EthicsQuestion 323 of 400
Under ECOA/Regulation B, a lender may ask an applicant's marital status:
a.Never, under any circumstances
b.Only to deny joint applicants
c.In limited situations, such as when it affects the creditor's rights on secured or community-property loans
d.Only to charge married borrowers a higher rate
Explanation
Regulation B permits asking marital status in limited circumstances, such as where state property or community-property law affects the creditor's rights, using the terms married/unmarried/separated. It is not banned outright, and it may never be used to deny joint applicants or to price loans higher for married borrowers.
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