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2026 Outlook
The personal credit sector is trending toward greater digitalization and alternative lending models, with global fintech lending expected to grow at a 22% CAGR through 2026, driven by advancements in AI and data analytics. Looking ahead, regulatory changes and potential economic slowdowns could pose risks, but overall, the sector is projected to expand with U.S. personal loan volumes reaching $200 billion by 2026, supported by improving consumer confidence and lower unemployment rates. This positions the sector for moderate upside, contingent on inflation trends and Federal Reserve policies.
Complete Rankings
| Rank | Stock | Score | Price | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Atlanticus Holdings Corporation 7.625% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, no par value per share
|
62.4 | $24.01 | -- |
|
2
|
Atlanticus Holdings Corporation 6.125% Senior Notes due 2026
|
60.6 | $24.79 | -- |
|
3
|
Affirm Holdings, Inc. Class A Common Stock
|
58.8 | $80.80 | $24.2B |
|
4
|
OneMain Holdings, Inc.
|
58.6 | $70.15 | $6.6B |
|
5
|
Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.
|
58.1 | $76.30 | $2.6B |
|
6
|
Open Lending Corporation Common Stock
|
57.5 | $1.71 | $241M |
|
7
|
Enova International, Inc.
|
56.6 | $162.36 | $2.8B |
|
8
|
World Acceptance Corp
|
56.6 | $146.72 | $923M |
|
9
|
LendingClub Corporation
|
56.2 | $20.26 | $1.7B |
|
10
|
Atlanticus Holdings Corporation 9.25% Senior Notes due 2029
|
55.0 | $25.40 | -- |
|
11
|
Nelnet, Inc. Class A
|
55.0 | $132.42 | $4.6B |
|
12
|
Credit Acceptance Corp
|
54.2 | $460.24 | $5.4B |
|
13
|
SLM Corporation
|
51.7 | $27.74 | $5.7B |
|
14
|
Atlanticus Holdings Corporation
|
51.0 | $66.62 | $878M |
|
15
|
REGIONAL MANAGEMENT CORP
|
48.4 | $39.85 | $380M |
In-Depth Analysis: Top Personal Credit Stocks
ATLCP
Atlanticus Holdings Corp invests in the financial services industry. It provides various credit and related financial services and products to or associated with the financially underserved consumer credit market. The operating business segments are the Credit as a Service (CaaS) and the Auto Finance segment. It generates maximum revenue from the Credit as a Service segment.
Atlanticus Holdings matters in the Personal Credit sector by specializing in credit services for the financially underserved through its Credit as a Service (CaaS) and Auto Finance segments, filling a critical gap left by traditional lenders and promoting financial inclusion. This focus positions the company as a key player in expanding access to credit in a growing subprime market.
With a Tradestie Score of 62.4 indicating moderate financial stability, Atlanticus demonstrates potential resilience in the Personal Credit sector despite limited available data. The 7.625% fixed dividend on its Series B Preferred Stock suggests a reliable income stream, supporting its financial health in serving underserved consumers.
By 2026, investors should consider ATLCP due to anticipated growth in the Personal Credit sector, driven by increasing demand for digital credit solutions like Atlanticus's CaaS platform, which could enhance revenue streams. The stock's 7.625% cumulative dividend yield offers a hedge against potential interest rate declines, providing steady returns in a recovering economy. Additionally, as the financially underserved market expands, Atlanticus's niche expertise may lead to higher valuations and stronger performance.
ATLCL
Atlanticus Holdings Corporation is a significant player in the personal credit sector, specializing in consumer finance solutions that facilitate access to credit for underserved markets, thereby supporting economic activity and consumer spending. Its 6.125% Senior Notes due 2026 provide investors with exposure to the sector's growth through fixed-income securities, highlighting the company's role in bridging credit gaps.
With a Tradestie Score of 60.6 indicating moderate financial stability, Atlanticus demonstrates reasonable profitability in the competitive personal credit market, though limited data suggests potential risks in maintaining margins amid economic fluctuations. The 6.125% yield on its senior notes reflects the company's capacity to generate sufficient cash flow for debt servicing, pointing to a stable financial health relative to peers.
The 6.125% yield on Atlanticus's Senior Notes due 2026 offers a compelling fixed-income return in a potentially declining interest rate environment, making it attractive for income-focused investors as the maturity date approaches. Atlanticus's established presence in the personal credit sector, supported by a Tradestie Score of 60.6, suggests resilience and potential for timely payments, enhancing the notes' appeal. Furthermore, as consumer credit demand is expected to rise by 2026, improved company performance could lead to capital appreciation for note holders.
AFRM
Affirm Holdings Inc offers a platform for digital and mobile-first commerce. It comprises a point-of-sale payment solution for consumers, merchant commerce solutions, and a consumer-focused app. The firm generates its revenue from merchant networks and through virtual card networks, among others. Geographically, it generates a majority share of its revenue from the United States, followed by Canada and other regions.
Affirm Holdings matters in the Personal Credit sector as a pioneer in buy-now-pay-later (BNL) services, driving digital lending innovation with a 33.6% revenue growth that outpaces traditional credit providers and supports the surge in e-commerce transactions.
