Happy Money's 2026 Credit Check-In Reveals Growing Divide in Americans' Financial Progress and the Influence of AI in Financial Decision-Making

Annual study finds debt continues to delay major life decisions and even healthcare as consumers seek new ways to navigate financial uncertainty

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Happy Money, a consumer finance company dedicated to empowering people to achieve their goals, today released its second annual Credit Check-In, exploring how financial sentiment and behaviors have evolved since the previous year's study; where consumers are finding relief in a persistently high-rate environment; and how new sources of financial guidance, including AI, are shaping decision-making.

According to the survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, financial progress is increasingly split across income groups and generations, and consumers are beginning to turn to AI for advice and guidance around money.

Most Americans remain optimistic about their financial outlook: 73% feel at least somewhat confident in their ability to meet financial obligations. At the same time, 34% of Americans report feeling less financially secure compared to a year ago, while 31% feel more secure.

The research dives deeper into this growing divide. Nearly half (45%) of households earning $100,000 or more annually report feeling more financially secure than a year ago. Among households earning less than $100,000, only 29% say the same, and 36% report feeling less secure. This pattern also appears across generations; Gen Z is the most likely to feel more secure (45% vs. 26% who feel less), while Gen X and Boomers are the most likely to feel less secure (43% and 42%).

"The American consumer continues to show tremendous resilience, but financial progress is becoming more uneven," explained Matt Potere, CEO of Happy Money. "While many households continue to move toward their goals, others are working harder just to stay in place."

Debt remains a primary obstacle to financial progress. In fact, 41% of respondents carry credit card debt, and among them, 75% are concerned about interest rates. While paying down debt remains one of consumers' top financial priorities, those who took action were more likely to make sacrifices than pursue longer-term solutions. Among consumers prioritizing debt reduction, 55% cut back on spending or delayed a major purchase, compared with just 10% who consolidated or refinanced debt. The study found that 20% of people carrying debt have even delayed healthcare or dental care because of it.

The report also highlights the growing role of AI in financial decision-making: 13% of Americans now name AI tools among the sources they trust most for financial advice, rising to 17% among Gen Z and Millennials. However, AI remains largely complementary: 54% of those who trust AI also turn to a person for guidance—a financial advisor, friends and family, an employer program, or a nonprofit debt counselor—and only 14% rely on AI alone.

"AI is a great place to start when you want a quick gut check or you don't want to ask a person the embarrassing question, but it's not the finish line," said Matt Tomko, Chief Revenue Officer of Happy Money. "People still benefit from having a real plan and trusted guidance. That's where responsible lenders can play an important role, helping consumers make sense of their options and take meaningful steps toward their financial goals."

Explore the full 2026 Credit Check-In report here. Key findings include:

• 41% of respondents carry credit card debt, the most common debt type. Among them, 75% are concerned about their credit card interest rates, including 36% who are extremely concerned.
• 33% of respondents said paying down debt was one of their top financial goals, yet only 10% of that group reported consolidating or refinancing debt. Across all respondents, a quarter (25%) reported taking no action at all in the last six months to manage debt or reduce financial stress.
• The barriers to taking action are not only financial. 35% of people with debt say they are too overwhelmed, find it too stressful, or feel it is too much effort. In fact, 25% of those with debt name one of these emotional barriers, not a cash flow problem, as what's stopping them from taking action on their debt.
• Covering daily expenses (38%), building savings (35%), and paying down debt (33%) remain consumers' top financial goals this year.
• People carrying debt reported they are putting off building savings (27%), major purchases (26%), and even healthcare or dental care (20%) because of debt.

"The Credit Check-In shows that financial pressure continues to shape everyday decisions for many Americans, from cutting back spending to delaying major purchases and even putting healthcare on the backburner. This isn't just a debt problem, it's a life-postponement problem," continued Potere. "The data shows a clear action gap; people know what they want to accomplish, but they feel stuck. The good news is that consumers don't have to wait for rates or economic conditions to change. With the right information, tools and repayment strategy, they can start making meaningful progress today."

As consumers look for ways to make progress against high-interest debt, financial institutions have an opportunity to be trusted partners on this journey. Through partnerships with credit unions, banks and asset managers, Happy Money helps consumers consolidate credit card debt into fixed-rate personal loans with predictable monthly payments that can lower borrowing costs and simplify repayment. The company recently surpassed $7 billion in cumulative loan originations, helping more than 350,000 consumers consolidate credit card debt and save an estimated $1 billion in interest.

To read the full report, visit happymoney.com/articles/credit-check-in-2026. To learn more about Happy Money's debt consolidation loans, visit happymoney.com/payoff-loan.

Methodology:

The online survey of 2,000 U.S. adults (nationally representative on age, gender, and region) was commissioned by Happy Money and conducted by OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society's code of conduct, between June 18 and June 23, 2026. All participants are double opted-in. OnePoll is an MRS Company Partner and a corporate member of ESOMAR.

About Happy Money 

Happy Money is a consumer finance company that empowers people to achieve their goals through simple, transparent loans funded by trusted financial institutions. Through its proprietary lending platform, Hive, Happy Money delivers a fully digital experience that simplifies borrowing for consumers and helps credit unions, banks and asset managers diversify balance sheets and scale with confidence.

Happy Money's end-to-end loan origination and participation programs provide partners with turnkey access to high-performing assets, underpinned by disciplined credit expertise and robust risk management. Together with its lending partners, Happy Money has originated more than $7 billion in loans to help over 350,000 people take greater control of their financial futures. Learn more at happymoney.com.

SOURCE Happy Money