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Top 10 Uses of Generative AI in Banking

October 29, 2024
Posted in: AI, Finance
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Banks are always looking for smarter ways to manage their operations, serve customers, and stay ahead of risks. Generative AI is giving them new ways to solve old problems. From improving customer service to analyzing risk in real-time, it’s already changing how banks work. This isn’t just about theory, it’s happening right now. Banks are finding practical uses for generative AI, whether it’s speeding up loan approvals or catching fraud before it happens. What we will look at are ten real-world applications where generative AI in banking is making a difference today – this guide will give you a clear sense of what’s possible.

 

10 Applications of Generative AI in Banking

As banks change, generative AI is proving to be a valuable ally, altering key activities and creating new opportunities. From automating regular operations to improving complicated decision-making processes, AI’s potential in banking is being realized in practical ways. Let’s take a closer look at ten real examples of how generative AI is being used in the financial sector, demonstrating how it’s currently redefining the business and what it can imply in the future.

 

AI-Powered Fraud Detection and Prevention

Generative AI in Banking is becoming a game-changer, particularly for fraud detection and prevention. AI fraud detection in banking allows banks to analyze vast amounts of transaction data in real time, flagging anomalies and preventing fraudulent activities before they escalate.

One of generative AI’s primary features is its ability to build models that detect odd behavior based on trends in previous client transactions. For example, generative AI may detect irregularities in transaction amounts, times, locations, and even device types, potentially indicating fraud. This goes beyond standard rule-based systems that simply detect obvious outliers, such as significant purchases. Instead, AI investigates more thoroughly, detecting even slight changes in behavior, such as small but frequent transactions from new devices, which could indicate fraudulent activity.

Real-World Example: JPMorgan Chase is actively using AI-driven models to combat fraud. The bank’s AI system can process vast amounts of data quickly, identifying patterns that human analysts would miss. Another notable example is Mastercard, whose AI-based “Decision Intelligence” platform analyzes billions of transactions yearly, helping to detect and prevent fraud in real-time. This system has proven highly effective in stopping suspicious activities before they occur, making generative AI a cornerstone of modern fraud prevention strategies.

 

Improving Customer Experience with AI-Powered Chatbots

It is no secret that generative AI in banking is having a huge impact on how banks deliver customer support. AI-powered chatbots, when combined with natural language processing (NLP), are becoming more successful at answering client requests and offering personalized help. These chatbots can handle common banking activities such as balance inquiries, transaction histories, and even password resets. They also provide specialized recommendations by analyzing customer data, assisting consumers in finding the appropriate financial solutions based on their habits and tastes.

For instance, advanced AI systems can understand context, handle complex questions, and even predict the needs of customers based on previous interactions. This allows customers to get instant, relevant assistance without waiting for human intervention, improving overall satisfaction.

Real-World Example: Bank of America’s Erica is a well-known example of an AI-powered chatbot providing personalized banking services. Erica uses generative AI to understand customer queries, offer tailored financial advice, and provide assistance with a range of banking operations. In addition, DBS Bank uses AI-powered virtual assistants that can handle over 80% of customer inquiries without human intervention, speeding up customer service while maintaining a high level of personalization​.

By reducing wait times and offering more customized responses, AI chatbots enhance the customer experience while reducing operational costs for banks.

 

A hand pressing a futuristic looking button that says banking which represents generative ai in banking.

 

AI in Risk Management

Another argument is that by producing more accurate predictive models, generative AI in banking is helping to strengthen risk management in the sector. These models enable banks to study a wide range of elements, including market circumstances and client behavior, to better assess and predict risks. AI’s capacity to simulate diverse financial scenarios allows banks to test different risk management tactics without causing real-world effects, resulting in a proactive approach to risk mitigation.

AI models, for example, can assess trends in loan defaults, market volatility, and credit risks to assist banks in making appropriate preparations. These insights enable improved decision-making in areas like investment strategy, loan approvals, and market risk assessments.

