Originally published in May 2022
Updated in January 2026
The digital transformation of the global banking industry has been driven by pioneering AI technologies, such as banking bots, which are increasingly attracting vast investments from firms worldwide and meeting a growing demand for personalised financial services.
In 2025 alone, the market for AI-powered banking solutions reached around $18.4 billion, according to Allied Market Research. The sector is projected to exceed $64 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of around 30%, according to the consulting firm.
Such change stems from evolving technologies and near-universal smartphone adoption. Major banks moved quickly to launch internet banking and mobile applications with automated bots. According to the FIS 2025 Performance Against Customer Expectations survey, over 80% of all interactions occur online or on mobile devices. Banks such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Capital One, along with HSBC and Barclays, were among the first to introduce conversational interfaces, including banking chatbots.
Such virtual banking assistants could promptly check an account balance or offer customers advice on saving money. With further advancements in conversational AI, users can now get all the information they need just by speaking.
In 2026, chatbots will handle around 92% of all routine banking enquiries, according to Gartner. Today, customers can reach their bank in person at a branch, by telephone, via a mobile app, through social media, or via voice assistants. Banks often struggle to consolidate customer data across so many communication channels. That is where conversational AI solutions come in. The chatbot works across mobile apps, online portals, and devices to make sure customer needs are met quickly and consistently.
It comes as no surprise that AI technologies may not be entirely flawless right now, but they sure do continue to evolve and improve. The key to success is finding the balance between conversational AI and humans. Here is where conversational AI applications are a perfect fit:
Very often, customers seek answers to the same set of questions, such as where is the closest ATM, how do I reset my password, how do I block a lost or stolen card, etc… Automating the bank’s responses to these FAQs takes a great deal of a load off the contact centres. Banking chatbots are programmed to handle large volumes of customer inquiries without the need to hire more staff.
There are times when customers need to urgently contact their bank from any place in the world at any time. A 24/7 chat feature is the best possible solution. Internet banking with built-in chatbots has a competitive advantage and is likely to attract and retain customers.
Virtual banking assistants are always on standby, never calling in sick or getting tired. Such conversational AI platforms as Rasa, Kore.ai, or Tovie AI allow call agents to focus on more complex issues, which require human intervention.
Studies have shown that people find phone calls tedious, intimidating and time-consuming compared to chats. Writing long emails and filling out online forms are also not favoured by clients. The quick speed and personalization of services are what customers of financial institutions value the most. Luckily, chatbots deliver both.
Navigating websites of finance or insurance companies, which offer various products and services with countless policies, offers and important information may be quite a hassle for an average user. Chatbots help customers find everything they need in one click, saving precious time.
The chances of a new customer opening a bank account are much higher when the built-in bot welcomes the user on the website, helps find all the information, and encourages them to learn more about the product or the service.
While being the most well-known use case for conversational AI applications, its significance cannot be stressed enough. If done right, the adoption of a virtual agent in a company can improve the overall brand image. For example, one of the European top-tier banks launched infobots across a number of its channels to improve access to its services.
Bots, eventually, took the lion’s share of customer inquiries: from consulting on loans and deposits to finding the nearest branches and ATMs, to sending customized promotional offers. Virtual assistants easily answer FAQs without customers having to wait for an agent or search the Internet for the answer.
To have peace of mind during trips, getting travel insurance is key. One of the European insurance companies, which initially adopted an AI-powered bot for a faster response in emergencies and FAQs, ended up creating a whole new virtual assistant that helps customers during their time abroad.
The bot can answer questions about a destination country, including those about visa requirements, customs regulations and so on. When the client is already abroad, the bot can provide emergency contacts, and consult in areas such as VAT refund policy, and health and transportation-related issues based on the person’s geolocation. When the bot can no longer help, a human agent contacts the person.
Learn how BNP Paribas Cardif automates 56% of inbound calls using callbot
Debt collection is the unspoken dark side of business operations, something that neither companies nor customers are usually willing to talk about. Intimidation and use of force are no longer ways to return the dues. Modern companies rather use technology for customer-centric debt collection and outreach strategies.
Debt Collections Bot deals with debtors much faster and 35% cheaper than agents
Bots have transformed the way debt collectors interact with customers, who on their part, no longer need to fill out forms, and spend time on calls or visits to the bank. Instead, they can instantly chat with the bot. To help debtors repay their dues, the chatbot can create a comprehensive debtor profile and provide recommendations in real-time. More so, when interacting with a debtor, the bot does not judge or show any bias and negativity toward the person, unlike a human debt collector.
Embracing technological changes will allow financial institutions to thrive in today’s digital age. Banks that wish to succeed in the new form of the economy need to adopt an innovative mindset, test and learn from the market’s response, and address the transformations needed in the industry.