Group 1 - The core strategy of Affirm focuses on not charging late fees, aligning the company's interests with consumers, as emphasized by CEO Max Levchin [1] - Levchin advocates for transparency in the lending industry, suggesting that simple interest and fixed terms can help prevent borrowers from falling into serious debt [1] - Affirm reported a positive quarterly performance, beating earnings and revenue expectations, with shares up 7.82% year-to-date [2] Group 2 - There has been a notable increase in consumer spending on travel during the holiday season, particularly among Gen Z shoppers, indicating a shift in consumer behavior [2] - Affirm has observed a significant rebound in spending on sports goods, a category that had previously lagged [2] - More consumers are opting for Affirm's six-month payment plans, reflecting a trend of shoppers looking to manage their budgets effectively [3]