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Forbes
31-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Consumers Want Advice–But Don't Trust AI. Can Banks Bridge The Gap?
AI and Banking Getty Images As Americans face persistent inflation, fluctuating interest rates, and on-again, off-again tariffs, they're growing weary of their financial future. To navigate this financial pressure, Americans are looking to their bank for support. With banks holding the majority (80%) of consumer trust, according to research from SBS and Sopra Steria, consumers expect more than a place to store their money, they want help protecting and growing it too. And as consumers receive curated experiences across everything they do from streaming to shopping, they now expect the same level of personalization from their bank. But there's a disconnect between what consumers expect–and what many banks are delivering. While most consumers want personalized financial guidance from banks, 40% say they haven't received any. And beyond that, more than half (51%) believe their bank isn't interested in helping them earn more money. This doesn't only keep banks from properly supporting customers through economic uncertainty —it's a risk to long-term customer loyalty. According to Eric Bierry, CEO at global financial technology company SBS, 'When consumers feel their bank can meet their needs in economic uncertainty, the consumer is more likely to use more of the bank's products – strengthening the relationship. For banks that can't meet this need, they risk losing customers to competitors.' To deliver the tailored experiences customers expect, banks are increasingly investing in AI capabilities. Recent data from GFT Canada highlights that over 45% of banks are investing in personalized banking and marketing to elevate the customer experience. With AI, banks can offer financial guidance tailored to individual customer's financial situations and goals, and adjust in real-time to reflect changing economic conditions, all directly in the tools customers already use, like online portals and mobile apps. Banks have an opportunity to transform how customers manage and grow their money through AI, but before they can unlock the full potential of AI, they have to address a critical gap: while consumers have trust in their banks, many don't yet fully trust AI. AI can provide the banking experience customers want–but it needs data to do it. Today, getting financial advice from a bank often involves sitting down with a financial advisor. This approach requires consumers to visit a branch in-person, when many are regularly interacting with their bank via app or website, and doesn't provide the real-time financial advice consumers need in a constantly shifting economy. In fact, according to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, 91% of Gen-Z, 87% of Millennials, 92% of Gen-X, and 87% of Boomers do not feel very financially secure, underscoring how widespread a sense of financial instability is across the U.S. Prosper - Overall Financial Security Prosper Insights & Analytics AI offers a more accessible approach to guidance to address consumers' feelings of financial instability. It enables banks to meet customers with personalized advice on the digital channels where they already spend their time, like on the banking apps and websites. By using AI to analyze consumers' financial data and market trends within the wider context of their financial goals, banks can more effectively offer relevant advice and strengthen customer loyalty. One of AI's most significant strengths is detecting patterns and anomalies, making it perfectly primed to provide the financial advice customers need as they navigate economic uncertainty. But before AI can meet customers with the guidance they need on the digital channels they're on, banks need to first build a data foundation to allow AI to work effectively. This means bringing together customer data that is not inherently linked–across channels, business units and products— into a central location where they can be easily accessed by AI systems. With this holistic view of customers, banks can properly assess their financial posture, understand their financial goals, and provide relevant advice to every individual customer. 'AI is only as powerful as the data it can access. This means that if there is a consumer-facing chatbot, for instance, the chatbot should be able to view every product the consumer has with the bank, every transaction the consumer made, private banking notes, broader market trends, and more,' said Bierry. SBS partners with leading banks and financial institutions like Santander, Société Générale and KCB Bank, to reimagine how to operate in an increasingly digital world. As part of this transformation, SBS centralizes banks' data through its cloud-based SBP Digital Banking Suite to create a unified data foundation for AI. The system then embeds advanced AI capabilities that empower banks to leverage generative AI to deliver personalized financial insights for customers at scale, ultimately strengthening customer engagement and operational efficiency. Consumers are concerned about their privacy and money. Before banks roll out AI capabilities across their organization, they must address one of their customers' biggest concerns: security. Personalization can't come at the expense of privacy. Despite AI's mainstream growth, with many people