“Can a virtual lease-to-own platform become the default alternative-credit spending layer for non-prime US consumers across retail, eCommerce, and everyday purchases?”
Founded in 2013 as Simple Finance, Acima built an AI-driven, alternative-data lease-to-own platform targeting non-prime consumers who lack access to traditional credit. Acquired by Rent-A-Center in 2021 for $1.65B, it became the company's virtual/digital LTO engine operating as Acima Digital, LLC under the newly rebranded Upbound Group. Post-acquisition, Acima expanded from pure in-store LTO into a full digital ecosystem — mobile app, marketplace, browser extension — and in 2024 launched a co-branded Mastercard credit card, moving beyond lease-to-own into mainstream credit products for its underserved consumer base.
Acima discloses The Bank of Missouri as its sponsor bank, according to the Embedded Finance Index 2026.
Acima does not disclose a bank charter of its own; its banking services are provided through The Bank of Missouri.
Acima's cards are issued through The Bank of Missouri.
The Embedded Finance Index 2026 maps 3 layers in Acima's stack: Card issuing (The Bank of Missouri); Lending (Acima Leasing® (virtual lease-to-own at POS for furniture, electronics, appliances, tires, mobile phones), Acima Marketplace (online shopping platform with embedded LTO), Acima eCommerce leasing (REST API + shopping cart plugins for online retailers) and Acima Browser Extension (LTO without technical retailer integration)); Sponsor bank (The Bank of Missouri).
Acima is founded in 2013 and headquartered in Draper, Utah, USA.
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