<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:019e1e49-f308-73f4-a8f7-7ae615905da2,g:8c39bb74-6388-4cb2-b6ec-bae322860d3a-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#Cover"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_019e1e49-f49d-7593-a035-cb57ce88d6d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_019e1e49-f49d-7593-a035-cb57ce88d6d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e1e49-f49d-73a4-a11a-4315efd5ffda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_019e1e49-f49d-7593-a035-cb57ce88d6d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e1e49-f49d-73a4-a11a-4315efd5ffda" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f49d-73a4-a11a-4315efd5ffda_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e1e49-f49d-73a4-a11a-4315efd5ffda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f49d-73a4-a11a-4315efd5ffda_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f49d-7cca-9174-a265ee704e3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e1e49-f49d-73a4-a11a-4315efd5ffda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f49d-7cca-9174-a265ee704e3f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e1e49-f49d-7d94-b294-0fba3ef4d2f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f49d-7cca-9174-a265ee704e3f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e1e49-f49d-7d94-b294-0fba3ef4d2f7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_SeriesA8.625NonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember_019e1e49-f49d-779e-9865-90ff43a98488" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_SeriesA8.625NonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f49d-7cca-9174-a265ee704e3f" xlink:to="loc_bfh_SeriesA8.625NonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember_019e1e49-f49d-779e-9865-90ff43a98488" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_SeriesB8.875FixedRateResetNonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember_019e3e7d-d2e9-78eb-a350-7dd97a509d46" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_SeriesB8.875FixedRateResetNonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f49d-7cca-9174-a265ee704e3f" xlink:to="loc_bfh_SeriesB8.875FixedRateResetNonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember_019e3e7d-d2e9-78eb-a350-7dd97a509d46" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_019e1e49-f49d-7b1b-9644-3c64f866bcb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_019e1e49-f49d-7b1b-9644-3c64f866bcb7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019e1e49-f49d-7c87-b28a-54094b274a92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019e1e49-f49d-7c87-b28a-54094b274a92" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019e1e49-f49d-744b-8ed2-b0b87129005b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019e1e49-f49d-744b-8ed2-b0b87129005b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019e1e49-f49d-7114-9c12-8f8bef057c25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019e1e49-f49d-7114-9c12-8f8bef057c25" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019e1e49-f49d-7aed-8064-a1ca731e85ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019e1e49-f49d-7aed-8064-a1ca731e85ff" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019e1e49-f49d-7d45-bbb1-5ba621fbf93f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019e1e49-f49d-7d45-bbb1-5ba621fbf93f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019e1e49-f49d-7eee-a628-8f934f630e74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019e1e49-f49d-7eee-a628-8f934f630e74" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019e1e49-f49d-767e-8f12-9578d88b1d6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019e1e49-f49d-767e-8f12-9578d88b1d6e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019e1e49-f49d-7900-ad7f-f11b1e1e770b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019e1e49-f49d-7900-ad7f-f11b1e1e770b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019e1e49-f49d-7bf3-b4c0-0c982b390685" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019e1e49-f49d-7bf3-b4c0-0c982b390685" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019e1e49-f49d-725b-8c6d-7f0bc159dcf4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019e1e49-f49d-725b-8c6d-7f0bc159dcf4" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019e1e49-f49d-74c4-bb6e-bbe88d257535" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019e1e49-f49d-74c4-bb6e-bbe88d257535" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019e1e49-f49d-73fc-9fa5-4d2b87f7624b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019e1e49-f49d-73fc-9fa5-4d2b87f7624b" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019e1e49-f49d-756f-97d4-c4f6f06f3de4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019e1e49-f49d-756f-97d4-c4f6f06f3de4" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019e1e49-f49d-79d9-84d8-7d220607f538" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019e1e49-f49d-79d9-84d8-7d220607f538" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019e1e49-f49d-70b9-bc05-adb94f18faa1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019e1e49-f49d-70b9-bc05-adb94f18faa1" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019e1e49-f49d-7cd8-a37d-fa13bd0268e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019e1e49-f49d-7cd8-a37d-fa13bd0268e0" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019e1e49-f49d-7df3-a8d3-be179b6b370c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019e1e49-f49d-7df3-a8d3-be179b6b370c" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019e1e49-f49d-7ccb-aa96-9642b45f8f9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019e1e49-f49d-7ccb-aa96-9642b45f8f9b" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019e1e49-f49d-70d3-9b1a-7bfe559b35b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019e1e49-f49d-70d3-9b1a-7bfe559b35b1" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019e1e49-f49d-7f9d-afd6-7a73387fe79b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntitySmallBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019e1e49-f49d-7f9d-afd6-7a73387fe79b" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019e1e49-f49d-732d-8a44-283bac04334a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019e1e49-f49d-732d-8a44-283bac04334a" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019e1e49-f49d-7e4e-8227-fb7b9470bc36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityShellCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019e1e49-f49d-7e4e-8227-fb7b9470bc36" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49d-7d26-be04-12dafcac42cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49d-7d26-be04-12dafcac42cb" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019e1e49-f49d-7995-a08b-7a1295535211" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019e1e49-f49d-7995-a08b-7a1295535211" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019e1e49-f49d-79cb-b0cd-e07251beaa9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019e1e49-f49d-79cb-b0cd-e07251beaa9d" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019e1e49-f49d-7412-bf08-e3f4a2585a19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019e1e49-f49d-7412-bf08-e3f4a2585a19" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019e1e49-f49d-7439-a474-01a631473bb6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019e1e49-f49d-7439-a474-01a631473bb6" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019e1e49-f49d-7221-ae19-88a698e80445" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019e1e49-f49d-7722-b56e-b8b457338b93" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019e1e49-f49d-7221-ae19-88a698e80445" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/UNAUDITEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#UNAUDITEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/UNAUDITEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7417-bb87-15aa82621219" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e1e49-f49e-7e03-b323-39c85a4ca579" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7417-bb87-15aa82621219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e1e49-f49e-7e03-b323-39c85a4ca579" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e1e49-f49e-700b-8090-5bff91be8cc7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e1e49-f49e-7e03-b323-39c85a4ca579" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e1e49-f49e-700b-8090-5bff91be8cc7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-700b-8090-5bff91be8cc7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e1e49-f49e-700b-8090-5bff91be8cc7" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-700b-8090-5bff91be8cc7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7a18-94c4-e47b989a1810" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e1e49-f49e-700b-8090-5bff91be8cc7" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7a18-94c4-e47b989a1810" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e1e49-f49e-7a00-8c47-94708dcb0a84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7a18-94c4-e47b989a1810" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e1e49-f49e-7a00-8c47-94708dcb0a84" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_CreditCardAndLoanReceivablesRestrictedForSecuritizationInvestors_019e1e49-f49e-70d2-93ee-48749788951a" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_CreditCardAndLoanReceivablesRestrictedForSecuritizationInvestors"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7417-bb87-15aa82621219" xlink:to="loc_bfh_CreditCardAndLoanReceivablesRestrictedForSecuritizationInvestors_019e1e49-f49e-70d2-93ee-48749788951a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_019e1e49-f49e-7016-ba4b-510f922eaf5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7417-bb87-15aa82621219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecurities_019e1e49-f49e-7016-ba4b-510f922eaf5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e1e49-f49e-798b-a47e-5dbfab13b5e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7417-bb87-15aa82621219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e1e49-f49e-798b-a47e-5dbfab13b5e9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019e1e49-f49e-7403-9ca7-179098cf3b62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7417-bb87-15aa82621219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019e1e49-f49e-7403-9ca7-179098cf3b62" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019e1e49-f49e-75f0-a441-b16da543f24d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7417-bb87-15aa82621219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019e1e49-f49e-75f0-a441-b16da543f24d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-79f2-b951-29323ab40b8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7417-bb87-15aa82621219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-79f2-b951-29323ab40b8f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e1e49-f49e-7984-b36b-22fd311cb92d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7417-bb87-15aa82621219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e1e49-f49e-7984-b36b-22fd311cb92d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_019e1e49-f49e-72f3-97b3-61a97ab9411f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7417-bb87-15aa82621219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_019e1e49-f49e-72f3-97b3-61a97ab9411f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e1e49-f49e-732a-9388-64f666e090a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7417-bb87-15aa82621219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e1e49-f49e-732a-9388-64f666e090a7" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-7a92-88f6-a57ba16503ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7417-bb87-15aa82621219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-7a92-88f6-a57ba16503ef" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/UNAUDITEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#UNAUDITEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/UNAUDITEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7c81-9d99-486ecc19703e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e1e49-f49e-7180-a81c-67551cf7c75d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7c81-9d99-486ecc19703e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e1e49-f49e-7180-a81c-67551cf7c75d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7dfb-9330-8f7431c9e387" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e1e49-f49e-7180-a81c-67551cf7c75d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7dfb-9330-8f7431c9e387" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7dfb-9330-8f7431c9e387_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7dfb-9330-8f7431c9e387" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7dfb-9330-8f7431c9e387_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-72c7-bcd7-aa6bf805c1ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7dfb-9330-8f7431c9e387" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-72c7-bcd7-aa6bf805c1ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_019e1e49-f49e-7866-b8b7-2ffa0e14974b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-72c7-bcd7-aa6bf805c1ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_019e1e49-f49e-7866-b8b7-2ffa0e14974b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e1e49-f49e-7578-afa9-df1184b13f4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-72c7-bcd7-aa6bf805c1ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e1e49-f49e-7578-afa9-df1184b13f4b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e1e49-f49e-7427-b2f0-cb217a0e323d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-72c7-bcd7-aa6bf805c1ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e1e49-f49e-7427-b2f0-cb217a0e323d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019e1e49-f49e-76a1-bf30-27525de5259a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-72c7-bcd7-aa6bf805c1ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019e1e49-f49e-76a1-bf30-27525de5259a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e1e49-f49e-787a-a9a7-6e9bea9d1af4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-72c7-bcd7-aa6bf805c1ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e1e49-f49e-787a-a9a7-6e9bea9d1af4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7c81-9d99-486ecc19703e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-7473-b449-1c7b67841e5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-7473-b449-1c7b67841e5d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019e1e49-f49e-781d-9134-a902693f3782" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019e1e49-f49e-781d-9134-a902693f3782" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-7361-8ea6-1f3191fccb08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-7361-8ea6-1f3191fccb08" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019e1e49-f49e-710f-a0a5-7412925a4824" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019e1e49-f49e-710f-a0a5-7412925a4824" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019e1e49-f49e-70d6-8c95-dc26767a04bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019e1e49-f49e-70d6-8c95-dc26767a04bf" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019e1e49-f49e-7409-b593-5699ee779cca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019e1e49-f49e-7409-b593-5699ee779cca" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_019f3788-eec8-7718-8f18-e15acb36c379" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