EthicsQuestion 320 of 400

A loan officer's brother owns the appraisal company being used on the officer's own borrower's loan. The most ethical action is to:

a.Say nothing, since appraisals are independent anyway
b.Personally instruct the appraiser on the value needed
c.Disclose the relationship and ensure appraiser independence is maintained
d.Cancel the loan to avoid any appearance of a conflict

Explanation

Disclosing the conflict and preserving appraiser independence properly manages the situation without harming the borrower. Concealing the relationship risks an undisclosed conflict, instructing the appraiser on value is illegal coercion, and cancelling a legitimate loan needlessly harms the borrower.

Law Reference: Ethical duty / conflicts of interest

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