Discrimination: Loans for dwellings.
1. As used in this section:
(a) “Customer” means a person who applies for a loan or other financial assistance to purchase, construct, improve or repair a dwelling. The term includes a person who does not intend to enter into a transaction for a loan or other financial assistance, but applies for the loan or financial assistance as if he intended to enter into the transaction.
(b) “Lender” means a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company or other person whose business consists in whole or in part of making commercial real estate loans.
2. It is unlawful for any lender to deny a loan, or other financial assistance rendered by the lender, to any customer or to discriminate against any customer in fixing the amount, conditions, duration, rate of interest or other terms of a loan or other financial assistance or to refuse to purchase a loan from another lender because of the race, color, religious creed, national origin, disability, ancestry, familial status or sex of:
(a) The customer;
(b) Any person associated with the customer in connection with the loan or other financial assistance or with the purpose of the loan or other financial assistance; or
(c) The present or prospective owners, lessees, tenants or occupants of the dwelling in relation to which the loan or other financial assistance is to be made or given.
3. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of:
(a) A misdemeanor for the first and second offenses.
(b) A gross misdemeanor for the third and subsequent offenses.
Last modified: February 25, 2006