_019f3788-eec8-7718-8f18-e15acb36c379" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_019f377c-9f06-70a2-ae47-62aeb885296b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_019f377c-9f06-70a2-ae47-62aeb885296b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_019e1e49-f49e-744b-b511-629b2fd129a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_019e1e49-f49e-744b-b511-629b2fd129a3" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_019e1e49-f49e-7752-802b-7ae9c09687df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_019e1e49-f49e-7752-802b-7ae9c09687df" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsShares_019e1e49-f49e-76c6-b392-cbe1358c8be2" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsShares_019e1e49-f49e-76c6-b392-cbe1358c8be2" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsAmount_01a152f8-f7ed-7e26-a810-fd58a8b7dddc" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsAmount_01a152f8-f7ed-7e26-a810-fd58a8b7dddc" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalConvertibleNotesRepurchased_019e1e49-f49e-77ea-ba27-398889bc4184" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalConvertibleNotesRepurchased"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_bfh_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalConvertibleNotesRepurchased_019e1e49-f49e-77ea-ba27-398889bc4184" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash_01a152f3-a928-71ce-af9b-d358665ba6dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash_01a152f3-a928-71ce-af9b-d358665ba6dc" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_019e1e49-f49e-7fcb-b6fc-238a09794250" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_019e1e49-f49e-7fcb-b6fc-238a09794250" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNetOfSharesWithheldForEmployeeTaxes_019e1e49-f49e-79a6-94d8-7e9bdfbc203d" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNetOfSharesWithheldForEmployeeTaxes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_bfh_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNetOfSharesWithheldForEmployeeTaxes_019e1e49-f49e-79a6-94d8-7e9bdfbc203d" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNetOfSharesWithheldForEmployeeTaxes_019e1e49-f49e-7e00-ae27-37a1fce5f67b" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNetOfSharesWithheldForEmployeeTaxes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e1e49-f49e-7597-a6b2-b3d291ef71e5" xlink:to="loc_bfh_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNetOfSharesWithheldForEmployeeTaxes_019e1e49-f49e-7e00-ae27-37a1fce5f67b" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-7d76-ab37-e3f55ed6e840" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019e1e49-f49e-744c-b942-0bd80e67ae58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-70c9-9225-383bdcab4759" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofComponentsofCreditCardAndOtherLoansDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofComponentsofCreditCardAndOtherLoansDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofComponentsofCreditCardAndOtherLoansDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7d02-8577-4607d80cac0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e1e49-f49e-77eb-9d33-4af3db43330e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7d02-8577-4607d80cac0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e1e49-f49e-77eb-9d33-4af3db43330e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7311-b9b1-5fcf9a39658d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e1e49-f49e-77eb-9d33-4af3db43330e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7311-b9b1-5fcf9a39658d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7311-b9b1-5fcf9a39658d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7311-b9b1-5fcf9a39658d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7311-b9b1-5fcf9a39658d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7fb1-acf1-af5c31594922" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7311-b9b1-5fcf9a39658d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7fb1-acf1-af5c31594922" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_CreditCardAndLoanReceivablesMember_019e1e49-f49e-7339-85e3-7303a249a89e" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_CreditCardAndLoanReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7fb1-acf1-af5c31594922" xlink:to="loc_bfh_CreditCardAndLoanReceivablesMember_019e1e49-f49e-7339-85e3-7303a249a89e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_InstallmentLoanReceivablesMember_019e1e49-f49e-7d78-9619-5f786fb54836" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_InstallmentLoanReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7fb1-acf1-af5c31594922" xlink:to="loc_bfh_InstallmentLoanReceivablesMember_019e1e49-f49e-7d78-9619-5f786fb54836" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e1e49-f49e-701b-92c5-75286180317d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e1e49-f49e-77eb-9d33-4af3db43330e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e1e49-f49e-701b-92c5-75286180317d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-701b-92c5-75286180317d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e1e49-f49e-701b-92c5-75286180317d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-701b-92c5-75286180317d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7ae5-97ff-3b344202a0af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e1e49-f49e-701b-92c5-75286180317d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7ae5-97ff-3b344202a0af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e1e49-f49e-7032-8946-0c544bd498e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7ae5-97ff-3b344202a0af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e1e49-f49e-7032-8946-0c544bd498e8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_FinancingReceivableBeforeAllowanceForCreditLossGross_019e1e49-f49e-7da9-ac06-75852bb60fab" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_FinancingReceivableBeforeAllowanceForCreditLossGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7d02-8577-4607d80cac0c" xlink:to="loc_bfh_FinancingReceivableBeforeAllowanceForCreditLossGross_019e1e49-f49e-7da9-ac06-75852bb60fab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019e1e49-f49e-7d12-96d8-7698ff895d68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7d02-8577-4607d80cac0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019e1e49-f49e-7d12-96d8-7698ff895d68" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_FinancingReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossNet_019e1e49-f49e-7beb-9a0d-eed4624a5ecc" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_FinancingReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7d02-8577-4607d80cac0c" xlink:to="loc_bfh_FinancingReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossNet_019e1e49-f49e-7beb-9a0d-eed4624a5ecc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_CreditCardAndLoanReceivablesRestrictedForSecuritizationInvestors_019e1e49-f49e-7c8a-832c-ec94019fdeab" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_CreditCardAndLoanReceivablesRestrictedForSecuritizationInvestors"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7d02-8577-4607d80cac0c" xlink:to="loc_bfh_CreditCardAndLoanReceivablesRestrictedForSecuritizationInvestors_019e1e49-f49e-7c8a-832c-ec94019fdeab" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnbilledReceivablesCurrent_019e1e49-f49e-7292-9390-aa91a6b08f52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnbilledReceivablesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7d02-8577-4607d80cac0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnbilledReceivablesCurrent_019e1e49-f49e-7292-9390-aa91a6b08f52" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofDelinquencyTrendsofCreditCardandOtherLoansPortfolioDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofDelinquencyTrendsofCreditCardandOtherLoansPortfolioDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofDelinquencyTrendsofCreditCardandOtherLoansPortfolioDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-746f-a4ad-e54824d24893" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable_019e1e49-f49e-7935-9763-4f033af91cc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-746f-a4ad-e54824d24893" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable_019e1e49-f49e-7935-9763-4f033af91cc3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7399-b600-900fa7666736" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable_019e1e49-f49e-7935-9763-4f033af91cc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7399-b600-900fa7666736" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7399-b600-900fa7666736_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7399-b600-900fa7666736" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7399-b600-900fa7666736_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7edb-a716-d1deafbb734a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7399-b600-900fa7666736" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7edb-a716-d1deafbb734a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7dc1-9c37-467c6b5d2717" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialAssetPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7edb-a716-d1deafbb734a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7dc1-9c37-467c6b5d2717" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7545-a42f-4af8218bbb26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7dc1-9c37-467c6b5d2717" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7545-a42f-4af8218bbb26" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7d36-9386-a4c1591aff4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7dc1-9c37-467c6b5d2717" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7d36-9386-a4c1591aff4a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7926-8c29-128f619180f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7dc1-9c37-467c6b5d2717" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7926-8c29-128f619180f7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetNotPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-720f-be83-6660d4235223" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialAssetNotPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7edb-a716-d1deafbb734a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetNotPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-720f-be83-6660d4235223" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross_019e1e49-f49e-74ac-b7b0-153832480c26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-746f-a4ad-e54824d24893" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross_019e1e49-f49e-74ac-b7b0-153832480c26" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnbilledReceivablesCurrent_019e1e49-f49e-7e3d-8ea7-0c87efc08951" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnbilledReceivablesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-746f-a4ad-e54824d24893" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnbilledReceivablesCurrent_019e1e49-f49e-7e3d-8ea7-0c87efc08951" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-79d2-89da-4c277148750b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e1e49-f49e-77e4-83fd-2edd59a98d3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-79d2-89da-4c277148750b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e1e49-f49e-77e4-83fd-2edd59a98d3b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7f0b-b8b6-9aca65875150" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e1e49-f49e-77e4-83fd-2edd59a98d3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7f0b-b8b6-9aca65875150" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7f0b-b8b6-9aca65875150_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7f0b-b8b6-9aca65875150" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7f0b-b8b6-9aca65875150_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7a90-a286-53b79c10e57a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7f0b-b8b6-9aca65875150" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7a90-a286-53b79c10e57a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditCardReceivablesMember_019e1e49-f49e-767a-9bb9-63d9b1646b7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditCardReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7a90-a286-53b79c10e57a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditCardReceivablesMember_019e1e49-f49e-767a-9bb9-63d9b1646b7e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_ReAgedAccountsAsPercentageOfTotalCreditCardAndLoanReceivables_019e1e49-f49e-7924-8c1e-60501427923c" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_ReAgedAccountsAsPercentageOfTotalCreditCardAndLoanReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-79d2-89da-4c277148750b" xlink:to="loc_bfh_ReAgedAccountsAsPercentageOfTotalCreditCardAndLoanReceivables_019e1e49-f49e-7924-8c1e-60501427923c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_PastDuePeriodForCreditCardLoansChargeOff_019e1e49-f49e-7621-9114-c4851a3f5d18" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_PastDuePeriodForCreditCardLoansChargeOff"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-79d2-89da-4c277148750b" xlink:to="loc_bfh_PastDuePeriodForCreditCardLoansChargeOff_019e1e49-f49e-7621-9114-c4851a3f5d18" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_DelinquencyRate_019e1e49-f49e-771f-9831-281a1c5aabfb" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_DelinquencyRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-79d2-89da-4c277148750b" xlink:to="loc_bfh_DelinquencyRate_019e1e49-f49e-771f-9831-281a1c5aabfb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_ChargeOffOfUnpaidInterestAndFees_019e1e49-f49e-7033-9404-41523fa0cb32" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_ChargeOffOfUnpaidInterestAndFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-79d2-89da-4c277148750b" xlink:to="loc_bfh_ChargeOffOfUnpaidInterestAndFees_019e1e49-f49e-7033-9404-41523fa0cb32" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_NetPrincipalLossRate_019e1e49-f49e-769a-b3b7-b8114179f098" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_NetPrincipalLossRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-79d2-89da-4c277148750b" xlink:to="loc_bfh_NetPrincipalLossRate_019e1e49-f49e-769a-b3b7-b8114179f098" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_PercentageOfFinancingReceivableCreditCardReceivablesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-787c-8441-bba67123dacb" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_PercentageOfFinancingReceivableCreditCardReceivablesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-79d2-89da-4c277148750b" xlink:to="loc_bfh_PercentageOfFinancingReceivableCreditCardReceivablesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-787c-8441-bba67123dacb" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_MaximumPeriodOfTimeTemporaryProgramsConcessionsRemainInPlace_019e1e49-f49e-74d7-95f9-2cb3d95c4ed9" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_MaximumPeriodOfTimeTemporaryProgramsConcessionsRemainInPlace"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-79d2-89da-4c277148750b" xlink:to="loc_bfh_MaximumPeriodOfTimeTemporaryProgramsConcessionsRemainInPlace_019e1e49-f49e-74d7-95f9-2cb3d95c4ed9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_UnusedCreditLinesAvailableToCardholders_019e1e49-f49e-7148-9970-52cdcd2f393a" