Providence, R.I.-based Lincoln Appraisal & Settlement Services (LASS) will join the Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Appraisers (MBREA), the first appraisal management company to do so.

Appraisal management companies (AMCs), which act as middlemen between lenders and appraisers, have proved controversial among appraisers in the past, with many feeling they have put downward pressure on appraiser’s fees and require unrealistic turnaround times for their reports.

MBREA is one of the first appraiser organizations to allow AMCs such as Lincoln to join as members. Steve Sousa, executive vice president of the MBREA, said the organization was pleased to welcome Lincoln.

“We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Lincoln Appraisal,” Sousa said in a statement. “As they are the pilot organization to join our association, we hope to build additional effective relationships with AMCs throughout the New England region who work with our appraiser members in Massachusetts and beyond.”

For its part, Lincoln Appraisal & Settlement Services expressed its belief that its incorporation into the appraisal trade group would result in better communication and service between appraisers and consumers.

“As an RA-designated member of the MBREA, I am delighted to have Lincoln Appraisal as its first member AMC,” George K. Demopulos, president and chief valuations officer for Lincoln, said in a statement. “This new ability of appraisers and AMC’s to work together will allow us to provide our mutual clients the best in appraisal management and appraisal services, and I am excited that my company will now be able to support the MBREA.”