Exceedingly low "teaser" rates that move up rapidly in later years were another feature of the new loans.

But he said suspicion that it was a teaser rate had kept some customers from opening accounts.

These products would not be likely to have low teaser rates.

Just one late payment could also cancel the teaser rate.

This year, only 58 percent offer the teaser rates.

And teaser rates, such as 7 or 8 percent for the first year, are pretty well a thing of the past.

The regional plans often vary widely, with a low teaser rate offered for weekend night or late-night calls only.

Sure, it's easy to get credit, and there are plenty of low-interest teaser rates on the market.

In a competitive market, many companies will compete with each other for the lower teaser rate.

The idea is to switch to a new credit card the moment the previous one's teaser rate has expired.