Bye-bye, megabank: More young adults are adopting digital banking to manage their money

Marc Wojno has been a writer and editor in the financial field for more than two decades. A new report published this month by data analytics firm FICO shows that a growing percentage of younger U.S. consumers -- specifically Gen X, Millennial and Gen Z groups -- consider digital banks, such as Cash App, Chime and PayPal, as their primary checking account provider, not traditional megabanks such as Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. The report identified five competitive threats to traditional banks and credit unions, and what those companies need to do to stay competitive: Overdraft; savings and investing; buy now, pay later (BNPL); niche neobanks; and open banking. The report, Counterattack: Banks Field Guide to Fintech Disruption, in conjunction with research from Cornerstone Advisors, notes that although many US consumers are pleased with the quality and services of traditional banks and credit unions, the percentage of those three younger generations who chose fintechs over brick-and-mortars as their primary banks have doubled, at 12% of customers since 2020. FICO's report stated that for Millennials and Gen X-ers, the percentages dropped by nearly half during that same period.