1. Digital cards are gaining momentum in the U.S. credit market. What makes them so valuable for underserved borrowers?

Ivan: About one third of U.S. adults fall into the subprime category, which means they’re either denied credit or approved only with high fees and low limits. Digital cards give these borrowers an alternative that’s fast, accessible, and actually puts them on a path to building credit. Instead of waiting weeks for a physical card, they can apply, get a decision, and if approved, start using it instantly, which is critical when you’re managing day-to-day expenses. So it’s not just a payment method, it’s also an entry point back into the financial system.

2. You’ve been vocal about how open banking can modernize underwriting. What does it change in practice?

Ivan: Traditional underwriting still leans too heavily on credit scores, which leaves millions of responsible consumers locked out simply because they haven’t built credit the “old-fashioned” way. Open banking lets us evaluate real financial behavior — rent payments, utilities, recurring income, etc. — which is much more predictive of repayment than a single number. When you underwrite based on how someone actually lives financially, approval becomes fairer, and risk is easier to manage. It’s a win on both sides: more inclusion, stronger portfolios.

3. Access Finance already operates in Europe. What lessons from Spain and Poland are now shaping your U.S. strategy?

Ivan: In Europe, we saw a clear pattern: when users choose to share open banking data, approval rates go up and credit limits can be set more confidently from day one. That creates a healthier relationship between the lender and the borrower. They start off with a product that fits their real budget instead of a generic limit based only on a credit score. The U.S. is behind Europe in adoption, but it’s starting to shift, with more than 40% of U.S. consumers having used a virtual or mobile-wallet-linked card in the past six months. Millions of people aren’t “high-risk borrowers”, they’re just “hard-to-measure borrowers” under the old model.

4. This holiday season, many subprime households will feel extra financial pressure. How do you see digital cards helping?

Ivan: We know that subprime consumers spend more of their income on essentials, so when inflation rises, they feel it first and hardest. During the holidays, many turn to high-cost credit options like payday loans or BNPL installments because they’re fast and frictionless. Digital cards can offer the same immediacy but with clearer terms, structured repayment, and real credit-building benefits. If we can help someone avoid a debt spiral this season and help them come out with a higher score in January, that’s the kind of impact this category should be making.

5. Consumer behavior is shifting fast toward mobile payments. What does that mean for credit access going forward?

Ivan: More than 70 million Americans now keep a credit card in a mobile wallet, and tap-to-pay has already crossed the majority threshold. That matters because credit has historically been tied to physical cards, mail delivery, and a slow onboarding process. Once people expect their credit product to work like every other digital tool in their life — real-time, on their phone, no waiting — lenders have to meet that standard or lose relevance.

6. Looking ahead, what does the next phase of credit innovation look like?

Ivan: We’re moving toward a credit ecosystem that’s both more inclusive and more data-driven. The future isn’t about approving everyone, it’s about approving the right people with better intelligence and more transparency. If we combine open banking, behavioral data, and responsible digital design, we can give borrowers tools that help them succeed instead of penalizing them for starting from the wrong ZIP code or life circumstance. That’s the shift Access Finance is betting on — not just more credit, but better credit.

Author bio: Ivan Arnaudov is the CEO of Access Finance Inc, a digital credit provider focused on building more inclusive and accessible financial products for underserved consumers. With over two decades of experience in fintech, BPO, IT, and marketing technology, Ivan brings deep expertise in digital cards, credit infrastructure, and growth strategy. He also serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Access Finance AD, where he leads the company’s international expansion and product innovation efforts across Europe and the US.

Company bio: The Juzt Credit Card is backed by Access Finance, a financial technology company whose goal is to lead the digital transformation within the financial sector while revolutionizing credit accessibility and transitioning customers from the subprime to the prime segment.
Founded in 2013, Access Finance is bringing its proven, innovative technology to the American consumers through partnership with US financial institutions, like The Bank of Missouri. With operations in the US, Europe and Mexico, Access Finance has grown to serve more than 200,000 credit card customers and dispersed roughly $320,000,000.