Industry-Wide Trends
Cross-cutting trends shaping the consumer financing industry.
- Stories
- 30
- Originals
- 0
- Topics covered
- 5
- Last published
- Aug 21
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Credit Union Chatbot Adoption Jumps From 3% to 46%
Credit unions are pivoting to AI as chatbot adoption nears 50%, aiming to close the service gap for modern borrowers and business partners.
Credit unions are rapidly adopting AI, with chatbot usage skyrocketing from 3% to 46% in just a few years. For retailers and operators who partner with credit unions for consumer financing, this shift signals a major change in how your customers will interact with their lenders. The primary goal of this AI push is to bridge the gap between what members expect and what traditional institutions currently provide. Customers now want instant answers regarding their loan status, payment schedules, and credit availability. As these financial institutions integrate AI, the friction at the point of sale should decrease. When your customer uses a credit union-backed financing product, they are increasingly likely to resolve issues or check balances via an automated assistant rather than waiting on a phone line. However, the report suggests a 'consequential gap' still exists. While credit unions have the technology, they are still fine-tuning how to meet specific business and consumer demands. For your business, this means you should check with your lending partners about their digital capabilities. A lender with a robust AI interface often means fewer support headaches for your sales staff and a smoother post-purchase experience for your shoppers.
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Curated · technology
83% of Financial Firms Rate ID Systems Highly Despite Customer Friction
Financial firms overrate their ID systems, potentially causing checkout friction and lost sales for merchants offering consumer credit.
Curated · industry-news
Visa partners _able and Onafriq to expand credit access in Africa
Visa partners with _able and Onafriq to integrate seamless consumer credit into digital wallets and bank accounts across Africa.
Curated · technology
Stripe beefs up AI as it encroaches on banking
Stripe’s acquisition of OpenRouter and rumored interest in PayPal signals a major shift toward AI-driven consumer finance and merchant banking.
Curated · technology
BNY's Barker on what really concerns clients about AI and payments
AI-driven 'intelligent routing' aims to automate payment selection to ensure the best cost and speed for every transaction.
Curated · industry-news
Nationwide launches free credit score widget
Nationwide's new credit score tool highlights a shift toward consumer credit transparency that could boost confidence in retail financing applications.
Curated · industry-news
Santander isn't rushing into Webster integration: US CEO
Santander completes Webster Financial deal with a promise of slow integration to ensure service stability for U.S. partners.
Curated · regulation
New York Moves Sweeping BNPL Regulation Closer to Implementation
New York’s latest BNPL rules require lenders to secure licenses and improve consumer protections, signaling a new era of oversight for alternative payments.
Curated · technology
Experian lets Brits check credit score within ChatGPT
Experian integrates credit score checks into ChatGPT, moving financial qualification directly into the AI tools customers use daily.
Curated · industry-news
Teens targeted for scams
A new Federal Reserve report warns that teens and young adults are facing a surge in financial scams, posing new risks for digital payment providers.
Curated · regulation
Visa, DOJ lawyers clash ahead of trial
The DOJ’s monopoly lawsuit against Visa heats up, potentially impacting the debit fees merchants pay at the point of sale.
Curated · lender-updates
Tandem Bank strengthens C-suite
Tandem Bank reshuffles its leadership team to accelerate growth in the sustainable consumer lending market.
Curated · technology
Datavault AI to acquire BankWyse
Datavault AI’s acquisition of BankWyse pushes data monetization and AI deeper into the consumer lending and digital banking infrastructure.
Curated · technology
Starling launches AI tools for customised services
Starling Bank's new AI suite allows businesses to build bespoke financial services, paving the way for more personalized consumer lending tools.
Curated · industry-news
Prosus invests $100m in Indian fintech Navi
Prosus pumps $100 million into Navi, signaling continued global appetite for instant, mobile-driven consumer credit solutions.
Curated · regulation
Withholding CDFI funds harms the nation's most vulnerable communities
Federal funding delays for community lenders could tighten credit availability for low-income consumers and impact retail sales.
Curated · technology
Stripe, OpenRouter finally strike a deal
Stripe’s $7.5 billion acquisition of OpenRouter signals a new era of AI-driven payment optimization and smarter consumer financing tools.
Curated · industry-news
Yomo secures initial banking licence in Egypt
CIB receives preliminary approval for yomo, a new digital bank aimed at transforming digital credit and consumer lending in Egypt.
Curated · industry-news
EIB launches fintech fund in Poland
The European Investment Fund is backing a new €30 million fintech fund to drive lending innovation and startup growth.
Curated · technology
However worried you are about AI deepfakes, you're not worried enough
Advanced AI deepfakes are targeting consumer credit applications, forcing a shift in how retailers and lenders must verify customer identities.
Curated · technology
BOCHK and Ant International team up for cross-border payments
Ant International and BOCHK partner to streamline cross-border payments and liquidity using digital clearing technology.
Curated · regulation
Undefined 'material financial risk' in CAMELS rule draws fire
Vague new banking rules on 'material financial risk' could lead to unpredictable lending environments for retail financing partners.
Curated · industry-news
Revolut applies for banking licence in Finland
Revolut's push for a Finnish banking license signals a move toward deeper consumer credit and lending integration across Europe.
Curated · regulation
Big Tech’s AI Gatekeepers Could Draw Regulatory Scrutiny
New 'agentic' AI tools are drawing government scrutiny as regulators look to close the accountability gap in automated decision-making.
Curated · technology
Enterprise AI Finds Its Firmest Footing in Security and Treasury
AI adoption is moving fastest in security and treasury departments, offering retailers better fraud protection and more precise cash flow forecasting.
Curated · merchant-playbooks
45% Rise in Mobile Price Checks Shows Changes in Store Shopping
Mobile price checks are up 45%, signaling a massive opportunity for retailers to capture sales through integrated mobile financing tools.
Curated · technology
Real-Time Payments Give Banks a Commercial Account Retention Tool
Real-time payment integration is becoming a must-have for business banks, offering retailers better liquidity and streamlined back-office operations.
Curated · regulation
OCC Promises Final Rule for GENIUS Act by November
Federal regulators fast-track the GENIUS Act, bringing new compliance standards and stability to the consumer lending and fintech landscape.
Curated · technology
Three simple steps for banks to measure AI's ROI
Banks are shifting focus from AI hype to hard ROI, ensuring the technology behind consumer lending is both efficient and profitable.
Curated · technology
What small businesses want from their banks' AI
Small businesses are ready for AI to manage cash flow and payments, but lenders must bridge the trust gap to drive adoption.
