Product

Military Lending Act (MLA) Covered Borrower Status

Easily verify MLA covered borrower status to stay compliant, save time, and reduce risk. Integrate with consumer credit reports or run as a standalone request.
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Simplify MLA Compliance with Instant Borrower Verification

The Military Lending Act (MLA) Final Rule requires financial institutions to verify whether an applicant is a “covered borrower” before originating most loans or lines of credit. The Equifax MLA Covered Borrower Status solution makes this process fast and seamless. Lenders can request the status check within a consumer credit report or as a standalone service. 

By eliminating manual Department of Defense lookups, Equifax helps institutions streamline workflows, reduce costs, and maintain safe harbor compliance while ensuring service members and their families receive the protections they deserve.

Ensure Safe Harbor Compliance
Meet MLA regulations and maintain audit protection.
Save Time
Automate borrower checks in seconds instead of manual DoD entry.
Reduce Costs
Minimize staff resources required for compliance.
Flexible Integration
Available with credit reports or as a standalone query.
Improve Efficiency
Keep origination workflows moving without interruption.
Protect Portfolio Quality
Avoid void or uncollectable loans caused by non-compliance.

Compliance That Works Across Lending Industries

Financial institutions use MLA Covered Borrower Status to accelerate approvals, stay compliant, and protect their portfolios.

Personal Lending & Credit Cards

Automate MLA checks to ensure compliant terms on personal loans and credit cards.

Auto Finance

Verify MLA status instantly at the dealership to accelerate approvals and avoid risk.

Simple, Fast, and Secure MLA Verification

Financial institutions provide basic applicant details—last name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Equifax instantly returns a Y (covered borrower) or N (not covered) indicator, either integrated with a consumer credit report or as a standalone query.

Stay Compliant. Protect Your Business.

With Equifax MLA Covered Borrower Status, lenders gain a fast, reliable way to verify applicants, ensure compliance with federal law and reduce costly regulatory risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

A federal law that protects active duty service members, their spouses, and certain dependents from predatory lending practices. It caps interest rates at 36% MAPR and prohibits clauses like mandatory arbitration.

A solution that verifies an applicant’s covered borrower status instantly, helping financial institutions comply with MLA requirements and qualify for safe harbor protection.

The MLA Final Rule requires lenders to check MLA status before origination. Equifax automates this process, saving time, reducing costs, and avoiding penalties.

Installment loans, payday loans, refund anticipation loans, deposit advance loans, unsecured open-end credit, and credit cards (since October 3, 2017).

Non-compliance can result in civil liability, fines, criminal penalties, and loans deemed void or uncollectable.

Product Sheet

Streamline MLA Compliance

Ensure Military Lending Act (MLA) compliance with our automated solution. Instantly verify a borrower’s covered status, helping you reduce risk and identify military members.
Verify Status Instantly

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Military Lending Act - Are You Ready?
Product Sheet
Product Sheet
Military Lending Act (MLA) Covered Borrower Status
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