The purpose of collecting this information is to help ensure that all applicants are being treated fairly, that the housing needs of communities and neighborhoods are being fulfilled, and to otherwise evaluate our programs and report to our funders. For residential mortgage lending, Federal law requires that we ask applicants for their demographic information (ethnicity, sex and race) in order to monitor our compliance with equal credit opportunity, fair housing and home mortgage disclosure laws. You are not required to provide this information but are encouraged to do SO. You may select one or more designations for "Ethnicity" and one or more designations for "Race." The law provides that we may not discriminate on the basis of this information or on whether you choose to provide it. However, if you choose not to provide the information and you have made this application in person, federal regulations require us to note your ethnicity, sex and race on the basis of visual observation or surname. The law also provides that we may not discriminate on the basis of age or marital status information you provide in this application. If you do not wish to provide some or all of this information, please check below.