By Ben Udell, Financial Brand
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While banks and credit unions debate whether customer or member data can be entered into Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, or other GenAI tools, consumers have already done it. They have tools that are more powerful than your bankers’ ability to provide financial advice, or your online or mobile solution’s ability to provide real planning and answers. While you debate what’s next, consumers are already doing it.
In this two-part series, I am going to explore what’s available to consumers right now and what impact this could have on how you provide financial guidance.
In this part, I’ll explore this changing dynamic from the perspective of the consumer. Consumers can connect ChatGPT, through Plaid, to your bank or credit union data. Consumers can now receive detailed account insight with the aid of GenAI.
Next week, in part two, I’ll explore this perspective on the impact to your bank or credit union. Most banks and credit unions are still working through hard internal questions on how to adopt artificial intelligence, what they’re not considering is how they need to meet the evolving needs of consumers, and where they’re losing relevance.
Key takeaway:The conversations around GenAI adoption and usage of private data are vitally important and need to continue. But while you’ve had endless internal conversations, likely with high anxiety about the use of data, consumers have jumped past you and are taking matters into their own hands.
Personal Financial Guidance with GenAI
In May 2026, OpenAI launched a personal finance experience inside ChatGPT. It connects to more than 12,000 banks, credit unions, credit card issuers, brokerages and other financial institutions (FIs) through Plaid. Your institution is very likely on that list, and you were not asked.
It’s simple to make this connection and even easier with the help of GenAI.
Prompt: “Walk me through the steps to connect my bank accounts to ChatGPT.”
You’ll be prompted to connect your accounts through Plaid through a recognizable sign in and approval process. A consumer can create this connection in just a few minutes.