MLO-Ethics Flashcards
- Regarding the Information for Government Monitoring Purposes section of the Uniform Residential Loan
Application, the borrower:
a. must answer all of the questions.
b. has the option of completing it or not completing it.
c. must have the lender complete it.
d. completes it for the Census Bureau.
b. has the option of completing it or not completing it.
- A loan is denied by the lender and the borrower requests his or her personal documents submitted in connection with the loan application. What should you do as MLO?
a. Send the original documents via certified mail to the borrower.
b. Send the original documents to the lender.
c. Shred the original documents.
d. Return the original documents to the borrower
d. Return the original documents to the borrower
Correct answer is (d).
A mortgage loan originator may not retain original documents owned by the borrower and submitted in connection with the loan application.
- A mortgage broker may be paid a yield spread premium (YSP) by a lender for selling a loan at an interest
rate above the par rate, as long as the:
a. borrower signs a waiver consenting to the YSP.
b. YSP is approved by the NMLS.
c. YSP is disclosed on the GFE and on the HUD-1 settlement statement.
d. YSP does not exceed 1.5% of the loan amount.
c. YSP is disclosed on the GFE and on the HUD-1 settlement statement.
4. A mortgage fraud scam that encourages homeowners to refinance their homes until no equity is left is called: a. equity mortgaging. b. property flipping. c. loan flipping. d. reverse mortgage.
c. loan flipping.
- The purchase contract indicates that the buyer’s purchase price is higher than the listing price. Which of
the following statements is true?
a. This is a red flag
b. The buyer must have been in a bidding war
c. There was an error on the listing agreement
d. This is of no concern to the lender as long as the property appraises for the indicated value
a. This is a red flag
- An appraiser accepts an assignment that stipulates the $400.00 fee will be paid if the value comes in
above $300,000.
a. This is a normal part of the appraisal business.
b. Provided the appraiser discloses the fee, he or she may accept the assignment.
c. If the property actually does appraise above the preconditioned amount, the appraiser may take the
assignment.
d. An appraiser must not accept an assignment that includes the reporting of predetermined opinions.
d. An appraiser must not accept an assignment that includes the reporting of predetermined opinions.
- Why is fraud for profit considered a more sophisticated version of mortgage fraud?
a. It involves fraud rings and investment advisors.
b. It involves interstate investors.
c. It involves real estate agents, appraisers, lenders, and closing agents.
d. It involves sophisticated investors.
c. It involves real estate agents, appraisers, lenders, and closing agents.
- The Financial Privacy Rule of the GLB Act requires financial institutions to give their customers privacy
notices that explain the financial institution’s:
a. history.
b. policy manual.
c. information collection and sharing practices.
d. views on home inspection services.
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c. information collection and sharing practices.
9. A questionable fee that is incorporated into the closing costs associated with the loan is a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ fee. a. junk b. warranty c. guarantee d. appropriate
a. junk
- The lending practice of putting uninformed consumers in high-fee loans, encouraging frequent refinancing
that does not benefit the borrower, or misrepresenting the loan terms, is known as:
a. flipping.
b. illegal underwriting.
c. predatory lending.
d. underhanded underwriting.
c. predatory lending.
- Which of the principal parts of the GLB Act protect consumers from individuals and companies that obtain
their personal financial information under false pretenses?
a. Financial Privacy Rules
b. Safeguards Rules
c. Pretexting provisions
d. Consumer Protection Rules
c. Pretexting provisions
- Which is LEAST LIKELY an example of illegal flipping?
a. Buying and remodeling a property for a quick turnaround
b. Reselling a property before it has even closed
c. Series of sales and quick resales
d. None of the above
a. Buying and remodeling a property for a quick turnaround
- The most common fraudulent act committed by appraisers is to:
a. falsify appraiser credentials.
b. misuse MLS data.
c. overvalue properties.
d. undervalue properties
c. overvalue properties.
- Some lenders charge unreasonable prepayment penalties to:
a. ensure early repayment of loans.
b. discourage early payoff of highly profitable loans.
c. penalize borrowers who make early payments.
d. punish borrowers with poor credit.
b. discourage early payoff of highly profitable loans.
- An example of fraud for property is:
a. bogus sales.
b. stated income / stated asset loan.
c. air loans.
d. straw buyers.
b. stated income / stated asset loan.
16. If any triggering terms are used in an advertisement, all of the following disclosure must be made, except: a. amount or percentage of downpayment. b. APR. c. closing costs total. d. terms of repayment.
c. closing costs total.
