Steven Jones is a credit manager at Safebank. He is currently considering the credit application of Martha Mulligan who is a technical specialist at the company Slidequick Mixes. Though Martha earns a good salary and is in the position to provide sound collateral, Steven has heard about the fact that Slidequick Mixes may be in financial trouble. Slidequick Mixes also banks with Safebank. During confidential discussions with the bank the management of Slidequick stated that the company may be forced into liquidation. Required: What should Steven Jones do in this situation? Select the best alternative.

a. Tell Martha Mulligan that she will soon be out of a job and decline the application.

b. Try and establish how difficult it will be for Martha Mulligan to find alternative employment before making a decision.

c. Decline the application and inform Martha Mulligan that the reason is confidential and cannot be shared with her.