What qualifies as a HOEPA loan?

Asked by: Cedrick Pfannerstill  |  Last update: May 13, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (3 votes)

A loan qualifies as a HOEPA (High-Cost Mortgage) loan if its Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is significantly higher than the average prime offer rate (APOR) for comparable loans, its upfront points and fees exceed a set percentage of the loan amount, or if it includes certain restrictive terms like prepayment penalties, triggering enhanced consumer protections.

What makes a loan a HOEPA loan?

A HOEPA loan is a loan secured by a first lien on the consumer's principal dwelling that meets one of the three criteria and threshold set forth by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau under its rule making authority there relate to APR, total points and fees and prepayment penalties.

What loans are not covered under HOEPA?

As discussed above, HOEPA applies to most types of consumer credit transactions secured by a consumer's principal dwelling. As a result, mortgages secured by vacation or second homes are not covered.

Which loans do HOEPA address?

HOEPA's requirements applied only to certain mortgages. The Act was targeted at a class of the highest-cost mortgages—defined as having an annual percentage rate (APR) 10 percentage points above a comparable maturity Treasury rate or having points and fees exceeding 8 percent of the loan or $400.

How to determine if a loan is an HPML?

An HPML does not include a second home or Investment Property. A First Lien Mortgage secured by a Primary Residence that has an annual percentage rate (APR) of 1.5% or more above the average prime offer rate (APOR) for a comparable transaction as of the rate lock date. APR and APOR are both defined in Regulation Z.

What are the HOEPA Triggers? - Mortgage Math (NMLS Test Tips)

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Which of the following best defines a HOEPA loan?

HOEPA mainly covers high-cost mortgages, which are defined as loans with an annual percentage rate (APR) that exceeds the prime rate by a certain amount. HOEPA includes provisions such as assessing a borrower's ability to repay, restrictions on loan terms, and requirements for disclosures and pre-loan counseling.

What loans are excluded from HPML?

TILA section 129D(c)(2), as amended by the EGRRCPA, requires the Bureau to issue regulations to exempt from the HPML escrow requirement any loan made by an insured depository institution or insured credit union secured by a first lien on the principal dwelling of a consumer if: (1) The institution has assets of $10 ...

What are 7 types of loans?

Seven common types of loans include mortgages, auto loans, student loans, personal loans, home equity loans/HELOCs, payday loans, and small business loans, serving purposes from buying a home to funding education or business growth, each with different terms, collateral, and risks.
 

What types of loans are excluded from HMDA reporting?

The following transactions are not required to be reported under Regulation C:

  • A closed-end mortgage loan or open-end line of credit originated or purchased by a credit union acting in a fiduciary capacity § ...
  • A closed-end mortgage loan or open-end line of credit secured by a lien on unimproved land §

What constitutes a high interest loan as defined by HOEPA?

• for a first-lien loan, that is, the original mortgage on the property, the annual percentage. rate (APR) exceeds by more than eight percentage points the rates on Treasury securities of. comparable maturity; • for a second-lien loan, that is, a second mortgage, the APR exceeds by more than 10.

What is the 3% qm rule?

The "3% QM rule" refers to a key part of the CFPB's Qualified Mortgage (QM) rules that limits lender fees and points, generally to 3% of the total loan amount, to protect borrowers from excessive upfront costs on mortgages, though the percentage can be higher for smaller loans. This rule ensures loans lack risky features like negative amortization or interest-only payments and helps lenders meet Ability-to-Repay (ATR) requirements, creating a presumption of compliance for lenders.
 

Does HOEPA apply to refinance?

Exempt Loan: HOEPA only applies to purchase or refinance loans secured by a borrower's primary residence and not originated or made by a Housing Finance Agency (HFA).

Is HOEPA under TILA?

The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (HOEPA) amended the TILA. The law imposed new disclosure requirements and substantive limitations on certain closed-end mortgage loans bearing rates or fees above a certain percentage or amount.

What are the five 5 types of loans?

The five common types of loans cover personal needs like Auto Loans, Student Loans, and Mortgages, plus general borrowing via Personal Loans, while Small Business Loans cater to entrepreneurs, all varying by purpose (asset purchase, education, home), security (secured vs. unsecured), and terms (installment, revolving). Mortgages finance homes, student loans pay for education, auto loans buy vehicles, personal loans cover various expenses, and business loans fund operations, each with distinct requirements and risks. 

When determining if a loan is a HOEPA loan, there are three tests. The first test?

The first test for a HOEPA loan is the APR Test. If the APR on the mortgage exceeds the Average Prime Offer Rate (APOR) for a comparable transaction by more than specific percentages then the loan is considered a high-cost home loan.

What is the waiting period for HOEPA?

Three-Day Waiting Period Explained

After receiving these disclosures—sometimes called Section 32 disclosures—you are entitled to a three-day waiting period. During these three business days, your lender cannot move forward with the loan, and you are not required to sign anything.

How do I know if a loan is HMDA reportable?

Home purchase loans, home improvement loans, and refinancing loans are all types of loans that apply to HMDA reporting requirements. The loan must also be either an open-end line of credit or a closed mortgage loan to qualify for HMDA reporting.

Are HELOC loans subject to Hoepa?

Under the 2013 HOEPA rule, most types of mortgage loans secured by a consumer's principal dwelling1, including purchase money mortgages, refinances, closed-end home-equity loans, and open-end credit plans (i.e., home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), are potentially subject to HOEPA coverage.

Which loans are not subject to reg. Z?

What does Regulation Z not cover?

  • Federal student loans.
  • Credit for business, commercial, agricultural or organizational use.
  • Personal loans/credit above a threshold amount (currently $71,900)
  • Loans for public utility services that are regulated by a government entity.

What are the four C's of loans?

The 4 Cs of lending are Capacity, Capital, Credit, and Collateral, a framework lenders use to assess a borrower's creditworthiness by evaluating their ability to repay a loan, their existing financial reserves, their credit history, and the assets securing the loan, respectively. These factors help lenders gauge risk, making it easier for borrowers with strong profiles to get approved for mortgages and other loans. 

What are the three main types of loans?

While loans have many categories, the three fundamental types often distinguished by purpose and security are Personal Loans (flexible, often unsecured), Mortgages (for property, secured by the home), and Auto Loans (for vehicles, secured by the car), with other common types including Student Loans, Business Loans, and Home Equity Loans. Loans are also categorized by structure (secured vs. unsecured, open-ended/credit line vs. closed-ended/installment) or term (short, intermediate, long).
 

How do I categorize a loan?

If the loan is for daily operations, it's an operating expense. If it's for long-term assets like real estate or equipment, it's a capital expenditure. If it's managing existing debts, it falls under debt service.

What loans does HOEPA not apply to?

HOEPA does not apply to reverse mortgages, new purchases, or construction or home equity lines of credit. If a loan is subject to HOEPA, the lender must make certain disclosures to the borrower at least three days before the loan is finalized.

How to determine if a loan is HOEPA?

To determine HOEPA coverage, lenders must look at three main areas:

  1. Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
  2. Compare the loan's APR to the Average Prime Offer Rate (APOR) for similar loans on the same day. ...
  3. Points and Fees.
  4. Calculate whether the fees exceed the percentage allowed for the loan amount. ...
  5. Prepayment Penalties.

What loans are not covered by HMDA?

Generally, a loan or line of credit must be secured by a dwelling to be a covered loan. Regulation C also lists closed-end mortgage loans and open-end lines of credit secured only by vacant or unimproved land as excluded transactions.