When renewing my balloon home equity loan with Bank of America I was told I did not qualify and would have to apply for a modification. After 18 months my approval came through with Bank of America writing that I now had an affordable home equity line of credit payment. That is true for the first XXXX payments - not so much for the next XXXX payments that span 38 years. Then the rate goes to a close to market rate of 4.125 % with me paying more in finance charges than the amount of the loan more than doubling the amount owed. Bank of America gave me no indication that this was the only " modification " available until I received the paperwork. I had tried other avenues to write a loan but could not due to the stricter lending standards and the fact that my credit score took a bad hit when they reported me past due while the negotiations lingered on. 
This is a usury loan that only benefits the Bank of America. Even though I have made all trial payments timely and the new loan is in effect the old loan still shows on my credit report as past due. Due to the stricter underwriting rules placed on the big banks who caused the housing collapse ( i.e. Bank of America ) and in turn the recession I could not get a loan renewal. My only option, other than foreclosure, is to agree to a loan modification that cost me {$60000.00} finance charges on a {$59000.00} loan. 
