Owen, a CFP® professional, works for a brokerage firm that requires any investment products or loans offered to a client must be proprietary products of the brokerage firm.

One of Owen’s clients, “Dominic” that he has been providing financial planning services to for the past 10 years asked Owen to recommend a loan. Owen is still engaged in the financial planning process with this client. According to the CFP Code of Ethics, what action is Owen required to take?

a. The Code of Ethics forbid a CFP® professional from making loans to clients.

b. Owen has an inherent conflict of interest, since the bank only permits him to offer proprietary products, therefore he cannot make the loan. Owen must discuss this conflict of interest to his client.

c. Owen may offer a bank loan but the limitations concerning the proprietary products must be disclosed and they must be in writing to Owen.

d. Owen may make the loan, but must disclose the conflict of interest in writing or verbally to Jack.