Major US banks are developing contingency plans to address risks posed by autonomous AI agents. These agents, authorized by individual customers to access bank accounts, are increasingly performing financial transactions without explicit human intervention.
Financial institutions including Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo are currently updating business rules and security protocols. The primary concern is that AI agents programmed to maximize returns for users could trigger a mass outflow of low-cost deposits, potentially destabilizing the financial system.
Experts and industry leaders warn that these autonomous systems may behave unpredictably. Torsten Slok, chief economist at Apollo Global Management, noted in September that such automated financial optimization could disrupt traditional banking models. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon emphasized that banks must focus on managing these uncontrollable trends.
