If a loan is associated with a loan amount less than $50,000, what percentage above APOR qualifies it as high cost?

In the context of high-cost mortgages as defined by the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA), if a loan amount is less than $50,000, the threshold that classifies it as "high cost" is set at 8.5% above the Average Prime Offer Rate (APOR). This percentage increase is specifically aimed at protecting consumers from extensive fees and unwanted interest rates that would otherwise categorize the loan as predatory or unaffordable.

Understanding the APOR is crucial, as it serves as a benchmark for lenders to determine whether the terms offered to borrowers are reasonable compared to the general market rate. If a loan exceeds this threshold, it indicates that the borrower may be subject to loans with significantly higher costs compared to the market average. Thus, the 8.5% figure serves as an essential protection standard for lower loan amounts, ensuring consumers are not taken advantage of for smaller loans.

The other percentages do not align with the regulations set forth in HOEPA for loans under $50,000. Therefore, only an increase of 8.5% or more qualifies a loan as high-cost in this specific scenario.