Gen Zers are flocking to emerging payment methods, but card-based options, led by debit cards, remain supreme. Payment providers must align offerings with Gen Z’s preferences now as their spending power grows.

Economic uncertainty is making it hard for some to keep up: Prolonged inflation, financial stress, and rising debt are making for a challenging environment.

Digital payment methods continue to displace cash and checks in the US payments ecosystem. But after a pandemic-driven crest, growth is moderating amid economic uncertainty, resetting the stakes for share of wallet.

They’re becoming delinquent on auto loans and credit card payments at a faster rate than older generations, raising questions about what’s normal and what’s troubling.

Inflation is changing anxious consumers’ financial goals. Banks can play a big role in helping them feel supported.

Partnering with StepChange will help support struggling customers, but it raises questions around the harm BNPL can cause.

Twitter to pay Big Tech tax: Twitter Blue’s relaunch might not secure the intended revenue due to Apple App Store and Google Play payment commissions. But Twitter has bigger problems.

Twitter’s fallout deepens: More jobs cuts, departures of executives, and distressed debt pose existential concerns for the social media company. Pressure to monetize the platform isn’t enough to save it.

The government may require BNPL providers to carry out affordability checks before approving customers, among other measures.

Klarna is the most popular buy now, pay later (BNPL) service in the US, with 34.8 million users ages 14 and older. Afterpay takes the No. 2 spot with 20.0 million, and Affirm comes in third with 14.0 million.

The majority of US consumers are shouldering loan debt, with 61.1% holding one or more loan accounts with an outstanding balance. The most common types of accounts to have an outstanding balance are mortgages (33.3%) and auto loans (31.0%).

Payments Ecosystem: Diminishing analog payment use—as well as the battle for share between entrenched electronic payment methods and emerging challengers—will intensify the battle for customer spending this year.

The US mortgage debt balance will hit $14.412 trillion in 2022, as consumers continue to snap up homes at a pace not seen since before the Great Recession.

Younger boomers are wealthier than Gen Xers and millennials. But with retirement—voluntary or involuntary—now on their horizon, many younger boomers are going to face new financial challenges for which they are not fully prepared.