Ethics
Mortgage Industry Codes of Ethics
Read the Code of Ethics from these three trade organizations. Don’t worry; it will be a very fast read.
National Association of Mortgage Brokers
National Association of Mortgage Women
For the Mortgage Banker’s Code, follow this link and click on “cannons” from the menu on the left.
What’s missing?
Could some of these phrases be re-worded? If so how?
For example from […]
Fee Splitting
I recently wrote about a common question I often receive in which an unlicensed LO asks a licensed LO to act as the originator on a transaction, and pass part of the origination fee back to the unlicensed LO. Read the story here.
What are the possible consequences for the licensed LO, the unlicensed LO, the consumer, […]
Solutions to the Mortgage Lending Crisis
The mortgage industry crisis is a gift. Mortgage lending can emerge from this mess and transform itself. I have been co-writing about predatory lending and the ambiguous professional status of retail mortgage salespeople for over 7 years. The industry has traded consumer respect for massive profits. It does not matter where you work: banker, broker, credit union, consumer […]
13Jun2008 | mf | 8 comments | ContinuedWhat the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster Can Teach Us About the Current Mortgage Lending Crisis
In this mortgage ethics article about allegiance to rule-following, I will compare the mortgage industry crisis with a classic business ethics case study.
The space shuttle Challenger accident has frequently been used as a case study in the study of engineering safety, the ethics of whistleblowing, communications, and group decision-making. With Challenger, an O-ring eroded on earlier shuttle launches. […]
The Giant Pool of Money, by TAL and Chicago Public Radio
This NPR radio episode runs just under 54 minutes. Click on the “download” button; it will take several minutes to download. While you’re waiting, browse through some of our other articles on Ethics in Mortgage Lending!
In order to better understand why we are currently facing massive mortgage loan defaults of epic proportions, this radio program takes us […]
Are Mortgage Loan Originators Professionals?
When I ask the question “Are loan originators professionals?” to a group of loan originator students in ethics classes, almost everyone says “yes.” Anyone can do their job in a professional manner (adjective,) but not everyone is a Professional (noun.) Is your barista at Starbucks or the person who bags your groceries a professional? If […]
13Jun2008 | mf | 28 comments | ContinuedThe Subprime Meltdown
When I entered the mortgage industry in 1985, Conventional loans were only for those who could put down 10%. Most folks opted for an FHA or VA loan. There was no risk-based pricing. Everyone received the same interest rate on their mortgage loan whether they had great credit or a few late payments. Homeowners with […]
13Jun2008 | mf | 5 comments | Continued
There must have been some particulary serious violations that prompted this law. Wouldn't it have been easier just to make ...
When the issue of fudicial responsibility began coming to the forefront I felt a sense of relief. I guess I ...