When you tap "Pay in 4" at checkout, a $200 jacket suddenly feels like a $50 purchase. Last Christmas, 54% of young Americans used Buy Now, Pay Later for their holiday shopping — and for the first time, more of them reached for it than for a credit card. But if it's completely free for the buyer, who's actually paying? In this episode, we follow the money behind BNPL: why merchants willingly pay 2–8% per transaction (two to three times more than a credit card fee), how BNPL companies profit without charging you interest, and why the real business model has almost nothing to do with late fees. We also uncover the deeper truth that almost nobody talks about: underneath the pastel logos and seamless checkout buttons lies one of the oldest financial tools in commerce — factoring — now wearing a consumer interface and reshaping an $8–10 billion industry. From Gen Z's complicated relationship with credit cards, to why Chase, Amex, and Citi are now copying the model, this is the story of a generational shift in how money actually moves. In this episode: - Why Gen Z has the credit card — but won't use it - How BNPL companies make money (it's not what you think) - Why merchants pay more and still come out ahead - The centuries-old financial mechanism hiding behind every "Pay in 4" button - How traditional banks are fighting back Next up: "Pay by Bank", the new checkout button retailers are pushing hard, and why it's worth a second look before you tap it. ----- Learn how #BlackLine can help you take control of your financial operations: https://www.blackline.com

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