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_UnusedCreditLinesAvailableToCardholders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-79d2-89da-4c277148750b" xlink:to="loc_bfh_UnusedCreditLinesAvailableToCardholders_019e1e49-f49e-7148-9970-52cdcd2f393a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_NumberOfCreditCardLoansHeldForSale_019e1e49-f49e-78c9-8728-8c428cd8e476" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_NumberOfCreditCardLoansHeldForSale"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-79d2-89da-4c277148750b" xlink:to="loc_bfh_NumberOfCreditCardLoansHeldForSale_019e1e49-f49e-78c9-8728-8c428cd8e476" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofDistributionofCreditCardandOtherLoansByVantageScoreDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofDistributionofCreditCardandOtherLoansByVantageScoreDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofDistributionofCreditCardandOtherLoansByVantageScoreDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7e25-af78-3765060c6c7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable_019e1e49-f49e-7ba7-85b3-6f4c44fa0d84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7e25-af78-3765060c6c7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable_019e1e49-f49e-7ba7-85b3-6f4c44fa0d84" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-73d3-a846-75551ce7ffeb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable_019e1e49-f49e-7ba7-85b3-6f4c44fa0d84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-73d3-a846-75551ce7ffeb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-73d3-a846-75551ce7ffeb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-73d3-a846-75551ce7ffeb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-73d3-a846-75551ce7ffeb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7512-94e5-d95cb46d74b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-73d3-a846-75551ce7ffeb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7512-94e5-d95cb46d74b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditCardReceivablesMember_019e1e49-f49e-7709-a744-81eaa8e332e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditCardReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7512-94e5-d95cb46d74b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditCardReceivablesMember_019e1e49-f49e-7709-a744-81eaa8e332e0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_InstallmentLoanReceivablesMember_019e1e49-f49e-7975-abce-376f9bc67326" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_InstallmentLoanReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7512-94e5-d95cb46d74b8" xlink:to="loc_bfh_InstallmentLoanReceivablesMember_019e1e49-f49e-7975-abce-376f9bc67326" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7a7a-a64a-596c7792d4aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable_019e1e49-f49e-7ba7-85b3-6f4c44fa0d84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7a7a-a64a-596c7792d4aa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7a7a-a64a-596c7792d4aa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7a7a-a64a-596c7792d4aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7a7a-a64a-596c7792d4aa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoDomain_019e1e49-f49e-75b9-b986-fb003f8b9baa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7a7a-a64a-596c7792d4aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoDomain_019e1e49-f49e-75b9-b986-fb003f8b9baa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_CreditScoreFrom651OrHigherMember_019e1e49-f49e-70ea-bb2e-3318ea2ec605" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_CreditScoreFrom651OrHigherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoDomain_019e1e49-f49e-75b9-b986-fb003f8b9baa" xlink:to="loc_bfh_CreditScoreFrom651OrHigherMember_019e1e49-f49e-70ea-bb2e-3318ea2ec605" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_CreditScoreFrom591To650Member_019e1e49-f49e-7ea8-9ae8-560d992b449f" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_CreditScoreFrom591To650Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoDomain_019e1e49-f49e-75b9-b986-fb003f8b9baa" xlink:to="loc_bfh_CreditScoreFrom591To650Member_019e1e49-f49e-7ea8-9ae8-560d992b449f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_CreditScoreFrom590OrLessMember_019e1e49-f49e-7801-9a86-72cd8423938e" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_CreditScoreFrom590OrLessMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditScoreFicoDomain_019e1e49-f49e-75b9-b986-fb003f8b9baa" xlink:to="loc_bfh_CreditScoreFrom590OrLessMember_019e1e49-f49e-7801-9a86-72cd8423938e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7093-b4a9-008a98735608" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable_019e1e49-f49e-7ba7-85b3-6f4c44fa0d84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7093-b4a9-008a98735608" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7093-b4a9-008a98735608_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7093-b4a9-008a98735608" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7093-b4a9-008a98735608_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-743d-a20a-74a48fcd1d20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7093-b4a9-008a98735608" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-743d-a20a-74a48fcd1d20" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_NoScoreMember_019e1e49-f49e-7fa4-9cb2-d79ac08a6110" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_NoScoreMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-743d-a20a-74a48fcd1d20" xlink:to="loc_bfh_NoScoreMember_019e1e49-f49e-7fa4-9cb2-d79ac08a6110" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_PercentageOfFinancingReceivableCreditCardReceivablesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-7770-91b4-f18e5d4f9447" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_PercentageOfFinancingReceivableCreditCardReceivablesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7e25-af78-3765060c6c7b" xlink:to="loc_bfh_PercentageOfFinancingReceivableCreditCardReceivablesOutstanding_019e1e49-f49e-7770-91b4-f18e5d4f9447" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross_019e1e49-f49e-7585-ae05-f786a3f79055" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7e25-af78-3765060c6c7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross_019e1e49-f49e-7585-ae05-f786a3f79055" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofInformationRelatingToCreditCardLoansToBorrowersDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofInformationRelatingToCreditCardLoansToBorrowersDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofInformationRelatingToCreditCardLoansToBorrowersDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7368-9d9d-5567cf033f8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable_019e1e49-f49e-737a-8d14-69c49257d440" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7368-9d9d-5567cf033f8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable_019e1e49-f49e-737a-8d14-69c49257d440" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-70f7-9ded-81cda656e67c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable_019e1e49-f49e-737a-8d14-69c49257d440" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-70f7-9ded-81cda656e67c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-70f7-9ded-81cda656e67c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-70f7-9ded-81cda656e67c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-70f7-9ded-81cda656e67c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-73a3-8b5b-8cdf6b43cdf7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-70f7-9ded-81cda656e67c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-73a3-8b5b-8cdf6b43cdf7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_CreditCardLoansMember_019e1e49-f49e-74f2-8ae9-11ab99f0a471" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_CreditCardLoansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-73a3-8b5b-8cdf6b43cdf7" xlink:to="loc_bfh_CreditCardLoansMember_019e1e49-f49e-74f2-8ae9-11ab99f0a471" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7229-82eb-2a79fa52dcb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable_019e1e49-f49e-737a-8d14-69c49257d440" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7229-82eb-2a79fa52dcb0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7229-82eb-2a79fa52dcb0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7229-82eb-2a79fa52dcb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7229-82eb-2a79fa52dcb0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7d6a-9825-ad6b6e9a627e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7229-82eb-2a79fa52dcb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7d6a-9825-ad6b6e9a627e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractualInterestRateReductionMember_019e1e49-f49e-7179-b6a4-9e4322997a91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractualInterestRateReductionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LoanRestructuringModificationDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7d6a-9825-ad6b6e9a627e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractualInterestRateReductionMember_019e1e49-f49e-7179-b6a4-9e4322997a91" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsPostModificationRecordedInvestment2_019e1e49-f49e-70f7-8a1a-be1d83c50f1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsPostModificationRecordedInvestment2"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7368-9d9d-5567cf033f8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsPostModificationRecordedInvestment2_019e1e49-f49e-70f7-8a1a-be1d83c50f1c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationToTotalFinancingReceivablesPercent_019e1e49-f49e-7dc0-a88f-45065f237225" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationToTotalFinancingReceivablesPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7368-9d9d-5567cf033f8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationToTotalFinancingReceivablesPercent_019e1e49-f49e-7dc0-a88f-45065f237225" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModifiedWeightedAverageInterestRateDecreaseFromModification_019e1e49-f49e-72d7-8484-2301c9c543f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModifiedWeightedAverageInterestRateDecreaseFromModification"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7368-9d9d-5567cf033f8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModifiedWeightedAverageInterestRateDecreaseFromModification_019e1e49-f49e-72d7-8484-2301c9c543f9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofPerformanceofCreditCardLoansthatModifiedWithin12monthsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofPerformanceofCreditCardLoansthatModifiedWithin12monthsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofPerformanceofCreditCardLoansthatModifiedWithin12monthsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7445-bf21-7c06be967d36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable_019e1e49-f49e-7a4a-81c4-c7659318f34b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7445-bf21-7c06be967d36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable_019e1e49-f49e-7a4a-81c4-c7659318f34b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7f4f-90f2-beaa41fa13bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable_019e1e49-f49e-7a4a-81c4-c7659318f34b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7f4f-90f2-beaa41fa13bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7f4f-90f2-beaa41fa13bc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7f4f-90f2-beaa41fa13bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7f4f-90f2-beaa41fa13bc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_019e1e49-f49e-74ea-a879-630d5561a0bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7f4f-90f2-beaa41fa13bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_019e1e49-f49e-74ea-a879-630d5561a0bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7138-8162-8eaa367e0671" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialAssetPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_019e1e49-f49e-74ea-a879-630d5561a0bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7138-8162-8eaa367e0671" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_FinancialAsset31To60DaysOrGreaterPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7fa9-a1e8-28198f144330" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_FinancialAsset31To60DaysOrGreaterPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7138-8162-8eaa367e0671" xlink:to="loc_bfh_FinancialAsset31To60DaysOrGreaterPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7fa9-a1e8-28198f144330" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_FinancialAsset61To90DaysOrGreaterPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7aae-8344-121bbb858e59" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_FinancialAsset61To90DaysOrGreaterPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7138-8162-8eaa367e0671" xlink:to="loc_bfh_FinancialAsset61To90DaysOrGreaterPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7aae-8344-121bbb858e59" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_FinancialAsset91DaysOrGreaterPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-72ea-a29d-97b248827f1b" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_FinancialAsset91DaysOrGreaterPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-7138-8162-8eaa367e0671" xlink:to="loc_bfh_FinancialAsset91DaysOrGreaterPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-72ea-a29d-97b248827f1b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetNotPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-743b-a785-704db6eeaef1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialAssetNotPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_019e1e49-f49e-74ea-a879-630d5561a0bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetNotPastDueMember_019e1e49-f49e-743b-a785-704db6eeaef1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestModifiedPast12Months_019e1e49-f49e-7d16-a5f0-22cd67c6d964" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestModifiedPast12Months"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7445-bf21-7c06be967d36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestModifiedPast12Months_019e1e49-f49e-7d16-a5f0-22cd67c6d964" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofInformationRelatingToCreditCardLoanModificationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofInformationRelatingToCreditCardLoanModificationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CREDITCARDANDOTHERLOANSScheduleofInformationRelatingToCreditCardLoanModificationsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-76d4-9057-bba0fbc66a17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable_019e1e49-f49e-7ff1-bf0c-759080e91dd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-76d4-9057-bba0fbc66a17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable_019e1e49-f49e-7ff1-bf0c-759080e91dd3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7063-b9ef-ceb9b9d658e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable_019e1e49-f49e-7ff1-bf0c-759080e91dd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7063-b9ef-ceb9b9d658e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7063-b9ef-ceb9b9d658e4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7063-b9ef-ceb9b9d658e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7063-