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ON THE RECORD

BNPL loans will now count toward Americans’ credit scores

While it’s a chance to build credit for some, it might penalize those already on shaky ground.

6/25/25 8:51AM

On Monday, Fair Isaac Corp., the company behind the FICO credit scores used by 90% of US lenders, announced the fall launch of two new scoring models that, for the first time, factor in “buy now, pay later” loans. The move gives lenders a way to assess a fast-growing form of borrowing that has long operated outside the reach of traditional credit scores and reports.

Why now?

Put simply, it’s just become too big to ignore. Per eMarketer, over 86 million Americans used BNPL services last year — nearly double the number in 2021 — with shoppers now relying on it for everything from groceries to travel to dining out. And, while it may have started as a niche option for luxury splurges, today the heaviest users aren’t the most financially comfortable.

According to a 2024 analysis by the Boston Fed, nearly one in four Americans with FICO scores under 600 have used BNPL, compared to just 2.8% of the 800-plus club, those with near perfect credit. Meanwhile, a May report from the Federal Reserve found that 40% of low-income BNPL users paid late, compared to just 13% of higher-income households.

For people already on the financial edge, the new dimension to their credit scores may hurt more than help — though one FICO-Affirm study from February found that most heavy BNPL users didn’t see their FICO scores worsen once BNPL loans were taken into account.

Strive Pharmacy recently broke ground on a new facility in Mesa, Arizona. (Strive Pharmacy)

Before Hims’ GLP-1 pill fallout, its pharmacy partner was already drawing scrutiny from state regulators

Strive has already been probed over the timing of its GLP-1 compounding. Now, Arizona regulators are looking into complaints about ketamine misuse and improper distribution of prescription drugs.

SharkNinja hit an all-time high this week, as its killer growth streak continues

The viral appliance maker’s sales have more than quadrupled since 2018.

Surreal image of great white shark swimming in bedroom

Claire Yubin Oh

in this econemy?

2/12/26

Van Leeuwen, America’s fastest-growing dessert chain, is looking to expand abroad

The boutique ice cream chain is looking to open at least 300 new shops in South Korea over the next decade.

J. Edward Moreno

2/10/26

Hims built a boundary-pushing health business. Now the legal risks are catching up.

Hims is close to trading as if it never began selling GLP-1s.

Nate Becker2/7/26

Hims to stop offering copy of Wegovy pill following FDA scrutiny

Hims & Hers said it has decided to stop offering its newly launched copycat version of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill, after the telehealth company drew criticism from the Food and Drug Administration.

“Since launching the compounded semaglutide pill on our platform, we’ve had constructive conversations with stakeholders across the industry. As a result, we have decided to stop offering access to this treatment,” Hims wrote on X.

Shares of Hims are down double digits in premarket trading on Monday, while Novo Nordisk ADRs are up more than 6% as of 5:20 a.m. ET.

On Friday afternoon, the FDA said it would take “decisive steps” to restrict GLP-1 compounding. Department of Health and Human Services General Counsel Mike Stuart said on social media Friday he had referred Hims to the Department of Justice “for investigation for potential violations by Hims of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and applicable Title 18 provisions.”

Hims launched the product last week, a seeming copy of a recently released and patented drug, which immediately drew fire from Novo Nordisk and regulators.

Hims & Hers Comms on X