The Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits discrimination based on which of the following?

The Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) is designed to ensure that all consumers are treated fairly when it comes to credit and lending. It prohibits discrimination against applicants based on specific characteristics. Marital status and race are two of the protected categories under the ECOA. The Act acknowledges that discrimination in lending practices can lead to unequal access to credit, hence the inclusion of these characteristics.

While age is also covered under some aspects of credit and lending laws, it’s important to note that the ECOA specifically focuses on certain categories. The other options include elements that, while important, do not fall under the prohibitive categories established by the ECOA. For instance, credit scores and income are measures of creditworthiness but not protected classes. Thus, the focus on marital status and race accurately reflects the intent of the ECOA to eliminate bias and promote fair treatment in lending practices.