Real-World Example: Citibank and HSBC have integrated AI into their risk management frameworks, using it to forecast market trends and analyze credit risk. AI-powered credit scoring provides these banks with real-time insights, allowing them to make more informed decisions and adjust strategies in response to emerging risks​.

AI’s ability to continuously learn from new data makes it an invaluable tool for managing the risks in the financial environment in addition to AI fraud detection in banking.

 

Automating Document Processing and Compliance

Institutions are handling the massive volumes of documentation required for legal and regulatory processes much better thanks to generative AI in banking. Banks are required to process numerous forms, contracts, and regulatory reports daily. AI can automate much of this by analyzing, classifying, and extracting relevant information from these documents with minimal human intervention. This not only speeds up workflows but also reduces the risk of human error.

For example, AI systems can review compliance documents, cross-checking them with regulations to ensure everything is in order. Additionally, AI helps banks stay updated with evolving regulations by automatically flagging discrepancies or changes that require attention.

Real-World Example: JPMorgan Chase has implemented an AI tool called COiN (Contract Intelligence), which processes complex legal documents and extracts key data points in seconds, a task that would typically take lawyers hours to complete. Similarly, HSBC uses AI to automate compliance workflows, reducing the need for manual reviews while maintaining accuracy​.

 

Personalized Financial Recommendations

By analyzing customer data such as spending patterns, income, and saving habits, generative AI helps banks provide personalized financial advice. Using this information, AI systems can provide personalized investment options, lending products, and budgeting tactics that are tailored to each customer’s specific financial condition. This goes beyond the one-size-fits-all approach that traditional banks frequently take, allowing for a far more personalized banking experience.

For example, AI can track a customer’s transactions over time and determine when they would profit from moving money to higher-interest accounts or qualify for a better loan or credit offer. It can also offer real-time financial advice, such as alerting users to strange spending habits or recommending strategies to improve their credit scores.

Real-World Example: Wells Fargo has developed AI-based tools that offer personalized insights and recommendations to its customers, helping them better manage their finances. Additionally, Ally Bank uses AI to analyze customer behavior and provide tailored advice, from budgeting tips to customized saving plans.

 

woman lying on couch with a lap top and a credit card smiling because of the added security that comes with generative ai in banking.

 

AI-Powered Algorithmic Trading

By enabling organizations to analyze massive datasets and spot patterns that might otherwise go missed, generative AI is changing algorithmic trading. Timeliness and accuracy matter greatly in modern high-stakes markets, and AI models are excellent at both. By analyzing real-time market data alongside historical trends, AI can forecast market moves, recommend optimal buy-and-sell positions, and even execute trades at speeds far above human capabilities.

These AI models are not static; they are always learning and evolving, upgrading their algorithms depending on fresh data. This adaptability makes AI an invaluable tool in high-frequency trading (HFT), which requires choices in fractions of a second. Furthermore, AI-powered trading strategies reduce human bias, resulting in more data-driven and objective decisions, which is critical for managing market volatility.

Real-World Example: Goldman Sachs uses AI in its trading operations to predict market fluctuations and optimize investment strategies. Similarly, BlackRock’s Aladdin platform employs AI to analyze financial risks and fine-tune trading approaches. These models boost performance and risk management, giving institutions a significant competitive advantage.

Generative AI in algorithmic trading allows financial institutions to make faster, more informed decisions while mitigating risks, creating a more efficient trading environment.

 

AI-Driven Loan Underwriting

Banks’ evaluation of loan applications is being reshaped by generative AI, which is increasing efficiency and reducing reliance on antiquated standards like credit ratings alone. Instead of relying solely on traditional metrics, AI models can dig into a wider range of data points such as spending behavior, employment history, and even social interactions to assess a borrower’s risk profile. This enables banks to make smarter, faster decisions on who qualifies for a loan and under what terms.

Unlike conventional systems, AI can also identify patterns in the data that may have gone unnoticed, leading to more inclusive lending practices. AI-powered credit scoring allows banks to extend credit to individuals who might not have qualified previously, such as those with limited credit history.

