The Federal Reserve Board eagle logo links to home page

Skip to Content Types of Loans

The Credit Application Process

Sources of Technical Assistance

If Your Application Is Not Approved

Equal Credit Opportunity Act

If You Need Help

Federal Enforcement Agencies

Alternative Sources of Capital

A Guide to Business Credit for Women, Minorities and Small Businesses: If You Need Help. Words appear next to an image of a mixed-race group of two women and a man in an office.

If you are not granted credit by the lender and you believe the lender may have acted unlawfully, you can seek further assistance from the regulatory agency that supervises the institution. A list of some of the agencies is contained in this brochure for your reference. If it becomes necessary to seek legal assistance, the Act provides some remedies. If you have been denied credit because of unlawful discrimination and are able to prove it, courts may award actual damages and in some circumstances may impose punitive damages against the lender. If a lawsuit alleging discrimination is successful, the court also may award court costs and attorney fees.

Return to top Return to top A Guide to Business Credit

Home | Brochures
Accessibility
To comment on this site, please fill out our feedback form.
Last update: June 27, 2001