Which of the following entities is protected by ECOA?

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) is a federal law designed to prevent discrimination in lending based on specific protected characteristics. It ensures that all consumers, particularly borrowers, have equal access to credit without regard to factors such as race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age.

In this context, the correct choice identifies borrowers based on physical characteristics, which encompasses aspects that are directly related to the discrimination the ECOA aims to combat. By emphasizing protections for borrowers against discriminatory practices based on their physical characteristics, the ECOA reinforces the commitment to fair lending and equal access to credit for all individuals regardless of how they may physically present themselves.

The other options refer to entities or concepts that do not align with the protections established by ECOA—for instance, lenders based on financial history and real estate agents are not the focus of ECOA's protections. Although credit scores and borrowing capacity are important in loan decisions, co-borrowers are usually assessed collectively based on financial metrics rather than being individually protected under ECOA based solely on credit score. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the law's intent to protect borrowers from discrimination related to their physical traits.