NotFinancialAdvice

Gen Z opens new credit cards to cushion income shocks, often despite slipping scores around 678; lenders see risk but potential cradle-to-grave customers.
Abstract: The piece shows Gen Z increasingly opening credit card accounts as a financial cushion despite lagging credit scores, with about 25% of 18-29-year-olds adding new cards in the past year. FICO places Gen Z's average score around 678, driven by student-loan delinquencies as loan payments resume. Lenders accept higher risk in exchange for the potential of lifelong customers, aiming for cradle-to-grave relationships rather than short-term profit.

As more regions prioritize payments sovereignty, France’s Cartes Bancaires (CB) network is working to reclaim some of the market share it has lost to Visa and Mastercard.
The nonprofit network was created in the 1980s as a joint venture among France’s leading

When Stripe launched the Tempo blockchain, its main objective was to bring significant everyday payments volume to stablecoins—a goal it is now one step closer to achieving following a deal with DoorDash.
For a blockchain that only brought its mainnet online last m

Payment services firm EBANX, a key partner in the development of Brazil’s highly successful Pix instant payment system, is expanding into several new markets in Southeast Asia, strengthening its footprint beyond Latin America. The fintech is launching operations in

By any measure, Zelle has been a success in its nearly ten years of existence. Total volume on the platform reached $1.2 trillion last year—a 20% increase over the previous year—far surpassing Venmo and Cash App, which handled roughly $325

The digital euro has taken a major step toward launch, as European policymakers push to reduce reliance on foreign payment networks and regain control over how money moves across the bloc.
New agreements between the European Central Bank and three standards

Abstract: Western Union is developing USDPT, a dollar-backed stablecoin linked to its agent network and Solana-based ecosystem, with planned USD Stable Card and Digital Asset Network to enable settlement and global spending amid slower consumer remittances and competition from Circle/Tether.
Summary: Western Union develops USDPT stablecoin with Solana support, targeting settlement in its global agent network and two services: USD Stable Card and Digital Asset Network; consumer transfers slow, positioning against Circle/Tether.

When a shopper is tricked into making a fraudulent purchase, they expect recourse from their financial services provider. These guardrails are one of the reasons credit cards have become predominant in the U.S.—not only can consumers dispute charges after the

Millions of Australian consumers were expected to withdraw from ATMs yesterday as part of Cash Out Day, an event designed to keep cash relevant in an increasingly digital world.
The movement has gained significant support across Australia and has even been

The Central Bank of Brazil is drawing a hard line on how crypto can be used in the country’s financial system, effectively shutting stablecoins out of cross-border payments. Under Resolution No. 561, such transactions will need to go through traditional foreign

Revolut opens a high-visibility, Apple Store–style space in Barcelona to showcase its app-based services as part of blending physical touchpoints with broader regulated banking expansion in Europe and the U.S.
Revolut opens a non-branch, Apple Store–style space in Barcelona to educate customers on its product suite, while its UK license limits deposits and it pursues US licensing and a later IPO.

A new pricing war is emerging in crypto trading as traditional brokerages move to challenge both crypto-native platforms and retail trading apps on fees, access, and trust.
ETRADE, owned by Morgan Stanley, has launched a pilot spot crypto trading service for

Imagine a global supply chain where payments no longer require manual initiation, intervention, or tedious reconciliation. In this autonomous ecosystem, an AI agent monitors inventory levels, triggers procurement, and negotiates supplier terms—all while

As loyalty programs become as valuable as the flights themselves, Bank of America and Alaska Air are doubling down on one of the industry’s longest and most lucrative partnerships.
The two companies have extended their co-branded credit card agreement in a

The Senate has reached a deal on how the long-delayed CLARITY Act would treat stablecoins, putting the legislation back on track. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) agreed to a compromise addressing one of the main sticking points: whether c

Debit card interchange fee revenue is climbing steadily, reshaping a business line that has become increasingly important for banks, credit unions, and payment networks. Driven by higher consumer spending, the continued shift away from cash, and growth in

Fed data show 9.1% annualized growth in revolving debt, signaling looming delinquencies for 2026. Issuers gain from higher rates but face rising charge-offs and the need to monitor risk and prune lines.
Abstract: Rising revolving debt, driven by inflation and energy costs, boosts near-term issuer revenue but raises delinquency and charge-off risk. It recommends proactive, data-driven credit-line review and close monitoring of borrower behavior.

Airlines pioneered co-branded credit cards decades ago as a way to reward frequent flyers and strengthen customer relationships in a rapidly growing industry. Since then, co-branded cards have expanded across nearly every sector—from retail and restaurants to