Which of the following is NOT a threshold used under HOEPA to indicate a high-cost loan?

The correct answer relates to the specific criteria used under the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) to identify high-cost loans. HOEPA establishes certain thresholds that must be met for a loan to be classified as high-cost, which trigger additional disclosures and protections for consumers.

The annual percentage rate (APR), points and fees, and loan term are all specified thresholds under HOEPA. The APR must exceed a certain percentage above the applicable Treasury securities rate, points and fees have to exceed a specific dollar amount relative to the total loan amount, and the loan term can also contribute to classifying a loan as high-cost based on the conditions established.

In contrast, while the finance charge is a fundamental aspect of lending that encompasses all costs associated with the loan, it is not directly listed as one of the thresholds for determining a high-cost loan as per HOEPA guidelines. Instead, the APR and points and fees are calculations derived from the finance charge among other factors but are separately cited for establishing whether the loan meets or exceeds HOEPA's thresholds.

Thus, finance charge is the element not specifically delineated as a threshold factor to classify loans under HOEPA, making it the correct answer in this context.