Which demographic factor is NOT protected under the ECOA?

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) prohibits discrimination in lending based on certain demographic factors, ensuring fair access to credit for all individuals. Among these factors, marital status is a protected category to prevent discrimination against individuals based on their relationship status. Public assistance income is also safeguarded, as it ensures that individuals who receive government benefits cannot be denied credit based on this income source.

National origin is a clear category under the ECOA's protections to ensure that lending practices are not biased against individuals based on their country of origin or ethnicity.

Gray hair, however, is not a protected demographic factor under the ECOA. While it may indicate age, the ECOA specifically addresses discrimination based on marital status, public assistance income, and national origin as protected characteristics. Therefore, referencing gray hair does not align with the intent of the ECOA's protection provisions, making it the correct choice as the factor that is not protected under the act.