NEB to Accept Real Estate and Accounting Members
Effective December 1, 2007, the National Ethics Bureau (NEB) will accept members who are licensed as real estate agents, real estate brokers, mortgage brokers, and accountants. This initiative is designed to promote consumer confidence in these industries, as well as enable professionals to expand their practices.
“This is an important initiative for us,” says NEB Chairman Steven R. McCarty. “We want to leverage what we’ve accomplished in insurance and securities by expanding into additional vertical markets. We hope that by offering background checks and supporting marketing tools in these industries, financial professionals will be better equipped to grow their practices on a foundation of trust.”
The real estate downturn and credit crunch present a special opportunity. “The industry is under stress now,” adds McCarty. “Unfortunately, this has increased unethical sales practices and outright fraud, especially in the sub-prime mortgage arena. As a result, consumers today have less faith in the integrity of the real estate industry. By qualifying for NEB membership, real estate professionals can take a bold step to restore public confidence and lay the groundwork for future growth.”
To qualify, real estate professionals and accountants must successfully pass NEB’s Ethics Check System ™, an annual, seven-year background check for criminal, civil, and business violations. They also must hold a valid real estate agent, real estate broker, or mortgage broker license—or an accounting license—and be current with their continuing education requirements.
NEB has provided insurance agents, financial planners, and securities brokers with a framework for building consumer confidence since its founding in 2001.
“The National Ethics Bureau has been well received in the financial services world,” says McCarty. “We’ve helped thousands of advisors build consumer trust and grow their practices. We hope to have a similar impact on the real estate and accounting industries,” McCarty said.
Current NEB members with real estate or accounting licenses will have those licensed verified at their next background check for no additional charge.
Become NEB’s Next Member of the Month!
- Have you been an NEB member in good standing for at least a year?
- Do you stand for ethics and integrity in every aspect of your business?
- Has NEB membership helped you build stronger client relationships?
- Are you interested in achieving industry recognition for being named NEB’s
Member of the Month?
If you answered “yes,” to all of these questions, then we encourage you to apply for NEB’s member of the month program. If selected, you will be profiled in a future issue of Ethics Edge. You will also receive a free PDF reprint of your interview to share with prospects and clients. (see sample)
Interested? Just send an e-mail to hlew@ethicscheck.com expressing your interest and explaining why you should be profiled.
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