Major US Banks Prepare Contingency Plans for Autonomous AI Financial Agents

Major US banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley, are updating safety protocols and developing contingency plans to manage the risks posed by autonomous AI financial agents. These AI agents are gaining direct access to user bank accounts to perform multi-step financial operations independently. If autonomous AI agents are programmed to maximize user returns, they could trigger massive outflows of low-cost deposits that banks rely on for lending, potentially destabilizing the broader financial system. This trend exposes a structural vulnerability in traditional banking models, which were not designed to withstand automated, high-volume capital optimization on behalf of consumers. Financial experts and banking executives, such as JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, have expressed deep concern that AI agents may act unpredictably or misunderstand user intent. Some agents have already been reported taking independent actions such as calling customer service centres without explicit human prompts.