using ChatGPT and other AI tools for everything from budgeting to trip planning, consumers are still hesitant about AI when their personal data is involved. According to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, over 58% of consumers are Extremely/Very concerned about their privacy being violated from AI using their data. Prosper - Concern About Privacy From AI Prosper Insights & Analytics 'When it comes to banking products, consumers' top priority is ensuring their hard-earned money is secure – this extends to products that leverage AI,' said Bierry. Banks must prioritize secure, transparent AI solutions to address consumers' privacy concerns—protecting both their money and their trust. Bridge the AI gap with transparency and security. Leveraging personal financial data with AI and ensuring the data remains secure are not mutually exclusive, they're two sides of the same coin. From the start of any AI initiatives at a bank, security and personalization must run parallel with each other According to Bierry, the process of connecting all of these data points and then deploying AI solutions on top of them requires security measures to be at the forefront. 'For any internal tools, ensure they are designed with data privacy and security in mind from the outset. If the institution is using external tools, the provider should hold themself to very high security standards.' In many cases, privacy isn't only a matter of ensuring trust with customers. It's also a critical aspect of compliance that could lead to high fines and significant reputational damage depending on the jurisdiction. Bierry says, 'Whenever AI is used in a consumer-facing offering to provide financial advice, the bank should clearly disclose its use.' AI presents an opportunity for banks to provide customers with the critical financial advice they need as they navigate uncertain times, those banks that offer these experiences and can overcome customer security concerns will ultimately be the ones that pull ahead.
Forbes
29-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Economic Uncertainty Is A Critical Growth Period For AI And More
Economic Uncertainty Despite signs of stock market stabilization and amongst ongoing trade tensions, consumer confidence is teetering on the edge. According to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, 60% of Americans are uncertain about the future of the U.S. economy. Prosper - Consumer Confidence For businesses, this isn't just a statistic—it's a warning. According to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, 46%, of Americans planning to reduce their spending, companies need to act quickly. In a climate where every dollar counts, the focus must shift toward strategies that deliver clear, measurable performance. Prosper - Current State of US Economy Scott Howe, a longtime and respected executive who leads LiveRamp — the industry leader in data collaboration — has witnessed this evolution across decades in adtech. In our conversation, he laid out how today's CEOs and CMOs are doubling down on precision and accountability, and stressed that this moment also demands forward-looking, strategic action. 'Today's CEOs want proof. They're turning to CMOs and saying: show me the ROI. The smartest marketers are rising to the challenge by unlocking the full power of their first-party data, leaning into data collaboration, and demanding measurement at every turn. In turbulent markets, the dollars don't disappear — they consolidate. And they flow to the partners who can prove performance. That's why budgets are migrating to platforms with real accountability,' Howe told me in an interview. The retreat in ad spend is made even more evident by the World Advertising Research Center (WARC), which slashed its global ad spend forecast in March, and then cut it again by 0.5% in its June quarterly update. As marketers reassess priorities in light of macroeconomic pressures, Howe stresses the urgent need to keep data at the core of long-term strategy. Marketers who have built strong data foundations and gained a full understanding of their customers are already reaping the rewards. This data-driven approach isn't just a lifeline in uncertain times; it's the bedrock that will power marketing programs with lasting impact—both now and in the future. 'This is already a pivotal moment separating data haves — who can amass data to drive insights — from have-nots. The companies leaning in aren't just gaining near-term advantage, they're unlocking transformational value through data collaboration, while building the signal foundation that will create transformational value in the future,' said Howe. According to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, more than 76% of consumers are taking steps to protect their digital privacy, marketers need to lean into first-party data—the data consumers choose to share—to create personalized experiences that really resonate, both now and in the future. Relying on outdated tools to reach consumers will only make it harder to personalize and measure effectively as people take more control over their data. In today's environment of high job pressure and performance expectations, marketers without a solid strategy may find their results—and their accountability—falling short. Prosper - How Protecting Online-Digital Privacy While first-party data is a start, it is often incomplete. Since many companies don't own all