News

Sydney – Zip Co (ASX: ZIP), the digital financial services company offering innovative, people-centred products, today launched its new Australian brand platform, ‘It Pays to Zip.’ The new brand platform celebrates the big things, the little things and the everyday choices Australians make as they move towards the life they want.

The launch marks a major milestone in Zip’s refreshed Australian strategy and brings its ambition to life: to be the homegrown digital challenger providing everyday relevance, beyond finance.

Money touches every part of life. Australians are constantly balancing what they need today with what they want for tomorrow - from keeping the household running and managing the unexpected to creating room for things that bring a little more joy.

‘It Pays to Zip’ is grounded in that reality. Built around what matters most to Zip customers - value, transparency, flexibility and control - it reflects Zip’s ambition to empower more Australians to manage purchases and cash flow with confidence, make informed choices and create room for the things that matter to them.

The brand platform comes to life through ’needwant’, a new campaign that playfully explores the familiar choices Australians face when needs and wants arrive at the same time.

From a vet bill competing with a swing set to repairing a broken wall socket while dreaming of a new beer fridge, the campaign turns an everyday financial balancing act into something distinctly Australian and captures the financial balancing acts people navigate every day.

The campaign shows how Zip can give customers greater flexibility and control to make choices that work for their lives and budgets - helping them breathe a little easier today while building confidently towards tomorrow.

Becky Cook, Chief Customer and Revenue Officer ANZ at Zip said, “This is an exciting milestone for Zip because it speaks to why we exist and the role we want to play in Australians’ lives. We were founded with a belief that financial products could be fairer, more flexible and designed around the realities of people’s lives, and that belief remains at the heart of who we are.

“Money is never just about money. It’s about managing everyday needs, looking after the people and pets we love, handling the unexpected and making space for the things that bring us joy. Australians are balancing those big things and little things every day.

“Everyday Australians are constantly balancing what they need with what they want. ‘It Pays to Zip’ recognises that reality and reflects our ambition to help customers navigate those choices with greater confidence, flexibility and control. needwant’ brings that promise to life in a way that feels warm, relatable and unmistakably Australian.

Created by Droga5, part of Accenture Song, the campaign was directed by Torstein Bjørklund of Good Oil. Campaign stills were directed and photographed by Sarah Adamson of Photoplay.

The campaign will run nationally across broadcast video on demand, online video, radio, search, display, social and Zip-owned channels.

Media Contact

For media enquiries, please contact: Anjani Shyam | Communications Manager ANZ | anjani.shyam@zip.co

About Zip

Zip Co Limited (ACN 139 546 428) (ASX: ZIP) is a digital financial services company, offering innovative and people-centred products. Operating in two core markets, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and the United States (US), Zip offers access to point-of-sale credit and digital payment services, connecting millions of customers with its global network of tens of thousands of merchants.

Founded in Australia in 2013, Zip provides fair, flexible and transparent payment options, helping customers to take control of their financial future and helping merchants to grow their businesses.

For more information, visit: www.zip.co

*T&Cs, fees and credit approval apply. Other charges may be payable. Credit provided by ZipMoney Payments Pty Ltd (ABN 58 164 440 993), Australian Credit Licence Number 441878. Visit zip.co to find out more.

Sydney - Zip Co (ASX: ZIP), the digital financial services company offering innovative, people-centred products today announced its participation in the national “Respect and Protect” campaign led by social enterprise Flequity Ventures.

The Respect & Protect initiative encourages businesses to explicitly ban the misuse of their products and services for financial abuse by updating terms, conditions and policies. Zip has updated its Australian terms and conditions across its four credit products in Australia to explicitly prohibit the misuse of its products for financial abuse, reinforcing its commitment to customer safety and wellbeing.

“At Zip, we believe in financial safety, dignity and respect for all our customers,” said Soraya Alali, Zip ANZ CEO. “By joining the Respect & Protect initiative, we are taking meaningful steps to ensure our products support positive financial wellbeing and that we continue to design and develop our financial products to increase financial safety.”

