New Report Shows Brand Executives Are Struggling to Meet Consumer Expectations Around Integrated Financial Services
Financial services are becoming a key battleground for customer loyalty, but new research shows many brands are struggling to keep pace with consumer expectations. According to the 2026 Galileo Integrated Financial Services Research Report, 80% of brand executives plan to launch integrated financial services within their apps, yet only 20% have done so today.
The study, which surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. consumers and 150 senior executives, found that consumers are already embracing embedded financial experiences such as saved payment methods, rewards programs, digital wallets, and instant refunds, creating growing pressure for brands to deliver more seamless financial interactions. While debit cards remain the foundation of everyday spending, consumers are expanding their use of digital wallets, payment apps, buy now, pay later options, and instant refunds. Economic pressures are accelerating this shift, with nearly one-quarter of consumers changing how they pay over the past year and 22% actively choosing brands that offer better rewards.
“The customer relationship is still up for grabs,” said Bill Kennedy, CFO and interim head of Galileo Financial Technologies. “It's no longer won at signup. It's won at the refund, the payment, the reward. Own those moments and customers stay. Get them wrong and they leave.”
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Dutch Bros Passes $20 Million Milestone for ALS Research
Dutch Bros and the Dutch Bros Foundation have reached a remarkable milestone in their long-standing partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The company announced that its 19th annual Drink One for Dane day raised more than $1.7 million this year, pushing total lifetime contributions to more than $20 million, underscoring the collective impact of Dutch Bros customers, broistas, and communities who have supported the fundraiser over nearly two decades.
Drink One for Dane was created to honor the legacy of Dutch Bros co-founder Dane Boersma following his diagnosis with ALS. Since its inception, the annual giving campaign has helped raise awareness and funding for research, care, and support services for individuals and families affected by the disease. While Dane passed away in 2009, his commitment to community and giving back remains deeply embedded in the Dutch Bros culture, inspiring employees and customers alike to continue making a difference one cup at a time.
“The unified energy of our customers, crews and entire Dutch Bros team rallying together for each annual Drink One For Dane Day of Giving is what keeps Dane’s legacy of giving alive and lets us keep making a massive difference, one cup at a time,” said Tana Davila, Chief Marketing Officer of Dutch Bros. “We’re grateful to have reached our goal of $20 million in total lifetime donations to the MDA and to continue to dedicate support to the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s crucial work in ALS research and care.”
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PetSmart Celebrates 40th Anniversary with Offers for Treats Rewards Members
PetSmart is celebrating a major milestone this year: 40 years of helping pet parents care for, connect with, and celebrate their pets. Since opening its first stores in Phoenix in the 1980s, PetSmart has grown alongside the evolving role of pets in American households.
Over the past four decades, PetSmart has introduced a number of innovations that have helped shape the pet care experience. Milestones include the launch of PetSmart Charities, which has helped millions of pets find loving homes through adoption, the opening of PetsHotel locations, the introduction of loyalty and rewards programs, and the rollout of Autoship services to make pet care more convenient. To thank customers for being part of its 40-year journey, PetSmart is celebrating throughout June with special offers for Treats Rewards members, including bonus rewards points on qualifying purchases, savings on dog and cat treats, and extra points on popular proprietary brands.
"The past four decades of caring for pets would not have been possible without our community of passionate pet parents and the expertise our associates bring to stores every day," said Jesica Duarte, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at PetSmart. "We're proud to have earned the trust of generations of pet parents and grateful to them for being part of our 40-year journey."
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