Looming U.S. Postal Service Default Shakes Mailers’ Confidence

Missing the health pre-payment, the first default in the agency’s history, would not cause interruptions in service or prevent the Postal Service from paying suppliers and employees, USPS spokesman David Partenheimer said in an email. But trade groups, mailing industry lobbyists and some business owners said the approaching default raises questions about the Postal Service's financial stability.

Banks—including JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America—have used the Postal Service’s struggles to encourage customers to take advantage of online services such as electronic money transfer options.

Catawba Print and Mail in Hickory, NC, is moving away from primarily making its money on mailing services