Northwest Bancshares is integrating AI governance frameworks into its financial operations, drawing on strategies previously developed at KeyBank. CFO Doug Schosser noted that the bank prioritizes scaling projects that pass three specific tests: customer impact, internal efficiency, and risk reduction.
The bank utilizes software from Workiva to manage data and reporting, a partnership Schosser established during his tenure at KeyBank. Workiva recently expanded its offerings in July by introducing specialized AI agents and an intelligence layer designed for high-stakes financial reporting.
Schosser emphasizes that effective AI adoption requires curated data and a focus on process optimization rather than simply layering new tools over existing inefficiencies. He compares AI oversight to the supervision of junior analysts, noting that both require careful monitoring to ensure accuracy.
The organization is leveraging historical document data from its reporting platform to train AI agents for routine tasks. By automating these processes, the bank aims to shift human resources toward complex analytical work, such as detailed explanations and strategic decision-making.