By signing this pledge, Zip joins other Australian organisations in taking a stand against financial abuse and strengthening safeguards to better protect customers.

“Everyone deserves to use financial products without fear of them being misused as a tool of abuse,” said Catherine Fitzpatrick, CEO and Founder of Flequity Ventures. “Zip’s participation in Respect & Protect is an important step towards creating safer experiences for customers. We welcome its commitment to strengthening protections and supporting the financial wellbeing and dignity of the people it serves.”

Zip will continue to work with industry partners and community organisations to raise awareness and drive practical solutions that promote respect, fairness and protection.

For more information on Zip’s commitment to financial safety and the Respect & Protect initiative, visit: https://fine-print-check.replit.app/

Media Contact

For any media enquiries, please contact: Anjani Shyam | Communications Manager ANZ | anjani.shyam@zip.co

About Zip

Zip Co Limited (ACN 139 546 428) (ASX: ZIP) is a digital financial services company, offering innovative and people-centred products. Operating in two core markets, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and the United States (US), Zip offers access to point-of-sale credit and digital payment services, connecting millions of customers with its global network of tens of thousands of merchants.

Founded in Australia in 2013, Zip provides fair, flexible and transparent payment options, helping customers to take control of their financial future and helping merchants to grow their businesses.

For more information, visit: www.zip.co

Sydney - Zip Co (ASX: ZIP), the digital financial services company offering innovative, people-centred products, has today released new research showing Australians are becoming more deliberate, selective and value-conscious in how they manage their day to day spending.

A survey of 1,507 Australians aged 18+ found two in three Australians (66%) say they are more thoughtful and selective with their spending than they were a year ago, while almost all Australians (97%) are actively trying to get the best value when they shop.

Rather than spending less, the findings suggest Australians are becoming more intentional about where their money goes, what they prioritise and how they find value.

Key findings include:

• 66% say they are more thoughtful and selective with spending than a year ago
• 97% are actively trying to get the best value when they shop.
• 55% are spending less on non-essential expenses than a year ago
• 46% have shopped around more carefully for better value in the past 3 months to help manage essential living costs
• 44% have planned purchases more carefully in the past 3 months to help manage essential living costs
• 78% continue spending on at least one non-essential category when money feels tight

Value-seeking has become mainstream, with 97% of Australians actively trying to get the best value. The most common tactics include buying items on special (43%), comparing prices (40%), waiting for sales or buying items on special (37%) and using discounts or rewards (34%).

“With household budgets front of mind, Australians are becoming much more intentional about how they spend,” said Soraya Alali, Zip ANZ CEO. “They are spending more thoughtfully, looking for better value and making considered choices about what matters most.”

The research also shows Australians are becoming more selective about where their money goes. More than three in four Australians (78%) continue spending on at least one non-essential category when money feels tight, with popular categories including streaming and entertainment, treats for family or kids, social outings, coffee or café purchases and takeaway or dining out.

“At Zip, we know financial confidence looks different for everyone,” continued Ms Alali. “For everyday Australians, it is about staying in control, making smarter decisions and having the flexibility to manage everyday life. This research shows Australians are becoming increasingly savvy and selective, while still making room for the small things that make life feel good.”

Demographic findings

The research also found differences in how Australians seek value.

Women are among Australia’s most active value-seekers, with the research showing they are more likely than men to wait for sales, use discounts or rewards and buy second-hand when looking for better value. Four in ten women (40%) say they wait for sales compared with 33% of men, while 37% use discounts or rewards compared with 31% of men, and 20% buy second-hand compared with 12% of men.

The shift is also playing out differently across generations. Three in four Gen Xers (74%) say they are more thoughtful and selective with spending than a year ago, compared with 66% of the total population. Gen X is also more likely to be spending less on non-essential expenses, at 68% compared with 55% of Australians overall.

Younger Australians are showing a distinct approach to value. Gen Z and Millennials are more likely than older Australians (Gen X and Baby Boomers) to say they are focused on building more financial security heading into the second half of 2026, while also embracing technology to help them make smarter purchasing decisions. They are also more likely than older Australians to use AI or online tools to compare options when trying to get the best value.

