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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.

Max Knoblauch6h

Some automakers are working accounting magic to extend the EV tax credit beyond today’s deadline

The $7,500 EV tax credit is set to expire after today, September 30. Logically, electric vehicle sales are expected to fall off afterward.

But some automakers, including Ford, GM, and luxury EV maker Lucid, have found ways to effectively extend the credit for some customers.

According to reporting by Reuters, Ford and GM have initiated plans to dealers that would have the automakers themselves put down payments on EVs currently in inventory at dealerships. Those down payments would qualify for the expiring tax credit, and dealers would be able to extend the subsidy to future customers through discounted lease rates.

Reuters reports that the programs were launched following discussions between the automakers and the IRS.

In August, Lucid announced that the company would honor the $7,500 tax credit through the end of the year for lessees who order its Gravity SUV by Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Exclusive: Ford, GM launch programs to extend use of $7,500 EV lease credit

Reuters reports that the programs were launched following discussions between the automakers and the IRS.

In August, Lucid announced that the company would honor the $7,500 tax credit through the end of the year for lessees who order its Gravity SUV by Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Max Knoblauch11h

Boeing is reportedly planning its 737 successor

Boeing has spent much of the year improving its deliveries and climbing out of the hole it dug last year as safety issues and a major strike rocked its business.

Now, the plane maker is weighing what comes next. Boeing is in the early stages of planning a successor to its 737 family of planes, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal.

Earlier this year, CEO Kelly Ortberg promoted an executive to a role overseeing the 737 replacement and discussed a new engine for the plane with Rolls Royce, per the report.

Plans are early, and the process of developing a new plane can take more than 10 years. Boeing is about six years behind schedule in replacing its 777.

Exclusive | Boeing Has Started Working on a 737 MAX Replacement

Earlier this year, CEO Kelly Ortberg promoted an executive to a role overseeing the 737 replacement and discussed a new engine for the plane with Rolls Royce, per the report.

Plans are early, and the process of developing a new plane can take more than 10 years. Boeing is about six years behind schedule in replacing its 777.

Nia Warfield

9/29/25

Shopify and Etsy pop as OpenAI brings instant checkout to ChatGPT

Shares of the e-commerce companies jumped after OpenAI said ChatGPT users can now turn searches into instant purchases.

Shopify sign on their branch office building in Toronto.

Tom Jones

GRANDE EXIT

9/29/25

Starbucks is shutting around 1% of its stores in North America

The chain is also axing 900 non-retail jobs.

A Starbucks Coffee shop closed during the Covid-19 crisis.

Max Knoblauch9/26/25

“Madden” maker EA surges on report it’s nearing $50 billion deal to go private

Shares of video game giant Electronic Arts are surging up more than 15% Friday following a Wall Street Journal report that the company is nearing a roughly $50 billion deal to go private.

According to the WSJ, an investment group including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and PE firm Silver Lake (which is also part of the TikTok deal) could announce a deal next week.

In its fiscal first quarter that ended in June, EA delivered a disappointing net bookings outlook for the fiscal year.

Shares of EA’s most intimidating competitor, “Grand Theft Auto” publisher Take-Two Interactive, climbed nearly 5% on the report.

Exclusive | Videogame Giant Electronic Arts Nears Roughly $50 Billion Deal to Go Private