of their distribution and communication points with customers, marketers need to collaborate with one another to drive insights and deliver better experiences to customers. A food company might possess data on who saw their advertising, which becomes more powerful when a retailer provides insights on which of their users actually clipped coupons or purchased a product. LiveRamp then helps unlock value from this data collaboration by connecting data from multiple sources, enabling seamless identity management, omnichannel integration, and cutting-edge measurement and analytics using clean room technology — all while protecting consumer privacy. In data collaboration partnerships, success can take many forms—brands can work closer with publishers to reach new customers, retailers improve how they connect with customers and measure the impact of campaigns, and companies–from airlines to TV platforms–can create new ways to use their customer data to drive additional revenue. For example, leading job search platform Indeed tapped LiveRamp's identity solution to move away from third-party cookies, leveraging the strength of its first-party data and publishers' first-party data. As a result, Indeed improved its ability to connect with customers, growing its retargeting audience by 54%, and driving business outcomes, with response rates to job postings up 20%. 'As economic uncertainty continues, smart marketers are doubling down on what works. But what's different now is what they can do with data and tools like clean rooms. They have clearer visibility than ever into what's driving performance. The guesswork is gone. And in this economy, there's no room for wasted spending. Accountability isn't optional anymore,' added Howe. As Howe emphasized, data is the key driver of growth in the next frontier of adtech: AI. AI models rely on data to be effective. And to create personalized customer experiences, these models must be trained with responsibly sourced first-party data. Data-driven marketing, including collaboration, allows companies to optimize their marketing performance while providing the essential data that AI needs to succeed. By tapping into richer, more accurate data, companies can accelerate AI model training and gain valuable customer insights in the process. 'AI was everywhere at the recent Cannes Lions event—and for good reason. It's reshaping the industry customer journey from the ground up. We're heading toward a world where AI agents shop on our behalf, skipping the traditional path entirely. To keep up, brands need first-party data and strong connectivity—so they can tie together every new touchpoint, plug into emerging AI channels, and keep measuring what's actually driving performance,' said Howe. Privacy concerns remain a hurdle for advertisers turning to AI. According to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, more than 58% of consumers are deeply concerned about their privacy being compromised by AI using their data. This highlights the critical need for responsible data practices that safeguard privacy—particularly in AI—and offer transparency and control over consumer information. Prosper - Concern About Privacy From AI By combining first-party data with privacy-enhancing technologies like clean rooms, marketers can engage in responsible data collaboration, unlocking the full value of their data while maintaining control and preserving consumer trust. 'Macroeconomic headwinds are real—and marketers will feel the pressure,' said Howe. 'But it's in moments like these that winners are made. We already know what drives growth: data, collaboration, and measurable performance. So, if you take your foot off the gas now, you're not just slowing down—you're giving up ground you may never get back.'
Fibre2Fashion
18-07-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Early shopping, tariff concerns drive US back-to-school trends: NRF
Back-to-school shoppers in US are kicking off their purchases earlier than ever in 2025, driven by tariff concerns and a hunt for deals, according to the latest annual survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. As of early July, 67 per cent of shoppers had already begun buying items for the upcoming school year—the highest rate since NRF began tracking early shopping in 2018 and a sharp increase from 55 per cent last year. The early shopping trend is largely influenced by economic uncertainty, with 51 per cent of back-to-school families starting earlier specifically due to fears of price hikes caused by tariffs. Back-to-school shopping in US is starting earlier than ever in 2025, with 67 per cent of shoppers beginning by early July, driven by tariff fears and deal-hunting. While average spending per student is down slightly, total Kâ€'12 and college spending is set to hit $39.4 billion and $88.8 billion, respectively. Online and discount stores remain top channels amid economic caution. Despite the early momentum, 84 per cent of consumers reported having at least half of their shopping still left to complete. The primary reasons for holding off include waiting for better deals (47 per cent), uncertainty about required items (39 per cent), and spreading out budgets over time (24 per cent). Retailer-led summer sales events such as Amazon Prime Day, Walmart Deals and Target Circle Week are playing a pivotal role, with 82 per cent of shoppers timing purchases around these promotions, NRF said in a release. 