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Code of Conduct
Members of the National Reverse Mortgage
Lenders Association are mindful that the
soundness, usefulness, prosperity, and
future of our industry depends upon the
honor and integrity of all persons engaged
in the business. Each member of this
association agrees to observe and maintain
the following standards of conduct in
dealing with the senior community and their
families:
1. Treat all clients with respect and
dignity.
2. Protect the client’s privacy and
confidentiality and not distribute personal
financial information to any third party
without permission from the client.
3. Encourage clients to discuss the loan
transaction with family members and/or other
trusted advisors.
4. Inform clients at no charge about all of
the member’s reverse mortgage programs and
assist each client to determine the program
most suitable for his or her needs.
5. When estimating potential
reverse
mortgage benefits, clearly and accurately
identify all costs.
6. Take reasonable steps to check out the
background and procedures of third parties
before accepting referrals of business from
them, and refuse to accept referrals from
those that are found unacceptable. Members
shall disclose to clients any third party
with a financial interest in the reverse
mortgage transaction.
7. Not imply to a borrower that he or she is
obligated to purchase any other product or
service offered by the member or any other
company in order to obtain a reverse
mortgage.
8. Pay all loan proceeds directly to the
borrower, except to retire existing debt,
pay a contractor from the borrower’s repair
set-aside account, or pay property taxes or
hazard insurance premiums from
the
borrower’s set-aside account for taxes and
insurance.
9. Employ individuals who have passed a
background check and are found to be of good
moral character.
10. Report any suspected violations of the
Code of Conduct to the National Reverse
Mortgage Lenders Association, and cooperate
with all their investigations.
11. Make a good-faith effort to resolve
concerns received from clients about a
reverse mortgage transaction.
12. In all of their loan origination
arrangements, comply (with the advice of
qualified counsel as appropriate) with all
applicable regulatory requirements
including: (i) provisions of the federal
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
barring referral fees; (ii) state mortgage
regulatory provisions requiring licensing by
loan originators, if applicable; and (iii)
with respect to FHA-insured HECM reverse
mortgage loans, FHA provisions requiring
licensing and restricting employment
arrangements.
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