Anne Boden, founder of Starling Bank, argues that the next phase of banking will not be apps but AI agents. Traditional banks focus on efficiency, but agentic AI will research, compare, and complete transactions autonomously. Customers already embrace agents like Meta’s Muse, which topped app charts. Current fraud systems designed for humans will fail against non-stop, high-volume agent transactions. Banks must adapt or become obsolete.
Boden warns that the industry is looking the wrong way. While banks trim costs, agents are building the new economy. Users want AI that knows their preferences and acts within permissions—no app needed. The shift is inevitable, and banks clinging to human-centric security will be left behind.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing