Agentic AI agents, autonomous agents that act on behalf of users with minimal input, are not just coming to financial services. They’re already here. One of the most compelling use cases for Agentic AI is at checkout, where commerce, AI, and payments converge at the point where consumers make their purchase decisions.

In the past few weeks, three Agentic AI shopping and checkout announcements from major payments and technology players have made news headlines. So far, Google, Visa, and Mastercard are leading the Agentic AI payments charge, with PayPal and Perplexity not far behind. Here’s a look at what each company is doing.

Google’s AI-powered shopping agents

Google announced its AI Shopping Mode yesterday, a new online shopping experience that allows users to browse 50 billion product listings and buy the item they want using Google’s new agentic checkout at a price that fits their budget. Shoppers set their preferences by selecting “track price” on a preferred product listing and set the right size, color, and the amount they want to spend. If the item’s price drops into the user’s pre-selected price range, they receive a push notification and can have the agentic shopping agent buy the item for them with the push of a button.

Google is embedding an AI assistant into every step of the purchasing process, from browsing to payment, and is making the checkout experience hyper-personal, with less friction.

Visa’s intelligent commerce and agentic AI

Visa unveiled its Visa Intelligent Commerce tool last month. The new initiative will empower AI agents to deliver personalized and secure shopping experiences for consumers at scale. The program will equip AI agents to seamlessly manage key phases of the shopping journey, from product discovery, to purchasing, to post-purchase product management.

Unlike Google, Visa will offer APIs and SDKs that will provide third parties a suite of payments tools, including tokenization, authentication, and transaction controls, to embed into their own apps. In this sense, Visa is not just planning to launch a new checkout tool, it is building infrastructure for a world where the AI agent is the end customer.

Mastercard’s agentic payments through Agent Pay

Mastercard announced Agent Pay, a payment framework for agent-driven commerce, 24 hours before Visa’s agentic AI announcement hit the wires. Mastercard’s tool aims to make payments smarter, more secure, and more personal by embedding them directly into the product recommendations generated by GenAI platforms.

When paired with Mastercard’s tokenization technology, Agent Pay will not only add security, but will also help retailers identify and validate customers to offer a more meaningful and consistent shopping experience. Overall, Mastercard is pioneering a payment model where AI, not the consumer, initiates the purchase.

Perplexity x PayPal

Earlier this month, GenAI-powered search engine Perplexity partnered with PayPal to enable in-chat shopping. Shoppers will be able to check out instantly with PayPal or Venmo when they ask Perplexity to find a product, book travel, or buy tickets. The entire process will be powered by PayPal’s account linking, secure tokenized wallet, and emerging passkey checkout flows, which could eliminate the need for passwords.

While it is not a formal “agentic” platform, the move shows that large language models (LLMs) are starting to transact directly and the partnership is a good example of how chat interfaces are evolving into commerce platforms. The announcement serves as a preview of agentic commerce where LLMs initiate and complete purchases in a single conversational flow.

Overall, these announcements signal a major shift in ecommerce. The online point-of-sale is moving from a consumer-initiated process to an AI-initiated transaction. At the outset, regulation, identity, fraud, and explainability will be a large challenge. Still, the shift to agentic commerce is well underway, and the companies building today’s infrastructure are setting the rules and structure for how agentic AI commerce will work in the future.

Credit unions are entering a new era, fueled by a combination of necessity, opportunity, and partnership. As the pace of the digital world accelerates, these community-focused organizations have increased their willingness to lean in and adopt new technologies. They are no longer simply seeking to compete with banks, but they are instead seeking to deliver the personalized, community-driven service that has always differentiated them. New fintech partnerships are helping credit unions modernize operations, meet rising member expectations, and stay resilient in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

This collaborative approach isn’t new to credit unions, rather, it’s part of their DNA. “Credit Unions have always been collaborators,” said Ami Iceman Haueter, Chief Research and Digital Experience Officer at Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. “We’ve had to be creative and scrappy to stay relevant and competitive in a crowded market. Fintech partners are a natural fit for this collaboration. Many allow us to personalize our service or products to our members and create a custom mix of solutions to go all in for our members. That’s what we do best. Having partners that are equally committed to that vision is invaluable. It’s what will carry us forward as an industry allowing us to continue showing up for our communities.”

The environment today is ripe for credit unions to take full advantage of this collaborative mindset. The combination of heightened member expectations, accessible new technologies, and a fintech community eager to partner has created a unique moment of opportunity. Below, we’ve highlighted four key reasons why credit unions have become some of the most active adopters of fintech innovation.

