Which of the following is an objective of fair lending laws?

Promoting equitable treatment in lending is a central objective of fair lending laws. These laws are designed to prevent discrimination in lending practices based on protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age. By ensuring that all individuals have equal access to credit and loan opportunities, fair lending laws aim to create an inclusive financial environment where lending decisions are based on objective criteria rather than biased or discriminatory practices.

The essence of fair lending is to foster a lending system that offers the same opportunities for credit to all individuals, which helps to promote fairness and equality in financial transactions. This ideally leads to a more competitive market and supports economic development by allowing a broader section of the population to obtain financial resources necessary for purchasing homes, starting businesses, and other essential activities.