A tough economy hits hardest for those with lower incomes and poor to no credit, which is where rent-to-own and lease-to-own can be a lifesaver — and in many ways, they are — even as the biggest players in the space keep a hand on...
The rent-to-own and lease-to-own retail concepts that seem tailor made for recession-pressed consumers with subprime credit are in fact seeing their models tested by an unforgiving market where shoppers are showing a preference for bargains and extra sensitivity toward fees. The latest example of this...
Australian FinTech startup OwnHome, which has a goal of “turning renters into property owners,” has raised $31 million in a Series A funding round, according to a report Friday (Feb. 4). The money will go towards the customer platform and growing the company portfolio. OwnHome...
At a time of huge digital transformation when consumers have quicker access to more products and services than ever, why be clunky if you can be seamless? So goes the thinking of Jason Hogg, the recently hired executive vice president of the Preferred Lease unit...
September 30, 2022
The rent-to-own and lease-to-own retail concepts that seem tailor made for recession-pressed consumers with subprime credit are in fact seeing their models tested by an unforgiving market where shoppers are showing a preference for bargains and extra sensitivity toward fees. The latest example of this low-end shift was seen Thursday (Sept. 29) in a statement […]
January 08, 2021
At a time of huge digital transformation when consumers have quicker access to more products and services than ever, why be clunky if you can be seamless? So goes the...
August 10, 2018
As the digital economy expands, notions of ownership and loyalty change. The so-called sharing and gig economies enable consumers and workers to use products and take jobs without full commitment....
July 28, 2024
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has accused rent-to-own company Acima of tricking customers into high-cost financing agreements. The CFPB on Friday (July 26) sued Acima — owned by Upbound, formerly known as Rent-a-Center — alleging that the company disguised many of its credit agreements as leases to get around consumer protection laws. “Due to […]
February 06, 2022
Australian FinTech startup OwnHome, which has a goal of “turning renters into property owners,” has raised $31 million in a Series A funding round, according to a report Friday (Feb....
February 21, 2020
Rent-to-own (RTO) companies Rent-A-Center, Buddy’s and Aaron’s have all settled a case with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleging they made reciprocal non-competition deals with each other that violated federal...