Real-World Example: Upstart uses AI to evaluate non-traditional data points, helping to approve loans for individuals who wouldn’t qualify under a typical credit check. Their model improves accuracy in predicting default rates, resulting in a better match between borrowers and loan products. Another example is Zest AI, which provides financial institutions with AI tools that reduce risk and expand lending to underserved groups.

Generative AI in loan underwriting enables a more personalized approach, allowing banks to better serve a wider range of customers while minimizing risk.

 

Data Privacy and AI-Powered Security

In addition to improving banking speed and efficiency, generative AI in banking is essential for protecting consumer data. With increasing concerns around cybersecurity and data breaches, banks are turning to AI to strengthen privacy measures and safeguard sensitive information. Generative AI helps banks protect customer data by generating synthetic data that mimics real datasets. This synthetic data can be used to train AI models without exposing actual personal information, making it an effective way to strengthen privacy while still leveraging data-driven insights.

Additionally, AI systems can monitor network activity in real time, detecting unusual patterns or potential breaches as they happen. By identifying these anomalies quickly, AI can help banks prevent data leaks and reinforce security protocols.

Real-World Example: PayPal uses AI to detect and prevent fraudulent activities while safeguarding user data, employing machine learning to monitor transactions and catch suspicious behavior in real-time. Similarly, Wells Fargo has implemented AI systems that bolster security while ensuring customer data privacy is prioritized through advanced encryption and anomaly detection.

 

Predictive Analytics for Market Trends

The way banks anticipate and react to market developments has been completely transformed by generative AI. AI algorithms can spot patterns and trends in financial data that human analysts would overlook by analyzing enormous amounts of data in real time.

These models can predict how markets might move based on historical data, current events, and various economic indicators. This helps banks make more informed decisions about investments, risk management, and product offerings.

Banks use AI for forecasting stock prices, interest rates, and even broader market trends, allowing them to adjust their strategies in real-time. This predictive power isn’t just limited to investment banking – it extends to retail banking as well, where AI helps anticipate customer needs and behaviors based on market conditions.

Real-World Example: HSBC uses AI for predictive analytics in investment strategies, analyzing historical market data and real-time economic signals to guide decision-making. Another example is Goldman Sachs, which employs AI to forecast market trends and optimize its trading strategies based on advanced predictive models.

 

A concept image of woman bankers using tablets and laptops.

 

AI for Credit Scoring

Bank creditworthiness assessments are changing as a result of generative AI in banking. Traditional credit score systems rely mainly on credit history, which may exclude people with little or no past credit experience. However, AI models can examine a considerably broader range of data to determine a customer’s ability to repay a loan. This covers information such as income, employment history, spending patterns, and even social aspects, giving a complete and more nuanced picture of a borrower’s finances.

By combining non-conventional data points, AI allows banks to extend credit to a broader spectrum of people, particularly those who are underserved by traditional credit scoring systems. This strategy lowers bias and makes lending more inclusive while also managing risk effectively.

Real-World Example: Companies like Upstart and Lenddo are using AI-powered credit scoring models to extend credit to individuals with little to no credit history. Upstart’s model, for instance, incorporates over 1,600 data points beyond traditional metrics, allowing it to approve more loans while maintaining low default rates. Similarly, Zest AI helps financial institutions use AI to create more accurate and inclusive credit scoring systems​.

 

Conclusion

By improving loan underwriting, fraud detection, customer experience personalization, and market trend predictions, generative AI is reshaping the banking industry. It enables banks to handle data more effectively, provide specialized services, and make more informed decisions in real time. From JPMorgan Chase’s fraud detection systems to Upstart’s AI-powered credit scoring, banks are already using AI to decrease risks and better serve their customers.

As AI evolves, its impact on the financial sector will grow, helping banks stay competitive while enhancing client satisfaction. Let’s discuss how we can help your organization stay ahead of the competition, reach out to RTS Labs today for a personalized consultation.