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The news: Simplicity, speed, and personalized human support are the top priorities for small-business owners seeking a loan, according to an Academy Bank study. Nearly three-quarters of small-business owners still prefer in-person service despite the benefits of a speedy online process. Our take: We’ve argued that people still want to work with people, especially for something as high stakes as a business loan. Gen Z and millennials are pushing the industry toward a digital-first model, but the mass market isn't there yet. This means banks can't simply abandon their physical branches or personal bankers—especially if they want to keep earning the loyalty of small-business clients. The most successful approach will involve giving these customers the option of completing everything they need in-person while simultaneously providing remote services for digital-first entrepreneurs.

These consumers tend to be highly brand-loyal compared with younger generations, as Gen Z and millennials are the generations least likely to remain loyal to brands, per Salesforce.

Millennials and Gen Zers will be neck and neck for the highest podcast adoption this year (60.8% versus 59.8%). But we forecast Gen Zers will overtake millennials within the next year. They will hit 68.9% by 2028 versus 61.2% for millennials. Gen Zers are growing up in the golden age of podcasting content, and they see podcasts as a mainstream form of entertainment.

Digital gaming is popular across generations. But Gen Zers and millennials are more likely to game on multiple platforms, seek community around the hobby, and pass the habit on to their children.

Gen Zers and millennials have normalized gaming into adulthood, but smartphones have opened the door for older generations.