Agentic AI is knocking. Here’s how banks are answering the door

For years, artificial intelligence in financial services has moved between two poles: fear and fascination. The rollout of chatbots, cloud migrations, and cautious experimentation characterized the early 2020s. However, it now appears that financial firms are adopting a more moderate approach as their AI efforts mature. They are entering a new phase, one that reimagines AI as a semi-autonomous agent capable of executing multistep tasks with limited oversight.

The shift is subtle. Where earlier AI applications focused solely on isolated efficiency gains like summarizing a document or parsing a client inquiry, Agentic AI systems, with memory, intent, and reasoning capabilities, promise to do more than just assist.

Many institutions are exploring how these systems can be deployed safely within existing controls and are preparing internally for what could become a new layer of automation in financial services.

Emerging Agentic AI adoption: Who’s deploying, who’s preparing

This analysis covers financial firms that have embraced or are gearing up to adopt Agentic AI, as well as the current status of their integration efforts.

1. Grasshopper Bank: Building toward autonomy without surrendering control

Status: Agentic AI deployment planned for late 2025.

Use case focus: Back-office orchestration, taking on more complex, cross-functional responsibilities, and laying the groundwork for scalable automation throughout the organization.

Pete Chapman, CTO of the digital-first business bank, Grasshopper, noted that when it comes to AI developments, the bank isn’t chasing headlines; it’s playing the long game.

“AI means different things to different people,” Chapman said. “We focus on being intentional about how and where we use AI technologies.”

Currently, Grasshopper uses GenAI (via Google Gemini) for productivity tasks and RPA for rule-based automation across its operations: Google Gemini helps employees draft reports, answer emails, and prep presentations. Bots automate routine steps between systems.

But the agenda for the bots doesn’t end there.

Later this year, the bank plans to roll out intelligent AI agents — Agentic AI that can operate beyond the rules-based automation bots the bank currently uses. These new agents will be capable of handling broader, more nuanced tasks, creating a foundation for scalable automation across departments.

But there’s a line Grasshopper doesn’t want to cross, according to Chapman, referencing all future AI rollouts.

“Modern generative models often function as ‘black boxes,’ and we are committed to explainability and auditability in all client-facing decisions,” he said.

That means no fully autonomous credit decisions, and no opaque risk modeling. Grasshopper’s agents can help, not rule. In lending, they may help draft memos or support underwriters, but never replace them.

“We aim for a thoughtful balance… automating wherever possible without sacrificing human judgment where it matters most.”

2. Goldman Sachs: Early signals in a long Agentic AI game

Status: Agentic AI is in research and under internal assessment, with future deployment likely but not scheduled.

Use case focus: Multistep automation, internal workflow agents, improve personalization and UX.

At Goldman Sachs, artificial intelligence has already found a desk. …