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☆ Could your buy now, pay later loans affect your credit score? Here's what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But there's one place they're notable absent: your credit report. Earlier this year, Apple became the first major BNPL provider to start reporting all user account information to a credit reporting agency. Providers including AfterPay, Affirm and Klarna already report some loans to the credit bureaus and experts say more are likely to follow, paving the way for a consumer's BNPL history to factor into their credit history and ultimately their credit score. (One of the main aspects of a credit score comes down to your history of paying bills on time.) When BNPL credit reporting could sting

Persons: Klarna, Liz Pagel, BNPL, Wells, Tim Quinlan, Ethan Dornhelm, TransUnion's, Silvio Tavares, Tavares, Pagel Organizations: Apple, Adobe Analytics, CNBC, Finance Locations: TransUnion, Wells Fargo

☆ Rise of 'phantom debt': The risks of buy now, pay later programs
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRise of 'phantom debt': The risks of buy now, pay later programsTim Quinlan, Wells Fargo senior economist and managing director, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the increase in 'buy now, pay later' transactions, why he believes credit racked up through these programs are hard to measure, how the 'phantom debt' could create trouble in the broader economy, and more.

Persons: Tim Quinlan, Wells Locations: Wells Fargo

☆ The 'phantom debt' of buy now, pay later is growing and will soon hit some Americans hard
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Buy now, pay later plans gained popularity in 2023 as an alternative to high-interest credit cards. Buy now, pay later use surged recently and those bills are now dueThe use of buy now, pay later plans skyrocketed during the 2023 holiday season. According to Adobe, which tracks online sales, buy now, pay later plans use was up 47% on Black Friday and 43% on Cyber Monday. According to PYMNTS' survey, 39.6% of respondents used buy now, pay later plans for clothing and accessories and 33.7% used them for groceries. Buy now, pay later debt can be advantageous if used correctly.

Persons: —, Rather, Peter Cade, PYMNTS, Tim Quinlan, Shannon Seery Grein, Selcuk, Mark Luschini, Janney Montgomery Scott, Maria Bartiromo, Luschini, Warren Buffett, Buffett, I've Organizations: Service, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Adobe, Household Economics, Science Research Network, Economic, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Wells, US Locations: Wells Fargo

☆ Americans are racking up more 'phantom debt' — why that's a problem
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-07 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Buy now, pay later is now one of the fastest-growing categories in consumer finance, according to a separate report by Wells Fargo. "It's hard to know how much of this debt is out there," said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate. However, managing multiple buy now, pay later loans with different payment dates can also be a challenge, Quinlan added. "BNPL could lead to an increase in consumer debt, as consumers may be more likely to take on additional debt if they know they can spread out the payments," he said. watch nowWhile the typical terms might break a purchase into four equal interest-free payments, not all buy now, pay later loans work that way.

Persons: Wells, Tim Quinlan, Quinlan, Ted Rossman, Max Levchin, Rossman Organizations: Wells, Finance Locations: Wells Fargo

☆ Mortgages, auto loans, credit cards: Expert predictions for interest rates in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-03 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"We are in a high interest rate environment, and we're going to be in a high interest rate environment a year from now," he said. Prediction: Mortgage rates decline to 5.75%Thanks to higher mortgage rates, 2023 was the least affordable homebuying year in at least 11 years, according to a report from real estate company Redfin. McBride also expects mortgage rates to continue to ease in 2024 but not return to their pandemic-era lows. Prediction: Auto loan rates edge down to 7%When it comes to their cars, more consumers are facing monthly payments that they can barely afford, thanks to higher vehicle prices and elevated interest rates on new loans. "It will still be a banner year for savers when those returns are measured against a lower inflation rate," McBride said.

Persons: Tim Quinlan, Greg McBride, McBride, Bankrate Organizations: Finance, Fed, CNBC PRO, CNBC, YouTube Locations: Wells Fargo

☆ The hidden expense that's sucking $74 billion out of the economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Bartie Scott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

They said rising costs kept the board from expanding amenities residents wanted, such as a shared composting system. jhorrocks/Getty ImagesRising price for peace of mindIn the constellation of household costs, insurance is often one of the lesser-noticed line items. But recently the rising cost of repairs and the frequency of damaging weather events have made the deal go sour. Rising insurance costs could inflict more pain on another bruised area of the economy: housing affordability. For this reason, insurance companies could decline to cover them or require costly upgrades before agreeing to a policy.

