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University of Portland Banking Truthtelling or Compassion Case Study Paper

 

These papers should be double-spaced and submitted on Canvas, not by hard copy or email. You will be graded on the basis of evidence that you have interacted with the material in a thoughtful manner. Furthermore, the clarity of your argument and writing will be a significant consideration. These papers are due during the week that is reflected on this syllabus. Late cases are not accepted.

Banking: Truthtelling or Compassion?

You work for a major bank that extends commercial lines of credit to auto, RV, and marine (boat) dealerships for the purpose of stocking their inventory to be sold on a retail basis. The inventory that is purchased by a dealer is financed through the credit line and serves as collateral for the loan. The loan is paid off immediately following the sale of the unit, allowing room on the credit line for additional orders. A line of credit like this is the life-source of a dealership, for, without it, business failure is almost certain.

You manage and underwrite a portfolio of loans serving dealers primarily based in the Midwest. Your job is to evaluate both the risks and mitigating factors on each account and draft a write-up with a recommendation to continue, terminate, and/or adjust the terms of a credit line. The recommendation gets approved by at least two levels above you in the bank’s corporate offices. It is common for you to come into contact with most dealers numerous times a month – sometimes on a daily basis.

Recently, a small RV dealership was due for a standard annual review, in order to determine if credit will be continued or terminated. This dealer was one of the many RV dealerships that were severely affected by the economic recession in 2008 (as well as 2009 for many RV dealers).

The dealer had taken a loss in the previous year, which had weakened the balance sheet. In a conversation with the dealer, he revealed to you that he was using personal credit cards to help fund the business but had already significantly reduced the credit card balance in the last six months, when his credit bureau report showed he had racked up $60K credit card debt to fund the business. Another two or three-quarters of losses could very well put the dealer in an insolvent position, requiring the Bank to pick up the inventory and potentially take a loss on the auction sale of the inventory.

Despite the recession, the dealer had been doing the right things to get back on the right track and had verbally reported that in the current year, numbers were doing much better. Numerous measures were taken by the dealer to cut costs, including laying off additional employees and reducing his personal salary to minimal levels. The most promising mitigating factor, however, was that dealer had owned real estate property adjacent to the dealership that had been vacant for numerous years but was recently leased on a two-year contract that would bring him new $2000 monthly cash flow.

After evaluating all factors, you conclude that the dealer would make it through the difficult season and that the bank could be confident that no losses would occur. Furthermore, you believed the majority of higher management would agree except for Amanda, who held the highest level of approval authority, and who would automatically elect to terminate the account, simply because the owner used personal credit card debt to fund the business.

You are wondering whether to omit the information about the owner’s credit card debt on your recommendation and write-up. It is standard practice to put down every detail and lay all risks, yet I also knew that Amanda was would likely lose all objectivity and rationality after knowing the business was partly funded by credit card debt for a season. Both the bank’s capital as well your job could be at risk if the bank took a loss. The owner had done everything the Bank had asked her and she had already seen recovery. Furthermore, a decision to close the credit line would likely force the dealership out of business.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

  1. Is it ethically appropriate to omit the information about the owner’s credit card debt on credit assessment, for the sake of the dealer’s survival as a business? Was a number of jobs potentially saved worth omitting the information?
  2. How strong is your obligation to my employer when you don’t agree with what will likely be their decision? How do you balance compassion for the dealer with your covenant obligation to your employer?

Rubric

Ethics Essays 2021

Ethics Essays 2021

Criteria Ratings Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePresentation

20 to >18.0 pts

Outstanding

Extremely well written; few grammar or spelling mistakes. Meets length requirements.

18 to >16.0 pts

Good/Very Good

Well written with few grammar or spelling mistakes. Slightly short of length requirements.

16 to >12.0 pts

Acceptable

Adequately written with occasional grammar or spelling mistakes. Short of length requirements.

12 to >0 pts

Unacceptable

Poorly written with frequent grammar and spelling mistakes. Significantly short of length requirements.

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization and Structure

20 to >18.0 pts

Outstanding

Well organized and connects components in a seamless way. Ideas effectively communicated.

18 to >16.0 pts

Good/Very Good

Well organized and components are connected in an understandable way. Ideas somewhat effectively communicated.

16 to >12.0 pts

Acceptable

Displays organizational structure, but connections between some elements are unclear. Ideas not effectively communicated.

12 to >0 pts

Unacceptable

Little or no discernible organizational structure. Ideas not communicated.

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeInteraction With Readings and Videos

20 to >18.0 pts

Outstanding

Thorough exposition of all applicable ethical concepts from readings and videos; clearly states ethical issues.

18 to >16.0 pts

Good/Very Good

Shows clear grasp of all applicable ethical concepts from readings and videos, with application.

16 to >12.0 pts

Acceptable

Covers most elements of applicable ethical concepts from readings, videos, and scripture in a cursory fashion.

12 to >0 pts

Unacceptable

Makes little if any reference to applicable ethical concepts from readings, videos, and scripture.

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSubstantive Content, Mature, Critical Thinking

20 to >18.0 pts

Outstanding

Exhibits mature, independent thinking – focused, logical, rigorous, sustained.

18 to >16.0 pts

Good/Very Good

Exhibits clear, coherent, and occasionally creative thinking

16 to >12.0 pts

Acceptable

Exhibits competent thinking – normally logical and coherent, though with some weaknesses.

12 to >0 pts

Unacceptable

Displays significant incoherence in its thinking and arguments.

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBiblical and Faith Integration

20 to >18.0 pts

Outstanding

In depth and comprehensive integration of theology and ethics.

18 to >16.0 pts

Good/Very Good

Consistently brings theological world view to bear on theology and ethics.

16 to >12.0 pts

Acceptable

Occasionally attempts to integrate theology and ethics.

12 to >0 pts

Unacceptable

No evidence of integrating theology and ethics.

20 pts

Total Points: 100