b9ef-ceb9b9d658e4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-711d-b324-64573685f459" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7063-b9ef-ceb9b9d658e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-711d-b324-64573685f459" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsumerPortfolioSegmentMember_019e1e49-f49e-7597-9af8-db9b3f5285b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConsumerPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_019e1e49-f49e-711d-b324-64573685f459" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsumerPortfolioSegmentMember_019e1e49-f49e-7597-9af8-db9b3f5285b5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7fcc-a372-31eb2160809e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringsTable_019e1e49-f49e-7ff1-bf0c-759080e91dd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7fcc-a372-31eb2160809e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7fcc-a372-31eb2160809e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7fcc-a372-31eb2160809e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7fcc-a372-31eb2160809e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7d7f-abf8-a2aff1d46f79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7fcc-a372-31eb2160809e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7d7f-abf8-a2aff1d46f79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_ConsumerCreditCardFinancingReceivableThatSubsequentlyDefaultedMember_019e1e49-f49e-7ba9-b10c-f4b4305ff870" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_ConsumerCreditCardFinancingReceivableThatSubsequentlyDefaultedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7d7f-abf8-a2aff1d46f79" xlink:to="loc_bfh_ConsumerCreditCardFinancingReceivableThatSubsequentlyDefaultedMember_019e1e49-f49e-7ba9-b10c-f4b4305ff870" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_LoanModificationsNumberOfContracts_019e1e49-f49e-726a-9999-296596de6115" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_LoanModificationsNumberOfContracts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-76d4-9057-bba0fbc66a17" xlink:to="loc_bfh_LoanModificationsNumberOfContracts_019e1e49-f49e-726a-9999-296596de6115" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsSubsequentDefaultRecordedInvestment1_019e1e49-f49e-7d13-9f29-6bf19efe30a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsSubsequentDefaultRecordedInvestment1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-76d4-9057-bba0fbc66a17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsSubsequentDefaultRecordedInvestment1_019e1e49-f49e-7d13-9f29-6bf19efe30a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/ALLOWANCEFORCREDITLOSSESNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7c7b-856d-bce6bff6192f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e1e49-f49e-7b15-9757-a3b4d261a826" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7c7b-856d-bce6bff6192f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e1e49-f49e-7b15-9757-a3b4d261a826" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-73ec-9f24-32dfd9298be0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e1e49-f49e-7b15-9757-a3b4d261a826" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-73ec-9f24-32dfd9298be0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-73ec-9f24-32dfd9298be0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-73ec-9f24-32dfd9298be0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-73ec-9f24-32dfd9298be0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7edf-9770-c01b69ea245d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_019e1e49-f49e-73ec-9f24-32dfd9298be0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7edf-9770-c01b69ea245d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_InstallmentLoanReceivablesMember_019e1e49-f49e-71ff-b0f1-b439556bf75a" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_InstallmentLoanReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7edf-9770-c01b69ea245d" xlink:to="loc_bfh_InstallmentLoanReceivablesMember_019e1e49-f49e-71ff-b0f1-b439556bf75a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_AllowanceForLoanLossPaymentsAllocatedToFuturePurchaseActivity_019e1e49-f49e-7f57-8157-4a5344177adb" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_AllowanceForLoanLossPaymentsAllocatedToFuturePurchaseActivity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7c7b-856d-bce6bff6192f" xlink:to="loc_bfh_AllowanceForLoanLossPaymentsAllocatedToFuturePurchaseActivity_019e1e49-f49e-7f57-8157-4a5344177adb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019e1e49-f49e-7bd2-b407-626bbedf9979" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7c7b-856d-bce6bff6192f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019e1e49-f49e-7bd2-b407-626bbedf9979" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_PortfolioReserveRates_019e1e49-f49e-7090-a8bf-d26da67bdcd1" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_PortfolioReserveRates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7c7b-856d-bce6bff6192f" xlink:to="loc_bfh_PortfolioReserveRates_019e1e49-f49e-7090-a8bf-d26da67bdcd1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/SECURITIZATIONSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#SECURITIZATIONSNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/SECURITIZATIONSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7705-8368-6d871df966a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsTable_019e1e49-f49e-7b88-b31c-93e111a4fe74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7705-8368-6d871df966a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsTable_019e1e49-f49e-7b88-b31c-93e111a4fe74" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7a97-8b8c-76acec145dd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsTable_019e1e49-f49e-7b88-b31c-93e111a4fe74" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7a97-8b8c-76acec145dd1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e1e49-f49e-7a97-8b8c-76acec145dd1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7a97-8b8c-76acec145dd1" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e1e49-f49e-7a97-8b8c-76acec145dd1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e1e49-f49e-73a4-ab1c-78cf8d3aa881" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7a97-8b8c-76acec145dd1" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e1e49-f49e-73a4-ab1c-78cf8d3aa881" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e1e49-f49e-7b93-aab6-8b48502865ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e1e49-f49e-73a4-ab1c-78cf8d3aa881" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e1e49-f49e-7b93-aab6-8b48502865ce" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e1e49-f49e-7a39-bc8d-37f15b2df846" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e1e49-f49e-73a4-ab1c-78cf8d3aa881" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e1e49-f49e-7a39-bc8d-37f15b2df846" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_SecuritizedCreditCardReceivablesInterestRequirement_019e1e49-f49e-7a6b-8e0d-c4b50643affb" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_SecuritizedCreditCardReceivablesInterestRequirement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7705-8368-6d871df966a9" xlink:to="loc_bfh_SecuritizedCreditCardReceivablesInterestRequirement_019e1e49-f49e-7a6b-8e0d-c4b50643affb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/SECURITIZATIONSScheduleofSecuritizedCreditCardLoansandRelatedDelinquenciesandNetPrincipalLossesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#SECURITIZATIONSScheduleofSecuritizedCreditCardLoansandRelatedDelinquenciesandNetPrincipalLossesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/SECURITIZATIONSScheduleofSecuritizedCreditCardLoansandRelatedDelinquenciesandNetPrincipalLossesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7aca-8e01-0b396c915b04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsTable_019e1e49-f49e-79c6-911b-3345cd1b5c3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7aca-8e01-0b396c915b04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsTable_019e1e49-f49e-79c6-911b-3345cd1b5c3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7870-8983-1325d0586178" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsTable_019e1e49-f49e-79c6-911b-3345cd1b5c3c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7870-8983-1325d0586178" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7870-8983-1325d0586178_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7870-8983-1325d0586178" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7870-8983-1325d0586178_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7274-8860-959d5e12e9d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7870-8983-1325d0586178" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7274-8860-959d5e12e9d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e1e49-f49e-7782-883c-52bcc088562d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7274-8860-959d5e12e9d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019e1e49-f49e-7782-883c-52bcc088562d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_CreditCardAndLoanReceivablesRestrictedForSecuritizationInvestors_019e1e49-f49e-7add-9ab0-ad418e941ca8" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_CreditCardAndLoanReceivablesRestrictedForSecuritizationInvestors"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7aca-8e01-0b396c915b04" xlink:to="loc_bfh_CreditCardAndLoanReceivablesRestrictedForSecuritizationInvestors_019e1e49-f49e-7add-9ab0-ad418e941ca8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_RestrictedCreditCardReceivables91DaysOrMorePastDue_019e1e49-f49e-74c3-a0af-8ee5a8811e84" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_RestrictedCreditCardReceivables91DaysOrMorePastDue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7aca-8e01-0b396c915b04" xlink:to="loc_bfh_RestrictedCreditCardReceivables91DaysOrMorePastDue_019e1e49-f49e-74c3-a0af-8ee5a8811e84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCreditLossOnLoansManagedOrSecuritizedOrAssetbackedFinancingArrangement_019e1e49-f49e-71ea-92ff-cd1e39b68f7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCreditLossOnLoansManagedOrSecuritizedOrAssetbackedFinancingArrangement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OffsettingAssetsLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7aca-8e01-0b396c915b04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCreditLossOnLoansManagedOrSecuritizedOrAssetbackedFinancingArrangement_019e1e49-f49e-71ea-92ff-cd1e39b68f7a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/INVESTMENTSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#INVESTMENTSNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/INVESTMENTSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-723e-a5e2-d25f6806cdf4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_019e1e49-f49e-72b3-9170-6681d38b8a56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-723e-a5e2-d25f6806cdf4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_019e1e49-f49e-72b3-9170-6681d38b8a56" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7df3-bb85-61560ec2f5b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_019e1e49-f49e-72b3-9170-6681d38b8a56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7df3-bb85-61560ec2f5b9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7df3-bb85-61560ec2f5b9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7df3-bb85-61560ec2f5b9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7df3-bb85-61560ec2f5b9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e1e49-f49e-77f3-9b4f-2454946715ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7df3-bb85-61560ec2f5b9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e1e49-f49e-77f3-9b4f-2454946715ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_019e1e49-f49e-743f-acc6-51933a72c449" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e1e49-f49e-77f3-9b4f-2454946715ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_019e1e49-f49e-743f-acc6-51933a72c449" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember_019e1e49-f49e-74be-ab0f-5aa75aeb043f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e1e49-f49e-77f3-9b4f-2454946715ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember_019e1e49-f49e-74be-ab0f-5aa75aeb043f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_019e1e49-f49e-7c53-a59a-c759760c4ccd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-723e-a5e2-d25f6806cdf4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_019e1e49-f49e-7c53-a59a-c759760c4ccd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithoutSingleMaturityDateAmortizedCost_019e1e49-f49e-7e31-b6e8-3b9901955d5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithoutSingleMaturityDateAmortizedCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-723e-a5e2-d25f6806cdf4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithoutSingleMaturityDateAmortizedCost_019e1e49-f49e-7e31-b6e8-3b9901955d5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithoutSingleMaturityDateFairValue_019e1e49-f49e-7664-b0ef-4d49439f7605" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithoutSingleMaturityDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-723e-a5e2-d25f6806cdf4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithoutSingleMaturityDateFairValue_019e1e49-f49e-7664-b0ef-4d49439f7605" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleWeightedAverageYield_019e1e49-f49e-7f8c-bb65-3c9aaf477ab2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleWeightedAverageYield"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-723e-a5e2-d25f6806cdf4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleWeightedAverageYield_019e1e49-f49e-7f8c-bb65-3c9aaf477ab2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsAmortizedCost_019e1e49-f49e-746a-87bf-418834224148" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsAmortizedCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-723e-a5e2-d25f6806cdf4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsAmortizedCost_019e1e49-f49e-746a-87bf-418834224148" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsFairValue_019e1e49-f49e-7f00-a58f-f18e27713781" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-723e-a5e2-d25f6806cdf4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsFairValue_019e1e49-f49e-7f00-a58f-f18e27713781" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRealizedGainLoss_019e1e49-f49e-79ec-9748-e62d80a51b6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-723e-a5e2-d25f6806cdf4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRealizedGainLoss_019e1e49-f49e-79ec-9748-e62d80a51b6c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/DEPOSITSScheduleofDepositsByDepositTypeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#DEPOSITSScheduleofDepositsByDepositTypeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/DEPOSITSScheduleofDepositsByDepositTypeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepositLiabilityLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7ed8-9226-028ff733d1f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DepositLiabilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TimeDepositsTable_019e1e49-f49e-714b-b5b2-d2503d5ffecb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TimeDepositsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DepositLiabilityLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7ed8-9226-028