An MLO consistently asks female applicants detailed questions about their family planning intentions and childcare arrangements, while not asking male applicants similar questions. The MLO explains this helps assess 'income stability for long-term loans.' This practice represents:
Correct Answer
C) Disparate treatment because different questions are asked based on gender
This is disparate treatment under ECOA, which specifically prohibits inquiries about birth control, family planning, or childbearing capacity. The MLO is intentionally treating male and female applicants differently by asking different questions based on gender stereotypes. Such inquiries are prohibited regardless of the MLO's stated intention to help assess income stability.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
This is disparate treatment under ECOA, which specifically prohibits inquiries about birth control, family planning, or childbearing capacity. The MLO is intentionally treating male and female applicants differently by asking different questions based on gender stereotypes. Such inquiries are prohibited regardless of the MLO's stated intention to help assess income stability.
More Ethics & Fraud Questions
A lender's mobile app prominently displays a 'pre-qualification' feature that asks for minimal information but generates loan amount estimates that are consistently 20-30% higher than what borrowers actually qualify for when they complete full applications. The app includes a disclaimer that estimates are 'subject to full underwriting.' This practice is most likely:
An MLO discovers that multiple loan applications from different borrowers contain identical handwriting in the signature sections, despite different purported signers. The applications were submitted by different real estate agents. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
A mortgage loan originator receives a lead from a real estate agent about a potential borrower. Before calling this consumer, the MLO must:
An MLO tells Asian applicants that they need larger down payments 'because that's what investors prefer for your type of loan,' while telling similarly qualified white applicants that standard down payments are acceptable. This practice represents:
A mortgage company advertises 'Guaranteed approval for all credit types!' but internally has minimum credit score requirements of 580. This advertisement is problematic because it:
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