Affirm Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFRM) is a financial technology company that offers point-of-sale financing solutions to consumers and merchants. Based in San Francisco, the company was founded in 2012 by PayPal co-founder Max Levchin and a team of entrepreneurs. Affirm’s primary business activities center on providing transparent, fixed-term installment loans at the time of purchase, allowing shoppers to split the cost of goods and services into manageable payments without hidden fees or compounding interest.
Through its digital platform, Affirm enables merchants to integrate “buy now, pay later” options into their online and in-store checkout experiences. Consumers can access products such as Pay-in-4, which divides purchases into four interest-free payments, and longer-term financing plans that carry a simple interest rate disclosed upfront. In addition to its core lending products, Affirm has expanded its services to include high-yield savings accounts, a virtual debit card, and Loyalty+—a rewards program designed to drive repeat business for retail partners.
Since its founding, Affirm has grown its merchant network to include major brands across apparel, electronics, travel and home goods, primarily serving customers in the United States with selective expansion into Canada and the United Kingdom. The company went public in January 2021, and its technology-driven underwriting models leverage consumer data to assess creditworthiness in real time. Leadership is anchored by co-founder Max Levchin, who serves as chairman and chief executive officer, overseeing product innovation and strategic partnerships.
Affirm operates in a competitive landscape that includes traditional credit issuers as well as emerging “buy now, pay later” firms. By promoting transparency and simplicity in its lending terms, the company aims to differentiate itself and foster long-term customer relationships. As digital payments continue to evolve, Affirm’s platform-based approach seeks to align consumer buying power with merchant sales growth while maintaining regulatory compliance and risk controls.
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