**A mortgage used to buy your own home is generally consumer credit under federal Truth in Lending rules.** Your bank may use “consumer loans” as a separate lending or reporting category. Federal law uses different definitions for different purposes.

Under **Regulation Z**, which implements the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), consumer credit means credit extended primarily for “personal, family, or household purposes.” The main test is the purpose of the borrowing. [12 CFR § 1026.2(a)(12)](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1026/2/)

Your federal savings bank has another definition to consider. Under **12 CFR § 160.3**, “consumer loans” excludes loans the savings association designates under lending authority other than HOLA § 5(c)(2)(D). The accompanying regulation lists consumer loans, home loans, credit card loans, and education loans under separate lending authorities. A mortgage can therefore be consumer credit under Regulation Z while being classified as a home loan under the savings association’s lending powers. This could explain your bank’s terminology; its policy would confirm that. [§ 160.3](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-I/part-160/section-160.3), [§ 160.30](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-12/chapter-I/part-160/section-160.30)

The main consumer credit categories look like this:

| Category | Common examples | Main distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Unsecured installment loans | Personal loans, debt consolidation, medical financing | Usually a fixed advance repaid over an agreed term |
| Loans secured by personal property | Auto, motorcycle, boat, RV, or deposit-secured loans | The lender has collateral securing repayment |
| Open-end credit | Personal credit cards, revolving personal lines | Generally allows repeated borrowing as available credit is replenished |
| Closed-end home loans | Home purchase mortgages, refinances, home equity loans | Secured by the home; generally subject to mortgage-specific requirements |
| Open-end home equity credit | HELOCs | Secured by the home, with separate rules for home equity plans |
| Education loans | Private and federal student loans | Private education loans have special Regulation Z rules; federal student loans follow a separate federal program framework |

These are common categories, rather than an exhaustive list of product names. Regulation Z organizes requirements around open-end credit, closed-end credit, mortgages, private education loans, and credit cards. [Regulation Z](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1026/1/)

**Purpose can change the classification of any of these products.** A car loan for personal transportation generally has a consumer purpose; financing a vehicle primarily for a business generally has a business purpose. Likewise, a HELOC used primarily to finance a business can be business credit. Regulation Z generally exempts business, commercial, and agricultural credit, and its commentary supplies rules for mixed purposes and rental properties. [12 CFR § 1026.3 and commentary](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1026/3/)

The major federal-law differences are:

- **TILA / Regulation Z:** Governs credit-cost disclosures and other protections for covered consumer credit. Most covered closed-end mortgages use the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure. HELOCs have separate home equity disclosure requirements. Consumer purpose alone does not establish coverage: exemptions and other conditions also matter. [§ 1026.19](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1026/19/), [§ 1026.40](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1026/40/), [§ 1026.3](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1026/3/)
- **Rescission under TILA:** Certain transactions secured by the borrower’s principal home carry a three-business-day cancellation right. A mortgage financing the purchase of that home is exempt from that right. Home equity borrowing and refinances require their own analysis. [§ 1026.23](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1026/23/)
- **RESPA / Regulation X:** Applies to covered federally related mortgage loans and addresses settlement practices, escrow, and mortgage servicing. Coverage and exemptions depend on the transaction. [§ 1024.5](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1024/5/)
- **ECOA / Regulation B:** Prohibits specified credit discrimination and governs application notices and other requirements. It applies to commercial and personal credit. [§ 1002.1](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1002/1/)
- **HMDA / Regulation C:** Requires covered institutions to collect and report information about covered dwelling-secured lending. Some business-purpose mortgages are reportable too. [§ 1003.3](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1003/3/)
- **Other overlapping laws:** FCRA governs consumer-report use and related notices; the Fair Housing Act prohibits housing-related lending discrimination. Military borrowers may have additional protections, with different coverage under the MLA and SCRA. [FCRA](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/who-can-request-to-see-my-credit-report-en-1305/), [Fair Housing Act](https://www.hud.gov/stat/fheo/rights-obligations), [MLA](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/military-financial-lifecycle/military-lending-act-mla/), [SCRA](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/as-a-servicemember-am-i-protected-from-foreclosure-en-306/)

For your work, ask compliance which definition the bank’s “consumer loan” category uses: **Regulation Z, HOLA lending authority, regulatory reporting, or an internal department classification.** Apply each law’s coverage test to the transaction; the bank’s category name alone does not determine its obligations.