'Consumers are being mindful of the potential impacts of tariffs and inflation on back-to-school items, and have turned to early shopping, discount stores and summer sales for savings on school essentials. As shoppers look for the best deals on clothes, notebooks and other school-related items, retailers are highly focused on affordability and making the shopping experience as seamless as possible,' said NRF vice president of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen . For K–12 students, families expect to spend an average of $858.07 this year—slightly below 2024's $874.68. Nonetheless, increased participation is projected to push total K–12 spending to $39.4 billion, up from $38.8 billion last year. Spending is led by electronics at an average of $295.81 per household ($13.6 billion total), followed by clothing and accessories ($249.36 or $11.4 billion), shoes ($169.13 or $7.8 billion), and school supplies ($143.77 or $6.6 billion). Online remains the top shopping channel (55 per cent), followed by department stores (48 per cent), discount retailers (47 per cent), and clothing stores (41 per cent). College shoppers are also scaling back per-person budgets—$1,325.85 on average, down from $1,364.75 in 2024. However, broader participation means total back-to-college spending is forecast to hit a record $88.8 billion, up from $86.6 billion. 'This increase can largely be attributed to higher income households, while lower income households are pulling back across categories because of economic uncertainty. Regardless of income, families want to ensure their students are set up for success. They are cutting back in other areas, using buy now, pay later or buying used or refurbished items to have everything they need for the school year,' stated Prosper executive vice president of strategy Phil Rist . Online leads again as the most popular shopping channel (48 per cent), while discount stores have grown in appeal (36 per cent, up 5 percentage points), followed by department stores (35 per cent) and college bookstores (27 per cent). The NRF's annual survey, based on responses from 7,581 consumers polled between July 1 and July 7, has a margin of error of ±1.1 percentage points and has tracked back-to-school shopping behaviour since 2003. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Boosting Loyalty With Mobile Offers Fueled By Data & Customer Insights
Mobile Users In an age where personalization and connectivity define consumer expectations, businesses are increasingly turning to data-driven strategies to foster loyalty. Companies in the mobile industry, for example, are seeking innovative ways to deliver value while addressing the diverse needs of their customers. From hyperlocal offers tailored to specific communities to bundled services that deliver convenience and savings, the potential to evolve with consumer needs and habits has never been greater. This article explores how understanding consumer behaviors, leveraging collaboration, and measuring impact of data-driven mobile offers can turn into powerful tools for building lasting customer relationships. Understanding Consumer Behavior In the fast-evolving mobile industry, understanding consumer behavior is key for building loyalty. According to a study conducted on behalf of Optimum, a leading provider of fiber internet, mobile, and TV services, reveals that price is the most important factor for customers when choosing a mobile device, followed by battery life and brand. Research also highlights a growing preference for bundling services, including mobile, internet, and TV, particularly when these bundles provide financial savings. Optimum's study also found that nearly half of consumers express interest in bundled services if offered at competitive prices. Among these, 70% would consider a mobile bundle. What's more is that 80% of Americans correctly believe bundling internet and mobile services is more cost-effective than purchasing them separately. These statistics underscore the demand for affordable yet high-quality solutions that align with modern needs and lifestyles. Moreover, according to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, the findings emphasize the importance of price in motivating customers to switch mobile service providers, followed by coverage and data plans. These trends showcase that price-conscious consumers are not willing to compromise on connectivity and quality. Prosper - Reasons For Planning To Switch Mobile Phone Service Providers Personalization Techniques Through Mobile Offers To meet the demands of today's customers, providers are implementing more tailored offers to resonate with consumers while doubling down on personalization. For instance, Optimum Mobile, which connects customers on America's largest 5G network, offers budget-friendly plans, attractive 5G device promotions, and bundled internet and mobile services. These offerings enable customers to save money while enjoying seamless, reliable connectivity at home and on the go at one transparent price point through a single provider. 'As consumer expectations continue to evolve, it's imperative that we reimagine how services are structured and delivered,' said Brett Tolbert, Senior Vice President of Consumer Pricing and Go-to-Market Strategies at Optimum. 