Consumers love buy now, pay later loans. Here's why banks and credit card companies are wary of them

Core Insights - Buy now, pay later (BNPL) plans are gaining popularity as an alternative to credit cards, allowing consumers to make purchases in short-term, typically interest-free installments [1] - An estimated 86.5 million Americans utilized BNPL loans in 2024, with projections indicating an increase to 91.5 million in 2025 [1] - Nearly half of Americans have used BNPL services at least once, with 11% having used them six or more times [1] Industry Impact - BNPL is seen as a threat to the credit card industry, as it caters to consumers who either prefer not to use credit cards or have limited credit availability [2] - Each purchase financed through BNPL represents a potential loss of transaction activity for credit cards, impacting major revenue drivers for banks and financial institutions [2] - The rise of BNPL services raises concerns among traditional lenders regarding consumer credit quality, as it creates a gap in understanding consumer credit profiles [3]