Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
BNPL | Jan 24, 2024

Image: Unsplash/Christiann Koepke
The latest development in the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) sector is the introduction of Klarna's new subscription plan, "Klarna Plus," priced at $7.99 per month. This move comes as Klarna gears up for its anticipated initial public offering (IPO). The Klarna Plus subscription offers several benefits to its users, including no added service fees when using Klarna’s One Time Card, double rewards points, and access to exclusive discounts with popular brands like Nike, COACH, Macy’s, Instacart, and GOAT. The company estimates that loyal Klarna users could save about $12 monthly through this plan.
The new subscription model appears to be part of Klarna's strategy to diversify its revenue streams and enhance its appeal to investors ahead of its IPO. By introducing a monthly subscription, Klarna not only aims to lock in its most dedicated users but also to establish more predictable, recurring revenue. This is in contrast to the less predictable nature of one-time transactions which have been typical in the BNPL sector.
Klarna is also planning to launch a high-yield savings account, which may offer higher interest rates for Klarna Plus customers than non-users. This is part of Klarna's broader strategy to expand beyond its traditional BNPL services and offer a wider range of financial products.
This strategic shift by Klarna and others in the BNPL market reflects a growing trend in the fintech industry to create more stable and diverse revenue streams, especially as these companies prepare for public market debuts. Competitors in the BNPL space, like Affirm, are also reportedly considering similar monthly plans, indicating a shift in the industry towards more subscription-based services.
There are a lot of BNPL reports in market pointing to continued growth in the sector.

Image: Insider Intelligence and Fit Small Business

Image: PYMTS and Fit Small Business
The outlook for the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) industry, particularly with Klarna's new initiatives, is one of evolution and expansion. As the sector continues to grow, companies like Klarna are exploring new revenue models, such as subscription services, to stabilize and diversify their income streams. The shift towards subscription models like Klarna Plus could signal a change in how consumers engage with BNPL services, potentially leading to increased loyalty and regular use among a dedicated customer base.
The introduction of additional financial products, like high-yield savings accounts, suggests that BNPL companies are broadening their scope to offer more comprehensive financial services. Overall, the BNPL sector appears poised for significant growth and transformation, driven by consumer demand, technological advancements, and strategic shifts by key players like Klarna.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Credit Markets | Dec 21, 2023

Image: IMF and Bloomberg Opinion
Bloomberg's "Points of Return" newsletter reports that public debt now accounts for 92% of the world's GDP, a threefold increase since the mid-1970s. Similarly, private debt has surged to 146% of GDP. This unprecedented rise in global debt underscores the need for investors to be vigilant about the potential risks and opportunities in the credit market.
Dimos Andronoudis, a Fathom Consulting economist, reveals through Altman-score analysis that a mere 10% of US-listed companies demonstrate robust financial health, marking an all-time low. The situation appears more dire than during the 2007-09 credit crisis, with an unprecedented 36% of these companies nearing bankruptcy by the last financial year's end.
A shift has occurred from bank-centric lending to a broader reliance on credit markets. This transition offers advantages like improved pricing efficiency and reduced systemic risks. However, it also raises concerns about the quality of lending decisions and the potential for misallocation of credit. Additionally, the prolonged period of low interest rates has facilitated easier debt repayment and more speculative lending practices.
There is a notable discrepancy between the caution exercised by bankers, evident in tighter lending standards, and the seemingly less cautious approach of the credit markets. This divergence highlights the importance of a balanced and well-informed investment strategy that considers both market trends and fundamental credit analysis.
Although a crisis akin to 2008 seems unlikely, an increase in defaults appears inevitable, particularly in the context of rising interest rates and the end of a benign credit cycle. Despite the challenges, the current credit market scenario presents unique opportunities for astute investors. The potential for higher interest rates and rising defaults could reveal areas where capital has been inefficiently allocated, thereby opening new avenues for investment. Credit investors who conduct thorough research and analysis may find lucrative opportunities in this environment.
The surge in global debt, both public and private, opens new avenues for fintech innovation. Fintechs have the opportunity to develop novel solutions for debt management, credit analysis, and risk assessment. By leveraging advanced technologies like AI and machine learning, fintechs can offer more sophisticated tools for both consumers and businesses to manage their debt and credit profiles more effectively.
The transition from traditional bank lending to credit markets can be a double-edged sword for fintechs. On one hand, it creates a competitive landscape where fintechs can offer alternative lending solutions and democratize access to credit. On the other hand, fintechs must ensure they maintain high standards of credit assessment to avoid the pitfalls of poor lending decisions that have plagued traditional markets.
For fintechs in the investment sector, the evolving credit market scenario offers opportunities to create platforms and tools that help investors identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities, especially in the face of higher interest rates and market shifts.
The changes in the global credit market pose both challenges and opportunities for fintechs. By innovating in areas like credit analysis, risk management, and debt restructuring, and by offering new solutions for investment and lending, fintechs will continue to shape the future of finance.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
BNPL | Dec 13, 2023

Image: Unsplash/Heidi Fin
This bulletin aims to guide banks in effectively managing risks associated with BNPL lending and ensuring responsible loan offerings. It underscores the importance of safe, sound, and fair practices in line with applicable laws and regulations.
Affirm has partnered with Blackhawk Network to innovate the gift card market by offering flexible payment options. Shoppers can now purchase gift cards ranging from $25 to $500, with the choice of zero-interest four-installment plans or monthly payments bearing interest rates between 0% and 36%, depending on creditworthiness and eligibility.
This move by Affirm indicates a growing trend in the BNPL industry to diversify services and cater to a broader range of consumer needs. Klarna, a Stockholm-based BNPL brand, also offers digital gift card purchases through its app.
Affirm's foray into offering BNPL options for gift card purchases marks a significant evolution in its business strategy, aiming to blend the convenience of online shopping with the tangible experience of in-store purchases.
See: CFPB to Regulate BNPL Like Credit Card Firms (also: CFPB Insights from BNPL Making Ends Meet Survey)
This move reflects a keen understanding of consumer preferences and spending patterns, especially during the holiday season, and positions Affirm as a versatile player in the rapidly evolving BNPL market.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Lending | Dec 6, 2023

Image by jcomp on Freepik
FundMore, a leading mortgage underwriting software company, has recently announced its partnership with Senso AI, marking a significant step in the integration of Generative AI within its Loan Origination System (LOS). This collaboration introduces an advanced tool designed to automate and enhance data collation, creating Deal Summary Notes, and optimizing enterprise lending processes. The integration of Senso AI's Agent Fetch and Agent Echo products into FundMore's LOS promises to streamline decision-making and improve the quality of lending services.
Chris Grimes, CEO of FundMore:
“AI is more than just a technological advancement; it’s a transformative tool for lenders to expedite lending, enhance customer interactions, and bolster compliance while supporting underwriters to reduce human error and fraud risk. Our commitment to leading the AI revolution in lending is in our name, this is just the first of a series of generative AI tools we plan to integrate into our LOS.”
Saroop Bharwani, CEO Senso AI:
“Our partnership with FundMore integrates Senso’s generative AI capabilities within the LOS, delivering unparalleled value to the Canadian lending market through advanced automation and intelligent data aggregation.”
By harnessing the power of AI, the partnership between FundMore and Senso AI enhances operational efficiency, accuracy, and also prepares lenders for future industry shifts. It's a forward-thinking move that positions FundMore at the forefront of technological innovation, offering a glimpse into the future of automated, intelligent lending solutions.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |