As a growing number of companies offer artificial intelligence agents to carry out everyday tasks, a new national survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the American Bankers Association finds that Americans are wary of using them to help manage their personal finances. Key takeaways from the survey, unveiled today at ABA’s 2026 Annual Convention, include:
- Most adults say consumers shouldn’t have to give AI their bank information, and that banks should be able to require security protections from AI agents:
- Four-in-five adults (79%) agree consumers should not be required to share their online banking username and password with an AI tool to get help managing their finances, and they think a bank should be able to know whether it is dealing with a customer or the customer’s AI agent (80%)
- Three-quarters (76%) also say banks should be able to require AI agents to show adequate privacy and security protections before giving them access to customers’ personal information
- Three-quarters (74%) say they care if the business that handles their finances is held to the same legal and regulatory requirements as a bank
- Most Americans are uneasy about AI handling their money:
- Three-quarters (77%) are concerned about giving an AI tool or agent permission to move money, make payments or carry out other financial transactions for them
- Only 27% say they are likely to use an AI agent to autonomously manage cash balances in their bank account in the next 12 months, while 61% say they are unlikely
- One-in-five (19%) say an AI agent has already asked them for login credentials or card numbers
“While agentic AI has the potential to be a compelling consumer tool, this survey shows that Americans are not ready to hand over their financial decisions to AI agents,” said ABA president and CEO Rob Nichols. “Consumers clearly still value the safety and security of their bank, and they are understandably wary of allowing AI to move their money or access sensitive account information. They also want their bank to protect them from the risks posed by AI.”
Americans want Congress to protect local lending in establishing digital asset rules
The survey also examined Americans’ attitudes towards regulating digital assets just weeks removed from the Senate debate over the Clarity Act. The research shows consumers want Congress to be careful in establishing rules for cryptocurrencies, stablecoin and other digital assets. and they strongly support protecting local lending and the financial system from risk. Key takeaways include:
- By a five-to-one margin (66% vs. 14%), consumers agree that in establishing the first-ever rules for digital assets like cryptocurrencies and stablecoins in the U.S., Congress and the administration should be cautious and not take any action that could undermine our existing financial system, especially the community banks that help drive local economic activity in some parts of the country.
- Seven in 10 consumers (68%) say they would be concerned if banks had less funding available to make loans to individuals and businesses in their communities in the same manner they do today, a risk posed by language in the recently stalled Clarity Act.
- By a four-to-one margin (61% vs. 16%), consumers agree that Congress should prohibit crypto companies from being able to offer interest-like rewards for holding stablecoin if there is a risk it could draw away deposits from local banks and reduce the amount of funds available to banks to lend in the community and support economic growth.
“As Congress considers the next steps for digital asset rules, consumers are sending a clear message that they don’t want legislation that could weaken community banks and undermine the economy,” said Nichols. “If Congress returns to the Clarity Act, this survey should remind lawmakers to avoid policies that could reduce the local lending that powers communities.”
The survey also asked about consumers’ overall awareness and interest in digital assets. The responses suggest most Americans are not overly focused on crypto. The poll shows:
- Three in five (59%) say digital assets are not relevant to their day-to-day financial life
- Consumer adoption of digital assets (like Bitcoin or stablecoin such as USDC) or non-fungible tokens (NFTs) remains low:
- Only 17% currently own digital assets
- Only 30% have ever owned digital assets
- Six in 10 are unlikely to buy, hold or use digital assets in next 12 months
The data released today are the latest in a series of results gauging U.S. consumers’ preferences and opinions regarding banks and their services. ABA recently released additional survey data showing that consumers recognize banks’ efforts to protect them from fraud and support policy actions to combat fraud. The full results for these survey questions are as follows:
