Debe, yes in the old days this was unheard of, now I am seeing even Escrow Companies and Transaction Coordinators email blasting the world...lack of attention to detail and lazy business practice....Endre

I would ask Buyer if they gave their lender permission to contact other parties.  If not, they certainly can take issue with the lender.  I would let the Buyer address, since they hired the lender.  However, I would also educate the Buyer as to why this is not appropriate.  

That has happened to me and some serious conversations ensued... it didn't happen again. Absolutely, I confront the lender any time this happens.

Interesting post and comments.  I hate reply all but realistically have a problem with this issue.  I am not ready to call foul.

Could be a mistake, let them know that this is not appropriate.

I would have this conversation with a lender, along as any vendor you work with. They should know better than CC emails to everyone. 

Debe - I would probably say something to the lender, as well as the buyer.

Debe Maxwell, CRS - having a contact information is perhaps okay - as long as the seller's agent does not contact the buyers directly.

In our offer (at least in MA) we do share the buyer's current address, isn't it?

It depends on if the lender had the borrower's permission and what the shared info in the email was. I allow my lenders to update everyone on progress, so it would depend on the circumstances.

There would certainly be a conversation with the lender.    

     A slap is in order.  This is a major breach of privacy.

    As an aside, it is amazing how many people don't know the difference between Reply, Reply to Sender, Reply All, Cc: and Bcc:

It is absolutely not okay. Is it a lender you use frequently or one your buyer chose and you don't interact with often? If it is a one time lender of your buyers choice I would politely let them know that the buyer doesn't want the other party privvy to their information and that you both have to work as a team to protect the buyer so no more all party emails, etc. If it is a preferred lender I may have an even more serious discussion to make sure it never happens again. -Kasey

I cannot decide if people are lazy, careless or don't care enough to even think about what they are doing. Of course, I am also the person who tells the title company on the Seller Info sheet, when they ask for certain pieces of information, such as social security number, to  "obtain from Seller."  I am very serious about my privacy as well as the privacy of my clients.  What happened to propriety?

Debe Maxwell, CRS I would read the lender the riot act.

This does not seem appropriate

Oh hell no...

the lender needs to protect the privacy of their client.

The lenders I use know to keep their mouth zipped.

Eve

Debe, I rarely use the "reply all" feature for that very reason as someone could get information that they are not entitled to see.  I am not sure how many of these type of occurrences are sloppy, ignorance, or plain laziness on the part of the sender. 

Last year I had a buyer who pulled out of a short sale because he was finally worn down and three months later I receive the closing statement as the EX-buyer's agent.  That deal fell through and four months AFTER THAT I received the settlement statement as the EX-ex-buyer's agent when it finally closed, even when I notified them four months earlier that I was no longer representing the buyer when the first closing statement was sent to me!!!!

Yes , all communication to Listing Agent should come from the Buyer's Agent

You bet I would

Yes it's overstepping I think. Funny that the lender is always so secretative about the buyers financial info but just decided to share that on his/her own. No difference if you ask me.

In my area, seller & buyer info are never exchanged. Of course we are an attorney state.

Sharon Altier, SFR nailed this one!

I wouldn't rush to do anything. Buyer might have ok'd it, and sellers agent might think you or buyer instructed lender to send it. It shouldn't cause any problems in most cases.

Thanks for sharing this situation.

Good question, Debe Maxwell, CRS! After reading through some of the answers, I think I would go the route that Sharon Altier, SFR suggested.

Well sometimes in our area though often overlooked the contract specifies how the sellers and buyers wish to be notified of documents and info as well as what they permit to be shared with other parties

I think you have to.  It's never appropriate to share a principal's contact informatino with the other service providers (attorney, broker, lender, escrow, etc.), particularly without explicit permission to do so.

Debe, I had this happen during a transaction.  After a phone call I found out that a new hire had made the  mistake in replying 'to all' in an email.  They were relieved to have it pointed out to them.  Apologies all around.  Releasing the contact information did no harm- if it had, I would have addressed it.  However, I was pretty upset at the time.   

If the release of contact information did change the transaction, I would call the Legal Department of your Board.

I think Sharon Altier, SFR has got this one. 

I would agree with that, and absolutely make a call and confront.

Yes, absolutely.  This is not a lender that I'd be working with any longer.

On some contracts all the buyer's and seller's information is on the signature page.  However, if it is a specificaly anonymous contract where you are acting as the exclusive contact for the transaction, then that's a big breach of confidentiality

I don't think confidential information is to be shared without permission. With all the people involved in our transactions, and using email, it's pretty risky. And everyone seems to use Reply All without thinking about it.

I would check with buyers first if they gave permission

happens here all the time

I would!

Yikes!! that would be a fired lender.  What else does he/she not know or are willing to cross lines for and could it cost you/me my license!  It is our job to stay out of harms way.?  

Yes, I would contact the lender as they may have someone new that has no idea that it is wrong to do it that way. If it is an old timer then they need to know too.

I would bring it up.

that's not a good decision... I'd be all over that lending agent....

Haven't seen that.  I would not be happy if that happened.

do approach

I agree.

The question may be is how serious is the breach? If minor, treat as such

Some lenders pride themselves on keeping the listing agent in the loop as the loan progresses.  I appreciate it, actually.

Debe,

I agree with Endre Barath, Jr.   A

If it's a solicitation email, definitely. Even if not, communications should flow through proper channels.

If i am the buyer agent, then yes. It is my job as buyers agent to notify the listing agent when approved etc and leave out the personal info

Debe,

I had an agent email my buyer, I email the agent to let them know that any communication with my buyer will need to be sent to me. Somehow the lender shared my buyers email. "not cool"

Some things are not meant to be shared!

Lenders don't march to the same tune we do - they do what they want right or wrong

I have never had any success confronting a lender.

Could be the Buyer gave permission, could be it was an oversight. Talk to your buyer and then have them talk to the lender.

I would advise the transgressor such behavior is unacceptable.

Based on their response and future reports of their behavior, I may begin an informative program much like the one for for Rufus Moneypants at  Never Ever Bank of Clearwater FL.

It is not a surprised that lenders would treat agents in the same manner brokers treat their agents.

When next you read a lender asking 'How can I earn your business?" this question clearly illuminates the 'one way' street that exists and the lender believes no consequences exist for them.

Yes, I would, depending on the nature of the email.

Yes, I would confront the supervisor. They have no right to release confidential information.

Yes, I would have a problem with that.  The Seller should not be receiving information about the Buyer's finanes, mortgage etc.,  I would call my Buyer and tell them to compose a new email to reply to the bank only, with a c.c. to me.