Question

A mortgage-loan officer persuades unsuspecting consumers to sign up for exotic mortgages, such as "option ARMs." These mortgages offer borrowers the choice to pay less than the required interest, which is then added to the principal while the interest rate can adjust upward. Because of this setup, many borrowers are unable to repay the mortgage once the interest rates go up. Which of the following phrases best describes this scenario? (CSLO 4)
A. legal but not ethical
B. legal and ethical
C. neither legal nor ethical
D. ethical but not legal

Answer 1

Answer: A. legal but not ethical

Explanation: Introducing mortgage plans to consumers in other to cater for their needs by a mortgage-loan officer is not a legal crime which will be penalized by the law. However, it is an ethical obligation on the path of the mortgage-loan officer to explain the modalities attached to a certain mortgage plan to consumers, both the advantages and the demerits. In the options ARM mortgage plan, it affords consumers to pay below the interest rate on the mortgage, this short paid interest are later added to the principal and the rates increases. This may cause a lot more harm than good to consumers who do not have detailed knowledge of this particular loan process.