Affirm's 6.7% profit margin reflects moderate profitability in a competitive sector, while its 7.6% ROE indicates reasonable equity efficiency; however, the high P/E ratio of 107.3 suggests the stock is priced for significant future growth, balancing current financial health with investor expectations.
Affirm's 33.6% revenue growth highlights its potential to expand in the digital payments market, making it an attractive buy by 2026 as e-commerce and BNL adoption accelerate. The company's platform innovations could enhance consumer engagement and merchant partnerships, potentially improving profitability metrics like the 6.7% profit margin. With a Tradestie Score of 58.8, there's upside as Affirm scales operations and captures more market share in personal credit solutions.
OMF
OneMain Holdings Inc is a consumer finance company providing loan products to customers through its branch network and the internet. The company provides personal loan products; offers credit cards; offers optional credit insurance and others; offers a customer-focused financial wellness program, and acquisitions and dispositions of assets and businesses. It provides origination, underwriting, and servicing of personal loans to non-prime …
OneMain Holdings Inc. matters in the Personal Credit sector due to its comprehensive omnichannel approach, combining an extensive branch network with online platforms to deliver personal loans, credit cards, and financial wellness programs to underserved consumers. This strategy enables it to capture a significant market share by providing accessible and diversified credit solutions in a competitive landscape.
OneMain's profitability is robust, evidenced by a 24.4% profit margin that reflects efficient operations and cost control, alongside a 21.4% ROE indicating strong returns on shareholder equity. Its 20.6% revenue growth further underscores financial health, while a P/E ratio of 11.7 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to earnings potential.
OneMain's impressive 20.6% revenue growth and 21.4% ROE position it for sustained expansion in the personal credit sector by 2026, driven by rising consumer demand for loans and its innovative financial wellness programs. The company's 24.4% profit margin highlights operational efficiency, potentially leading to higher earnings and stock appreciation. Additionally, with a P/E ratio of 11.7, the stock offers an attractive entry point for investors seeking undervalued opportunities in a growing market.
BFH
Formed by a combination of JCPenney's credit card processing unit and The Limited's credit card bank business, Bread Financial is a provider of private-label and co-branded credit cards, loyalty programs, and marketing services. The company's most financially significant unit is its credit card business that partners with retailers to jointly market Bread's credit cards to their customers. The company also …
Bread Financial Holdings matters in the Personal Credit sector as a leading provider of private-label and co-branded credit cards, loyalty programs, and marketing services, stemming from its strategic formation via JCPenney's credit card unit and The Limited's bank business. Its credit card operations, the most financially significant unit, play a pivotal role in enhancing retail customer engagement and driving sector growth through innovative financing solutions.
Bread Financial exhibits strong profitability with a profit margin of 18.8% and an ROE of 14.8%, indicating efficient operations and effective use of shareholder equity. Additionally, the company's revenue growth of 9.4% reflects ongoing business expansion, while a P/E ratio of 7.6 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to its earnings potential in the sector.
Investors should consider buying BFH stock in 2026 due to its low P/E ratio of 7.6, which indicates undervaluation and potential for substantial appreciation as consumer spending rebounds. The company's solid revenue growth of 9.4% and profitability metrics, including a 18.8% profit margin, position it for continued success in expanding co-branded credit offerings and loyalty programs amid rising demand for personalized financial services.
LPRO
Open Lending Corp is engaged in providing automated lending services to financial institutions. The company offers loan analytics, risk-based pricing, risk modeling, and automated decision technology. Its Lenders Protection Program ("LPP") enables automotive lenders to make loans that are largely insured against, losses from defaults.
Open Lending Corp matters in the Personal Credit sector as it pioneers automated lending services, including risk-based pricing and modeling through its Lenders Protection Program (LPP), which enables automotive lenders to mitigate risks and expand loan offerings efficiently. This technology-driven approach addresses growing demands for streamlined credit processes, potentially increasing market penetration in a sector valued at over $500 billion annually.
Open Lending's ROE of -102.5% highlights severe profitability challenges, indicating that the company is depleting shareholder equity amid operational losses, despite a modest revenue growth of 3.0% that suggests limited top-line expansion. This financial health profile points to potential vulnerabilities in the competitive personal credit market, where cost efficiencies and scaling are critical for sustainability.
By 2026, Open Lending's automated decision technology and LPP could drive growth in the expanding digital lending market, projected to reach $1 trillion globally, positioning the company for increased adoption among automotive lenders. With revenue growth at 3.0% indicating a stable base, potential improvements in ROE through operational optimizations and partnerships may enhance profitability. The Tradestie Score of 57.5 suggests moderate upside, making LPRO an attractive option for investors betting on fintech recovery and sector consolidation.
