Fair Lending for All Act

The Fair Lending for All Act expands fair lending rules so more people are protected when they apply for credit. It adds sexual orientation, gender identity, and where you live (your ZIP code or census tract) to the list of things a lender cannot use to discriminate against you. It also creates criminal penalties for illegal credit discrimination.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) would review loan applications to check for rule compliance and set up an Office of Fair Lending Testing to help make sure lenders follow the law. People harmed by discrimination—and groups that spent time and money fighting it—could seek relief under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

Key points

• Who is affected: people applying for credit, lenders, and the CFPB.
• What changes: new protected classes (sexual orientation, gender identity, and location), stronger enforcement with criminal penalties, CFPB review of loan applications, and a new Office of Fair Lending Testing; allows harmed people and certain organizations to seek relief.