In which circumstance is it appropriate to gather information on a spouse or former spouse?

Gathering information on a spouse or former spouse is appropriate when the spouse will be a user of the account. In consumer lending, when a spouse is actively involved in the accounts or credit transactions, their financial history, creditworthiness, and other relevant information can significantly impact the overall assessment of the application. Including a spouse as a user can often enhance the applicant's financial profile, especially if the spouse has strong credit or stable income, thereby supporting a more favorable lending decision.

In contrast, while strengthening an application or having a cohabiting relationship may seem like valid reasons, they do not specifically necessitate gathering information about the spouse's financial background. Additionally, the fact that a spouse has a recent bankruptcy might be pertinent to financial assessments, but this scenario doesn't inherently require collecting information, as the primary focus should be on the individual applying for credit rather than the negative aspect of the spouse's financial history. Therefore, the most justifiable context for obtaining a spouse's information is when their involvement directly relates to the usage of the account.