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Title 15, Chapter 41 · Subchapter IV

Equal Credit Opportunity Act

Source inventory verified · briefs review-gated

Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)

ECOA is Subchapter IV. It prohibits specified discrimination in credit transactions and provides rulemaking, enforcement, self-testing, small-business lending-data, and civil-liability provisions.

15 U.S.C. §§ 1691–1691f · 9 listed sections
Open official Subchapter IV ↗
Select any section to read the current official text. The briefing beside each citation is a short educational orientation only; applicability, exceptions, dates, and remedies must be confirmed in the linked source and with qualified counsel when needed.
Who this law generally covers

Scope at a glance

  • Applications for consumer and business credit
  • Creditor decisions, terms, servicing, and specified notices
  • Protected characteristics and protected exercises described by the statute
Core statutory themes

Key protections

  • A federal prohibition against specified credit discrimination
  • Notice-related and recordkeeping requirements implemented through Regulation B
  • Enforcement and civil-liability provisions
  • Rules involving self-testing and small-business lending data
Practical education guide

Organize a fair-lending concern

Credit decisions are fact-specific. Preserve the application, terms offered, notices, and communications.

  1. 01

    Record the creditor, product, application date, applicants, terms requested, and result.

  2. 02

    Save the application, adverse-action notice, appraisal or valuation notices, correspondence, and advertisements.

  3. 03

    Write down the specific statement, comparison, or event causing concern without assuming motive.

  4. 04

    Review ECOA together with Regulation B.

  5. 05

    Consider a CFPB complaint or licensed attorney if discrimination or a missed legal deadline may be involved.

Read before acting

Important information

  • An unfavorable credit decision is not by itself proof of unlawful discrimination.
  • Regulation B contains important operational rules and notice timing.
  • Employment, housing, and other laws may also be relevant depending on the facts.

Related regulations

Regulation B — 12 CFR Part 1002→

Official help

CFPB fair lending resources↗
Subchapter IV

All sections

§§ 1691–1691f
15 U.S.C. § 1691

Scope of prohibition

Provides the federal statutory framework concerning scope of prohibition. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.

Read 15 U.S.C. § 1691 at the official U.S. Code ↗
15 U.S.C. § 1691a

Definitions; rules of construction

Provides the federal statutory framework concerning definitions; rules of construction. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.

Read 15 U.S.C. § 1691a at the official U.S. Code ↗
15 U.S.C. § 1691b

Promulgation of regulations by the Bureau

Provides the federal statutory framework concerning promulgation of regulations by the Bureau. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.

Read 15 U.S.C. § 1691b at the official U.S. Code ↗
15 U.S.C. § 1691c

Administrative enforcement

Provides the federal statutory framework concerning administrative enforcement. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.

Read 15 U.S.C. § 1691c at the official U.S. Code ↗
15 U.S.C. § 1691c-1

Incentives for self-testing and self-correction

Provides the federal statutory framework concerning incentives for self-testing and self-correction. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.

Read 15 U.S.C. § 1691c-1 at the official U.S. Code ↗
15 U.S.C. § 1691c-2

Small business loan data collection

Provides the federal statutory framework concerning small business loan data collection. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.

Read 15 U.S.C. § 1691c-2 at the official U.S. Code ↗
15 U.S.C. § 1691d

Applicability of other laws

Provides the federal statutory framework concerning applicability of other laws. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.

Read 15 U.S.C. § 1691d at the official U.S. Code ↗
15 U.S.C. § 1691f

Annual reports to Congress; contents

Provides the federal statutory framework concerning annual reports to Congress; contents. Open the official U.S. Code text for the operative language, definitions, exceptions, and amendments.

Read 15 U.S.C. § 1691f at the official U.S. Code ↗
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