ENVA
Enova International Inc provides online financial services, including short-term consumer loans, line of credit accounts, and installment loans to customers mainly in the United States and and Brazil. Consumers apply for credit online, the company's technology platforms process the applications, and transactions are completed quickly and efficiently. Its customers are predominantly retail consumers and small businesses. Enova markets its financing …
Enova International matters in the Personal Credit sector due to its specialized online platform that efficiently processes short-term consumer loans, lines of credit, and installment loans for customers in the US and Brazil, meeting the rising demand for digital financial services. This technology-driven approach differentiates Enova by providing quick, accessible credit options, positioning it as a key player in the evolving online lending landscape.
Enova's profitability is robust, evidenced by a 20.7% profit margin that indicates strong cost management and operational efficiency, alongside a 23.8% ROE demonstrating effective use of equity to generate profits. The company's 15.6% revenue growth further supports its financial health, while a P/E ratio of 15.0 suggests the stock is reasonably valued relative to its earnings.
Enova's 15.6% revenue growth trajectory positions it to benefit from the expanding digital personal credit market by 2026, driven by increasing online loan demand in the US and Brazil. The company's high 23.8% ROE indicates potential for sustained earnings growth and stock appreciation, making it an appealing choice for investors seeking exposure to fintech innovation. Additionally, with a P/E ratio of 15.0, the stock offers good value for its growth prospects in a sector expected to see continued digital adoption.
WRLD
World Acceptance Corp operates a small-loan consumer finance business. The company offers short-term small installment loans, medium-term larger installment loans, related credit insurance and ancillary products and services to individuals. It also offers income tax return preparation services to its loan customers and other individuals. The Company operates 1,024 branches in Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, …
World Acceptance Corp matters in the Personal Credit sector as it serves an underserved market by providing short-term small installment loans and medium-term larger loans to individuals with limited access to traditional banking, alongside ancillary services like credit insurance and tax preparation. This positions the company as a key player in the subprime lending space, addressing growing demand for alternative credit solutions.
World Acceptance Corp exhibits solid profitability with a 10.0% profit margin and a 14.6% ROE, indicating efficient operations and effective use of equity to generate returns. However, its modest 2.3% revenue growth highlights potential challenges in scaling, though the 13.6 P/E ratio suggests the stock is reasonably valued relative to earnings.
With a 14.6% ROE and 10.0% profit margin, World Acceptance Corp demonstrates strong financial fundamentals that could drive earnings growth by 2026, especially in a recovering economy. The 13.6 P/E ratio indicates the stock is undervalued compared to industry peers, offering potential for capital appreciation. Additionally, as demand for personal credit rises, the company's niche in small loans and related services positions it for increased market share in the sector.
LC
LendingClub Corp is a company engaged in operating an online lending marketplace platform that connects borrowers and investors for the provision of the loan facility. It offers investors access to an asset class that has generally been closed to many investors and only available on a limited basis to institutional investors. The company through the platform offers loan products such …
LendingClub Corp matters in the Personal Credit sector as it pioneered an online lending marketplace that connects borrowers and investors, democratizing access to credit and investment opportunities that were previously limited to traditional institutions. This platform enhances financial inclusion by offering investors a diversified asset class with potential for higher returns.
LendingClub's 8.0% profit margin and 7.4% ROE indicate moderate profitability and efficient use of equity, though there is room for improvement in margins. The company's 15.8% revenue growth and a P/E ratio of 21.5 reflect strong expansion and reasonable valuation relative to its growth trajectory.
LendingClub's 15.8% revenue growth highlights its potential for continued expansion in the digital lending market, driven by increasing demand for online personal credit solutions by 2026. The company's 8.0% profit margin and 7.4% ROE suggest improving financial stability, positioning it to capitalize on economic recovery and fintech trends. With a Tradestie Score of 56.2/100 indicating moderate appeal, the stock could see appreciation as the platform scales and attracts more users in the evolving credit landscape.
ATLCZ
Atlanticus Holdings Corporation plays a vital role in the personal credit sector by providing consumer finance solutions, including loans and credit products that facilitate access to capital for individuals, supporting economic activity in a growing market. Its 9.25% Senior Notes due 2029 underscore the company's strategy to secure funding for expanding its credit offerings amid increasing demand for personal loans.
With a Tradestie Score of 55.0/100, Atlanticus exhibits moderate financial health, suggesting a balanced risk profile in the personal credit sector where revenue from interest and fees drives profitability, though limited data availability tempers a full assessment. The 9.25% yield on these senior notes indicates potential for stable income generation, reflecting the company's ability to manage debt obligations effectively in a competitive environment.
By 2026, ATLCZ's 9.25% yield could offer attractive returns compared to declining interest rates, providing investors with reliable income in an anticipated economic recovery. The personal credit sector is projected to expand with rising consumer borrowing, potentially enhancing Atlanticus's revenue streams and supporting bond price appreciation. Additionally, the Tradestie Score of 55.0 suggests opportunities for operational improvements, making this investment appealing for those seeking fixed-income growth in a rebounding market.
Methodology
Stocks are ranked using the Tradestie Score, a proprietary 0-100 rating that combines fundamental quality (profitability, balance sheet strength), growth metrics (revenue and earnings growth), valuation (P/E, PEG ratio), and momentum factors. Scores are updated daily based on the latest market data. Learn more about our methodology.