Persons: that'd, Mark Pauly, Tim Quinlan, you'll, Quinlan, it's, Francesco D'Acunto, D'Acunto, Pauly, they've, Nature, John Coletti, That's, Bartie Scott Organizations: Insurance, Research, Bank of America, Global, American, Casualty Insurance Association, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, Insurance Information Institute, Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, Social Security, National Flood Insurance, Business Insider's Locations: Logan, Chicago, Florida, Wells Fargo, California

☆ A credit card Christmas: Taking on shopping debt carries more risk this holiday season
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

This holiday season, shoppers who ring up purchases on credit cards will pay more interest if they carry balances from month to month after the Federal Reserve's string of rate hikes. Already, investors and retailers have paid closer attention to credit card payments — and some have cited them as a concern. The company, which has its own branded credit cards, has seen lower revenues from those cards because of costs associated with bad debt and related write-offs. Mitchell said student debt, auto loans and mortgages have all become bigger burdens in a high interest rate environment. For retailer-issued cards, the average interest rate is nearly 30%, a record high, according to data from Bankrate.

Persons: Alexi Rosenfeld, Aditya Bhave, Bhave, Taylor Swift, Wall, Adrian Mitchell, Mitchell, Doug McMillon, Tim Quinlan, Wells, Quinlan Organizations: Getty, Shoppers, Bank of America, Consumers, Walmart, U.S . Federal Reserve Locations: New York City, Wells Fargo

☆ 'Sticky' inflation is still high but that is a good sign for the health of the economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . As interest rates skyrocketed over the last 18 months, inflation fell from a 40-year high during the summer of 2022. Laoshi/Getty ImagesMcCulley echoed this when asked if strong retail sales are sign that the economy is not coming in for a soft landing. In the short term, further declines in inflation could be difficult if people are spending money they saved during the pandemic. Strong consumer spending is a good sign, but the economy is not out of the woods yet.

Persons: it's, —, Daniel Greenhaus, Greenhaus, Paul McCulley, McCulley, Tim Quinlan, Quinlan, Laoshi, didn't, Tom Barkin, ZIlloq, Paul Bradbury, Patrick Harker, Harker Organizations: Service, payrolls, Georgetown's School of Business, Wells, Richmond, Getty Images, Fed Locations: Wells Fargo

Retail sales rose 0.7% in September, more than twice what economists had expected, and close to a revised 0.8% bump in August, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. The government’s monthly retail sales report offers only a partial look at consumer spending; it doesn’t include many services, including health care, travel and hotel lodging. But the robust sales report also means that the Fed officials could leave the door open for additional rate hikes. The retail sales report came as businesses across the U.S. economy ramped up hiring in September, defying surging interest rates, and the ongoing threat of a government shutdown. Consumer prices rose 0.4% from August to September, below the previous month’s 0.6% pace.

Persons: wasn’t, ”, Christopher S, Rupkey, “, Tim Quinlan, Christopher Rugaber, —, Anne Organizations: Commerce Department, Federal Reserve, Fed, FWDBONDS, “ Fed, Analysts, Wells, Wells Fargo Economics, ”, Labor Department Locations: Israel, Wells Fargo, U.S, Washington

☆ Massive home-price appreciation might be the secret to keeping consumers afloat as savings dry up
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Homeowners' equity is the highest it's been in 25 years, which could provide a cushion as consumer savings dwindle. That trend could be set to continue as the massive accumulation of home equity provides a lifeline that consumers can tap into if things get tough. Bankrate data shows that home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs, are currently carrying an average rate close to 7%. Home equity revolving credit balances climbed for the fourth straight quarter leading up to March 2023, which presents another factor that could help sustain consumer spending. Now, real estate accounts for about 25% of total household assets, and despite deteriorating savings, still-rising equity presents a potential path forward for consumers to keep spending, Quinlan and Seery said.

Persons: Tim Quinlan, Shannon Seery, that's, Quinlan, Seery Organizations: Soaring, Service, Homeowners, Federal Reserve Board, Wells Locations: Wells, Wall, Silicon, Wells Fargo

☆ What Supreme Court ruling against Biden's student loan forgiveness plan could mean for the U.S. economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Seksan Mongkhonkhamsao | Moment | Getty ImagesThe Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness plan Friday. "The Supreme Court decision to strike down loan forgiveness should have no meaningful impact on the economy," said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics. The fight against inflation gets a boostIt's challenging to judge the economic effect of a sweeping policy such as student loan forgiveness. However, the resumption of monthly student loan payments in October, after a three-year pause, will likely have a bigger effect. That said, there are student loan policies that have already been enacted by the Biden administration that will likely help borrowers affected by Friday's Supreme Court ruling, economists said.

