Alliance Data’s Bread, Sezzle Announce Strategic Partnership

– Leading fintechs collaborate to provide Sezzle merchants with a comprehensive suite of payment products

– Bread continues to grow reach of installment loan offering with Sezzle’s more than 40,000 merchants

Alliance Data Systems Corporation , a leading global provider of data-driven marketing, loyalty and payment solutions and Sezzle Inc. , a top-rated, purpose-driven buy now, pay later (BNPL) solution, announced that Alliance Data’s Bread business will offer its pay-over-time installment loan product through Sezzle’s merchant network. Through the integrated partnership, Sezzle will leverage Bread’s deep underwriting and installment loan product to reach more customers buying big-ticket items, while offering a comprehensive product suite to its merchant partners.

Acquired by Alliance Data in December 2020, Bread is a leading payments technology company that enables seamless checkout experiences. Its white-label digital payments platform will operate alongside Sezzle’s to give Sezzle and its more than 40,000 merchants and future partners more options at checkout.

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“Sezzle is B Corp certified and is on a mission to financially empower shoppers by creating best-in-class and transparent experiences,” said Charlie Youakim, chief executive officer, Sezzle. “This also includes a focus on credit building and financial education, as well as sustainability, social good and ethical partnerships that are increasingly important to next-gen consumers. By providing Bread’s installment solution to customers, we can build on our buy now, pay later success, and expand our product suite to include additional installment lending options that give aspirational and big-ticket shoppers more ways to pay.”

With convenient terms (3-48 months) and interest rates starting as low as 0% for certain loans and qualifying customers, Bread’s installment loans will complement Sezzle’s existing buy now, pay later product, while simultaneously accelerating growth opportunities for both businesses. Through the partnership, Bread will originate the loans through its affiliate Comenity Capital Bank.

“We approach our products and experiences with a consumer lens, and this alliance speaks not only to the strength of Bread’s installment product, but also to its modern technology and straightforward, user-friendly experiences,” said Val Greer, EVP and chief commercial officer, Alliance Data. “This agreement allows for Bread and Sezzle to expand their reach and unlock mutual growth, while also giving more merchants the tools for success by appealing to a variety of customers and basket sizes.”

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