National Ethics Bureau to Admit Real Estate
Agents, Real Estate Brokers,
and Mortgage
Brokers into Its
Ranks of Background-Checked Financial Professionals.
Move will help consumers to avoid unethical sales practices
and professionals to compete successfully in a challenging
real estate environment. |
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SAN DIEGO, CA, December 18, 2007—The National Ethics Bureau (NEB), a membership organization similar to the Better Business Bureau, has announced its entry into the real estate industry. Effective December 18, 2007, it will begin admitting real estate agents and brokers, along with mortgage brokers, into NEB membership.
To become members, real estate and mortgage professionals must pass a comprehensive seven-year background check, as well as maintain NEB’s membership standards. In return, they will have the right to use NEB’s branding and communication tools to strengthen client relationships and increase revenue
“The real estate industry is under stress due to the market downtown, credit crunch, and sub-prime crisis,” said Steven R. McCarty, NEB Chairman. “Unfortunately, this has increased unethical sales practices and outright fraud, especially in sub-prime mortgage applications. 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 must successfully pass NEB’s Ethics Check System™, an annual check for criminal, civil, and business violations. They also must hold a valid real estate agent, real estate broker, or mortgage broker license, as well as be up to date with 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. Current NEB members with real estate licenses will have those credentials verified at no additional charge.
“The National Ethics Bureau has been well received in the financial services world,” said Jeffrey S. Kopitz, NEB President. “We hope to have a similar impact on the real estate business, helping consumers find a trustworthy real estate or mortgage professional in today’s market environment.”
To apply for membership (at www.ethicscheck.com.), financial professionals, including those in real estate, pay $235, plus an initiation fee of $95. Annual renewals are $235. In return, they will receive the following benefits:
- Rights to use NEB branding, which enhance marketing effectiveness.
- Access to Approved Member brochures and client education pieces, which build consumer trust.
- The ability to display a Professional Profile and NEB Membership Certificate on the NEB web site for consumers to examine.
- Inclusion in a national registry of approved NEB members, which consumer can access online or by phone.
- The ability to refer prospective clients to NEB’s Verification Hotline (800-282-1831), where operators will verify the member’s approval status.
- A free subscription to NEB’s Ethics Edge newsletter, which includes practical tips for selling with integrity.
- A discounted Member Media Campaign to announce membership approval in local media.
About National Ethics Bureau:
The National Ethics Bureau™ (NEB) is a membership organization of financial professionals who have successfully passed a comprehensive background check and have agreed to maintain NEB membership standards. All members are admitted into NEB’s online national registry, where consumers can view a member’s approval status and professional profile.
NEB also advocates for business ethics and consumer protection through its trade-magazine columns, conference presentations, consumer guides, monthly Ethics Edge newsletter, and web site www.ethicscheck.com.
NEB is not a financial designation or marketing organization. It does not sell or endorse any financial products. Nor does it receive financial considerations from its members or other entities who sell such products.
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