OpenAI wants ChatGPT to read your bank statements — here's what it can actually see

Published May 15, 2026, 10:19 PM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Summary ChatGPT can connect to your bank to view balances, transactions, investments, and liabilities. It gives personalized saving and budgeting tips when it can see your real transactions. OpenAI says ChatGPT can't see full account numbers or control accounts; privacy controls are included. According to OpenAI, 200 million people visit ChatGPT with money-related issues every month. People want to learn how to save, how to earn more, and how to manage their investments, and when the human world fails to deliver what they're looking for, they turn to AI. However, for an AI to have a good idea of someone's financial situation, it needs details about their accounts so it can better render judgment. So, why not cut out the middleman and just let the AI take a peek at your financial records? That's exactly what OpenAI wants to do with its new feature. The company has announced that a new personal finance experience has arrived on ChatGPT, and fortunately, your AI companion won't have the ability to make purchases on your behalf. Related OpenAI reveals a new finance experience for ChatGPT Are you brave enough to admit you spend too much on your hobbies? In a blog post on the OpenAI website, the company explains the new feature in preview right now. It lets you connect ChatGPT to your bank account, giving your AI assistant the ability to take a peek at your finances. On the website, OpenAI shows two examples of someone asking ChatGPT, "Help me come up with a plan to save a little bit more in the next few months," one where the finances tool is not connected, and one where it is The chat without the financial data is good, but because ChatGPT doesn't know about the user's financial data, it has to settle for giving general advice. In comparison, the advice it gives when it has access to the user's data means it can sum up the user's expenditures and give personalised tips based on what they spend money on. It's useful, but the very idea of giving a chatbot access to your financial records is enough to make a privacy advocate's toes curl. Fortunately, if you're worried that ChatGPT will start investing in stocks while you're asleep, OpenAI says that its AI won't have that much power: Your financial data is sensitive, and we have built this experience to respect your privacy and ensure that you’re in control of your information. When you connect your accounts, ChatGPT can access your balances, transactions, investments, and liabilities to help visualize your finances or answer your questions. It cannot see full account numbers or make any changes to your accounts. While I can imagine some people still not feeling great about using this new financial tool, the truth is that, if people are already uploading records and statements to the AI for help, attaching their account to ChatGPT basically cuts out a few steps to achieve the same result. Related