ff733d1f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TimeDepositsTable_019e1e49-f49e-714b-b5b2-d2503d5ffecb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_TypeOfDepositAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7a41-8782-544e17c6d31b" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_TypeOfDepositAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TimeDepositsTable_019e1e49-f49e-714b-b5b2-d2503d5ffecb" xlink:to="loc_bfh_TypeOfDepositAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7a41-8782-544e17c6d31b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_TypeOfDepositDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7a41-8782-544e17c6d31b_default" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_TypeOfDepositDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_bfh_TypeOfDepositAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7a41-8782-544e17c6d31b" xlink:to="loc_bfh_TypeOfDepositDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7a41-8782-544e17c6d31b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_TypeOfDepositDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7ea9-bed2-8d7c5b3c087f" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_TypeOfDepositDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_bfh_TypeOfDepositAxis_019e1e49-f49e-7a41-8782-544e17c6d31b" xlink:to="loc_bfh_TypeOfDepositDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7ea9-bed2-8d7c5b3c087f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_ConsumerDepositsMember_01a15308-9f73-7ad6-b14e-485f4ff37b68" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_ConsumerDepositsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_TypeOfDepositDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7ea9-bed2-8d7c5b3c087f" xlink:to="loc_bfh_ConsumerDepositsMember_01a15308-9f73-7ad6-b14e-485f4ff37b68" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_WholesaleDepositsMember_019e1e49-f49e-7be2-80ef-0b4feb73db76" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_WholesaleDepositsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_TypeOfDepositDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7ea9-bed2-8d7c5b3c087f" xlink:to="loc_bfh_WholesaleDepositsMember_019e1e49-f49e-7be2-80ef-0b4feb73db76" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_CardholderCreditBalancesMember_019e1e49-f49e-74e7-b7f5-f46e21508608" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_CardholderCreditBalancesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_TypeOfDepositDomain_019e1e49-f49e-7ea9-bed2-8d7c5b3c087f" xlink:to="loc_bfh_CardholderCreditBalancesMember_019e1e49-f49e-74e7-b7f5-f46e21508608" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepositsSavingsDeposits_019e1e49-f49e-7f01-9199-cd9581efb788" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DepositsSavingsDeposits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DepositLiabilityLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7ed8-9226-028ff733d1f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepositsSavingsDeposits_019e1e49-f49e-7f01-9199-cd9581efb788" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TimeDeposits_019e1e49-f49e-7b54-a7bd-cb913f2db799" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TimeDeposits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DepositLiabilityLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7ed8-9226-028ff733d1f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TimeDeposits_019e1e49-f49e-7b54-a7bd-cb913f2db799" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilities_019e1e49-f49e-7f3d-a879-32ea00425a7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DepositLiabilityLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7ed8-9226-028ff733d1f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoninterestBearingDepositLiabilities_019e1e49-f49e-7f3d-a879-32ea00425a7e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Deposits_019e1e49-f49e-7e62-924c-92e54a1412ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Deposits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DepositLiabilityLineItems_019e1e49-f49e-7ed8-9226-028ff733d1f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Deposits_019e1e49-f49e-7e62-924c-92e54a1412ea" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/FAIRVALUESOFFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSScheduleofCarryingValuesandFairValuesofFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#FAIRVALUESOFFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSScheduleofCarryingValuesandFairValuesofFinancialInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/FAIRVALUESOFFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSScheduleofCarryingValuesandFairValuesofFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e1e49-f569-79f5-8afe-b3e48036b57e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e1e49-f569-77ba-971b-f57749726929" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e1e49-f569-79f5-8afe-b3e48036b57e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e1e49-f569-77ba-971b-f57749726929" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019e1e49-f569-71e7-acc4-c2b78c9e58d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e1e49-f569-77ba-971b-f57749726929" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019e1e49-f569-71e7-acc4-c2b78c9e58d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e1e49-f569-71e7-acc4-c2b78c9e58d5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019e1e49-f569-71e7-acc4-c2b78c9e58d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e1e49-f569-71e7-acc4-c2b78c9e58d5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019e1e49-f569-7cb3-a100-7dcfdd423647" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019e1e49-f569-71e7-acc4-c2b78c9e58d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019e1e49-f569-7cb3-a100-7dcfdd423647" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e1e49-f569-731d-929b-8299d8bd6d18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019e1e49-f569-7cb3-a100-7dcfdd423647" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e1e49-f569-731d-929b-8299d8bd6d18" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_019e1e49-f569-7365-b9ed-5ea33b2612b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e1e49-f569-731d-929b-8299d8bd6d18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_019e1e49-f569-7365-b9ed-5ea33b2612b9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e1e49-f569-7012-967a-b96681a0e341" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e1e49-f569-731d-929b-8299d8bd6d18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e1e49-f569-7012-967a-b96681a0e341" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72e7-9501-50eb11732466" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e1e49-f569-79f5-8afe-b3e48036b57e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72e7-9501-50eb11732466" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_FinancingReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-707f-8cb5-8040fce6daa0" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_FinancingReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72e7-9501-50eb11732466" xlink:to="loc_bfh_FinancingReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-707f-8cb5-8040fce6daa0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-7d61-8ea8-ec9006184a27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72e7-9501-50eb11732466" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-7d61-8ea8-ec9006184a27" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019e1e49-f569-767f-9f1d-cb7d4d76cb6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e1e49-f569-79f5-8afe-b3e48036b57e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019e1e49-f569-767f-9f1d-cb7d4d76cb6d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepositsFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-77bc-9db5-e8d6307777b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DepositsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019e1e49-f569-767f-9f1d-cb7d4d76cb6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepositsFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-77bc-9db5-e8d6307777b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_NonRecourseBorrowingsOfConsolidatedSecuritizationEntitiesFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-7a28-9051-22993db82b46" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_NonRecourseBorrowingsOfConsolidatedSecuritizationEntitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019e1e49-f569-767f-9f1d-cb7d4d76cb6d" xlink:to="loc_bfh_NonRecourseBorrowingsOfConsolidatedSecuritizationEntitiesFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-7a28-9051-22993db82b46" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_019e1e49-f569-709b-89e8-240c8b345150" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019e1e49-f569-767f-9f1d-cb7d4d76cb6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_019e1e49-f569-709b-89e8-240c8b345150" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/FAIRVALUESOFFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSScheduleofFinancialInstrumentsMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#FAIRVALUESOFFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSScheduleofFinancialInstrumentsMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/FAIRVALUESOFFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSScheduleofFinancialInstrumentsMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e1e49-f569-782a-8df3-f28b58a68a96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e1e49-f569-73f3-8974-e4156b69d868" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e1e49-f569-782a-8df3-f28b58a68a96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e1e49-f569-73f3-8974-e4156b69d868" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e1e49-f569-7745-a0f3-374d1560786b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e1e49-f569-73f3-8974-e4156b69d868" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e1e49-f569-7745-a0f3-374d1560786b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-7745-a0f3-374d1560786b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e1e49-f569-7745-a0f3-374d1560786b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-7745-a0f3-374d1560786b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-7b11-95b0-d686a91ba252" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e1e49-f569-7745-a0f3-374d1560786b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-7b11-95b0-d686a91ba252" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e1e49-f569-7dd9-ab33-16c832f6c61e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-7b11-95b0-d686a91ba252" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e1e49-f569-7dd9-ab33-16c832f6c61e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019e1e49-f569-7bb9-a16e-2d2752a507ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-7b11-95b0-d686a91ba252" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019e1e49-f569-7bb9-a16e-2d2752a507ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e1e49-f569-7c4a-bed2-d9272105f6e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-7b11-95b0-d686a91ba252" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e1e49-f569-7c4a-bed2-d9272105f6e3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-74ca-9ae3-e13f8b061e41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e1e49-f569-782a-8df3-f28b58a68a96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-74ca-9ae3-e13f8b061e41" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-764e-b985-c6ef2b844c30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-74ca-9ae3-e13f8b061e41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-764e-b985-c6ef2b844c30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-7a7d-a6a2-8fd71f1291e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-74ca-9ae3-e13f8b061e41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-7a7d-a6a2-8fd71f1291e1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/FAIRVALUESOFFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSScheduleofFinancialInstrumentsDisclosedbutNotCarriedatFairValueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#FAIRVALUESOFFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSScheduleofFinancialInstrumentsDisclosedbutNotCarriedatFairValueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/FAIRVALUESOFFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSScheduleofFinancialInstrumentsDisclosedbutNotCarriedatFairValueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e1e49-f569-70f8-bed4-b4a254f53320" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e1e49-f569-71e5-baea-d944eb7c7582" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e1e49-f569-70f8-bed4-b4a254f53320" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e1e49-f569-71e5-baea-d944eb7c7582" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e1e49-f569-70ac-8e72-8f3a29e2db74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e1e49-f569-71e5-baea-d944eb7c7582" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e1e49-f569-70ac-8e72-8f3a29e2db74" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-70ac-8e72-8f3a29e2db74_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e1e49-f569-70ac-8e72-8f3a29e2db74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-70ac-8e72-8f3a29e2db74_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-736c-8ed4-cebb792e471c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e1e49-f569-70ac-8e72-8f3a29e2db74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-736c-8ed4-cebb792e471c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e1e49-f569-7f47-b890-9d09a5b5c4c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-736c-8ed4-cebb792e471c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e1e49-f569-7f47-b890-9d09a5b5c4c7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019e1e49-f569-7208-8944-a776de0b4689" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-736c-8ed4-cebb792e471c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019e1e49-f569-7208-8944-a776de0b4689" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e1e49-f569-7d22-a75e-9d8409aed5aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e1e49-f569-736c-8ed4-cebb792e471c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e1e49-f569-7d22-a75e-9d8409aed5aa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7093-95e4-b3ef6003085a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e1e49-f569-70f8-bed4-b4a254f53320" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7093-95e4-b3ef6003085a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_FinancingReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-72a6-8449-3a147c829a0f" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_FinancingReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7093-95e4-b3ef6003085a" xlink:to="loc_bfh_FinancingReceivableAfterAllowanceForCreditLossFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-72a6-8449-3a147c829a0f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_FinancialAssetsWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount_019e1e49-f569-7fe4-ad52-d38f261dd170" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_FinancialAssetsWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7093-95e4-b3ef6003085a" xlink:to="loc_bfh_FinancialAssetsWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount_019e1e49-f569-7fe4-ad52-d38f261dd170" