
Prohibited Representations:
As part of the Credit Card ______ Act of 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) implemented and the CFPB adopted additional rules under Regulation ____
- Prohibited Representations. These advertising RULES known as the _________ (MAP) Rules are designed to PROHIBIT misrepresentations in a commercial communication regarding mortgage products
A. Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act of 2009
B. Regulation N - under the Federal Trade Commission
C. Mortgage Acts and Practices Rules (MAP Rules)
Ethics in Advertising:
Mortgage Acts and Practices:
The _____ (MAP) RULES provide guidance for the commercial communication of ANY message or statement using ANY medium, including written or oral statements, telemarketing SCRIPTS, the Internet, cellular networks, promotional materials, and web pages. These RULES, provide a LIST list of PROHIBITED acts and ADVERTISING prohibitions. ________ of the MAP rules is delegated to each individual STATE.
Advertisers are required to KEEP all COMMERCIAL communication of the mortgage credit product for a minimum of _____ months from the DATE of the last advertisement.
A. Mortgage Acts and Practices (MAP) rules
B. Enforcement
C. 24 Months
Ethics in Advertising:
Misrepresentation and Material Facts:
Misrepresentation is more than mere “ ______,” which is an opinion that is not necessarily intended as a representation of fact, such as “best customer service in town!” When a misrepresentation is made to a consumer with the intent to ______ the consumer, it is a form of FRAUD and can result in PROSECUTION.
NOTE: Written disclosures or ____ PRINT in an ad may NOT be sufficient to CORRECT a misleading representation.
A. puffing
B. deceive
C. fine print
Ethics in Advertising:
Misrepresentation and Material Facts:
Sometimes, a misrepresentation may be made UNINTENTIONALLY or through _______. While not necessarily _______ fraud, obviously, a mortgage professional has an obligation to consumers to be factually accurate IN ALL COMMUNICATION. Either way, misrepresentation is serious, especially when it involves _____ facts.
A. negligence
B. actionable
C. material
Ethics in Advertising:
Misrepresentation and Material Facts:
When pursuing a claim of fraud or deception, it may not be necessary to prove that the person to whom the deliberate misstatement, misrepresentation, or omission was made was harmed financially in the transaction or that the person relied upon such misstatement, misrepresentation, or omission to make a _____ in the transaction. While criminal claims may require a higher STANDARD OF _______ to establish fraud or deception, administrative claims may only require that the bad acting person _______ tried to mislead an individual about a material fact.
A. Decision
B. Proof
C. Deliberately
Ethics in Advertising:
Misrepresentation and Material Facts:
What is a
“material fact?” A material fact is generally defined as a fact that, if _________, might have caused a REASONABLE consumer to make a DIFFERENT decision.
For example, when offering a mortgage loan, material facts may include the loan’s:
• _______ percentage rate.
• _______ of loan term.
• If They Choose a ____ or _____ interest rate.
• _______ fees or other closing costs.
• _______ penalties.
A. known
B. Annual
C. Length
D. Fixed or Adjustable
E. Origination
F. Prepayment
Ethics in Advertising:
Misrepresentation and Material Facts:
From a legal perspective, the misrepresentation of a material fact COULD POSSIBLY give a consumer grounds to ______ a contract. Because all the key terms of a mortgage loan constitute material facts, federal law requires significant disclosures to inform and protect the consumer.
A. Rescind
Ethics in Advertising:
Bait and Switch:
When discussing advertising, one may hear the term bait and switch. This is a tactic of luring consumers in with promises of _____ RATES and SPECIFIC products, and then _______ otherwise QUALIFIED buyers to other terms so that the MLO can earn a ______ fee. The _______ Act addresses the practice of bait and switch in Title ___: Part ____:
“Bait advertising is an alluring but INSINCERE offer to sell a product or service which the advertiser in truth does NOT intend or want to sell. Its purpose is to SWITCH consumers from buying the ADVERTISED merchandise, in order to sell something else, usually at a _____ price or on a basis more advantageous to the advertiser:
The PRIMARY aim of a bait advertisement is to obtain LEADS as to persons interested in buying merchandise of the type so advertised.”
A. LOW
B. STEERING
C. Higher
D. Federal Trade Commission Act
E. Title 16: Part 238
F. Higher
Ethics in Advertising:
Bona Fide Offer:
It is a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC) to ______ the purchase of the ADVERTISED merchandise as part of a BAIT scheme to SELL other merchandise. When determining whether the INITIAL offer was ______ OR an offer made in good faith, these points NEED to be considered:
• The _____ of the advertiser to show, demonstrate, or sell the product offered in accordance with the terms of the offer.
• The ______ by acts or words of the ADVERTISED product or of the GUARANTEE, credit terms, availability of service, repairs or parts, or in any other respect, in connection with it.
