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Generation Z Wants Financial Support Now. Here’s Why You Should Provide It.

Published: March 7, 2023 by Brian Funicelli

generation z wants financial support

Generation Z, or people born between 1997 and 2012, make up about 27% of the American population[1] and have $360B in disposable income[2]. While they may be a young demographic now, Gen Z will soon represent a significant portion of buyers and borrowers in the United States, creating an enormous opportunity for financial institutions to start engaging with them now.

Here are three reasons why you should be marketing financial services to Gen Z.

Improving financial wellness is a priority for Gen Z

Gen Z is a pragmatic cohort of consumers, but they’re also uncertain and anxious about their financial future.The top concern amongst Gen Z is the cost of living.

Gen Z

For these reasons, businesses have a unique opportunity to help those consumers feel less stressed and more confident by providing them with financial services.Thiscan turn those consumersinto loyal, long-standing customers.

Gen Z has the lowest credit score of any generation

Gen Z ranks lowest in average and median VantageScore® credit score* compared to all other generations, including Gen Y (or millennials), Gen X, and baby boomers.[4] While this is partially due to Gen Z being younger than the others, it’s also a result of having shorter credit histories and fewer lines of credit.

This presents a great chance for businesses to help Gen Z individuals establish responsible financial habits, such as opening a new line of credit to begin building a healthy credit history.

Gen Z is actively seeking support now

Consumers in the Gen Z age rangerecognize the importance of personal finance, but they also realize that they don’t have the knowledge needed to be successful.

Gen Z

While people in Gen Z are still young (currently between the ages of about 11 and 26), many need guidance now for their financial wellness and many need help to keep their financial future secure. This means now is the perfect time to start building a lifetime relationship with them and become a trusted advisor by providing financial products and services to help them through their financial journey.

There are about 72 million Americans in the Gen Z demographic[1]. A large percentage of this group may feel strongly about improving their financial wellness. With high levels of financial stress and generally low credit scores, many of them are looking for companies they can trust to help them build good credit and take control of their personal finances.

Since 2019, the number of consumers under the age of 30 enrolled in Experian Partner Solutions credit monitoring and identity protection services has doubled from 9% to 18%. Offering these financial tools to Gen Z is essential to building their trust and financial wellness, which can lead to an increase in future acquisition, retention, and revenue for your business.

*Calculated on the VantageScore® model. Your VantageScore® credit score from Experian® indicates your credit risk level and is not used by all lenders, so don’t be surprised if your lender uses a score that’s different from your VantageScore® credit score. Click here to learn more.

[1]Insider Intelligence. 2023. Generation Z News: Latest characteristics, research, and facts.

[2]Forbes. 2022.As Gen Z’s Buying Power Grows, Businesses Must Adapt Their Marketing.

[3]Deloitte. Deloitte Gen Z and Millennial Survey 2022. Jan 2022.

[4]Experian State of Credit Report. 2021.

[5]Greenlight Financial Technology, Inc. Survey finds Gen Z lacks knowledge and confidence in personal finance and investing. 2021.

[6]NAPFA. NAPFA Survey on Americans’ sources for financial planning and retirement investing advice. 2021.

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Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain traction in certain markets. In fact, at the end of 2024, 9.2% of all new retail registrations were electric, up from 8%+ in 2023 and 6%+ in 2022. Clearly, more and more in-market shoppers are leaning towards EVs, but what is actually a determining factor in their decision? A recent Experian survey [1] found 65% of respondents said they prioritize battery life, while 62% consider price, 58% are concerned with range on a full battery and 53% are focused on infrastructure and maintenance. It’s not just EVs, hybrids are getting into the mix While EVs certainly are the buzzword in the industry, it’s not the only alternative fuel type consumers are opting for. For instance, 55% of respondents said they’d consider a new hybrid and 50% said they’d consider a new EV for their next vehicle purchase. On the used side, 38% of respondents said they’d consider an EV and 42% would consider a hybrid. More granularly, the survey revealed 67% of Gen Z and 61% of Millennials are likely to buy a new EV, while 62% and 63% of these groups, respectively, expressed similar intentions for purchasing new hybrid. Gen Z and Millennials also showed a stronger-than-average interest on the used side, with 57% and 49% opting for EVs, and 57% and 52% choosing hybrids. With the younger generations gravitating towards these fuel types, it’s likely going to influence adoption rates down the road, a trend that should be watched closely as manufacturers roll out more models to meet the growing demand. However, when assessing the viewpoints of other generations, some are less likely to purchase an alternative fuel type. Two-in-five, albeit still a healthy percentage, of Gen X respondents said they’re likely to purchase a new EV and only 25% of Baby Boomers shared a similar sentiment. Meanwhile, 27% of Gen X and 12% of Baby Boomers say they’re likely to purchase a used EV. Furthermore, 46% of Gen X and 43% of Baby Boomers indicated they are likely to buy a new hybrid, while 33% and 21% of these groups, respectively, conveyed similar thoughts towards purchasing used hybrids. It’s crucial for professionals to stay attuned to shifting trends and concerns among consumers, as these factors play a role in consumer decision-making. By addressing potential setbacks and knowing where their target audience is, they can better align their strategies with consumer needs as these fuel types continue to move up on the list for everyday commuters. [1] Experian commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,005 adults throughout the United States. The sample consists of adults who estimate they will purchase or lease their next vehicle within the next 24 months or sooner. The margin of error is +/- 2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95 percent. Fieldwork took place between March 24 and March 27, 2025.

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