Federal Law Reference for Women's Rights
CREDIT & ECONOMIC ACCESS
Federal law prohibits discrimination in credit transactions and establishes consumer financial protections. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Reserve are primary enforcement agencies.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 (ECOA)
15 U.S.C. § 1691 et seq.
Prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, or receipt of public assistance. Applies to any extension of credit, including mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and small business loans.
Fair Housing Act — Mortgage Lending
42 U.S.C. § 3605
Prohibits discrimination in residential real estate transactions, including mortgage lending, on the basis of sex and other protected characteristics. Works in conjunction with ECOA to address discriminatory lending practices.
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA)
12 U.S.C. § 2801 et seq.
Requires financial institutions to collect and publicly disclose data about mortgage applications and originations, including the sex and race of applicants. This data is used by regulators to identify potential discriminatory lending patterns.
SBA Women-Owned Small Business Program
15 U.S.C. § 637(m)
The SBA Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program allows contracting officers to set aside certain federal contracts for women-owned small businesses in industries where WOSBs are underrepresented.
Retaliation Protections
15 U.S.C. § 1691e (ECOA)
ECOA provides a private right of action for applicants who experience credit discrimination, including retaliation for asserting their rights. Complaints may be filed with the CFPB or the relevant federal financial regulatory agency.