By PYMNTS | July 15, 2026 The global financial technology landscape stands at a potential inflection point today following reports that payment processing giant Stripe and private equity powerhouse Advent International have launched a joint bid to acquire PayPal Holdings. The unsolicited offer, which values the embattled payments pioneer at $60.50 per share, or roughly…
New Survey Reveals Shift in Consumer Behavior as Families Opt for Value and Budgeting Strategies to Navigate Rising Costs The familiar buzz of back-to-school season is upon us, a time traditionally marked by a surge in consumer spending on essentials like clothing, school supplies, and academic materials. However, this year, a significant and unexpected trend…
By PYMNTS | July 14, 2026 In a strategic shift that marks a pivotal evolution for the world’s most prominent artificial intelligence laboratory, OpenAI is reportedly preparing to enter the hardware market. According to reports surfacing Tuesday, the company is developing a portable, screenless smart speaker designed to function as a sophisticated AI companion. This…
The moment a company transitions from private to public is a watershed event, transforming employees’ intangible equity into assets with real-time market valuations. This seismic shift, however, doesn’t immediately translate into unfettered access to newfound wealth. A crucial, and often frustrating, period follows: the lock-up period. This mandated waiting game, typically lasting 90 to 180…
By PYMNTS | July 14, 2026 In a significant development for the landscape of American consumer and civil rights advocacy, three high-ranking former enforcement officials from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have announced the formation of a new public interest law firm. The firm, Halperin Petersen & Mikkilineni LLP (HPM), seeks to fill a…
New York, NY – July 9, 2026 – Mortgage interest rates have experienced a notable uptick today, directly correlated with the renewed escalation of conflict in Iran. The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has climbed to 6.53% Annual Percentage Rate (APR), marking an increase of seven basis points from yesterday and eleven…
Washington D.C. – Homebuyers and homeowners looking to refinance are navigating a slightly elevated mortgage rate environment, with the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage inching up. While the increase is modest, it signals a continued sensitivity of the housing market to broader economic indicators and the looming decisions of the Federal Reserve. As…
By PYMNTS | July 14, 2026 In an era where the traditional bi-weekly pay cycle is increasingly viewed as an archaic relic of the industrial age, workforce financial infrastructure provider Branch is taking a decisive step toward total modernization. On Tuesday, July 14, the company announced the launch of its "Flex" model—a strategic expansion designed…
By PYMNTS | July 13, 2026 The global smartphone industry is facing its most significant structural crisis in over a decade. According to a report released Monday by Counterpoint Research, global smartphone shipments plummeted in the second quarter of 2026, reaching their lowest level for any second quarter since 2013. This 11% year-over-year decline is…
By PYMNTS | July 13, 2026 Robinhood Markets is reportedly preparing to enter the asset-backed securities (ABS) market, a move that signals a significant maturation of the fintech firm’s credit operations. According to sources familiar with the matter, the company is weighing the sale of between $400 million and $500 million in bonds backed by…
