Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)

Overview

Google, IBM & Meta Certificates — All 10,000+ Courses at 40% Off

One annual plan covers every course and certificate on Coursera. 40% off for a limited time.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and its role in promoting fair and equitable access to credit. You will begin with ECOA fundamentals and prohibited discrimination, building awareness of the Act’s purpose, scope, protected classes, and the different forms discrimination may take in lending decisions. The course then moves into the application process and disclosure requirements, focusing on how to appropriately manage applicant information, collect government monitoring data, deliver appraisal reports, and issue compliant adverse action notices within required timelines. Emphasis is placed on applying these requirements consistently across consumer and business credit scenarios. Finally, you will explore compliance management, including recordkeeping obligations, retention periods, self-testing practices, corrective action procedures, and enforcement considerations. Through practical examples, interactive activities, and scenario-based assessments, you will strengthen your ability to recognize risk, apply regulatory requirements accurately, and support compliant lending practices. By the end of the course, you will be prepared to uphold ECOA standards while helping your organization maintain regulatory compliance and consumer trust.

Syllabus

Module 1: ECOA Fundamentals, Application Requirements, and Compliance Management

In this module, you will learn the purpose, scope, and regulatory authority of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and how it applies to creditors and credit-related entities. You will examine prohibited bases of discrimination, protected classes, and the differences between overt discrimination, disparate treatment, and disparate impact through practical scenarios. The module also covers rules for collecting applicant information, Government Monitoring Information (GMI) procedures, appraisal delivery timelines, and adverse action notice requirements. Finally, you will review recordkeeping standards, retention periods, self-testing procedures, corrective action steps, and enforcement consequences to support effective ECOA compliance management.

Module 2: Final Assessment and Course Summary

This module evaluates your understanding of key concepts through a comprehensive final assessment. The module also summarizes essential takeaways and provides guidance on next steps