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-74ec-bb53-16292fdf75a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e1e49-f569-70f8-bed4-b4a254f53320" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-74ec-bb53-16292fdf75a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepositsFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-78b5-8fb4-1fc95224b3ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DepositsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-74ec-bb53-16292fdf75a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepositsFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-78b5-8fb4-1fc95224b3ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_NonRecourseBorrowingsOfConsolidatedSecuritizationEntitiesFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-7680-b715-ad7f21847922" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_NonRecourseBorrowingsOfConsolidatedSecuritizationEntitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-74ec-bb53-16292fdf75a9" xlink:to="loc_bfh_NonRecourseBorrowingsOfConsolidatedSecuritizationEntitiesFairValueDisclosure_019e1e49-f569-7680-b715-ad7f21847922" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_019e1e49-f569-7d59-92c7-40fa9d452929" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-74ec-bb53-16292fdf75a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_019e1e49-f569-7d59-92c7-40fa9d452929" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_FinancialLiabilitiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount_019e1e49-f569-7f3f-94a9-0d20911421c8" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_FinancialLiabilitiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019e1e49-f569-74ec-bb53-16292fdf75a9" xlink:to="loc_bfh_FinancialLiabilitiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount_019e1e49-f569-7f3f-94a9-0d20911421c8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e1e49-f569-76d3-af49-1b52ccc920e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e1e49-f569-7cc6-ad9c-58a623b665d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e1e49-f569-76d3-af49-1b52ccc920e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e1e49-f569-7cc6-ad9c-58a623b665d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e1e49-f569-7a1f-863f-f1975bb7cbaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e1e49-f569-7cc6-ad9c-58a623b665d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e1e49-f569-7a1f-863f-f1975bb7cbaa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e1e49-f569-7a1f-863f-f1975bb7cbaa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e1e49-f569-7a1f-863f-f1975bb7cbaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e1e49-f569-7a1f-863f-f1975bb7cbaa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e1e49-f569-7bce-b061-96ae6ad02d2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e1e49-f569-7a1f-863f-f1975bb7cbaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e1e49-f569-7bce-b061-96ae6ad02d2d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockUnitAwardsMember_019e1e49-f569-7f5c-9f83-790283ab1183" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockUnitAwardsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e1e49-f569-7bce-b061-96ae6ad02d2d" xlink:to="loc_bfh_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockUnitAwardsMember_019e1e49-f569-7f5c-9f83-790283ab1183" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitAwardsMember_019e1e49-f569-7f89-8f96-779ccccffd0f" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitAwardsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e1e49-f569-7bce-b061-96ae6ad02d2d" xlink:to="loc_bfh_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitAwardsMember_019e1e49-f569-7f89-8f96-779ccccffd0f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e1e49-f569-7861-a2ff-7274d9f625a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e1e49-f569-7cc6-ad9c-58a623b665d6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e1e49-f569-7861-a2ff-7274d9f625a6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e1e49-f569-7861-a2ff-7274d9f625a6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e1e49-f569-7861-a2ff-7274d9f625a6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e1e49-f569-7861-a2ff-7274d9f625a6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e1e49-f569-7929-ad37-ead5a4e6026b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e1e49-f569-7861-a2ff-7274d9f625a6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e1e49-f569-7929-ad37-ead5a4e6026b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e1e49-f569-7395-a246-cfd0fcaa13be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e1e49-f569-7929-ad37-ead5a4e6026b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e1e49-f569-7395-a246-cfd0fcaa13be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e1e49-f569-7310-98c9-5dbea3f205c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e1e49-f569-7929-ad37-ead5a4e6026b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e1e49-f569-7310-98c9-5dbea3f205c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019e1e49-f569-7262-bdc1-de883b4314ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e1e49-f569-76d3-af49-1b52ccc920e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019e1e49-f569-7262-bdc1-de883b4314ad" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e1e49-f569-7301-88f3-00c3500fad92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e1e49-f569-76d3-af49-1b52ccc920e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e1e49-f569-7301-88f3-00c3500fad92" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_019e1e49-f569-7973-bf1d-0b9d2b80ec52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e1e49-f569-76d3-af49-1b52ccc920e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_019e1e49-f569-7973-bf1d-0b9d2b80ec52" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPercentageVesting_019e1e49-f569-778d-bd8d-c4eebd8b4151" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPercentageVesting"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e1e49-f569-76d3-af49-1b52ccc920e4" xlink:to="loc_bfh_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPercentageVesting_019e1e49-f569-778d-bd8d-c4eebd8b4151" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019e1e49-f569-72ae-aa94-142562e04ae7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e1e49-f569-76d3-af49-1b52ccc920e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019e1e49-f569-72ae-aa94-142562e04ae7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKPreferredStockDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKPreferredStockDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKPreferredStockDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7ce1-b074-9db6f8dfe42c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e1e49-f569-7b4b-b407-6ba6d41273c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7ce1-b074-9db6f8dfe42c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e1e49-f569-7b4b-b407-6ba6d41273c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e1e49-f569-74da-8dd7-e8de8c0fd1b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e1e49-f569-7b4b-b407-6ba6d41273c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e1e49-f569-74da-8dd7-e8de8c0fd1b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f569-74da-8dd7-e8de8c0fd1b2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e1e49-f569-74da-8dd7-e8de8c0fd1b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f569-74da-8dd7-e8de8c0fd1b2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f569-7c65-b1e7-4e5a69750d96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e1e49-f569-74da-8dd7-e8de8c0fd1b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f569-7c65-b1e7-4e5a69750d96" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_SeriesB8.875FixedRateResetNonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember_019e5d67-99aa-71fc-8273-e381dccb9f79" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_SeriesB8.875FixedRateResetNonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f569-7c65-b1e7-4e5a69750d96" xlink:to="loc_bfh_SeriesB8.875FixedRateResetNonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember_019e5d67-99aa-71fc-8273-e381dccb9f79" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e1e49-f569-7783-9a1b-29831098221d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e1e49-f569-7c65-b1e7-4e5a69750d96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e1e49-f569-7783-9a1b-29831098221d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019e1e49-f569-7e4c-b9ad-cdbd830d81dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7ce1-b074-9db6f8dfe42c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019e1e49-f569-7e4c-b9ad-cdbd830d81dc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019f855b-47ed-7f23-90be-b9ea8a25c394" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7ce1-b074-9db6f8dfe42c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019f855b-47ed-7f23-90be-b9ea8a25c394" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock_019e1e49-f569-787d-a541-43112cefa4d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7ce1-b074-9db6f8dfe42c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock_019e1e49-f569-787d-a541-43112cefa4d1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionRatio_019e1e49-f569-7d02-9e1b-9b0dbb914662" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7ce1-b074-9db6f8dfe42c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionRatio_019e1e49-f569-7d02-9e1b-9b0dbb914662" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019e1e49-f569-7861-a476-b590ec4f308e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7ce1-b074-9db6f8dfe42c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019e1e49-f569-7861-a476-b590ec4f308e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e1e49-f569-7fa4-ad21-9debb4d031f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7ce1-b074-9db6f8dfe42c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e1e49-f569-7fa4-ad21-9debb4d031f0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference_019e1e49-f569-7f9c-a77c-def263be958a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7ce1-b074-9db6f8dfe42c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference_019e1e49-f569-7f9c-a77c-def263be958a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreferenceValue_019f65b9-bb58-79c5-a615-4e506044115b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreferenceValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7ce1-b074-9db6f8dfe42c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreferenceValue_019f65b9-bb58-79c5-a615-4e506044115b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKScheduleofPreferredStockDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKScheduleofPreferredStockDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKScheduleofPreferredStockDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4135-05ad-79b5-9ab5-e2c6ddf8c17b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4135-05ad-7d82-9308-962519fc19ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4135-05ad-79b5-9ab5-e2c6ddf8c17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4135-05ad-7d82-9308-962519fc19ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4135-05ad-74cc-80a3-d229af989713" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4135-05ad-7d82-9308-962519fc19ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4135-05ad-74cc-80a3-d229af989713" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4135-05ad-74cc-80a3-d229af989713_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4135-05ad-74cc-80a3-d229af989713" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4135-05ad-74cc-80a3-d229af989713_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4135-05ad-7fa7-afb9-8d356c4c7080" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4135-05ad-74cc-80a3-d229af989713" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4135-05ad-7fa7-afb9-8d356c4c7080" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_SeriesA8.625NonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember_019e4135-05ad-79cc-8a53-06a18fa10d7e" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_SeriesA8.625NonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4135-05ad-7fa7-afb9-8d356c4c7080" xlink:to="loc_bfh_SeriesA8.625NonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember_019e4135-05ad-79cc-8a53-06a18fa10d7e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_SeriesB8.875FixedRateResetNonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember_019e4135-05ad-709e-9ee1-8825bd04326a" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_SeriesB8.875FixedRateResetNonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4135-05ad-7fa7-afb9-8d356c4c7080" xlink:to="loc_bfh_SeriesB8.875FixedRateResetNonCumulativePerpetualPreferredStockMember_019e4135-05ad-709e-9ee1-8825bd04326a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019e4135-05ad-7693-a666-80c1adacacb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4135-05ad-79b5-9ab5-e2c6ddf8c17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019e4135-05ad-7693-a666-80c1adacacb7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019ecb8e-7170-70a8-848f-6d758706c2ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4135-05ad-79b5-9ab5-e2c6ddf8c17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019ecb8e-7170-70a8-848f-6d758706c2ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019ecb90-2668-786a-ab94-ad5504ae8b4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4135-05ad-79b5-9ab5-e2c6ddf8c17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019ecb90-2668-786a-ab94-ad5504ae8b4d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreferenceValue_019e4135-05ad-7a38-97b4-079c092122f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreferenceValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4135-05ad-79b5-9ab5-e2c6ddf8c17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreferenceValue_019e4135-05ad-7a38-97b4-079c092122f4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValueOutstanding_019ecb8f-b8b7-783a-9e10-16c3e169acfb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockValueOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4135-05ad-79b5-9ab5-e2c6ddf8c17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValueOutstanding_019ecb8f-b8b7-783a-9e10-16c3e169acfb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionRatio_019ecba3-b82a-756f-91c3-00375a9c5cb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4135-05ad-79b5-9ab5-e2c6ddf8c17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionRatio_019ecba3-b82a-756f-91c3-00375a9c5cb0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019f8567-5793-7c1d-b751-cba4b0c8f794" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4135-05ad-79b5-9ab5-e2c6ddf8c17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019f8567-5793-7c1d-b751-cba4b0c8f794" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKScheduleofCommonStockRepurchasesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKScheduleofCommonStockRepurchasesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKScheduleofCommonStockRepurchasesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019f180f-d6e3-753e-91a5-a65f69f7c1a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019f180f-d6e2-7c2e-8fb0-7304d8812324" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019f180f-d6e3-753e-91a5-a65f69f7c1a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019f180f-d6e2-7c2