Credit Counselors Code of Ethics

ARTICLE 1

An NCAA member should keep himself informed on all business, legal and political matters affecting credit. the granting of credit and the use of credit in his area, state and nation so he may make a responsible contribution to public thinking and the formation of lending, collection and public policy on such matters.

ARTICLE 2

In fairness to his clients and the credit community, an NCAA member should endeavor always to be informed regarding credit and lending Jaws, proposed legislation, governmental regulations, public and private sector credit policies, and current credit market conditions in order to be in a position to interact knowledgeably with the credit community and to advise his clients properly.

ARTICLE 3

It is the duty of the NCAA member to protect the public against fraud, misrepresentation, and unethical practices in the credit community and on the part of those who would strive to be credit counselors. He should endeavor to eliminate in his area those practices which could be damaging to the public or bring discredit to the credit counseling profession.

ARTICLE 4

Mindful of the attitude expressed in the term ”credit community’: an NACC. Member has the knowledge techniques and lessons of his experience and study for the benefit of the public, his profession and his-clients.

ARTICLE 5

In the best interests of the American economic system and the preservation of order and trust in the credit community, the NCAA member should promote and encourage the timely payment of legitimate obligations and should act as, or encourage the participation of, an ombudsman between the client and client’s creditors, giving, however, proper consideration to the clients’ social and legal right to forgiveness and new beginning.

ARTICLE 6

In accepting employment as a client’s  credit counselor, the NCAA member pledges himself to protect and promote the interests of the client  This obligation of confidentiality and absolute fidelity to the clients’ interests is primary but also carries with it an incumbent responsibility to treat fairly all parties including clients’ creditors.

ARTICLE 7

The NACC member shall shun exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of pertinent facts. He has an affirmative obligation to the truth and the principle of mutual trust

ARTICLE 8

The NACC member shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, creed, sex or country of national origin. The NCAA member shall not knowingly be a party to any creditor action or decision based on race, creed, sex or country of national origin.

ARTICLE 9

The NCAA (‘ member is expected to provide and maintain a level of competent service in keeping with the Standards of Practice of the N A C (‘. The  member  shall  refer to these Standards of Practice  to establish  for the member  and the member’s  associates the degree of competence which a client has a right to expect  of the NCAA  member.

ARTICLE 10

In the event of controversy between a member and a client, after several attempts to resolve the matter between the parties, the NCAA member shall submit the dispute to arbitration through the NCAA Arbitration Board. In such matters, the NCAA member agrees to be bound by the decision of the Board

ARTICLE 11

An NCAA member firm shall be free, within the principles of the marketplace, to establish its own fee schedule which shall be applied equally and fairly to all clients.

ARTICLE 12

If an NCAA member shall be charged with unethical practice or asked to present evidence in any disciplinary proceeding or investigation, he shall place all pertinent facts before the proper tribunal of the NCAA or affiliated board, institute, society or council of which he is a member. This covenant shall not, however, abridge any of his clients’ rights to confidentiality.

ARTICLE 13

When acting as an agent for or employee of another, an NCAA member shall not accept any commission, rebate or profit on expenditures made for his principal/employer, without the principal/employer’s knowledge and consent

ARTICLE 14

The NCAA member shall not engage in activities that constitute the unauthorized practice of law and shall recommend that legal counsel be obtained when the interest of any client so requires.

ARTICLE 15

The NCAA member shall keep in a special account in an appropriate financial institution, separated from his own funds, monies coming into his possession in trust for o her persons or entities.

ARTICLE 16

The NCAA member shall practice “truth in advertising” at all times, taking care to present a true picture in his representations to the public.

ARTICLE 17

If the NCAA member’s services shall be offered to his clients with any guarantees as to the actual results of member’s services rendered, such guarantees shall be specifically written in a confusing manner so the client understands the specific terms of such guarantee.

ARTICLE 18

NCAA members shall not publicly disparage the business or professional practices of a member competitor. If a member’s opinion of another member’s practices or service is sought, and if the member deems it appropriate to respond, such opinion  shall  be rendered  with strict  professional  integrity and courtesy.