Prudential’s investment arm just handed Affirm—a major player in "buy now, pay later" financing—a hefty $500 million private credit line. It’s part of a growing trend where nonbank lenders like Affirm are teaming up with deep-pocketed backers to keep cash flowing, especially when traditional funding sources dry up.

Editor’s Note: This deal highlights how fintechs are sidestepping volatile public markets by locking in private funding—a smart hedge against economic uncertainty. For consumers, it likely means Affirm can keep offering those split-payment options at checkout, but it also underscores how much these companies rely on big financial partners to stay afloat. Not exactly a red flag, but worth watching as lending tightens elsewhere.