8+ hour, 52+ min ago   (447+ words) American consumers are facing added strain as inflation continues to outpace wage growth. “A substantial number of Americans are worse off, their incomes are not keeping up with the price increases right now,” Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal…...

4+ day, 14+ hour ago   (540+ words) Consumer credit grew at a 4.2% annual rate in July, accelerating from a revised 3.4% in June. Nonrevolving credit grew 4.8%, while revolving credit increased 2.5% and outstanding revolving balances reached $1.357 trillion. PYMNTS Intelligence data showed consumers aren’t using credit uniformly, as cards remain…...

4+ day, 23+ hour ago   (1664+ words) Meet Tom and Elaine. (Our names, not theirs.) Both report household income between $65,000 and $70,000. Both are married, live in a city and say day-to-day spending is why they live paycheck to paycheck. For both, the next paycheck is critical to…...

4+ day, 23+ hour ago   (784+ words) Subprime status can result from disrupted cash flow at many income levels, not simply low earnings. Medical costs, car repairs, home repairs and veterinary bills can upset payment timing and strain otherwise workable household budgets. Consumer research can expose practical…...

6+ day, 23+ hour ago   (771+ words) The smallest SMBs enter the fourth quarter with almost no revenue growth cushion compared with businesses above $1 million in annual sales. Digital sales channels and broader payment acceptance give Main Street merchants more ways to reach consumers whose spending power…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago   (564+ words) PYMNTS Intelligence found that 37% of Labor Economy consumers are needs-focused shoppers, compared with 26% of higher earners. Just 20% of Labor Economy consumers prioritize quality and convenience, versus 30% of higher earners. The gap puts more pressure on merchants to deliver savings at…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago   (450+ words) The Fed found solid high-end spending alongside broader price sensitivity and pullbacks in several districts. District reports show the divide reaching credit: New York banks reported worsening consumer credit quality, while Atlanta contacts said some households were borrowing for essentials....