CRCM Practice Exam - Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager Prep & Study Guide

Discrimination based on marital status is prohibited under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). The ECOA aims to ensure that all consumers are treated fairly and equitably when applying for credit. This means that creditors cannot refuse to grant credit or impose different terms based on a borrower’s marital status. Such discrimination undermines the objective of providing equal credit access to all individuals, regardless of their relationship status.

While having a minimum income level, setting credit limits based on past performance, and using credit scores for evaluations are standard practices within the lending industry, they must be applied consistently and fairly without resorting to discrimination based on characteristics protected by the ECOA, such as marital status, race, or gender. Therefore, the correct answer highlights a specific form of discrimination that the ECOA seeks to eliminate.