Credit card definitions

Intro APR: The initial interest rate that is charged for a specified period of time.

Intro period: The period of time for which the introductory interest rate is in effect.

Regular APR: The interest rate charged after the introductory rate has expired.

Annual fee: The charge for use of a credit card levied each year, which typically ranges from $15 to $300 and is billed directly to the customer's monthly statement.

Balance transfer: Moving unpaid credit card debt from one issuer to another.

Credit needed: Terms for credit cards are granted to consumers based on their credit risk. Excellent credit consumers typically have lower interest rates compared with poor credit consumers. Credit card issuers assess risk based on the FICO score, the most commonly used credit score.

Credit card type: The category under which a card can be classified to help consumers identify relevant cards. For example, a consumer looking to transfer a balance from one card to another may want to look at cards in the Balance Transfer category.

Credit type: The category under which a card can be classified to help consumers identify relevant cards. For example, consumers with excellent credit may find the best card for their needs in the Excellent Credit category. Credit worthiness is determined by a consumer's FICO score, the most commonly used credit score.

Issuers: The financial institutions that issue credit cards and bills the customer for purchases made against the card account.