A. discourage
B. bona fide
C. REFUSAL
D.disparagement (unkind remarks)
Ethics in Advertising:
Bona Fide Offer:
When determining whether the initial offer was bona fide (i.e., an offer made in good faith), these points would be considered:
• The FAILURE to have the ADVERTISED product AVAILABLE, and at ALL outlets listed IN the advertisement. There must be a SUFFICIENT quantity of the advertised product to meet reasonably anticipated DEMANDS, UNLESS the advertisement CLEARLY and adequately _____ that supply is LIMITED and/ or the merchandise is available at SPECIFIC outlets.
• The refusal to take any REQUESTED _____ for the advertised merchandise that could be DELIVERED within a reasonable period of time.
• The showing or demonstrating of a product which is defective, unusable, or impractical for the purpose represented or implied in the _____.
• Use of a sales plan or method of compensation for salespersons or penalizing of salespersons, designed to PREVENT or DISCOURAGE them from _____ the advertised product.
NOTE: While some of these points may seem more relevant to personal property, such as appliances or automobiles, they could apply to mortgage products and services as well.
A. DISCLOSES
B. orders
C. advertisement
D. selling
Ethics in Advertising:
Switch After Sale:
Section 238.4 of the FTC Indicates that NO practice should be pursued by an advertiser, in the event of a SALE of the advertised product, of “_______” an advertised product with the intent and purpose of selling other merchandise instead.
Included among acts or practices that will be considered in determining if the INITIAL sale was in good faith and not a STRATAGEM to sell other merchandise, are:
• Accepting a ______ for the ADVERTISED product, then switching the purchaser to a HIGHER-priced product.
• Failure to _______ on the contract for the advertised product within a REASONABLE time or to make a REFUND.
• ______ by acts or words of the advertised product, or of the guarantee, credit terms, availability of service, repairs, or in any other respect, in connection with it.
• The delivery of the advertised product, which is defective, UNUSABLE, or impractical for the purpose represented or implied in the _____.
NOTE: Remember, these actions are merely indications of a possible bait and switch ploy. There may be innocent reasons for these actions as well. In general,a ________ of conduct must be shown in order to prove a claim that an advertiser has engaged in this type of illegal act.
What if the consumer decided to accept different terms and apply for the loan anyway? According to 16 CFR Part 238, even though the facts are subsequently made known to the buyer, the law is violated if the FIRST CONTACT or INTERVIEW is secured by deception.
A. unselling
B. deposit
C. deliver
D. Disparagement
E. advertisement
F. PATTERN
Ethics in Advertising:
Unfair and Deceptive Practices:
When determining whether an advertisement or practice is likely to be deceptive, the regulatory agency will examine it from the perspective of a consumer acting reasonably under the circumstances, examining the entire advertisement, transaction, or course of dealing.
Rather than focusing on certain words, the regulatory agency will look at the ad in context–including words, phrases, and images–to determine what it ______ to consumers.
A. Conveys
Ethics in Advertising:
Unfair and Deceptive Practices:
_______ acts and practices (UDAAPs) can cause significant financial INJURY to consumers, ERODE consumer confidence, and UNDERMINE the financial marketplace. Under the _______Act, it is unlawful for any provider of consumer financial products or services or a service provider to ENGAGE in any unfair, deceptive, or abusive act or practice. This Act also provides the ______ with RULE-MAKING authority and, with respect to entities within its jurisdiction, ENFORCEMENT authority to prevent unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices in connection with ANY transaction with a consumer for a consumer financial product or service, or the offering of a consumer financial product or service. In addition, the CFPB has SUPERVISORY authority for detecting and assessing risks to consumers and to markets for consumer financial products and services.
A. Unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices (UDAAPs)
B. Dodd-Frank Act
C. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Ethics in Advertising:
Unfair and Deceptive Practices:
The CFPB has issued guidance on unfair and deceptive practices and established a standard of items that constitute what is an unfair and deceptive act:
________- It is considered unfair if:
1. The act causes or is likely to cause substantial injury (______ harm) to consumers,
2. The injury is NOT reasonably _______ by consumers
3. The injury is NOT outweighed by countervailing________ to the consumers OR to competition.
A. Unfair Practices
B. monetary
C. AVOIDED
D. BENEFITS
Ethics in Advertising:
Unfair and Deceptive Practices:
The CFPB has issued guidance on unfair and deceptive practices and established a standard of items that constitute what is an unfair and deceptive act:
________: According to the CFPB, an act is considered deceptive if:
1. The representation, omission, act, or practice misleads or is likely to _____ the consumer,
2. The consumer’s interpretation of the representation, omission, act, or practice is ______ under the circumstances. and
3. The misleading representation, omission, act, or practice is _______.
A. Deceptive Practices
B. mislead
C. reasonable
D. material