Latitude Financial has confirmed new agreements with BSR Group and digiDirect to provide interest-free finance to millions of customers, as well as an expansion of its partnership with JB Hi-Fi Group.

The new agreements see Latitude become the preferred long-term finance provider to the BSR Group, online and in store across Australia, including Betta, Designer Appliances and Furniture Zone, and for camera, computer and mobile device retailer, digiDirect. Latitude is also expanding its long-term partnership with JB Hi-Fi Group into New Zealand.

Latitude acting executive general manager of pay, Becky Cook said, “We are thrilled to welcome our new partners and deepen long-standing relationships with these major Australian and New Zealand brands, so we can help them support the needs of their customers.

“Our retail partners are reporting an increase in customer demand for interest-free payment options because of the value they offer, particularly at a time when household budgets are being squeezed. We expect to announce other major partnerships in the coming weeks and months.”

digiDirect general manager, Haig Kayserian said, “Australian consumers had taken favourably to pay later options even before the current downturn, which has manifested due to inflation, higher interest rates and fewer dollars in people’s pockets. In this climate, options like interest-free from Latitude are sometimes the difference between consumers deciding whether to partake in discretionary spending or not.”

“At digiDirect we have been encouraged by the start of our partnership with Latitude, with in-store and online customers enjoying the options of six, 12 and sometimes more interest-free months to spread their spend while immediately getting their hands on photo and video products, as well as broader consumer electronics items featured in our growing catalogue.”