Which act prohibits discrimination in lending based on marital status and age, in addition to other protected classes?

• A. Equal Credit Opportunity Act
• B. Fair Housing Act
• C. Americans with Disabilities Act
• D. Civil Rights Act

Answer: (A)

Discrimination in lending is prohibited by law, and this protection explicitly includes marital status and age along with other protected characteristics. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act makes it illegal for creditors to deny or change the terms of credit based on these traits and applies to all credit, such as mortgages, car loans, and credit cards. It also restricts the kinds of information lenders can use when evaluating an applicant and requires notice of actions taken on a credit request, with reasons when credit is denied or offered on different terms. The other laws address related issues in different contexts: the Fair Housing Act focuses on housing transactions (and financing tied to housing) with its own protected classes, while the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Act cover discrimination in areas outside of lending or in broader civil rights contexts.