- When the lender decides to transfer loan servicing, a letter must be sent to the borrower including all the
information below, except the:
a. date and location to which the next payment should be sent.
b. name, address, and phone number of the new servicing company.
c. name, address, and phone number of the title company.
d. contact information for the new loan servicing company.
c. name, address, and phone number of the title company.
- Under the ECOA, borrowers must be notified whether their loan has been approved or not within
__________ days after filing a complete application.
a. 20
b. 30
c. 40
d. 45
b. 30
- The United States Attorney General would prosecute a complaint lodged by persons involving racial
discrimination in financing housing under the direction of which one of the following agencies?
a. Department of Human Resources
b. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
c. Federal Housing Administration
d. None of the above
b. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- If a mortgage broker conducts a free educational seminar to educate a real estate broker’s agents about
new mortgage products who is violating RESPA?
a. Mortgage broker
b. Real estate broker
c. Both the mortgage broker and the real estate broker
d. Neither the mortgage broker nor the real estate broker
d. Neither the mortgage broker nor the real estate broker
- Is it acceptable for a lender to advertise a low interest with the accurate APR, but convince qualified
applicants to accept another loan with a slightly higher rate and more points?
a. No, because this behavior violates UDAP advertising laws.
b. No, the lender could be accused of using bait and switch tactics to earn more.
c. Yes, the lender advertised an accurate interest rate and APR.
d. Yes, the lender is trying to match the consumer with the best available product.
b. No, the lender could be accused of using bait and switch tactics to earn more.
- The __________ ensures that all consumers are given an equal chance to obtain credit.
a. ECOA
b. HOEPA
c. RESPA
d. TILA
a. ECOA
- The Truth in Lending Act requires a disclosure statement be given to the consumer. This statement
includes:
a. a description of the security interest retained and used for the loan.
b. a listing of all items included in the finance charge.
c. the annual percentage rate, fully spelled out.
d. all of the above
d. all of the above
- If an applicant knowingly gives false information on the Uniform Residential Loan Application:
a. it is a Federal crime.
b. the applicant can be fined.
c. the applicant can be imprisoned.
d. all of the above may apply.
d. all of the above may apply.
- Four lenders decided to collaborate and refuse to work with a new mortgage loan originator in the area in
an effort to force the new loan originator out of business. This is an example of:
a. allocating customers.
b. group boycotting.
c. monopolizing the market.
d. price fixing.
b. group boycotting.
- The word used to describe a group of people working together to commit mortgage fraud, is:
a. collision.
b. collusion.
c. collation.
d. collection.
b. collusion.
- Which of the following practices is not prohibited by RESPA?
a. Earned fees
b. Kickbacks and fee-splitting
c. Seller-required title insurance
d. Unlimited deposits into escrow accounts
a. Earned fees
- Which is an example of steering?
a. Agent Alex suggests that John may be happier in a more diverse neighborhood.
b. Banker Bob refuses to make loans in certain parts of town.
c. Broker Betty tells homeowners that their property values will drop if illegal families move in to the
neighborhood.
d. Seller Sam tells his listing agent to show the property to only African-American prospective buyers.
Agent Alex suggests that John may be happier in a more diverse neighborhood.
- Ignorance of the fraudulent actions of those around you:
a. is a good defense if you are arrested.
b. is a good defense if your client complains about your actions.
c. is not a sufficient defense against prosecution.
d. is the policy recommended by liability insurance companies.
c. is not a sufficient defense against prosecution.
- Which of the following is not one of the three principal parts to the privacy requirements of the GLB Act?
a. Financial Privacy Rule
b. Safeguards Rule
c. Consumer Protection Rule
d. Pretexting provisions
Correct answer is (c).
The three principal parts to the privacy requirements are the Financial Privacy Rule, Safeguards Rule, and Pretexting provisions.
- It is unlawful to discriminate in lending practices based on the applicant’s:
a. color, national origin, or philosophy.
b. race, familial status, or ethics.
c. color, religion, or sex.
d. national origin, residence, or handicap.
c. color, religion, or sex.
- Mortgage broker Jack was in a hurry to get to the country club for a round of golf. He was impatient with borrower John when John said he didn’t understand all of the loan terms. Jack just told him to sign the
papers because “it was the best loan available”. Feeling pressure, John signed. Jack’s behavior is best
described as:
a. fraudulent.
b. illegal.
c. negligent.
d. unfortunate.
c. negligent.
Correct answer is (c).
Jack’s behavior is negligent. Negligence results from carelessness, recklessness, or incompetence.