e-8fb0-7304d8812324" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019f180f-d6e3-7867-aad0-bff12d5eb815" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019f180f-d6e2-7c2e-8fb0-7304d8812324" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019f180f-d6e3-7867-aad0-bff12d5eb815" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019f180f-d6e3-7867-aad0-bff12d5eb815_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019f180f-d6e3-7867-aad0-bff12d5eb815" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019f180f-d6e3-7867-aad0-bff12d5eb815_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019f180f-d6e3-7841-a169-ed263b08f360" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019f180f-d6e3-7867-aad0-bff12d5eb815" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019f180f-d6e3-7841-a169-ed263b08f360" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_A2026AggregateStockRepurchasesMember_019f180f-d6e3-7244-a238-849a451d7571" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_A2026AggregateStockRepurchasesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019f180f-d6e3-7841-a169-ed263b08f360" xlink:to="loc_bfh_A2026AggregateStockRepurchasesMember_019f180f-d6e3-7244-a238-849a451d7571" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019e1e49-f569-7d13-a3d4-473b4552def7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019f180f-d6e3-753e-91a5-a65f69f7c1a9" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019e1e49-f569-7d13-a3d4-473b4552def7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_019e1e49-f569-75b3-9b34-de0913803133" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019f180f-d6e3-753e-91a5-a65f69f7c1a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_019e1e49-f569-75b3-9b34-de0913803133" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethodExcludingExciseTax_019e1e49-f569-7a15-8394-a5aab646707c" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethodExcludingExciseTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019f180f-d6e3-753e-91a5-a65f69f7c1a9" xlink:to="loc_bfh_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethodExcludingExciseTax_019e1e49-f569-7a15-8394-a5aab646707c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_019e1e49-f569-7621-b6da-08cbec1111de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019f180f-d6e3-753e-91a5-a65f69f7c1a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_019e1e49-f569-7621-b6da-08cbec1111de" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsShares_019e1e49-f569-7256-8346-81bdc1facc04" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019f180f-d6e3-753e-91a5-a65f69f7c1a9" xlink:to="loc_bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsShares_019e1e49-f569-7256-8346-81bdc1facc04" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKCappedCallTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKCappedCallTransactionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKCappedCallTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7bbb-a401-ee10b151a3bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e1e49-f569-7f4b-b1a8-0eb35f66793f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7bbb-a401-ee10b151a3bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e1e49-f569-7f4b-b1a8-0eb35f66793f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e1e49-f569-7913-8e27-43aa96f44935" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e1e49-f569-7f4b-b1a8-0eb35f66793f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e1e49-f569-7913-8e27-43aa96f44935" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e1e49-f569-7913-8e27-43aa96f44935_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e1e49-f569-7913-8e27-43aa96f44935" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e1e49-f569-7913-8e27-43aa96f44935_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e1e49-f569-733b-8b9c-8dec75f183f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e1e49-f569-7913-8e27-43aa96f44935" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e1e49-f569-733b-8b9c-8dec75f183f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_A4250ConvertibleSeniorNotesDue2028Member_019e1e49-f569-7f33-9b6e-974b95fd1f9b" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_A4250ConvertibleSeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e1e49-f569-733b-8b9c-8dec75f183f8" xlink:to="loc_bfh_A4250ConvertibleSeniorNotesDue2028Member_019e1e49-f569-7f33-9b6e-974b95fd1f9b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e1e49-f569-7eb6-be22-b61a37068f38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e1e49-f569-7f4b-b1a8-0eb35f66793f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e1e49-f569-7eb6-be22-b61a37068f38" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e1e49-f569-7eb6-be22-b61a37068f38_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e1e49-f569-7eb6-be22-b61a37068f38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e1e49-f569-7eb6-be22-b61a37068f38_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e1e49-f569-7542-9273-1453a1316436" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e1e49-f569-7eb6-be22-b61a37068f38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e1e49-f569-7542-9273-1453a1316436" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019e1e49-f569-7e1d-936b-139d2e80c0eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e1e49-f569-7542-9273-1453a1316436" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019e1e49-f569-7e1d-936b-139d2e80c0eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e1e49-f569-726a-be09-4337beb60286" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7bbb-a401-ee10b151a3bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e1e49-f569-726a-be09-4337beb60286" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsShares_019e1e49-f569-7d7a-9087-00077c9b4ce0" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7bbb-a401-ee10b151a3bb" xlink:to="loc_bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsShares_019e1e49-f569-7d7a-9087-00077c9b4ce0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsValue_019e1e49-f569-7b40-b20d-cadc4a5d6691" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e1e49-f569-7bbb-a401-ee10b151a3bb" xlink:to="loc_bfh_TerminationOfCappedCallTransactionsValue_019e1e49-f569-7b40-b20d-cadc4a5d6691" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKScheduleofDividendsDeclaredDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKScheduleofDividendsDeclaredDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKScheduleofDividendsDeclaredDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a0c2f5-39ac-7771-bcbf-ebd5e5238b69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a0c2f5-39ac-736d-93f2-bba7e2c844ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a0c2f5-39ac-7771-bcbf-ebd5e5238b69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a0c2f5-39ac-736d-93f2-bba7e2c844ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a0c2f5-39ac-76d4-9218-8b6e74d8ef9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a0c2f5-39ac-736d-93f2-bba7e2c844ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a0c2f5-39ac-76d4-9218-8b6e74d8ef9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a0c2f5-39ac-76d4-9218-8b6e74d8ef9e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a0c2f5-39ac-76d4-9218-8b6e74d8ef9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a0c2f5-39ac-76d4-9218-8b6e74d8ef9e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a0c2f5-39ac-7cfd-ae4e-334771878f55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a0c2f5-39ac-76d4-9218-8b6e74d8ef9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a0c2f5-39ac-7cfd-ae4e-334771878f55" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_01a0c2f5-39ac-7cc2-80de-e651177e0e63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a0c2f5-39ac-7cfd-ae4e-334771878f55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_01a0c2f5-39ac-7cc2-80de-e651177e0e63" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_01a0c2f5-39ac-7f8b-8785-7865b367400e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a0c2f5-39ac-7cfd-ae4e-334771878f55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_01a0c2f5-39ac-7f8b-8785-7865b367400e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_01a0c2f5-39ac-77e1-86a0-9c1b57edc648" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a0c2f5-39ac-7771-bcbf-ebd5e5238b69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_01a0c2f5-39ac-77e1-86a0-9c1b57edc648" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock_01a0c2f5-39ac-710f-8069-9a1eb9ed4b0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a0c2f5-39ac-7771-bcbf-ebd5e5238b69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock_01a0c2f5-39ac-710f-8069-9a1eb9ed4b0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e1e49-f569-71d7-8e21-31d8353ef8a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a0c2f5-39ac-7771-bcbf-ebd5e5238b69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e1e49-f569-71d7-8e21-31d8353ef8a5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock_019e1e49-f569-7136-a691-cb9f560aec11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a0c2f5-39ac-7771-bcbf-ebd5e5238b69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock_019e1e49-f569-7136-a691-cb9f560aec11" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKDividendsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKDividendsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/PREFERREDSTOCKANDCOMMONSTOCKDividendsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4141-3709-72f6-966b-b6cd29dbc04d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4141-3709-7b65-8ce9-e24abc59e6e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4141-3709-72f6-966b-b6cd29dbc04d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4141-3709-7b65-8ce9-e24abc59e6e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsAxis_019e4141-3709-71c7-9952-474cd74c2c1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4141-3709-7b65-8ce9-e24abc59e6e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsAxis_019e4141-3709-71c7-9952-474cd74c2c1c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsDomain_019e4141-3709-71c7-9952-474cd74c2c1c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsAxis_019e4141-3709-71c7-9952-474cd74c2c1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsDomain_019e4141-3709-71c7-9952-474cd74c2c1c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsDomain_019e4141-3709-788a-ac2c-f8faa1f052b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsAxis_019e4141-3709-71c7-9952-474cd74c2c1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsDomain_019e4141-3709-788a-ac2c-f8faa1f052b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_O2026Q4PreferredDividendsMember_01a133e2-9f40-7086-aa3a-3f0b4f823b20" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_O2026Q4PreferredDividendsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsDomain_019e4141-3709-788a-ac2c-f8faa1f052b0" xlink:to="loc_bfh_O2026Q4PreferredDividendsMember_01a133e2-9f40-7086-aa3a-3f0b4f823b20" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_O2026Q4CommonDividendsMember_01a133e2-ef8b-79df-856d-ec4848040b42" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_O2026Q4CommonDividendsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DividendsDomain_019e4141-3709-788a-ac2c-f8faa1f052b0" xlink:to="loc_bfh_O2026Q4CommonDividendsMember_01a133e2-ef8b-79df-856d-ec4848040b42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a133f0-d503-716e-ada7-cd12c78b0ce9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4141-3709-7b65-8ce9-e24abc59e6e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a133f0-d503-716e-ada7-cd12c78b0ce9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a133f0-d503-716e-ada7-cd12c78b0ce9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a133f0-d503-716e-ada7-cd12c78b0ce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a133f0-d503-716e-ada7-cd12c78b0ce9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a133f0-d503-701b-82e9-1e494b08830b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a133f0-d503-716e-ada7-cd12c78b0ce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a133f0-d503-701b-82e9-1e494b08830b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a133f1-1406-7a10-ac4c-8dc8dcf0441f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a133f0-d503-701b-82e9-1e494b08830b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a133f1-1406-7a10-ac4c-8dc8dcf0441f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019f65c1-e79a-75c5-bf83-145198978443" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4141-3709-7b65-8ce9-e24abc59e6e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019f65c1-e79a-75c5-bf83-145198978443" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019f65c1-e79a-75c5-bf83-145198978443_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019f65c1-e79a-75c5-bf83-145198978443" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019f65c1-e79a-75c5-bf83-145198978443_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019f65c1-e79a-78b2-904a-118b37430201" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019f65c1-e79a-75c5-bf83-145198978443" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019f65c1-e79a-78b2-904a-118b37430201" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019f65d7-2878-7a68-a4fc-6967ea88ebf9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019f65c1-e79a-78b2-904a-118b37430201" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019f65d7-2878-7a68-a4fc-6967ea88ebf9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019f65d7-8b3c-7855-a402-2638643f2258" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019f65c1-e79a-78b2-904a-118b37430201" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019f65d7-8b3c-7855-a402-2638643f2258" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableAmountPerShare_019e4141-3709-73d0-8083-c1d2963c56af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPayableAmountPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4141-3709-72f6-966b-b6cd29dbc04d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableAmountPerShare_019e4141-3709-73d0-8083-c1d2963c56af" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CHANGESINACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#CHANGESINACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/CHANGESINACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019e1e49-f569-75f3-bd97-391dcd596c50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019e1e49-f569-7a23-9e11-8ca33cb69b1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019e1e49-f569-75f3-bd97-391dcd596c50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019e1e49-f569-7a23-9e11-8ca33cb69b1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e1e49-f569-7a50-ae7a-0369d293fe4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019e1e49-f569-7a23-9e11-8ca33cb69b1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e1e49-f569-7a50-ae7a-0369d293fe4a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f569-7a50-ae7a-0369d293fe4a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e1e49-f569-7a50-ae7a-0369d293fe4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f569-7a50-ae7a-0369d293fe4a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f569-76c2-aae1-4bc479607d3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e1e49-f569-7a50-ae7a-0369d293fe4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f569-76c2-aae1-4bc479607d3d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