45% of creators prioritize working with high-quality brands above all else when evaluating brand deals, according to a July survey from Ipsos and Publicis Media.
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Become a ClientUK digital bank Starling is exploring an acquisition of another UK lender, per the Financial Times—in addition to a US bank. The move could help it expand quickly into corporate lending. Starling is not the only foreign neobank with US plans. Revolut, which competes with Starling globally, has held talks with investment bankers about buying a bank to secure a US license. Brazil’s Nubank applied for a US bank charter in October. But barriers to entry are rising as US challenger banks mature. Given the challenges ahead, quickly growing its loan book will be crucial to Starling’s profit plans.
Consumers are moderately satisfied with how their primary financial institution (FI) supports them throughout life events, according to a recent Jack Henry study. But satisfaction varies greatly by the type of event and its impact on the consumer. FI sales strategies can’t be built around products. Instead, they should facilitate financial journeys based on life events, as we explore in our June 2025 report, Future-Proofing Banking Through Customer-Centric Journeys.
"Consumers are conditioned to spend even when they're feeling pressured. Nearly a third of consumers were prepared and ready to take on debt this season to make their holiday purchases,” said our analyst Zak Stambor on a recent episode of “Behind the Numbers.”
Falling mortgage rates have reignited refinancing activity, particularly among borrowers with recently originated loans. Refinance volume rose 88% YoY, per Mortgage Bankers Association data from earlier this month. Traditional lenders should take a similar tack with enhancing the digital mortgage experience and focus on retaining existing mortgage customers as falling rates tempt them to refinance with competitors. The combination of personalized advice and a better digital experience could keep customers within a bank’s ecosystem.
Agencies are increasingly acting as commerce media guides, helping brands move past outdated structures, sort through measurement standards, and bring AI into their planning. While commerce media networks (CMNs) have expanded to capture more than just retail media dollars, the silos between brand, retail, and sales teams make integration a challenge.
Albertsons Media Collective has rolled out a new off-site feature that lets consumers add products, recipes, coupons, or offers directly to their Albertsons cart from media placements across the open web.
Temu’s new Shopify integration lets merchants manage listings, inventory, and fulfillment across more than 30 markets, positioning the platform to broaden its assortment and mitigate the impact of tightening global trade rules and de minimis closures. As governments introduce new barriers and regulators increase scrutiny in the US and EU, Temu is evolving from a low-cost disruptor into a more traditional marketplace. The move highlights how its next phase of growth depends on attracting and retaining sellers, streamlining cross-border operations, and competing on service and trust against established players like Amazon and Walmart.
Albertsons Media Collective debuted an offsite ad capability that allows shoppers to add products, recipes, coupons, or other offers to their shopping carts. The format is currently available for display ads and shoppable content and will roll out to connected TV (CTV) and social media next year. Albertsons’ new click-to-cart functionality is one of several initiatives aimed at promoting “frictionless commerce,” which is designed to reduce the time between inspiration and purchase. A speedier, simpler path to purchase isn’t only useful for shoppers—it’s also a major selling point for CPG advertisers as they determine where to allocate their retail media budgets.
China’s economic malaise deepened in November. Retail sales rose just 1.3% YoY, well below analysts’ median forecast for 2.8% growth, despite blockbuster Singles Day promotions. Investment and industrial output also fell short of expectations, signaling greater caution from businesses and individuals as they grapple with trade and economic uncertainty. To succeed in this difficult environment, brands will need to localize their marketing and product strategies, be competitive on price, and invest in immersive experiences to draw shoppers in.