J.D. Durkin sits down with Diego Scotti, General Manager of Consumer Group at PayPal, and Ankur Jain, Founder and CEO of Bilt Rewards, to discuss their exciting new partnership, which will allow users to pay rent or mortgages directly through Venmo or the Bilt app starting in 2026.
Diego and Ankur explain the rationale behind this collaboration, emphasizing the growing demand from customers for more in-app commerce experiences. With rent and mortgage payments being significant monthly expenses, integrating these functionalities into Venmo makes perfect sense. They highlight how this partnership aims to create a seamless user experience, allowing customers to manage their housing expenses and neighborhood transactions effortlessly.
The conversation also touches on the complexities of the current economic environment, where consumers are tightening their budgets. Diego points out that by focusing on essential expenditures, such as rent and groceries, they aim to add value through rewards and a more streamlined payment process. Ankur explains that the partnership would connect consumers with local merchants, enhancing the overall value proposition for users.
Looking ahead, both express their vision for the future of payments, emphasizing the importance of building emotional connections with customers through trust and value. They believe that as technology continues to evolve, their partnership will play a crucial role in shaping the future of money and payments.