Under ECOA, when is it permissible to inquire about a borrower's religion?

Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), it is never permissible to inquire about a borrower's religion as part of the lending process. This prohibition is in place to ensure that no discrimination occurs based on religion, which is considered a protected characteristic. The ECOA aims to promote fair lending practices by ensuring that all borrowers are treated equally and without bias regarding personal beliefs, including religious affiliation.

The act reinforces the idea that credit decisions should be based on creditworthiness and financial criteria rather than personal characteristics that do not pertain to a borrower's ability to repay a loan. This includes religion, race, gender, and other personal attributes. The overarching goal of ECOA is to create a level playing field in lending, which is why it is strictly regulated and disallows such inquiries under any circumstances.

The other options present scenarios that would imply a context for inquiring about religious beliefs, but none are acceptable under the ECOA, reinforcing the importance of adhering to fair lending standards that protect borrowers.