Buy now, pay later plans are emerging as a popular alternative to credit cards. According to eMarketer, an estimated 86.5 million Americans used these loans in 2024, with the number projected to rise to 91.5 million in 2025. While consumers are embracing the trend, big banks and financial institutions remain cautious, seeing it as a direct threat to credit cards and a challenge in tracking borrowers’ credit histories.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:47 Rise of ‘buy now, pay later’
4:19 Credit card profitability
6:42 Borrower’s credit history
9:37 What’s next?
Produced by: Jeff Huang
Edited by: Andrea Miller
Graphics by: Jason Reginato
Managing Producer: Anuz Thapa
Senior Director of Video: Lindsey Jacobson
Additional Footage: Getty Images, Affirm
» Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC
» Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision
» Watch CNBC on the go with CNBC+: https://www.cnbc.com/WatchCNBCPlus
About CNBC: From ‘Wall Street’ to ‘Main Street’ to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more.
Want to stand out, grow your network, and get more job opportunities? Sign up for Smarter by CNBC Make It’s new online course, How to Build a Standout Personal Brand: Online, In Person, and At Work. Sign up today: https://cnb.cx/4nUBgbA
Connect with CNBC News Online
Get the latest news: https://www.cnbc.com/
Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC
Follow CNBC on Threads: https://cnb.cx/threads
Follow CNBC News on X: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC
Follow CNBC on WhatsApp: https://cnb.cx/WhatsAppCNBC
#CNBC
Why Americans Love ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ — And Banks Don’t
source
