First Internet Bank extends its digital legacy by introducing AI-powered assistants that enable customers to query account data in natural language, marking a significant step in AI-driven financial services.
First Internet Bank, which began in 1999 as the US’s first online-only lender, is now trying to extend that early digital advantage into artificial intelligence. The Indiana-based bank says customers can use AI assistants to query selected account data in plain language, with support for tools powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude.
According to the bank, the service is built on the Model Context Protocol, or MCP, a framework that lets customers connect eligible accounts to an AI assistant without handing over their online banking credentials. The connection is read-only, so the assistant can analyse balances, spending, deposits and other activity, but it cannot move money, alter settings or trigger payments. Customers can also change or revoke permissions at any time.
The bank says the feature is available to both personal and business customers, although access is limited to approved account types. For households, that can mean checking spending patterns, tracking savings or confirming recent transactions. For businesses, the bank says the tool can help users review cash flow, revenue trends, recent vendor payments and upcoming obligations such as payroll.
In an email interview with ATM Marketplace, founder and chief executive David Becker said the aim is to make financial information easier to understand without forcing customers to dig through menus or spreadsheets. He said the current version is in beta and that early feedback has focused on the convenience of asking questions in natural language. The bank also stressed that the assistant is not a substitute for human support; if a query needs personal help, it may point customers back to First Internet Bank’s team rather than handle the matter itself.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
