I just started a new business and tried to get a mortgage loan for my business. I think that the lender discriminated against me and my company. What are my rights under the law?

Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), it is illegal for a creditor such as a lender or broker to discriminate in any business credit transaction against any applicant because of:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• National origin
• Sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity)
• Marital status
• Age (if the applicant is old enough to enter into a contract)
• Receipt of income from any public assistance program
• Exercising in good faith a right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act, which is a collection of consumer protection statutes relating to credit; this includes filing a billing dispute with a card issuer

The law applies even if a partnership or corporation applies for a loan. This means that a lender or broker may not use any of the above grounds as a reason to:

• Discourage you from applying for business credit
• Refuse you business credit if you qualify for it
• Provide you business credit on terms that are different from the terms given to someone else who is similarly situated to you, such as having similar creditworthiness

If you believe that you were discriminated against on any of these grounds, you can file an official complaint or tell us about your experience.

In addition, state or local law may prohibit discrimination on additional grounds. If you think you may have been a victim of discrimination, you may also want to consult an attorney. If you need help finding an attorney, you can view this list of legal aid services in your state.

You can tell us about your experience without filing a formal complaint.

You can also file a complaint with the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).

Submit a complaint with the CFPB

If you believe a lender has discriminated against you for any reason, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372). You’ll need the dates, amounts, and other details about your complaint before submitting. We’ll provide you a way to monitor the status and progress of your complaint.

In addition, state or local law may prohibit discrimination on additional grounds. If you think you may have been a victim of discrimination, you may also want to consult an attorney. If you need help finding an attorney, you can view this list of legal aid services in your state.

You can tell us about your experience without filing a formal complaint.