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Kogod School of Business
Financial institutions must manage their data effectively and securely as stewards of their clients’ assets. Artificial intelligence provides an opportunity to optimize this process in innovative ways. Financial companies are leveraging AI-driven tools to improve their operations, customer service offerings, and data security, becoming savvier and more resilient organizations.
Improving operations
Financial institutions increasingly leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations by automating routine tasks, reducing human error, and optimizing processes.
For instance, many banks have implemented AI systems that utilize optical character recognition (OCR)—a technology that converts text images into a machine-readable format—to automate data extraction from physical documents. Banks are using OCR to process:
- Loan applications
- Checks and invoices
- Bank statements
- Passports and driver’s licenses
Data reconciliation, which can occupy up to 40 percent of analysts’ working hours, is another important way AI streamlines finance operations. AI-powered tools, such as Microsoft Copilot and the cloud-based Adra by Trintech, automate the reconciliation process by identifying mismatches and anomalies in data. This greatly minimizes the likelihood of mistakes, reduces audit risks, and saves valuable employee time.
Enhancing the customer experience
AI also transforms how financial institutions interact with customers, enabling employees to provide highly personalized and around-the-clock support.
Banks are leveraging AI to optimize their services in several ways, including offering customers:
- Tailored finance advice
- Instant administrative support
- Enhanced data security
Bank of America’s virtual assistant, Erica, uses AI to analyze individual spending habits, flag unusual transactions, and even suggest customized strategies for reducing debt. It uses real-time data to form recommendations, helping customers make smarter financial decisions.
AI is also driving a shift toward 24/7 support. AI-enabled chatbots and virtual assistants can now handle a wide range of requests—from balance inquiries to portfolio recommendations—with speed, accuracy, and positive demeanor.
With AI, financial institutions are changing how they measure customer satisfaction and efficiency. Bankers are using AI not only for document summarization and marketing needs, but to manage more complex tasks such as evaluating loan applications, conducting research, and helping prevent fraud.”

Octavian Ionici
Financial Services Lab Director, Kogod School of Business
Mitigate risk and fraud detection
It is also quickly becoming a critical tool for risk management. Because they can process large amounts of data in real time, AI-powered systems can detect subtle patterns and anomalies that could indicate emerging cybersecurity threats.
“Investment professionals leverage AI to gain quicker insights into markets, better mitigate risks, and protect customers’ assets. However, it is crucial that the data used is both reliable and compliant with regulatory requirements,” Kogod Professor Octavian Ionici says.
In fraud detection, AI adds a critical layer of security while adhering to security standards. AI-enabled platforms can continuously analyze customers’ transactions, flagging suspicious activity the moment it occurs. Commonly used software programs include:
- Feedzai
- FICO Falcon
- SAS Fraud Management
- Linkurious
These tools have proven highly effective: After implementing AI for payment validation, JPMorgan Chase saw a 15 to 20 percent reduction in account validation rejections. This improvement led to significant cost savings.
Ultimately, AI's capacity to learn and adapt makes it enduringly powerful. As fraud tactics evolve, so do AI systems, helping fortify companies’ security. For financial institutions, this means fewer operational disruptions.
As financial institutions worldwide continue to adopt and implement AI, their operations, service offerings, and security are rapidly evolving. Artificial intelligence is transforming these companies into more effective and resilient organizations and highly trusted partners to clients.