Persons: Seksan, —, Mark Zandi, Shai Akabas, Zandi, Tim Quinlan, Quinlan, Biden Organizations: Biden, Moody's, Finance, Supreme, Reserve, Center, Wells, Wells Fargo Economics, Friday's Locations: U.S, Wells Fargo

☆ Motor vehicles, building materials lift US retail sales in May
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. retail sales unexpectedly rose in May as consumers stepped up purchases of motor vehicles and building materials, which could help to stave off a dreaded recession in the near term. Retail sales increased 0.3% last month after rising 0.4% in April, the Commerce Department said. SLOWER MOMENTUMExcluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales gained 0.2% last month. Data for April was revised slightly lower to show these so-called core retail sales rising 0.6% instead of the previously reported 0.7%. With price pressures easing in May, economists estimated that core retail sales increased 0.2% after adjusting for inflation.

Persons: ”, Robert Kavcic, Mike Graziano, Ben Ayers, Unadjusted, Conrad DeQuadros, Tim Quinlan Organizations: WASHINGTON, Federal Reserve, Fed, Wednesday, BMO Capital Markets, Commerce Department, Reuters, Saks Fifth, REUTERS, RSM, Consumers, Nationwide, Labor Department, Treasury, Atlanta Fed, Writers Guild of America, Brean, Manufacturing, Federal Locations: Minnesota, U.S, Toronto, New York City, Columbus , Ohio, Texas, California, Writers Guild of America . Georgia, Florida , Illinois , Indiana , Connecticut, New York, Philadelphia, Wells, Charlotte , North Carolina

☆ US consumer spending appears solid early in second quarter
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Retail sales excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services rebounded 0.7% last month, the Commerce Department said. Data for March was revised slightly down to show these so-called core retail sales slipping 0.4% instead of 0.3% as previously reported. Core retail sales correspond most closely with the consumer spending component of gross domestic product. Economists estimated that core retail sales adjusted for inflation rose by about 0.6% in April. Sales at food services and drinking places, the only services category in the retail sales report, rose 0.6%.

☆ What to expect from the jobs report
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Minneapolis CNN —If the latest employment trends continue and economists’ forecasts prove true, Friday’s jobs report could bring back that pre-pandemic feeling. Economists expect the US economy to have added 180,000 jobs in April, according to consensus estimates on Refinitiv. It could also hammer home the fact that the US labor market has indeed cooled down from its red-hot recovery over the past two years. What a rising unemployment rate meansEconomists are expecting the unemployment rate to tick up to 3.6% from 3.5%, according to Refinitiv. Mixed signalsPayroll processor ADP’s monthly look at private-sector employment activity, released two days before the BLS’ employment report, is sometimes looked at as a preview of what to expect from the federal data.

☆ US manufacturing contracts again in April, but pace slows
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The ISM said its manufacturing PMI increased to 47.1 last month from 46.3 in March, which was the lowest reading since May 2020. The ISM said 73% of manufacturing gross domestic product was contracting, up from 70% in March. "The proportion of manufacturing GDP with a composite PMI calculation at or below 45 percent - a good barometer of overall manufacturing weakness - was 12 percent in April, compared to 25 percent in March," said Timothy Fiore, chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. Only two of the six biggest manufacturing industries, petroleum and coal products as well as transportation equipment, reported growth. Higher prices align with government data showing wages and salaries in the manufacturing industry growing solidly in the first quarter.

☆ US consumer confidence hits nine-month low; housing market bottoming out
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Consumers have shown resilience despite high inflation and a rise in interest rates, keeping the economy afloat, thanks to a strong labor market. The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index fell to 101.3, the lowest reading since July 2022, from 104.0 in March. The survey's so-called labor market differential, derived from data on respondents' views on whether jobs are plentiful or hard to get, rose to 37.3 from 36.5 in March, consistent with a tight labor market. "Take consumer purchase plans with a grain of salt," said Tim Quinlan, a senior economist at Wells Fargo in Charlotte, North Carolina. That skepticism also extended to home purchase plans.

☆ US labor market cooling; leading indicator flashes recession
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Though measured, the loss of labor market momentum added to slumping retail sales and manufacturing activity in heightening the risks of a recession as soon as the second half of the year. Jobless claimsNevertheless, the labor market is fraying around the edges. It also said contacts reported the labor market becoming less tight, noting "a small number of firms reported mass layoffs," which were "centered at a subset of the largest companies." Philly FedDespite cracks in the labor market, economists did not expect widespread job losses. The claims data covered the period during which the government surveyed business establishments for the nonfarm payrolls portion of April's employment report.

