Americans are flocking to “buy now, pay later” services this holiday shopping season https://t.co/cbUKohMiEE ...

Core Insights - The discussion highlights the behavioral risks associated with Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Klarna and Afterpay, suggesting that while they may seem beneficial, they can lead to overspending and financial strain [1][2][3] Behavioral Risks - Users may feel encouraged to make purchases they wouldn't normally consider due to the perceived increase in purchasing power from splitting payments [2] - The structure of BNPL services can lead to a cycle of overspending, particularly for individuals living paycheck to paycheck [2][3] - A user shared an experience of accumulating $900 in monthly payments through Klarna, illustrating the potential for financial distress [3] Financial Comparison - The financial benefits of using BNPL services are minimal; for example, parking $1,700 in a high-yield savings account may yield only $3 to $5 in interest over six weeks [4] - In contrast, using a credit card with a 2% cashback on a $1,700 purchase would provide $34 in rewards, significantly outweighing the interest earned from a savings account [4] - Credit cards also offer additional benefits such as purchase protection and chargeback options, which are not available with BNPL services [4]

Affirm Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:AFRM) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed. Cramer noted the market’s reaction to the stock after the company posted its quarterly report over a month ago. The Mad Money host said: “A little over a month ago, we got a really impressive quarter from Affirm Holdings, the buy now, pay later powerhouse… [It] posted a 12-cent earnings beat off an 11% basis with much higher than expected revenue. The stock shot up more than 11% the next day, reaching a high of $79 and ...

On this episode of Everybody’s Business, we talk about $Trump and the increasing popularity of “buy now, pay later” https://t.co/FhA3ISQnvK ...

Core Insights - Sezzle's in-app financial literacy program, MoneyIQ, has achieved over one million lessons completed by more than 200,000 users in under a year, highlighting its growing popularity as a comprehensive platform for shopping, rewards, and financial education [1][2][8] Group 1: Financial Literacy Program - MoneyIQ is designed to enhance users' long-term financial well-being by integrating financial education into the Sezzle app, allowing users to learn while managing payments and tracking spending [2][5] - The program features bite-sized lessons focused on practical financial skills, developed under the National Standards for Personal Finance Education, and is powered by Zogo [5][6] - Following the launch of MoneyIQ, user confidence in financial management increased significantly, with 51% of users feeling "very confident" about their finances, up from 37% prior to the program [6] Group 2: User Engagement and Incentives - Users earn experience points for completing lessons, which can be redeemed for Sezzle Spend, promoting positive financial habits and responsible behavior [7] - The most commonly completed lessons include essential skills such as opening a bank account, saving money, repaying debt, building a budget, and improving credit [9] Group 3: Market Context and Company Vision - As the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) model becomes more mainstream, Sezzle aims to redefine its role by ensuring that it supports both purchasing power and users' long-term financial confidence [8] - The initiative addresses a significant gap in financial literacy, particularly among Gen Z, where 28% report lacking financial knowledge, which correlates with lower confidence levels in managing finances [4]

Core Insights - Affirm and Revolve Group have expanded their partnership to facilitate easier payment options for consumers in Canada and the UK, allowing them to purchase fashion items without late or hidden fees [1][2] - Eligible consumers can now use Affirm's buy now, pay later (BNPL) service to split their purchases for various products, including apparel and accessories [1][2] - The partnership builds on an existing collaboration that began in the United States earlier this year, reflecting a growing trend towards flexible payment options in the retail sector [1][2] Company Overview - Revolve Group, Inc. is a fashion retailer targeting Millennial and Generation Z consumers, founded in 2003 by co-CEOs Michael Mente and Mike Karanikolas [2] - The company operates through two segments: REVOLVE, which offers a wide range of apparel and accessories, and FWRD, which focuses on luxury brands [3] - Affirm aims to provide transparent financial products that improve consumer lives and support business growth, differentiating itself by not charging late or hidden fees [3][4] Market Trends - The demand for flexible payment options is increasing, with Affirm's network reporting a 30% year-over-year growth in fashion and beauty purchases as of the quarter ended September 30, 2025 [2] - Leading global brands, including Adidas and Canada Goose, utilize Affirm's services at checkout, indicating a broader acceptance of BNPL solutions in the retail industry [2]

Mastercard and LoanPro plan to launch a program that will enable lenders to deliver installment loans through virtual and physical cards.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.The Loan on Card program is s ...

This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. The size of buy now, pay later loans have increased as more U.S. consumers rely on them, according to a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau study released last week. The average dollar value of a BNPL loan grew to $848 in 2023 from $745 in 2022, a 14% increase, the agency's research found. The bureau unveiled the study — which looked at buy now, pay later loans i ...

With many Americans feeling economically anxious about the holiday season, consumers are increasingly turning to credit cards and "buy now, pay later" financing arrangements. On this week's episode of Financial Freestyle, host Ross Mac speaks with Tanuj Parikh, the head of commercial at Cash App, about the rise of digital payment apps and how they are transforming the financial lives of younger shoppers. Tanuj discusses splitting purchases into multiple payments, ways to spend within your budget, and the ra ...

Core Insights - Retail and e-commerce companies saw a significant increase in online spending during Black Friday, with U.S. consumers spending a record $11.8 billion, marking a 9.1% year-over-year growth [1][4] - The surge in online sales is expected to enhance the financial outlook for major e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Amazon, and eBay, as well as the ETFs that include these companies [2][6] E-commerce Performance - The record sales were driven by a shift towards digital platforms, with e-commerce growth outpacing in-store traffic, supported by aggressive discounting and the adoption of technologies like AI and BNPL services [3] - Adobe reported an 805% increase in AI traffic to U.S. retail sites compared to the previous Black Friday [3] - U.S. e-commerce sales exceeded Adobe's forecast of 8.3% growth, with Salesforce reporting a global online spending of $79 billion, up 6%, and U.S. sales of $18 billion, up 3% [4] Individual Platform Results - Shopify merchants achieved a record $6.2 billion in sales on Black Friday, reflecting a 25% year-over-year increase [5] - Amazon's marketplace and fulfillment services likely allowed it to capture a significant share of online spending [5] ETFs and Investment Opportunities - Investing in ETFs provides a diversified approach to capitalize on the e-commerce trend, reducing volatility and risk associated with individual stocks [7] - The strong Black Friday performance indicates robust consumer demand for digital retail, positioning specific ETFs for growth [8] ETF Highlights - **Global X E-commerce ETF (EBIZ)**: Net assets of $53.1 million, exposure to 41 companies, top holdings include Shopify (5.26%) and Alibaba (5.16%), gained 2.8% leading up to Black Friday, up 18.1% year to date [9] - **ProShares Online Retail ETF (ONLN)**: NAV of $60.09 per share, exposure to 19 companies, top holdings include Amazon (23.05%), Alibaba (11.92%), and eBay (8.05%), gained 3.4% leading up to Black Friday, up 34.7% year to date [11] - **VanEck Retail ETF (RTH)**: Assets worth $256 million, exposure to 26 major retailers, top holdings include Amazon (19.62%), Walmart (10.37%), and Costco (7.35%), gained 3.7% leading up to Black Friday, up 12.9% year to date [12]