Interest Rates

Consumers Show Improved Confidence in November but Fear Recession
Consumers Show Improved Confidence in November but Fear Recession
November 28, 2023  |  Consumer Insights

The latest data from The Conference Board showed that consumer confidence rebounded a bit in November. The question remains as to how long, or whether,...

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Card Issuer Petal Seeks Buyer Amid Struggle for Capital
Card Issuer Petal Seeks Buyer Amid Struggle for Capital
November 19, 2023  |  Credit Cards

Credit card company Petal is reportedly seeking a buyer amid doubts about its viability. The company, which provides cards for consumers who are new to credit, is...

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Record-High Share of Americans Have Paid Off Their Homes 
Record-High Share of Americans Have Paid Off Their Homes 
November 17, 2023  |  Real Estate

An increasing number of Americans have realized the dream of owning a home without the burden of a mortgage.  Nearly 40% of homeowners in the...

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Consumers’ Credit Card ‘Switch’ Looks Set to Benefit BNPL and Digital Wallets
Consumers’ Credit Card ‘Switch’ Looks Set to Benefit BNPL and Digital Wallets
November 16, 2023  |  Consumer Finance

Consumers examining the debt they’re carrying — and the cost of servicing that debt — may be tempted to make the switch away from credit...

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Affirm Says High Interest Rates Drive Demand for BNPL
Affirm Says High Interest Rates Drive Demand for BNPL
November 14, 2023  |  Buy Now Pay Later

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) company Affirm expects an increase in demand for its short-term consumer loans if interest rates remain high for an extended period. Affirm’s...

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Home Depot: DIYers Hammer Away at Pocket-Friendly Projects
Home Depot: DIYers Hammer Away at Pocket-Friendly Projects
November 14, 2023  |  Earnings

Sticking to the same DIY rhythm as the previous quarter, Home Depot continues to see consumers hammering away at small projects instead of diving into...

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Small Businesses Delay Purchases and Hiring Due to High Interest Rates
Small Businesses Delay Purchases and Hiring Due to High Interest Rates
November 14, 2023  |  Economy

 High interest rates are leading smaller businesses to lower their expectations.  As the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) noted in a report Tuesday (Nov. 14), some...

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Fed: Banks Healthier Than in 2008 but Still Vulnerable
Fed: Banks Healthier Than in 2008 but Still Vulnerable
November 12, 2023  |  Banking

America’s banks are in a steadier place than they were in 2008. But according to a recent Federal Reserve report, that doesn’t mean they’re completely...

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Buy Now, Pay Later Thrives Despite Rising Interest Rates
Buy Now, Pay Later Thrives Despite Rising Interest Rates
November 09, 2023  |  Buy Now Pay Later

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) company Affirm continues to see demand from investors, reportedly defying earlier concerns about rising interest rates affecting all BNPL lenders. Unlike traditional...

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