Fintech

Merchants and banks have taken predictably opposing positions on a Federal Reserve proposal to increase competition among networks that route online debit transactions. But amid the hundreds of comments, it's those from supposedly neutral parties — the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission — that stand out.

More than a third of installment borrowers are delinquent, according to new research. Fintechs and the banks that are following them into the market are willing to tolerate the credit risk — for now — because of BNPL’s rapid growth and the fee income from merchants.

Executives at JPMorgan Chase, Capital One and U.S. Bancorp all spoke this week about plans to take on upstarts that offer interest-free financing on consumer purchases. The increased competition figures to result in tighter margins across the category.

Capital One Financial will test a new buy now/pay later service as consumers flock to the options that let them split up a purchase and pay it off over time.

JPMorgan Chase is acquiring the Infatuation, a restaurant-guide company that owns Zagat, as the bank seeks to expand its consumer offerings to credit card users and other customers.

Merchants will be able to offer the interest-free installment product starting in October. One of Synchrony’s retail partners, Amazon, announced a buy now/pay later partnership with Affirm last month.

The market for short-term installment credit is growing among millennials and Gen Z consumers who distrust credit cards. Banks are letting a golden opportunity slip away.

Some progressive lawmakers argue the Federal Reserve’s deregulatory moves under Jerome Powell should disqualify him for a second term as chair. But the Biden administration could let him keep his job because of monetary policies that helped low-income workers.

Earlier this summer, bankers sounded upbeat about Americans’ purchasing patterns, particularly in connection with loan growth in the credit card business. But more recent data suggests that the delta variant is taking a toll on consumer confidence.

The Toronto-based bank will take over the account from Capital One, which is ending its deal with the membership-only retail chain.