Final answer:
Under ECOA, asking how many children a borrower has is generally prohibited, but there may be exceptions depending on the purpose of the inquiry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under ECOA, it is generally prohibited to ask how many children a borrower has. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) prohibits discrimination based on factors such as gender, family status, and number of dependents. Asking about the number of children a borrower has could potentially be seen as a violation of this law, as it may be interpreted as discriminatory. However, there are some exceptions to this rule that depend on the purpose of the inquiry. For example, if the question is asked to determine eligibility for certain government programs that have specific requirements related to family size, it may be permissible.