Tech integration is now compulsory

Credit unions now have to engage because involvement in certain technologies has become table stakes in the banking world. Over the past few years, the baseline expectations for banking services have shifted dramatically. Real-time payments, mobile-first experiences, and frictionless, digital onboarding are no longer differentiators, they’re requirements. If credit unions want to remain competitive and retain younger members, they must adopt similar digital tools that big banks and fintechs have. In 2025, falling behind on technology isn’t just a risk to growth; it’s a risk to survival.

More credit union-specific fintechs

The fintech ecosystem has matured immensely since the first bank launched online in 1994. Today, many providers are now creating solutions designed specifically for the unique needs of credit unions. From specialized digital lending platforms to member-centric financial wellness tools, fintechs are recognizing credit unions as an important, underserved market. This tailored approach makes partnerships more attractive and accessible, helping credit unions stay up-to-date on the latest tech trends.

Embedded finance is the ultimate enabling force

Embedded finance has made it easier for credit unions to leverage third-party technologies without needing in-house technical expertise. Gone are the days when integrating new technology required a complete overhaul of a credit union’s core system. Today’s embedded banking models allow credit unions to “plug and play” fintech solutions into their existing infrastructure. Because of this, these smaller players can offer services like buy-now-pay-later, upgrade their digital account opening workflows, or launch a new mobile app with a fresh look. Overall, embedded solutions allow credit unions to deliver tech-forward experiences without the burden of in-house development.

Regulatory clarity has eased pressure

Regulatory clarity and eased regulatory scrutiny has reduced barriers to forming partnerships with fintechs. As regulators have become more familiar with fintech partnerships, clearer guidelines and frameworks have emerged to support innovation in the credit union space. New charters, sandbox programs, and cooperative frameworks help credit unions explore partnerships more confidently. With better guidance in place, credit unions can engage with fintechs without facing the regulatory uncertainty that once made these partnerships seem too risky.

All of these aspects, and more, will be on full display at FinovateSpring, which takes place May 7 through 9 in San Diego.

If you’re attending next month’s event, don’t miss a special session designed exclusively for your credit union. The Credit Union Spotlight: Closed Door Session will take place on Wednesday, May 7, from 3:20 to 4:50, and will offer the opportunity to meet companies that are building technology specifically for the credit union ecosystem. Each company will provide a short introduction, followed by roundtable discussions where you can dive deeper into their solutions. If you’re interested in joining, please email [email protected]. Please note that space is limited and subject to approval.

Want to know more about what you can expect at FinovateSpring? Check out our blog content, the event agenda, and don’t forget to register and save $200 when you book by April 18, 2025.

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Yesterday, Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) to modernize the U.S. payments system by phasing out paper checks. The EO mandates that the Federal government will stop issuing paper checks for all disbursements starting September 30, 2025.

The EO, which is targeting waste, fraud, and abuse, will offer both banks and fintechs opportunities and challenges as they seek to bring digital banking to underbanked consumers who need to send payments to and receive payments from the federal government.

So as you begin your second quarter planning initiatives, here are a few things you’ll need to know about this week’s Executive Order.

Real time payments become solidified

Banks’ adoption of FedNow and The Clearing House’s RTP is increasing, and so are consumer expectations for faster fund transfers. This week’s EO stipulates the move to “fast, electronic payments,” which will change the expectations of even underbanked and elderly populations that rely on government monetary benefits.

Heightened emphasis on payment security and fraud prevention

The Fact Sheet detailing the EO specifically cites security and fraud prevention as major reasons for modernizing US payments. “President Trump is cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse in government by modernizing outdated paper-based payment systems that impose unnecessary costs, delays, and security risks,” the Fact Sheet said. The move will ultimately bring stricter standards to government payments and will help foster consumer trust.

A shift toward digital identity verification

As payments digitize, reliable identity verification methods will become increasingly crucial. While bringing payments into the digital space will help boost KYC and AML verifications, it will also offer opportunities for fraudsters to create new scams. As an example, non-digitally native consumers may be more likely to fall victim to phishing attacks that they perceive to be payments from the federal government.

Not everyone is required to make the change

The EO states that exceptions will be made for people without banking or electronic payment access, in specific emergency payments cases, for certain law enforcement activities, and for other special cases that qualify for an exception.

Consumer awareness is key

The EO explains that, prior to the September 30 deadline, the government will initiate a comprehensive public awareness campaign to inform federal payment recipients of the shift to electronic payments. Banks should work alongside these campaigns with public awareness initiatives of their own to offer guidance on setting up digital payments and mitigating fraud.

Overall, this new EO represents a significant opportunity for banks and fintechs. By accelerating the shift to digital payments, the EO underscores the value of digital-first strategies and positions banks in a great place to attract new customers who previously relied on paper checks.

