Joe Heck, US CEO of Zip, on the role of BNPL for America's underserved consumers

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) has transformed how consumers approach purchasing, yet adoption in the US still trails markets like Australia and Europe. In this episode, we sit down with Joe Heck, US CEO of Zip, who brings somewhat of a contrarian perspective to the industry. Joe argues that BNPL isn't just another credit product, it's a financial tool designed for what he calls "underestimated Americans," the paycheck-to-paycheck consumers often underserved by traditional banks.With Zip achieving a 98% payback rate and growing over 40% year-over-year, Joe shares insights on why the credit system is too judgmental, how BNPL provides working capital flexibility, and his vision for autonomous finance powered by AI. Whether you're curious about the future of payments or want to understand how fintech is serving overlooked consumer segments, this conversation offers fresh insights into one of the fastest-growing areas of financial services.In this podcast you will learn:What attracted Joe to take the CEO role at Zip.Why BNPL has not taken off as fast in the U.S. as it has in Australia and Europe.How Zip’s BNPL product works.What Zip’s customers are spending their money on.What kind of checks they do for new customers.Joe’s view on reporting BNPL transactions to credit bureaus.What is driving the growth at Zip over the last year.How Joe responds to media criticisms of BNPL and mounting consumer debt.How they help their customers smooth out their payments.How they partner with Stripe and what it means for Zip’s growth.Where Zip is looking to expand.How Joe sees the the BNPL sector evolving and the role of AI.Connect with Fintech One-on-One:Tweet me @PeterRentonConnect with me on LinkedInFind previous Fintech One-on-One episodes