- Due to the prospective buyer’s poor credit, can a real estate agent require the buyer to use a particular
mortgage loan originator?
a. No, making the buyer believe that only one lender can make the loan is a scam.
b. Yes, with full disclosure of the relationship between the agent and the MLO.
c. Yes, only certain lenders make high risk loans.
d. Yes, this is a win-win. The buyer gets the property and the agent earns a commission
a. No, making the buyer believe that only one lender can make the loan is a scam.
- Which is not one of the three tests used by the Federal Trade Commission to determine if something
constitutes an unfair business practice?
a. The practice causes an insignificant consumer injury.
b. The harm of the injury outweighs a countervailing benefit.
c. The practice causes a substantial consumer injury.
d. The consumer could not reasonably avoid the injury.
a. The practice causes an insignificant consumer injury.
- A mortgage fraud scheme is most likely associated with which type of loan?
a. ARM
b. FHA
c. No-doc
d. VA
c. No-doc
- Which federal law was passed to address redlining?
a. CRA
b. ECOA
c. HERA
d. MIDA
a. CRA
Correct answer is (a).
The Community Reinvestment Act helps eliminate redlining by requiring lenders to make loans in the neighborhoods in which they are located.
- Under RESPA, who is subject to fines and penalties if a kickback is paid?
a. the person who paid the kickback.
b. the person who received the kickback.
c. the person who initiated the kickback.
d. anyone who initiated, paid, or received a kickback.
d. anyone who initiated, paid, or received a kickback.
- Which type of real estate professional is exempt from the Fair Housing Act?
a. Appraisers
b. Lenders
c. Mortgage brokers
d. Title companies
d. Title companies
- Which federal legislation was enacted to prohibit businesses from cooperating and conspiring with one
another for the sole purpose of controlling the pricing or competition in their respective industries?
a. Americans with Disabilities Act
b. Fair Housing Act
c. Sherman Antitrust Act
d. Truth in Lending Act
c. Sherman Antitrust Act
A mortgage broker who represents a buyer is also licensed to perform the functions of a title insurance
agent. The mortgage broker refers the buyer to the title company and also performs a significant portion
of the work related to issuing the title insurance, for which he receives a percentage of the title insurance
premium paid by the homebuyer. Who has violated RESPA?
a. Both the mortgage broker and the title company
b. Mortgage broker only
c. Neither the mortgage broker nor the title company
d. Title company only
c. Neither the mortgage broker nor the title company
Correct answer is (c).
Under RESPA, kickbacks and unearned referral fees are prohibited. However, fees paid for bona fide services are allowed. With proper disclosure, service providers may pay other service providers for actual services rendered.
41. A real estate licensee under Federal law should not take restrictive listings or advertise dwellings which suggest discrimination because of the: a. Equal Credit Opportunity Act. b. Fair Housing Act. c. Fair Credit Reporting Act. d. SAFE Act.
b. Fair Housing Act.
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, taken together constitute the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on rate, national origin, color, religion, age, sex, and handicap status.
- Fannie Mae refers to the process of purchasing property with the intent of immediately reselling it as:
a. assemblage.
b. flipping.
c. rehabilitating.
d. strawbuying.
b. flipping.
Correct answer is (b).
Flipping can be a legal or illegal activity depending on how it is done.
- What is the commonality of the Privacy Rule, Safeguards Rule, and Pretexting Protection?
a. Alternative Mortgage Transaction Parity Act
b. Garn-St Germain Depository Institutions Act
c. Glass–Steagall Act
d. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
d. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
- If, for a fee, a real estate broker offers a mortgage company the names and telephone numbers of all the
people who attended an open house who has violated RESPA?
a. Mortgage company
b. Real estate broker
c. Both the mortgage company and the real estate broker
d. Neither the mortgage company nor the real estate broker
b. Real estate broker
Correct answer is (b).
The real estate broker or salesperson is in violation of RESPA. If the mortgage company accepted the offer, it too would be in violation.
- Appraisers are required to analyze the transfer history of a property for the previous ______ in an
attempt to address the problem of property flipping.
a. 6 months.
b. 1 year.
c. 3 years.
d. 4 years.
c. 3 years.
Appraisers are required to analyze the transfer history of a property for the previous 3 years.
46. The purpose of the ECOA, as implemented by \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, is to prevent discrimination when granting credit. a. Regulation Z b. Regulation B c. the Board of Governors d. the Board of Directors
Correct answer is (b).
The primary purpose of the ECOA is to prevent banks and other creditors from discriminating when granting credit by requiring them to make extensions of credit equally available to all creditworthy applicants with fairness, impartiality, and without discrimination on any prohibited basis. It is implemented by Regulation B. The regulation applies to consumer and other types of credit transactions.