'Personalized offerings and value-driven bundles are what consumers have grown to expect. Consumers want brands that flex to ever changing needs and lifestyles changes. At Optimum, we've made meaningful strides to deliver flexible bundles across a range of services and price points, tailored to household bandwidth and lifestyle needs. By prioritizing innovation and truly listening to what our customers value most, we're not only meeting their needs—we're building deeper, more lasting relationships.' Personalized deals also come with personalized promotions that resonate with customers on a deeper level. Hyperlocal strategies—customized to meet the unique needs of specific communities—are impactful. A resident in Sedona, Arizona, for instance, might prioritize connectivity for outdoor adventures, whereas a customer in Brooklyn, New York values urban efficiency. Listening carefully to customer feedback at a local level allows companies to refine their offerings and build deeper and more lasting connections with consumers. For this very reason, Optimum hired regional leadership teams to lead local sales, operations, and engagement efforts across its 21-state footprint. These teams are allowing the company to act locally in ways that matter most to its customers and communities. 'In addition to regional trends, we also recognize preferences based on a person's lifestyle,' said Tolbert. 'This year, Optimum Mobile introduced a single-line Unlimited plan at an extremely competitive price point because we know that some Americans want to step away from their family plans or are simply looking for an individualized offering, all while being mindful of costs. It's the creation and then implementation of these personalized offers at a hyperlocal level that can ensure a customer is being seen, heard, and valued.' It's clear that this approach is effective, as Raymond James, a multinational independent investment bank and financial services company, highlighted Optimum's mobile performance by stating, 'We believe mobile sales are being increasingly driven through quality engagements and customer value propositions that improve stickiness and reduce churn.' Understanding how consumers prefer to be targeted is also key. Some findings illustrate the potential for personalized mobile campaigns to significantly enhance engagement and underscore the need for high-performing mobile devices. According to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, approximately 40% of U.S. adults use their smartphones to receive text messages with special offers, with Gen-X skewing higher than other generations. What's more, nearly 50% of U.S. adults use their phones to make direct purchases. These behaviors indicate a growing reliance on mobile platforms for both communication and commerce, presenting an opportunity for companies to engage customers with strategically targeted campaigns. It also demonstrates the essential need for a powerful mobile device with fast and reliable coverage.
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Back-to-school sales tax holidays in these states will save you money
The kids aren't ready to hear about going back to school, but sales tax holidays in many states can help parents save on their back-to-school shopping. That's particularly important this year as shoppers say they are more stressed about tariffs and economic uncertainty. In July and August, 17 states will have sales-tax holidays, when certain purchases made for school will be exempt from taxes. Most of the tax-free shopping days give a break on sales tax for items related to school like clothing, shoes, electronics and supplies. Two states, Ohio and Massachusetts, extend their sales-tax holiday to include more than back-to-school items. The first state with the sales-tax holiday is Mississippi, which will hold it's tax-free weekend from July 11 through July 13. Back-to-school shopping has already begun Early-bird back-to-school shopping has already begun. This year, 26% of back-to-school and college shoppers had already started browsing and buying items by early June, according to a study by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. That's up from 22% last year and 17% in 2019. Shoppers often say they like buying early to spread out their budget and to get early deals and promotions. But this year, three-quarters or 74% of those surveyed said they are shopping earlier this year because they are worried tariffs will cause prices to go up later this season. The sales-tax holidays help consumers save even more, Katherine Cullen, National Retail Federation vice president of industry and consumer insights, told USA TODAY. "Customers and retailers alike enjoy the benefits of sales tax holidays," she said. "These tax-free events can help drive customers to stores, and result in increased sales because customers may purchase additional items that they were not shopping for that day." Shoppers are worried about inflation and tariffs According to the NRF, the average K-12 shopper budgeted $875 on average last year, while those buying for a college student expected to spend $1,365. This year, 76% of shoppers are anticipating higher price tags for the things they need, the NRF survey said. A Back-to-School Survey by Deloitte estimates that spending for K-12 hopping will remain steady at $30.9 billion or approximately $570 per student. That is down $16 a student from last year. But while the overall spending figure remains steady, lower-income parents (those making $50,000 or less) said they plan to spend 10% more this year while middle-and-higher income families said they'd pull back and spend 7% to 9% less. In another study by Coresight Research, 68% of shoppers said inflation would limit how much they spend on back-to-school shopping while 73% of shoppers expect price increases and 64.9% expect product shortages. 