Credit news and trends

As Credit Demand Accelerates, Issuers Face an Infrastructure Reset
Payments Innovation // March 03, 2026

Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and...

Planned Purchases Rise as Financial Stress Eases, Study Finds
Consumer Finance // February 23, 2026

Many Americans are turning themselves down for credit before a lender ever does. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today....

TransUnion Reports Subprime Borrowers Drive Lending Surge
Loans // February 19, 2026

Subprime borrowers drove unsecured personal loan originations and balances to record highs, TransUnion said in a Thursday (Feb. 19) press release. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins...

Half of Retail Small Businesses Rely on Daily Sales to Stay Afloat
SMBs // February 12, 2026

A growing share of retail small businesses are not planning for the next downturn so much as financing their way through the next week, and PYMNTS Intelligence data showed just how thin that margin has become. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock...

Interviews & Exclusives
Private Credit’s Gold Rush Draws Regulators and Bank Warnings

March 05, 2026
Private credit has evolved from a niche financing tool to a fixture of modern capital markets, and as it expands, banks, regulators and investors are taking a closer look at the risks embedded within that lending class. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all […]

Planned Purchases Rise as Financial Stress Eases, Study Finds

February 23, 2026
Many Americans are turning themselves down for credit before a lender ever does. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to...

Half of Retail Small Businesses Rely on Daily Sales to Stay Afloat

February 12, 2026
A growing share of retail small businesses are not planning for the next downturn so much as financing their way through the next week, and PYMNTS Intelligence data showed just...

Credit Data Shows Spending Discipline as Card Balances Rise

February 06, 2026
The Federal Reserve’s latest consumer credit data points to a familiar seasonal pattern, with revolving balances moving higher as households navigated year-end expenses and holiday purchases. Get the Full Story...

Quick Reads
TransUnion Reports Subprime Borrowers Drive Lending Surge

February 19, 2026
Subprime borrowers drove unsecured personal loan originations and balances to record highs, TransUnion said in a Thursday (Feb. 19) press release. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing […]

AmEx Debuts Flexible Payments for Small Businesses

February 05, 2026
American Express (AmEx) has debuted its Flexible Payment Option (FPO) for small businesses. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all...

Equifax Says AI Tools Help Drive New Product Innovation to Record High

February 04, 2026
Equifax used its cloud and artificial intelligence resources to help drive innovation and efficiencies across its operations in 2025, Equifax CEO Mark Begor said Wednesday (Feb. 4) during a fourth-quarter...

Equifax Launches Machine-Learning Product That Detects First-Party Fraud

January 30, 2026
Equifax has launched a new machine-learning product designed to combat two forms of first-party fraud: loan stacking and credit washing. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this...