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 ...

Core Insights - The payments landscape is undergoing a transformation with Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) becoming a popular financing option, challenging traditional credit card dominance [2][3] - Mastercard and Affirm are competing to shape the future of short-term credit in the digital economy [2][3] Mastercard Overview - Mastercard has a market cap of $489.4 billion and facilitates secure electronic payments globally, leveraging its network to support banks and merchants in providing installment solutions [5] - In Q3 2025, Mastercard's net revenues increased by 17% year over year, driven by strong consumer spending and cross-border volumes [6] - The company is investing in various innovative areas such as tokenization, cybersecurity, and AI-powered solutions to enhance its market position [7] - Mastercard maintains a strong cash position with $10.4 billion in cash and no short-term debt, allowing for share buybacks and dividends [8] Affirm Overview - Affirm is a key player in the BNPL space, focusing on transparency and data-driven underwriting, with features appealing to younger consumers [9][10] - The company reported a 34% revenue growth and a 42% increase in gross merchandise volume (GMV), expanding its ecosystem to 24.1 million consumers and 419,000 merchants [9][11] - Affirm's partnerships with major merchants enhance its market presence and allow for attractive financing options like 0% APR promotions [11] - The company utilizes AI for underwriting and customer support, contributing to its growth and efficiency [12] Financial Performance Comparison - Zacks Consensus Estimates predict Mastercard's 2025 sales and EPS growth at 15.8% and 12.6%, respectively, while Affirm's estimates indicate a 26% sales increase and a staggering 566.7% EPS growth for fiscal 2026 [14] - Year-to-date, Mastercard stock has returned 3.5%, while Affirm has outperformed with a 13% increase [15] - On a price-to-sales basis, Mastercard trades at 13.46X forward revenues compared to Affirm's 5.11X, indicating more room for growth for Affirm [16] Valuation Insights - Mastercard is currently trading below its average analyst price target of $659.38, suggesting a 21% potential upside, while Affirm trades below its target of $94.73, indicating a 37.7% potential upside [17] Conclusion - Both companies are strong players in the payment facilitation space, but Affirm's rapid user adoption and focus on BNPL innovation position it for greater long-term growth potential [18] - For investors seeking rapid gains, Affirm currently presents a more compelling opportunity compared to Mastercard [21]

Key Takeaways Cash App and Afterpay pilot a Flex Card, letting users split purchases into six weekly installments on Visa.The feature broadens pay-over-time use across Visa's network, supporting volume as preferences shift.Cash App evaluates cash-flow data and pauses access to new loans when repayment issues appear.Visa Inc. (V) is set to gain some exciting new traction as Cash App and Afterpay launch a fresh pay-over-time feature that can be used where Visa is accepted. This upcoming pilot will roll out th ...

Core Insights - Affirm Holdings, Inc. (AFRM) has partnered with Ace Hardware to offer flexible buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment options in stores, enhancing customer experience and affordability [1][8] - The collaboration allows customers to split purchases starting at $50 into manageable payments with clear terms and no hidden fees, making it easier for those on tighter budgets to buy larger items [2][8] - The BNPL market is expanding beyond e-commerce into everyday retail, with brick-and-mortar stores increasingly adopting these solutions to meet consumer demand for transparency and flexibility [3] Company Performance - Affirm's total transactions surged 51.8% year over year in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, indicating strong growth and a successful expansion into home improvement retail [4][8] - The company's shares have gained 27.1% year-to-date, outperforming the industry average rise of 19.5% [7] Competitor Analysis - Competitors like Mastercard and Visa are also enhancing their BNPL offerings, with Mastercard reporting 16.8% year-over-year growth in net revenues in Q2 2025 and Visa showing a 10% increase in processed transactions in Q3 2025 [5][6] Valuation and Earnings Estimates - Affirm trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 6, slightly above the industry average of 5.62, and carries a Value Score of F [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Affirm's fiscal 2026 earnings implies a remarkable 473.3% growth from the previous year, with revenue growth projected at 23.4% year-over-year [10]

