We contacted Susquehana about refinancing our HELOC. The broker explained the eligibility requirements and the terms of the loan. One of the key factors was an introductory rate of 2.49 % that would last for 12 months and then the loan would convert to a variable rate of prime minus a .25 % discount for having a Susquehana free checking account with automatic loan payments deducted from that account. The broker explained there was a loan to value ratio ( LTV ) we could not exceed taking into account our primary mortgage. We explained that the purpose of the loan was to pay off the original HELOC which was $ XXXXand to have the ability to use the HELOC for home improvement and potentially a down payment on a second home. The broker told us that we were approved for a {$420000.00} HELOC and we assumed that based on a XXXX appraisal of our home and approximate first mortgage of {$700000.00}, that this number represented an acceptable amount within the acceptable LTV parameters. We were never presented with any alternate loan figures or told that by agreeing to this amount, we would not be within the promised variable rate after the first year of prime minus .25 %. So we accepted the offer and closed on the loan. 
The first year of the HELOC payments were as expected. During the course of the year, we only used under {$300000.00} of the HELOC. However, at the one year mark, the loan payments doubled. When we inquired what the new rate was, we were told that our loan reset to prime plus .25 % ( instead of the expected minus .25 % rate ). When we asked why, we were told that our overall loan amount at closing exceeded the XXXX % LTV and therefore we were not entitled to the prime minus .25 % rate. 
The broker never explained that if the HELOC LTV ratio exceeded a certain percentage that the introductory rate would reset to a higher APR after the first year. And we were never given an option of borrowing less so we would not exceed the LTV. Indeed, we did not use 70 %. 
We immediately contacted Susquehanna and asked if they could lower the loan limit to bring us within the acceptable LTV limit but they could not. And they refused to reset the rate to the original promised rate. 
At this point we feel that they maximized the loan figure for their own benefit. We had no way of knowing this would occur or that we were not within the acceptable LTV ratio until after the first year when the rate changed. By then, it was too late and we are stuck with a higher loan we do n't need and with higher interest payments. In addition, we ca n't refinance because we would be stuck paying additional closing costs. 
