Banks Restrict AI Agents in Customer Accounts
A Dallas Fed survey finds most bankers either lack AI-agent restrictions or are unsure whether their institution has them.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Banking
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A Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas survey of 70 bankers found that 11.4% said their institution or service provider had restricted customers' AI agent activity on online banking platforms. Major U.S. banks reported detecting and deleting unauthorized third-party AI agents acting in customer accounts.
Why it matters
Banks are weighing the capabilities of AI agents against authentication, authorization, fraud, and account-security concerns. The survey suggests many institutions have not yet settled on a policy for autonomous software acting on customers' behalf.
The Dallas Fed surveyed 70 bankers in the Eleventh Federal Reserve District from October 27 to November 4, with 11.4% reporting AI-agent restrictions and 27.1% unsure of their institution's status. Respondents named cybersecurity (44.3%) and fraud (41.4%) among their top three concerns over the next six months.
The players
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
The regional Federal Reserve bank that conducts banking surveys and research for the Eleventh Federal Reserve District.
JPMorganChase
One of the largest U.S. banks, which said AI agents will not be allowed to move customer money.
Citigroup
A major global bank that said AI agents will not be allowed to move customer money.
Bank of America
One of the largest U.S. banks, which said AI agents will not be allowed to move customer money.
Charles Schwab
A major U.S. brokerage and banking firm that said AI agents will not be allowed to move customer money.
The details
Major banks including JPMorganChase, Citigroup, Bank of America and Charles Schwab said AI agents will not be allowed to move customer money. The survey was conducted among bankers in the Eleventh Federal Reserve District, which includes Dallas.
Timeline
October 2026: Major U.S. banks reported deleting unauthorized AI agents.
October 27 to November 4, 2026: Dallas Fed collected banker survey responses.
November 9, 2026: PYMNTS published its article on bank AI-agent restrictions.
Within the next six months: 22.9% of bankers said their institution plans to introduce AI-agent restrictions.
Market Dynamics
The Dallas Fed's banker surveys track how Eleventh District institutions respond to new technologies, and this survey extends that tracking to autonomous AI agents acting in customer accounts. Banks' divergent restriction policies reflect an unsettled balance between convenience for customers and fraud and security exposure.
Customers using online banking should expect banks to set their own rules on whether third-party AI agents can access accounts. Checking your bank's policy on automated tools before granting access can help protect your funds.
The takeaway
Banks are still deciding how much autonomy to give AI tools in customer accounts, and their policies currently vary widely. Customers should confirm how their institution handles third-party AI access before connecting any outside tool.
Further reading
For broader context, explore more Banking coverage.
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