Bread Financial Provides Performance Update for February 2026
MWN-AI** Summary
Bread Financial® Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BFH), a technology-driven financial services firm, reported its performance update for February 2026, showcasing positive trends in credit metrics. As of February 28, 2026, the company held $18.081 billion in end-of-period credit card and other loans, a slight increase from $17.949 billion the previous year. Average loans also creeped up by 1% year-over-year, rising to $18.275 billion from $18.141 billion in 2025. Notably, Bread Financial's net principal losses decreased to $108 million from $120 million the previous year, leading to a net principal loss rate decline to 7.7% from 8.6% in February 2025.
Delinquency rates showed improvement as well, dropping to 5.8% from 6.2% over the same period. The amount of 30-day plus delinquencies measured at $939 million also marked a decrease from $1.027 billion in the prior year. This reduction in delinquencies and net losses indicates a healthier credit quality and more responsible consumer borrowing, which bodes well for the company's ongoing operations.
Celebrating 30 years of service in 2026, Bread Financial emphasizes the provision of streamlined payment, lending, and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers. Their offerings are pivotal for both individual customers and renowned brands in various sectors, such as travel, entertainment, and specialty retail, enhancing the financial experience for users.
The company cautioned, however, about potential risks ahead, including macroeconomic factors, regulatory conditions, and competition, underscoring the unpredictability inherent in forward-looking statements and the necessity for thorough risk management. For further information about the company’s performance and strategy, stakeholders are encouraged to visit their official website.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BFH) has released a positive performance update for February 2026, highlighting improvements in key metrics such as net principal loss rates and delinquency rates compared to the previous year. With net principal losses down to $108 million and a loss rate of 7.7%, the improvements suggest Bread Financial is effectively managing credit risk amidst a fluctuating economic environment. The delinquency rate has also decreased to 5.8%, indicating robust credit quality, which is encouraging for investors.
The growth in net principal losses and loan metrics, paired with recent trends in consumer spending and credit behavior, signals a potentially favorable shift for BFH. Despite the 1% year-over-year increase in average credit card and other loans, the company’s ability to maintain loan levels relatively stable—while decreasing losses—is a strong indicator of a resilient business model.
As investors seek opportunities in the financial services sector, particularly amidst ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties, Bread Financial's tech-forward approach with a focus on personalized solutions positions it well for future growth. The company is strategically aligned with notable consumer brands, offering credit products that resonate well in the travel & entertainment and health & beauty sectors, thus diversifying its revenue streams.
However, investors should remain cautious. The company operates in a competitive landscape facing regulatory scrutiny and economic challenges including inflation and potential recessions. Fluctuating consumer behaviors can impact credit performance, therefore, it’s advisable for investors to monitor future earnings reports closely, especially any signals regarding consumer credit trends.
In conclusion, Bread Financial currently presents a compelling opportunity for those looking to invest in a company with improving credit metrics and a solid customer-centric business strategy; yet, it’s prudent to stay informed on external economic factors influencing performance.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bread Financial® Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BFH), a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending, and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers, provided a performance update. The following tables present the Company’s Net principal loss rate and Delinquency rate for the periods indicated:
| For the month ended February 28, 2026 | For the month ended February 28, 2025 | ||||||
| (dollars in millions) | |||||||
| End-of-period credit card and other loans | $ | 18,081 | $ | 17,949 | |||
| Average credit card and other loans | $ | 18,275 | $ | 18,141 | |||
| Year-over-year change in average credit card and other loans | 1 | % | (2 | %) | |||
| Net principal losses | $ | 108 | $ | 120 | |||
| Net principal loss rate | 7.7 | % | 8.6 | % | |||
| As of February 28, 2026 | As of February 28, 2025 | ||||||
| (dollars in millions) | |||||||
| 30 days + delinquencies – principal | $ | 939 | $ | 1,027 | |||
| Period ended credit card and other loans – principal | $ | 16,091 | $ | 16,506 | |||
| Delinquency rate | 5.8 | % | 6.2 | % | |||
About Bread Financial®
Bread Financial®?(NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers. Our payment solutions, including Bread Financial general purpose credit cards and savings products, empower our customers and their passions for a better life. Additionally, we deliver growth for some of the most recognized brands in travel & entertainment, health & beauty, jewelry and specialty apparel through our private label and co-brand credit cards and pay-over-time products providing choice and value to our shared customers.
