The Credit Paradox: 53% of Americans Are Dependent on Credit Even as 72% Say the System is Unfair

74% of Americans believe AI can help improve the banking experience

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zest AI, a leader in lending technology, released its America’s Economic Opportunity Gap Report with findings based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers highlighting a striking credit paradox: 72% of Americans say the credit system is unfair, yet more than half (53%) depend on credit for basic necessities like food and medicine. This dependency climbs to 3 in 4 (75%) among Gen Z and Millennials, revealing that even an unfair system has become indispensable.

This distrust comes amid major shifts in the financial landscape. From updates in mortgage lending rules to the growing role of artificial intelligence in loan approvals, fraud detection, and credit scoring, Americans are navigating a system in flux – one that feels increasingly opaque and difficult to access.

Credit is a Lifeline, and a Landmine

Americans' reliance on credit has surged dramatically, with 65% using credit more over the past year – a prominent jump from just 27% who reported increasing their credit reliance in 2020. Despite this growing dependence, more than 1 in 4 (27%) Americans say it's actually harder to access credit today than it was a year ago, creating a troubling squeeze.

To manage day-to-day financial strain, Americans are also increasingly turning to alternative solutions like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) apps:

• More Americans are turning to nontraditional sources, with increased use of buy now, pay later (23%) and borrowing from friends or family (17%) compared to a year ago.
• Among BNPL users, nearly half (49%) report using it to cover necessities like food, while 48% use it to avoid high-interest alternatives such as payday loans.
• Misunderstandings about credit impacts are common, with 63% reporting they don’t realize BNPL may affect their credit score, and nearly 1 in 4 believing it does not (22%).

Widespread Call for Change & AI Solutions

The survey also found that Americans are frustrated with legacy credit scoring methods, with 44% saying they feel the credit system is setting them up to fail, and 47% saying the current process of getting approved for credit is painfully too long. The survey also discovered how AI can be a game-changer in offering credit solutions that increase opportunity, stability, and fairness:

• Most Americans (74%) want AI to improve their banking experience.
• Two in five (41%) Americans believe AI will drive positive impact and improve economic opportunities.
• A majority (60%) want mortgage lenders to consider alternative credit scoring models beyond FICO and VantageScore.

“Americans are navigating a system that often feels stacked against them, yet credit remains essential to their day-to-day survival,” said Mike de Vere, CEO at Zest AI. “Our survey shows that while people are struggling with access and fairness, there’s also hope that technology like AI can help make lending faster, fairer, and more transparent, helping people regain confidence in their financial future.”

The research report, with additional data and analysis, “America’s Economic Opportunity Gap,” can be found here.

Methodology

Zest AI conducted this study in partnership with Kelsey White and PureSpectrum. The online survey was completed by 1,000 adults across the United States, nationally representative to age, gender, income, and region. Data was collected from July 30 to August 3, 2025.

About Zest AI

Founded in 2009, Zest AI is a leader in financial technology with a mission to modernize lending and strengthen the financial system. The company is transforming the $17 trillion US consumer credit market by delivering AI technology that helps lenders identify creditworthy borrowers overlooked by legacy credit methods, while leveling the playing field for financial institutions of all sizes to harness AI. With over 600 custom AI models and 50+ issued and pending patents, Zest AI is providing financial institutions with a comprehensive suite of solutions spanning underwriting, fraud detection, lending intelligence, and more to make smarter lending decisions that power growth and profitability. The company has been named on Forbes 2024 Fintech 50 List and CNBC’s 2025 World’s Top FinTech Companies list in the Enterprise FinTech category. Learn more at Zest AI and connect on LinkedIn.