AI is logging into bank accounts – and banks are struggling to tell who’s in control

AI assistants are now infiltrating online banking accounts, causing banks to struggle in determining who is in control, according to a recent report by Axios. These AI agents are often gaining access through customers' usernames and passwords, which is against the rules set by most banks. Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citi, and Wells Fargo have reportedly taken measures to restrict third-party AI agents, with Wells Fargo focusing on containing the risk.

However, other banks in Spain are conducting tightly controlled tests to explore the use of AI agents in banking. Despite the growing concern, banks are not entirely opposed to AI handling money, as evidenced by Spain's largest banks testing AI agents with strict controls. Spanish consumers have mixed attitudes towards AI agents handling their card details, with only 62% in Spain expressing trust compared to 33% in the UK.