PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National plaintiffs’ law firm Berger Montague PC announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Klarna Group plc (NYSE: KLAR) (“Klarna” or the “Company”) on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Klarna securities during the period of September 7, 2025 through December 22, 2025 (the “Class Period”), including shares issued pursuant and/or traceable to Klarna’s September 2025 initial public offering (“IPO”). Investor Deadline: Inv ...

Once one of the market's hottest BNPL names, Sezzle Inc. (NASDAQ:SEZL) has tumbled roughly 60% in less than half a year, a collapse that's now pushing the stock potentially into value territory for the first time in a long while.Operating in an increasingly crowded U.S. online credit market alongside rivals such as Affirm Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:AFRM) and Klarna Group Inc. (NYSE:KLAR) , the company went public on Australia's ASX in 2019 at A$1.22, or roughly $0.84 per share, before delivering a staggering 22, ...

Core Insights - The alternative lending market in Africa is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.8%, reaching a market value of US$4.8 billion by 2025 [1] - The market has experienced robust growth from 2020 to 2024, with a CAGR of 14.7%, and is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 14.2% from 2025 to 2029, reaching approximately US$8.1 billion by the end of 2029 [2] Market Overview - The report provides a detailed analysis of the alternative lending industry in Africa, covering over 100 key performance indicators (KPIs) such as loan disbursement value, volume, average loan ticket size, and penetration rate [3] - Africa's alternative lending space is evolving with trends such as Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) growth, alternative-data underwriting, and institutional capital inflows [4] BNPL and Embedded Credit - The BNPL market in Africa is projected to grow annually, particularly in digitally connected economies, with more merchants integrating installment financing into checkout experiences [5][6] - Regulatory oversight may tighten in response to rising usage and default risks associated with BNPL and embedded credit [6] Alternative Data Utilization - Alternative lenders are increasingly using nontraditional data sources to assess creditworthiness for underbanked segments, including mobile usage and transaction history [7] - Standardization of alternative-data scoring and improved default prediction accuracy are expected, with lenders leveraging proprietary data partnerships to outperform generic models [8] Institutional Capital Inflows - Alternative lending in Africa is attracting institutional capital and private credit lenders seeking higher yields, particularly in fintech-originated credit and SME lending [9] - Partnerships between capital providers and originators are expected to scale credit into various segments, increasing competitive pressure on credit standards and deal transparency [10] Embedded Credit Integration - Alternative credit is being integrated into digital platforms and mobile money ecosystems, which is particularly relevant in markets with strong mobile money usage [11] - The quality of integration and underwriting precision will determine the margin and risk premium on embedded credit [12] Competitive Landscape - The alternative lending landscape in Africa is heterogeneous, with strong incumbents in markets with favorable digital infrastructure, while many participants compete in niche segments [13][14] - Traditional banks still dominate consumer and SME lending, with alternative lenders focusing on underserved segments such as micro loans and embedded credit at point-of-sale [15] Key Players and Market Dynamics - Leading examples include 4G Capital in Kenya, which offers unsecured working capital loans, and Yoco in South Africa, which is expanding its reach among SMEs [21] - New entrants often come from mobile money platforms or fintechs with existing payment relationships, and many alternative lending models are financed through partnerships rather than full acquisitions [21] Regulatory Environment - Regulators in many African countries are beginning to create or update frameworks around fintech lending, focusing on consumer protection and credit risk rules [21] - The forecasted period is expected to see increased regulatory maturity, with more countries defining licensing and supervision for digital lenders [21]

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - January 6, 2026) - National plaintiffs' law firm Berger Montague PC announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Klarna Group plc (NYSE: KLAR) ("Klarna" or the "Company") on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Klarna securities during the period of September 7, 2025 through December 22, 2025 (the "Class Period"), including shares issued pursuant and/or traceable to Klarna's September 2025 initial public offering ("IPO").Inves ...

Core Insights - PROG Holdings, Inc. has completed the acquisition of Purchasing Power for $420 million in cash, enhancing its fintech offerings and expanding its reach in the employer-based channel [1][3] Company Overview - PROG Holdings, Inc. is a fintech holding company that provides transparent payment options and inclusive financial products, owning brands like Progressive Leasing, Four Technologies, and Build [4] - Purchasing Power is a voluntary benefit company that offers financial wellness solutions, enabling employees to purchase products through payroll deductions [5] Acquisition Details - The acquisition of Purchasing Power allows PROG Holdings to access over 7 million employees through partnerships with more than 360 employers, enhancing its customer engagement and financial access initiatives [2][3] - The transaction was funded through a combination of cash on hand and debt financing, indicating a strategic investment in expanding the company's service offerings [3] Strategic Goals - The combined organization aims to leverage shared technology and operational capabilities to strengthen client relationships and support long-term growth [3] - The acquisition aligns with PROG Holdings' commitment to improving financial access and inclusion for its customers [2]

