Regulation B prohibits neutral credit practices that negatively impact which of the following?

Regulation B is enacted as part of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and focuses on prohibiting discriminatory lending practices. Specifically, it aims to protect individuals from being denied credit based on certain characteristics that are deemed protected classes, which include race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or because an applicant receives public assistance.

The correct choice, which highlights members of protected classes, reflects the intention behind Regulation B. The regulation's goal is to ensure that these individuals are not unfairly impacted by neutral credit practices that may disproportionately disadvantage them based on their membership in these categories. This is crucial for promoting equitable access to credit.

Other options, while they might reference certain groups, do not capture the full scope of the regulation. Low-income borrowers may indeed face challenges, but Regulation B specifically addresses the broader category of protected classes. Stating that it applies to all consumers equally misses the focus on discrimination against particular groups, and referencing individuals over a certain age narrows the definition to just one aspect of discrimination rather than the comprehensive approach that includes multiple protected classes.