Which of the following applicant characteristics is legally permitted to be considered in evaluating credit...

When evaluating credit risk, lenders are legally permitted to consider whether alimony payments that the applicant relies on for income are likely to continue and be consistently made. Lenders need to assess the reliability of income sources, and documented alimony that is expected to continue is a valid consideration under ECOA (Equal Credit Opportunity Act) guidelines.

Factors like the applicant’s likelihood of having children (A), phone listing (B), and age (C) are not permissible criteria for evaluating creditworthiness under ECOA, as these would constitute discrimination.

References:

Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), 15 U.S.C. §1691

CFPB ECOA Guidelines