'Back-to-school 2025 is shaped by measured optimism: consumers are willing to spend more, but economic pressures like inflation and tariffs are driving them to seek value more aggressively,' Madhav Pitaliya, an analyst for Coresight Research told USA TODAY. Does my state have a school supply sales tax holiday? Here is a list of participating states and what's tax free, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators plus reporting by USA TODAY. Rules and dates vary by state so check the state's website for the most updated information. In some instances, local taxes may also still apply. If a dollar amount is not listed, the state did not appear to indicate a spending limit on that item. A link to most states' details of their holiday are hyperlinked to the name of each state. Generally most purchases online also qualify for the sales-tax holiday, but check your state's requirements. Fives states year-round don't charge sales tax: Alaska, Montana, Delaware, Oregon and New Hampshire, according to the Tax Foundation. Some municipalities in Alaska do charge sales tax. Alabama July 18-20 What's tax-free: Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item Computers: $750 or less per item School supplies: $50 or less per item Books: $30 or less per item Arkansas Aug. 2-3 What's tax-free: Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item, clothing accessories: $50 or less per item School supplies Electronic devices used for school Connecticut Aug. 17-23 (Always the third Sunday in August to the following Saturday) What's tax-free: Clothing and footwear less than $100 Florida Florida expanded its back-to-school sales tax holiday to include the whole month of August. Aug. 1-31 What's tax-free: School supplies: $50 or less per item Clothing, footwear, accessories: $100 or less per item Computers and related accessories: $1,500 or less Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles: $30 or less Iowa Aug. 1-2 What's tax-free: Clothing or footwear: $100 or less per item Maryland Aug. 10-16 (Always the second week of August) What's tax-free: Clothing, footwear and accessories: $100 or less per item Backpacks: the first $40 of a backpack/bookbag purchase is tax-free. Massachusetts Aug 9-10 Eligible retail items bought for personal use costing $2,500 or less (not limited to school supplies). There are several exceptions when tax still applies, including: meals, motor vehicles and boats, gas and electricity, tobacco, marijuana or alcoholic beverages and any single item with a price more than $2,500. Mississippi July 11-13 What's tax-free: Clothing, and footwear: $100 or less per item School supplies: $100 or less per item Missouri Aug. 1-3 What's tax-free: Clothing: $100 or less per item School supplies: $50 or less per item Computers: $1,500 Computer software: $350 or less Computer peripheral devices: $1,500 Graphic calculators: $150 or less New Mexico July 25-27 What's tax-free: Clothing or shoes: $100 or less per item Desktop, laptop, tablets or notebook computers: $1,000 Related computer hardware: $500 per item School supplies: $30 per item New York New York does not have a sales tax holiday, but year-round in certain counties, including the county that covers New York City, have no sales tax for clothing and footwear worn by humans that is $110 or less. Ohio Aug. 1-14 What's tax-free: Ohio's sales-tax holiday is not limited to school-related supplies. The tax-free period includes anything that is considered tangible personal property that is $500 or less, except watercraft, anything with an outboard motor that must be titled, a motor vehicle, alcohol, tobacco, a vapor product or a product that contains marijuana. Dine-in meals, which are usually taxed, are also tax-free if they are less than $500. Oklahoma Aug. 1-3 What's tax-free: Clothing or footwear: $100 or less per item. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania does not have a sales-tax holiday, but year-round it does not charge sales tax for clothing and certain footwear. South Carolina Aug. 1-3 What's tax-free: Clothing, shoes and accessories School supplies Computers, printers, earbuds and headphones Certain bed and bath items Diapers Tennessee July 25-27 What's tax-free: Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item School supplies: $100 or less per item Computers, including laptops and tablets: $1,500 or less per item Texas Aug. 8-10 What's tax-free: Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item Backpacks: $100 or less per item School supplies: $100 or less per item Virginia Aug. 1-3 What's tax-free: Clothing and shoes: $100 or less per item School supplies: $20 or less per item West Virginia Aug. 1-4 What's tax-free: Clothing: $125 or less per item Laptop or tablet computers: $500 or less per item School instruction material: $20 or less per item School supplies: $50 or less per item Sports equipment: $150 or less per item Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at blinfisher@ or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher and @ on Bluesky. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include consumer news on Fridays, here.
