Final answer:
An underwriter considers the borrower's financial stability and likelihood to repay the mortgage loan, with a focus on the likelihood of continued income rather than characteristics like ancestry, marital status, or receipt of public assistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
When approving a mortgage loan application, an underwriter may take into consideration factors that suggest the borrower's financial stability and likelihood to repay the loan. The correct answer from the provided options is B. Likelihood of continued income. Historical earnings, credit history, and current income are critical in assessing this likelihood. Factors like ancestry, marital status, and receipt of public assistance are not directly related to financial stability and are also protected characteristics under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting their use in loan decision-making processes.