In order to comply with HMDA, which is not a question a loan originator may ask a borrower?

The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) requires certain information to be collected from loan applicants to monitor lending patterns and ensure compliance with fair lending laws. However, there are specific regulations about what information can be solicited from borrowers.

Loan originators are allowed to ask about marital status, national origin, and race, as these pieces of information can assist in ensuring that lenders are not discriminating against applicants based on these factors. This data is used to compile statistics that help regulatory agencies identify potential discrimination in lending practices.

In contrast, asking about religion is not permitted under HMDA. This is because such inquiries can lead to bias and discrimination based on a borrower's personal beliefs, which should not factor into lending decisions. HMDA’s intent is to promote fair lending practices and eliminate discriminatory practices in providing mortgage loans, making it essential that inquiries remain focused on factors that directly relate to financial eligibility rather than personal beliefs or characteristics that may lead to bias.

Therefore, the correct answer pertains to the prohibition on questioning a loan applicant about their religion, as it is not relevant or appropriate for assessing a borrower’s creditworthiness or eligibility for a mortgage loan.