Klarna Affirm

Klarna and Affirm are two of the best-known names in buy now, pay later (BNPL), a form of point-of-sale credit that lets shoppers split a purchase into smaller installments, often with little or no interest when paid on schedule. Once seen mainly as a way to finance big-ticket items like electronics or furniture, BNPL now appears across online and in-store checkouts. It is increasingly built into retail apps, payment wallets and card networks.

Why it matters now

BNPL has moved from a niche fintech product to a mainstream way to pay. Spending through these services keeps growing, and consumers are using installment plans for routine purchases and recurring bills as well as discretionary splurges. That shift raises questions about household finances, especially as data points to rising late payments among some borrowers. Regulators, lenders and credit bureaus are also working out how BNPL loans should be overseen and reported.

Competition among providers is intensifying. Exclusive retailer partnerships can shift market share quickly, and merchants are paying closer attention to how payment options affect conversion and abandoned carts.

What you'll find here

This hub tracks developments involving Klarna, Affirm and the broader BNPL industry, including:

• Retail and platform partnerships, including exclusive deals and changes in which providers merchants offer
• Spending and adoption trends, from seasonal shopping to everyday bill payments
• Credit performance, including delinquency and late-payment data
• Regulation and policy affecting consumer protections and credit reporting
• Company strategy and financials, such as earnings, product launches and expansion into new markets
• Checkout and merchant insights on how payment choices shape purchasing behavior