☆ Consumers keep spending. That might not be good news for them or the Fed
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

And by November and December, those predictions appeared to be materializing, when data showed consumers had pulled back during the holiday shopping season. During a month chock full of suprisingly strong economic data, the Commerce Department’s retail sales and consumer spending reports far surpassed expectations. “It’s not sustainable to keep spending above their means.”Eyes on the FedHearty consumer spending at a time like this is a double-edged sword, said Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst for Bankrate and CreditCards.com. “The resilience of consumer spending is probably the biggest thing that’s pushed this recession timetable out,” Rossman said. The Home Depot (HD) warned of flat sales for 2023 as consumers continue shift spending from goods to services.

☆ US services sector grows steadily; prices stubbornly high
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Thirteen services industries, including construction, retail trade, accommodation and food services as well as professional, scientific and technical services, reported growth last month. Overall, the services sector is benefiting from a switch in consumer spending from goods, which are typically bought on credit. ISM services PMISUPPLY SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVEDThe services sector is now at the center of the fight against inflation as services prices tend to be stickier and less responsive to interest rate increases. A measure of prices paid by services industries for inputs fell to 65.6, the lowest in January 2021, from 67.8 in January. Some economists view the ISM services prices paid gauge as a good predictor of personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation.

☆ Consumers are cutting back on holiday gift buying amid higher inflation
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Inflation is weighing heavily on the holidays this year. Though the study found many consumers are also eager to get an early start on seasonal shopping, that surge is largely driven by concerns about affordability and money-saving strategies, other reports show. "Inflation is, by far, the biggest issue for households this year," said Tim Quinlan, senior economist at Wells Fargo and author of its 2022 holiday sales report. "The bottom line is, with inflation remaining a headache, dollars aren't stretching as far, and most consumers will still be looking for bargains," Quinlan said. A separate report by BlackFriday.com also found that 70% of shoppers will be taking inflation into consideration when shopping this holiday season, and even more will be on the lookout for deals.

That has given some consumers an opening to spend liberally this holiday shopping season. "Despite the pandemic, holiday sales have grown at a historic pace for the 2020 and 2021 holiday seasons," the economists wrote. "This year, with pandemic fears now largely in the rearview mirror, consumers are looking forward to a more typical holiday shopping season." But simple math dictates that consumers are eventually going to run out of ways to spend, they write. Holiday plansBut consumers should hold up well this holiday season, experts say.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby noted that more relaxed office attendance policies are also letting people travel more. The appetite for travel is persisting despite soaring airfares, which have been fueled by a pilot shortage and aircraft delivery delays. Even after Labor Day, when travel normally slows down, "it's just not the case this year, especially for international travel," she said. But if a recession hits, that could jeopardize all consumer spending — and prompt even higher-income Americans to rethink big trips. Tim Quinlan, senior economist at Wells Fargo, expects the holiday season will be the "last hurrah" for consumers.

☆ Americans are spending record amounts at casinos and airlines — but recent warnings from Amazon and Apple suggest the party may soon be over
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Despite inflation, Americans are still shelling out at casinos, airlines, and restaurants. In October, both American and Southwest Airlines reported record operating revenues for their respective companies in the third quarter. Following "record summer leisure travel demand," consumers continued to hit the skies in September, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said. A Deloitte survey of nearly 5,000 Americans found that Americans plan to buy 44% fewer gifts — an average of nine versus 16 last year. "Spending should slow down significantly with the holiday hangover and as savings continue to dwindle," RSM economist Tuan Nguyen told USA Today.

☆ Uncertainty clouds holiday shopping for consumers as inflation takes a toll
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Many consumers are planning to make fewer purchases — and at a discount, according to a recent holiday retail report by Deloitte. Still, households will shell out $1,455, on average, on holiday gifts, in line with last year, the report found. "Inflation is, by far, the biggest issue for households this year," said Tim Quinlan, senior economist at Wells Fargo and author of its 2022 holiday sales report. Household finances have taken a hit with a lower savings rate and declining real wages, which could slow holiday sales, Quinlan said in the report. "The bottom line is, with inflation remaining a headache, dollars aren't stretching as far, and most consumers will still be looking for bargains."

☆ U.S. retail sales unchanged; consumers showing resilience
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

But consumers are not rolling over yet, with the report from the Commerce Department on Friday also showing a measure of underlying retail sales rising last month, thanks to strong wage gains and savings. These so-called core retail sales were also stronger than initially thought in August. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe unchanged reading in retail sales last month followed an upwardly revised 0.4% rise in August. Retail sales increased 8.2% on a year-on-year basis in September. Data for August was revised higher to show these core retail sales rising 0.2% instead of being unchanged as previously reported.

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