“Across generations, Australians are redefining what value means,” Ms Alali said. “Whether it’s planning ahead, comparing options or choosing flexible ways to manage everyday expenses, Australians are becoming more conscious about how they spend and more active in how they seek value.”

Media Contact

For any media enquiries, please contact: Anjani Shyam | Communications Manager ANZ | anjani.shyam@zip.co

About the research

The research was conducted by YouGov via an online survey of 1,507 Australians aged 18+. Fieldwork was conducted between 22 and 28 May 2026. The figures have been weighted and are representative of Australian adults aged 18+.

About Zip

Zip Co Limited (ACN 139 546 428) (ASX: ZIP) is a digital financial services company, offering innovative and people-centred products. Operating in two core markets, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and the United States (US), Zip offers access to point-of-sale credit and digital payment services, connecting millions of customers with its global network of tens of thousands of merchants.

Founded in Australia in 2013, Zip provides fair, flexible and transparent payment options, helping customers to take control of their financial future and helping merchants to grow their businesses.

For more information, visit: www.zip.co

NEW YORK - July 21, 2026 - Zip Co Limited (ASX: ZIP), the digital financial services company offering innovative, people-centered products for everyday Americans, released new research revealing artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming embedded in the modern shopping journey. American shoppers are increasingly turning to AI tools to discover, evaluate, and purchase products with greater confidence.

The survey of 1,755 Zip US shoppers found AI adoption has moved firmly into the mainstream. More than two-thirds of respondents (68%) reported using an AI tool within the past three months, while nearly two-thirds of those shoppers (65%) engage with AI at least weekly.

The findings suggest AI is becoming an increasingly influential part of the path to purchase.

Key findings include:

• Among AI shoppers, 79% used AI for research and learning, while 66% use it to compare products, brands or services
• More than three quarters (77%) say it has some or a lot of influence on their purchase decisions
• Despite growing adoption, 79% of shoppers say they want full control over final purchase decisions
• One in four (24%) of shoppers used AI to help with a shopping or purchase decision in the past three months

The research suggests AI is becoming an increasingly influential part of the path to purchase. Nearly half of AI shoppers (48%) said it helped them make purchase decisions faster, while more than one-third (35%) said it introduced them to new products or brands they may not have otherwise considered. Results point to the growing influence on shoppers' purchasing behavior.

“AI is reshaping how Americans shop, and our shoppers are leading that shift," said Joe Heck, US CEO. "What this research shows is people are using AI to shop with more intention and confidence. Whether it's researching products, comparing alternatives, or validating a purchase, AI is becoming an increasingly important part of the shopping journey."

The research also highlights a growing tension at the center of AI-enabled commerce: shoppers are embracing intelligent assistance while remaining cautious about surrendering control. Nearly four in five respondents (79%) said they want full control over final purchase decisions, underscoring the continued importance of transparency, trust, and consumer choice as AI becomes more deeply embedded across retail and commerce experiences. Nearly four in five respondents (79%) said they want full control over final purchase decisions, underscoring the continued importance of transparency, trust, and consumer choice as AI becomes more deeply embedded across retail and commerce experiences, with 51% of shoppers saying they would be comfortable with AI autonomously completing a purchase on their behalf.

“As AI becomes a bigger part of the commerce ecosystem, trust becomes even more important," Heck added. "The message from shoppers is clear: they want technology that helps make smarter decisions, but still expect to remain firmly in control. The future of commerce won’t be about replacing human decision-making, it will be about empowering better decisions through technology."

About the research

The research was conducted via an online survey of 1,755 US Zip shoppers.

About Zip

Zip Co Limited (ACN 139 546 428) (ASX: ZIP) is a digital financial services company, offering innovative and people-centred products. Operating in two core markets, Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and the United States (US), Zip offers access to point-of-sale credit and digital payment services, connecting millions of customers with its global network of tens of thousands of merchants.

Founded in Australia in 2013, Zip provides fair, flexible and transparent payment options, helping customers to take control of their financial future and helping merchants to grow their businesses.

For more information, visit: www.zip.co