Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which attribute is not considered illegal discrimination in granting credit?

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) aims to prevent discrimination in credit transactions based on certain protected characteristics. The act explicitly prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age.

In the context of the options provided, income level is not a protected characteristic under the ECOA. Lenders are permitted to consider a borrower’s income level when assessing creditworthiness, as this is a legitimate factor that affects a person's ability to repay a loan. Evaluating a borrower’s income level helps lenders determine the risk associated with granting credit, while ensuring that lending decisions are based on sound risk assessment practices rather than on characteristics that the ECOA aims to protect.

On the other hand, race, color, and source of income may involve factors that could lead to discriminatory lending practices, thus falling under the provisions of the ECOA that seek to eliminate bias in credit decisions. Therefore, focusing on income level as a non-discriminatory factor aligns with the intent of the ECOA to protect consumers from unfair treatment while allowing for responsible lending practices.