Industry Overview - Mobile payments have evolved into a significant financial ecosystem, driven by advancements in fintech and the widespread use of smartphones [2] - The global mobile payments market was valued at $3.84 trillion in 2024 and is projected to reach $4.97 trillion in 2025, with a forecasted CAGR of 27% to hit $26.53 trillion by 2032 [5] Technological Innovations - Innovations such as blockchain and artificial intelligence are enhancing transaction security, speed, and reducing fraud [2] - Payment platforms are maturing to provide unified interfaces that connect multiple cards and accounts, maximizing user convenience [3] Market Drivers - The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the demand for touch-free, secure payment options, prompting global regulators to introduce frameworks for data privacy and financial inclusion [4] - Key forces driving the shift in mobile payments include loyalty programs, seamless experiences, and technological breakthroughs [5] Key Players - Marqeta offers mobile payment capabilities through its modern card issuing platform, processing $84 billion in total volume in Q1 2025, a 27% year-over-year increase [6][8] - Visa provides a comprehensive suite of mobile payment solutions integrated into major digital wallets, with a focus on security through tokenization and partnerships with fintechs [9][10][11] - Mastercard enables secure, real-time transactions and has expanded its presence in mobile-first markets through partnerships, reporting a gross dollar volume of $2.4 trillion in Q1 2025, up 9% year-over-year [12][13][14] - Capital One supports digital wallet integration and offers a range of features in its mobile app, with a 6% year-over-year increase in credit card revenue in Q1 2025 [15][16][17]

Core Insights - Visa Inc. is adapting to changing consumer spending habits by forming partnerships with Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) companies, positioning itself strategically within the transaction ecosystem rather than viewing BNPL as competition [1][4][11] Group 1: Partnerships and Strategy - Visa is collaborating with BNPL providers like Klarna, Afterpay, and FIS, allowing these companies to utilize Visa's payment infrastructure, which in turn increases transaction volumes for Visa and enhances the credibility of BNPL offerings [2][11] - The introduction of Visa Installments is part of Visa's strategy to offer flexible payment options to issuers and merchants, further solidifying its role in the evolving payments landscape [2][11] Group 2: Financial Performance - In fiscal 2023 and 2024, Visa's payment volume increased by 6.4% and 6.7% respectively, with an 8% year-over-year growth in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 [3][11] - Processed transactions grew by 9% year-over-year in the same quarter, indicating strong operational performance [3][11] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Competitors in the BNPL space include Mastercard, which has launched Mastercard Installments, and PayPal, which offers Pay in 4 and Pay Monthly options, leveraging their extensive user bases [5][6][7] - Visa's strategic partnerships with BNPL companies are seen as proactive measures to maintain relevance in a market that may shift away from traditional credit cards [4][11] Group 4: Valuation and Earnings Estimates - Visa's shares have increased by 13.5% year-to-date, outperforming the industry growth of 6.3% [8] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for Visa is 28.88, above the industry average of 23.06, indicating a premium valuation [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Visa's fiscal 2025 earnings suggests a 12.9% increase from the previous year, with recent upward revisions in earnings estimates [13][14]

Core Viewpoint - Mastercard and Affirm represent two distinct approaches within the digital payments landscape, with Mastercard being a traditional player and Affirm emerging as a disruptor in the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) sector [1][2]. Group 1: Mastercard Overview - Mastercard operates in over 210 countries, processing trillions of dollars annually, and has a history of steady revenue growth supported by strong relationships with banks, merchants, and consumers [3]. - In its latest quarter, Mastercard reported earnings of $3.73 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.5%, driven by increased gross dollar volume and strong consumer spending [4]. - The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates over the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 3.7% [4]. - Mastercard is investing in cybersecurity and AI to maintain its competitive edge, but faces challenges such as reliance on transaction fees and potential softening of credit card usage due to high interest rates and growing consumer debt [5][6]. Group 2: Affirm Overview - Affirm is positioned at the intersection of e-commerce and credit, offering flexible financing solutions that appeal to younger consumers who prefer transparent terms over traditional credit cards [7]. - The company reported a 36% year-over-year growth in Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) in its most recent quarter, indicating improving margins and a path toward profitability [8]. - Affirm's earnings of a penny per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 9 cents, supported by growth in GMV and rising transaction volumes [9]. - The company has established partnerships with major retailers like Amazon and Shopify, enhancing its access to consumers and positioning itself for future growth in a mobile-first payment landscape [10]. Group 3: Stock Performance and Valuation - Over the past 12 months, Mastercard stock has returned 26.9%, outperforming the S&P 500's 12% gain, while Affirm has seen a dramatic 59.1% increase [13]. - Mastercard trades at a forward P/E of 34.35X, higher than its three-year median and the S&P 500's 21.88X, while Affirm's price-to-sales ratio of 4.41X is lower than the S&P 500's 5.13X [16]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mastercard's 2025 sales and EPS implies year-over-year growth of 13.1% and 9.3%, while Affirm's current year sales and EPS estimates signal 37% and 95.8% year-over-year improvements [18]. Group 4: Conclusion - Mastercard is characterized by consistency and profitability, offering a lower-risk profile, but lacks the disruptive innovation seen in Affirm [20]. - Affirm, while more volatile and still working towards profitability, presents a compelling growth narrative with strong partnerships and innovative technology [20][21].