Bread Financial proudly marks 30 years of success in 2026. To learn more about our global associates, our performance and our sustainability progress, visit breadfinancial.com?or follow us on Instagram?and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements give our expectations or forecasts of future events and can generally be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “likely,” “may,” “should” or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe our business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding, and the guidance we give with respect to, our anticipated operating or financial results, future financial performance and outlook, future dividend declarations, and future economic conditions.
We believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions. Forward-looking statements, however, are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and, in many cases, beyond our control. Accordingly, our actual results could differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this release, and no assurances can be given that our expectations will prove to have been correct. Factors that could cause the outcomes to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following: macroeconomic conditions, including market conditions, inflation, interest rates, labor market conditions, recessionary pressures or concerns over a prolonged economic slowdown, and the related impact on consumer spending behavior, payments, debt levels, savings rates and other behaviors; global political and public health events and conditions, including significant shifts in trade policy, such as changes to, or the imposition of, tariffs and/or trade barriers and consequently any economic impacts, volatility, uncertainty and geopolitical instability resulting therefrom, as well as ongoing wars and military conflicts and natural disasters; future credit performance, including the level of future delinquency and charge-off rates; loss of, or reduction in demand for services and/or products from, significant brand partners or customers in the highly competitive markets in which we operate, including competition from new and non-traditional competitors, such as financial technology companies, and with respect to new products, services and technologies, such as the emergence or increase in popularity of agentic commerce, digital payment platforms and currencies and other alternative payment and deposit solutions; the concentration of our business in U.S. consumer credit; inaccuracies in the models and estimates on which we rely, including our credit risk management models and the amount of our Allowance for credit losses; the inability to realize the intended benefits of acquisitions, dispositions and other strategic initiatives; our level of indebtedness and ability to access financial or capital markets; pending and future federal and state legislation, executive action, regulation, supervisory guidance, and regulatory and legal actions, including, but not limited to, those related to financial regulatory reform and consumer financial services practices, as well as any such actions that would place limits on credit card interest rates or late fees, interchange fees or other charges; failures or breaches in our operational or security systems, including as a result of cyberattacks, unanticipated impacts from technology modernization projects or otherwise; and any liability or other adverse impacts arising out of or related to the spinoff of our former LoyaltyOne segment or the bankruptcy filings of Loyalty Ventures Inc. (LVI) and certain of its subsidiaries, including the pending litigation against us in connection with the spinoff. The foregoing factors, along with other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements, are described in greater detail under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year, which may be updated in Item 1A of, or elsewhere in, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed for periods subsequent to such Form 10-K. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation, other than as required by applicable law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events, anticipated or unanticipated circumstances or otherwise.
Contacts
Brian Vereb — Investor Relations
Brian.Vereb@breadfinancial.com
Susan Haugen — Investor Relations
Susan.Haugen@breadfinancial.com
Rachel Stultz — Media
Rachel.Stultz@breadfinancial.com
FAQ**
How has Bread Financial Holdings Inc. BFH managed to reduce its net principal loss rate from 8.6% in February 2025 to 7.7% in February 2026, and what strategies are in place to maintain or further improve this rate?
Considering the current delinquency rate of 5.8% for Bread Financial Holdings Inc. BFH, what measures are being implemented to address and reduce delinquency levels moving forward?
What impact has the competitive landscape of financial technology companies had on the growth and performance metrics of Bread Financial Holdings Inc. BFH in the recent fiscal year?
How does Bread Financial Holdings Inc. BFH plan to navigate macroeconomic uncertainties, such as inflation and recessionary pressures, while ensuring sustainable growth and profitability?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Bread Financial Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BFH).
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