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Articles / payments-fintech-infra / 32.7% of Gen Z Business Owners Pick Email for Card Support

32.7% of Gen Z Business Owners Pick Email for Card Support

Jun 15, 2026 · Source: pymnts.com · Topic:  payments-fintech-infra · fintech
Gen Z Email Preference
32.7%
Percentage of Gen Z business owners who prefer email support for card issues.
Digital Application Preference
22.8%
Percentage of SMBs that prefer a self-serve digital application for business cards.
Live Chat Preference
17.8%
Percentage of SMBs that prefer live chat with a representative for support.

§ 01 Executive Snapshot

  • What: A report reveals preferences of small business owners for support channels when applying for business credit cards.
  • Who: 412 small- to medium-sized business owners, founders, and executives in the U.S., in collaboration with Mastercard.
  • Why it matters: Understanding these preferences can help credit card issuers improve adoption among diverse business owner demographics.

§ 02 Key Developments

  • 32.7% of Generation Z business owners prefer email support over other channels, significantly higher than the 6.9% average.
  • The most popular method for applying for a business card is a digital application, chosen by 22.8% of SMBs.
  • Live chat and human phone representatives are favored by 17.8% and 17.6% of SMBs, respectively.

§ 03 Strategic Context

  • Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are showing a distinct preference for human interaction when engaging with financial services compared to older generations.
  • The shift away from cash reliance among certain business owners highlights a need for tailored support channels that cater to specific needs and preferences.

§ 04 Strategic Implications

  • Immediate consequence: Credit card issuers may need to rethink their support strategies to improve engagement and adoption among younger business owners.
  • Long-term implication: A blended model of digital tools with easy access to human support could enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

§ 05 Risks & Constraints

  • Potential risk 1: Companies that push a purely digital application process may alienate cash-reliant businesses that prefer human support.
  • Potential risk 2: The differing needs of various demographic groups can complicate the development of a one-size-fits-all approach to customer service.

§ 06 Watchlist / Forward Signals

  • Forward signal 1: Monitoring how credit card issuers adapt their support channels in response to these findings will be key.
  • Forward signal 2: Future surveys could reveal shifts in preferences as more Gen Z business owners enter the market.
§ 07

Frequently Asked Questions

What support channel do most Gen Z business owners prefer for credit card assistance?

32.7% of Generation Z business owners prefer email support over other channels.

Who conducted the report on small business owners' preferences for credit card support?

The report was conducted in collaboration with Mastercard and involved 412 small- to medium-sized business owners, founders, and executives in the U.S.

How are younger generations, particularly Gen Z, different in their support preferences compared to older generations?

Younger generations, especially Gen Z, show a distinct preference for human interaction when engaging with financial services.

What is a potential risk for credit card issuers based on the report's findings?

A potential risk is that companies pushing a purely digital application process may alienate cash-reliant businesses that prefer human support.

§ 08

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