Affirm, the buy now, pay later (BNPL) pioneer, has navigated a tumultuous journey in recent years, marked by drastic stock fluctuations, workforce reductions, and a pandemic-driven surge in demand. Founded in 2012 by Max Levchin, a PayPal co-founder, the company faced a challenging period in early 2022 when rising interest rates, recession fears, and weakened consumer spending converged, causing its shares to plummet by 90%.
However, the company made a remarkable comeback in 2023, experiencing a staggering 430% surge in its stock value, outperforming all other U.S. tech companies valued at $5 billion or more. The catalysts for this resurgence included an expanded partnership with retail giant Amazon, a surge in BNPL purchases on Cyber Monday, and a notable announcement in November about offering BNPL loans at Walmart's self-checkout kiosks.
Affirm's success is also attributed to the Federal Reserve's indication of interest rate cuts and an increasing number of retailers adopting its BNPL services. The fear of a doomsday scenario has dissipated, allowing Affirm to thrive in the BNPL market despite tough competition from rivals like Klarna, Block's Afterpay, and Zip.
The company's strategy involves allowing shoppers to split purchases into several interest-free installments over a specified period. Affirm makes money through interest payments and fees charged to merchants for offering BNPL services. Despite facing challenges such as layoffs and increased borrowing costs in 2023, Affirm's strategic moves, including diversifying into sectors like travel, wireless, ticketing, and healthcare, have contributed to its revival.
As the BNPL landscape evolves, Affirm is eyeing international expansion, evident in the launch of a debit card that offers flexible payment options. Plans for a spending account tied to the debit card, providing ATM access and direct deposit capability, signal the company's ambitions to become a full-fledged financial services firm.
Notably, Affirm faces skepticism from some analysts, including Tom Hayes of Great Hill Capital, who sees the company in an "uphill battle" against established players like PayPal and Block. Concerns also arise from the risk of users failing to make payments on time, as highlighted by a report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Despite these challenges, Affirm remains optimistic, with its founder Max Levchin emphasizing the growth of their network and deeper moats as key strengths. The company's low default rates, as reported by Jefferies analysts, and its unique approach to underwriting transactions, further strengthen its position in the competitive BNPL landscape.
As Affirm heads into 2024, the company aims to leverage its brand and user base to solidify its standing, poised for a new chapter in the dynamic world of BNPL services.