e1e49-f569-7a57-8777-95bea47cd81e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e1e49-f569-76c2-aae1-4bc479607d3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e1e49-f569-7a57-8777-95bea47cd81e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_019e1e49-f569-7742-9e90-dda53e07aa1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e1e49-f569-7a57-8777-95bea47cd81e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_019e1e49-f569-7742-9e90-dda53e07aa1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_019e1e49-f569-7eb7-b8f6-0cd5125f4216" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e1e49-f569-7a57-8777-95bea47cd81e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_019e1e49-f569-7eb7-b8f6-0cd5125f4216" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_019e1e49-f569-728c-bdbf-3e62b5c3e04e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e1e49-f569-7a57-8777-95bea47cd81e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_019e1e49-f569-728c-bdbf-3e62b5c3e04e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_019e1e49-f569-70c1-8fe2-4e6625467b93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019e1e49-f569-75f3-bd97-391dcd596c50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_019e1e49-f569-70c1-8fe2-4e6625467b93" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019e1e49-f569-79bd-a082-22fe364deab6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_019e1e49-f569-70c1-8fe2-4e6625467b93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019e1e49-f569-79bd-a082-22fe364deab6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_019e1e49-f569-7efa-9b8c-9c1ef7821e1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_019e1e49-f569-70c1-8fe2-4e6625467b93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_019e1e49-f569-7efa-9b8c-9c1ef7821e1f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019e1e49-f569-73ef-a567-9e56a274330c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/REGULATORYMATTERSANDCAPITALADEQUACYDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#REGULATORYMATTERSANDCAPITALADEQUACYDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/REGULATORYMATTERSANDCAPITALADEQUACYDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComplianceWithRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderBankingRegulationsLineItems_019e1e49-f569-762d-a06d-0686f709b77a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ComplianceWithRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderBankingRegulationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfComplianceWithRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderBankingRegulationsTable_019e1e49-f569-7232-a5e5-a2b2488da7d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfComplianceWithRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderBankingRegulationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ComplianceWithRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderBankingRegulationsLineItems_019e1e49-f569-762d-a06d-0686f709b77a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfComplianceWithRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderBankingRegulationsTable_019e1e49-f569-7232-a5e5-a2b2488da7d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e1e49-f569-7f63-b0f8-3c5e33133cf2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfComplianceWithRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderBankingRegulationsTable_019e1e49-f569-7232-a5e5-a2b2488da7d0" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e1e49-f569-7f63-b0f8-3c5e33133cf2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e1e49-f569-7f63-b0f8-3c5e33133cf2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e1e49-f569-7f63-b0f8-3c5e33133cf2" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e1e49-f569-7f63-b0f8-3c5e33133cf2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e1e49-f569-7156-8fd5-73254333e246" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e1e49-f569-7f63-b0f8-3c5e33133cf2" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e1e49-f569-7156-8fd5-73254333e246" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_CombinedBanksMember_019e1e49-f569-7ff5-9230-98ab708e53be" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_CombinedBanksMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e1e49-f569-7156-8fd5-73254333e246" xlink:to="loc_bfh_CombinedBanksMember_019e1e49-f569-7ff5-9230-98ab708e53be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_ComenityBankMember_019e1e49-f569-700d-aaf2-31b7098155ba" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_ComenityBankMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_CombinedBanksMember_019e1e49-f569-7ff5-9230-98ab708e53be" xlink:to="loc_bfh_ComenityBankMember_019e1e49-f569-700d-aaf2-31b7098155ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_ComenityCapitalBankMember_019e1e49-f569-7291-8568-8d9763f9cfcb" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_ComenityCapitalBankMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_CombinedBanksMember_019e1e49-f569-7ff5-9230-98ab708e53be" xlink:to="loc_bfh_ComenityCapitalBankMember_019e1e49-f569-7291-8568-8d9763f9cfcb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_RegulatoryMattersAbstract_019e1e49-f569-760d-a4fb-4a037f15e769" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_RegulatoryMattersAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ComplianceWithRegulatoryCapitalRequirementsUnderBankingRegulationsLineItems_019e1e49-f569-762d-a06d-0686f709b77a" xlink:to="loc_bfh_RegulatoryMattersAbstract_019e1e49-f569-760d-a4fb-4a037f15e769" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeverageRatiosAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72dc-91e5-3f52765adc56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LeverageRatiosAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_RegulatoryMattersAbstract_019e1e49-f569-760d-a4fb-4a037f15e769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeverageRatiosAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72dc-91e5-3f52765adc56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalToAverageAssets_019e1e49-f569-7256-accf-fb7f5bec4f24" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalToAverageAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LeverageRatiosAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72dc-91e5-3f52765adc56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalToAverageAssets_019e1e49-f569-7256-accf-fb7f5bec4f24" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToAverageAssets_019e1e49-f569-7111-8e9d-639c3f14e944" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToAverageAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LeverageRatiosAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72dc-91e5-3f52765adc56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToAverageAssets_019e1e49-f569-7111-8e9d-639c3f14e944" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToAverageAssets_019e1e49-f569-772b-a43d-427abf4246f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToAverageAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LeverageRatiosAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72dc-91e5-3f52765adc56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TierOneLeverageCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToAverageAssets_019e1e49-f569-772b-a43d-427abf4246f9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72e2-98d1-68d793e487c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_RegulatoryMattersAbstract_019e1e49-f569-760d-a4fb-4a037f15e769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72e2-98d1-68d793e487c5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalRatio_019e1e49-f569-76f5-b297-97f2d7585a75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72e2-98d1-68d793e487c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalRatio_019e1e49-f569-76f5-b297-97f2d7585a75" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-7181-b223-b738c91f373d" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72e2-98d1-68d793e487c5" xlink:to="loc_bfh_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-7181-b223-b738c91f373d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-7539-aa0b-890cb2134601" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalAbstract_019e1e49-f569-72e2-98d1-68d793e487c5" xlink:to="loc_bfh_CommonEquityTierOneCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-7539-aa0b-890cb2134601" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RiskBasedRatiosAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7ebd-8938-22ae2755b6c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RiskBasedRatiosAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_RegulatoryMattersAbstract_019e1e49-f569-760d-a4fb-4a037f15e769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RiskBasedRatiosAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7ebd-8938-22ae2755b6c9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-7d09-afbf-7f8556425318" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalToRiskWeightedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RiskBasedRatiosAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7ebd-8938-22ae2755b6c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-7d09-afbf-7f8556425318" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-78eb-a145-fc6ec3e2af26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RiskBasedRatiosAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7ebd-8938-22ae2755b6c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-78eb-a145-fc6ec3e2af26" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-7a70-8cbb-c243db63c8c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RiskBasedRatiosAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7ebd-8938-22ae2755b6c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TierOneRiskBasedCapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-7a70-8cbb-c243db63c8c2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_Tier1LeverageCapitalRatioAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7ff8-98bd-8a13699b09ff" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_Tier1LeverageCapitalRatioAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_RegulatoryMattersAbstract_019e1e49-f569-760d-a4fb-4a037f15e769" xlink:to="loc_bfh_Tier1LeverageCapitalRatioAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7ff8-98bd-8a13699b09ff" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-77ef-9ee1-da8f9bdd0fcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalToRiskWeightedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_Tier1LeverageCapitalRatioAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7ff8-98bd-8a13699b09ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-77ef-9ee1-da8f9bdd0fcf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-79a5-b4b8-27cfe4945fe7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_Tier1LeverageCapitalRatioAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7ff8-98bd-8a13699b09ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-79a5-b4b8-27cfe4945fe7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-7605-b624-e52fd5cb563b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_Tier1LeverageCapitalRatioAbstract_019e1e49-f569-7ff8-98bd-8a13699b09ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalRequiredToBeWellCapitalizedToRiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-7605-b624-e52fd5cb563b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-7e06-879e-4461ee375a94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RiskWeightedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bfh_RegulatoryMattersAbstract_019e1e49-f569-760d-a4fb-4a037f15e769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RiskWeightedAssets_019e1e49-f569-7e06-879e-4461ee375a94" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://breadfinancial.com/role/COMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#COMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://breadfinancial.com/role/COMMITMENTSANDCONTINGENCIESDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019e1e49-f569-72be-b557-3fa2fa725ee2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_019e1e49-f569-7ebc-8d41-aa95b0d6ba0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019e1e49-f569-72be-b557-3fa2fa725ee2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_019e1e49-f569-7ebc-8d41-aa95b0d6ba0e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_019e1e49-f569-743f-aaa6-8194e5c33ee0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_019e1e49-f569-7ebc-8d41-aa95b0d6ba0e" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_019e1e49-f569-743f-aaa6-8194e5c33ee0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019e1e49-f569-743f-aaa6-8194e5c33ee0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_019e1e49-f569-743f-aaa6-8194e5c33ee0" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019e1e49-f569-743f-aaa6-8194e5c33ee0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019e1e49-f569-7514-aac9-fbbc5b30d0b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_019e1e49-f569-743f-aaa6-8194e5c33ee0" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019e1e49-f569-7514-aac9-fbbc5b30d0b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_PirinateConsultingGroupLLCV.BreadFinancialHoldingsInc.Member_019e1e49-f569-7f4d-99c4-3982d942cc55" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_PirinateConsultingGroupLLCV.BreadFinancialHoldingsInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019e1e49-f569-7514-aac9-fbbc5b30d0b2" xlink:to="loc_bfh_PirinateConsultingGroupLLCV.BreadFinancialHoldingsInc.Member_019e1e49-f569-7f4d-99c4-3982d942cc55" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_LoyaltyOneCo.V.BreadFinancialHoldingsInc.EtAlMember_019e1e49-f569-7dd1-a1d8-ed7f800177ea" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_LoyaltyOneCo.V.BreadFinancialHoldingsInc.EtAlMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019e1e49-f569-7514-aac9-fbbc5b30d0b2" xlink:to="loc_bfh_LoyaltyOneCo.V.BreadFinancialHoldingsInc.EtAlMember_019e1e49-f569-7dd1-a1d8-ed7f800177ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue_019e1e49-f569-735b-9a22-484e99f6c100" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019e1e49-f569-72be-b557-3fa2fa725ee2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue_019e1e49-f569-735b-9a22-484e99f6c100" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/IndividualsOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2026/ecd-2026.xsd#IndividualsOnly"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/IndividualsOnly" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecd_AllIndividualsMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2026/ecd-2026.xsd#ecd_AllIndividualsMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_RalphAndrettaMember_019e1e49-f309-772b-955f-e506d41bf21c" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_RalphAndrettaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ecd_AllIndividualsMember" xlink:to="loc_bfh_RalphAndrettaMember_019e1e49-f309-772b-955f-e506d41bf21c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bfh_ValerieGreerMember_01a0e7c5-519a-70a8-afe2-f2cb8d2705e5" xlink:href="bfh-20260930.xsd#bfh_ValerieGreerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ecd_AllIndividualsMember" xlink:to="loc_bfh_ValerieGreerMember_01a0e7c5-519a-70a8-afe2-f2cb8d2705e5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