Core Viewpoint - Investors in Klarna Group plc have the opportunity to lead a securities fraud class action lawsuit due to alleged misstatements and omissions related to the company's initial public offering [1][2]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit claims that Klarna's defendants materially understated the risk of increased loss reserves shortly after the September 2025 IPO, which they either knew or should have known [2]. - It is alleged that the positive statements made by the defendants regarding Klarna's business and prospects were materially misleading and lacked a reasonable basis [2]. Group 2: Participation Information - Investors who suffered losses related to Klarna are encouraged to participate in the ongoing lawsuit, with a lead plaintiff deadline set for February 20, 2026 [2]. - Interested parties can contact the Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz for more information or to participate in the class action [3][4].

Group 1 - Klarna Group plc (NYSE:KLAR) is considered a strong investment opportunity by analysts, with Wells Fargo's Jason Kupferberg reiterating a Buy rating and setting a target price of $53 [1] - The company has confirmed a strategic partnership with wallet infrastructure platform Privy to explore crypto wallet solutions, following the launch of its stablecoin, KlarnaUSD, in collaboration with Tempo and Bridge [2] - Klarna's CEO, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, emphasized the company's unique position to integrate cryptocurrency into the financial lives of everyday consumers, not just early adopters [3] Group 2 - On December 15, Klarna introduced the Agentic Product Protocol, an open standard aimed at making online products discoverable and interpretable by AI agents, providing access to a structured feed of over 100 million products and 400 million prices [4][5] - The introduction of the protocol aligns with Klarna's strategy to leverage AI as an interface for online commerce, enhancing product discovery and price comparison [5] - Klarna is recognized as a global digital bank and flexible payments provider, known for its "Buy Now, Pay Later" services, which allow consumers to split purchases into interest-free installments [6]

Though it seems like just yesterday that millennials were bopping away to “Get Low” in the club, they’ve now reached an age where retirement is on the horizon. After growing up during periods of broader financial tumult — and having their love of lattes and avocado toast unfairly blamed for it — many millennials may assume that retiring wealthy simply isn’t in the cards. To paraphrase another popular song from their teen years, they’d better lose themselves in the moment of smart retirement planning. Bar ...

Core Viewpoint - A class action lawsuit has been filed against Klarna Group plc on behalf of investors who acquired Klarna securities during the specified Class Period, alleging that the IPO Registration Statement materially understated risks related to loss reserves [1][3]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit targets investors who purchased Klarna securities from September 7, 2025, to December 22, 2025, including shares from the September 2025 IPO [1][2]. - Investors have until February 20, 2026, to seek appointment as lead plaintiff representatives [2]. Group 2: Allegations - The complaint claims that Klarna's IPO Registration Statement significantly underestimated the risk of increased loss reserves shortly after the IPO, a risk that was known or should have been known due to the financial hardships faced by many customers [3]. - At the time of the lawsuit, Klarna's share price had declined from the IPO price of $40 per share to approximately $31.31 per share [3].

Core Insights - The "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) services are becoming increasingly popular during the holiday shopping season, with spending expected to reach $20.2 billion, an 11% increase from the previous year [2] - Annual BNPL spending is projected to hit $116.7 billion by 2025, doubling from 2022 and increasing more than sevenfold compared to 2020 [3] - A survey indicates that half of holiday shoppers are likely to use BNPL services if available, highlighting its growing acceptance [4] Industry Trends - BNPL services are embedded in consumer culture, leading to higher average order values—91% for enterprises and 62% for small businesses [5] - Despite the growth, there are rising concerns about the financial strain on consumers, with 41% of users admitting to missing payments, up from 34% last year [6] - Financial experts warn that BNPL can create a false sense of affordability, leading consumers to make purchases beyond their means [7] Regulatory Environment - There is increasing regulatory scrutiny on BNPL services, with proposed legislation aimed at extending consumer protections similar to those for credit cards [10] - A multistate inquiry into major BNPL providers is underway, focusing on fees, disclosures, and consumer risks [11] - The regulatory landscape is inconsistent, with BNPL products being treated differently across states, leading to confusion and potential regulatory arbitrage [12] Market Performance - The year 2025 has been mixed for BNPL companies, with varying stock performances: PayPal down 30.54%, Block down 24.90%, Affirm up 25.69%, Klarna down 31.67%, Sezzle up 65.27%, and Zip up 7.32% [15]