Banks and fintech companies that proactively support consumers during this transition—through seamless onboarding, education, fraud prevention, and robust digital identity verification—can strengthen their market position, deepen customer relationships, and foster long-term trust. Ultimately, the shift away from paper checks will reinforce existing efforts toward financial inclusion, drive consumer adoption of digital tools, and encourage innovation across the payments landscape.

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Is anyone else having difficulty keeping up with all of the changes that have taken place since the new administration took office last month? Over the course of the last 18 days, sweeping shifts have reshaped regulations, agency leadership, and key financial policies— creating both uncertainty and opportunity for businesses navigating this evolving landscape.

While many of these changes will have broad implications for U.S. citizens and organizations operating in the country, I’ve distilled the most significant updates on the White House’s website impacting financial services. Below, I break down the four most critical developments that banks, fintechs, and other financial institutions need to watch closely.

Imposing a regulatory freeze

On January 20, President Trump signed an executive order to halt new rulemaking and review pending regulations across federal agencies. It also calls for the withdrawal of any rules that have been sent to the Office of the Federal Register but not published yet. The administration plans to use the pause to reassess both existing and proposed regulations so that they align with its policy objectives.

For banks and fintechs, this makes it challenging to prepare for future regulatory requirements. It may impact firms’ compliance timelines and will likely confuse financial services companies’ strategic planning efforts.

Strengthening hold on digital assets

On January 23, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology.” The order prohibits the establishment of US central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). It also establishes a working group to propose a regulatory framework for digital assets within 180 days and allows individuals and entities to access and use open public blockchain networks.

This may present opportunities for banks and fintechs to engage in the stablecoin economy, especially when it comes to cross-border transactions and digital payments. Additionally, governmental protection of an open blockchain may spark the creation of new blockchain-based products and services.

Removing barriers to AI

Also on January 23, President Trump issued an Executive Order titled Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence that aims to enhance the US’s position in AI. The order removes existing AI policies and directives that are considered barriers to innovation. Within 180 days, officials are tasked with creating a plan to sustain and enhance America’s global AI dominance.

This emphasis on reducing regulatory barriers may lead to both banks and third party fintechs adopting AI technologies at a faster rate. However, as AI is a double-edged sword, the relaxed regulatory environment may create uncertainty as organizations wait for new guidelines to develop.

Implementing the DOGE workforce optimization initiative

On February 11, President Trump issued an Executive Order titled Implementing The President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative, which intends to streamline the federal workforce and enhance operational efficiency. Controversially, the order gives Elon Musk and his team direct access to data held at the US Treasury Department. As a result, a coalition of more than a dozen US states is planning to file a lawsuit to block access in order to protect the personal data of US citizens.

By reducing staffing at federal agencies that oversee financial institutions, the order may impact the efficiency and thoroughness of regulatory examinations and compliance enforcement. The instability could also cause uncertainty for banks, disrupting strategic planning and compliance efforts.

Other actions

There are two other actions not yet listed on the White House’s official news release page, but each is significant.

Earlier this week, the Associated Press unveiled that the Trump administration ordered the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to suspend all of its activities. Finovate Analyst David Penn reported on the details of the situation, including what the CFPB can still do and who may take over the agency if it continues to exist.

Today, the Wall Street Journal exclusively reported that the Trump administration is also considering folding the FDIC into the Treasury Department. Experts cited that this is unlikely to transpire, however, as Congress is unlikely to pass such a measure. “This idea would pose an enormous risk of terrifying Americans about the safety of their deposits and triggering bank runs,” Former Federal Regulator Patricia McCoy told CNN.

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At FinovateFall last year, we heard plenty of analysts and industry experts say that AI agents are going to replace generative AI on the hype scale. That’s because AI agents, or agentic AI, have the capability to perform tasks, not just generate information. It is this differentiator that has the potential to create a great amount of value for both banks and fintechs, so much so that it has become the newest buzzword in financial services.

Fueling the rise of AI agent hype is the launch of Operator, Open AI’s new AI Agent. “Operator is a system that can use a web browser– in this case, a web browser in the cloud– to accomplish tasks that you give it,” said Open AI CEO Sam Altman during the launch. “Just like you would use a web browser… Operator can do that and control all sorts of things.” Operator has already gone live for ChatGPT Pro users and will soon be available to Plus users.

Open AI isn’t the only tech company launching an AI agent, and the use cases aren’t limited to making a restaurant reservation or buying groceries. Agentic technology is already live and in-use at some financial institutions.

The new technology has a number of potential use cases, five of which I’ve listed below. Keep in mind that some of these are not possible with current AI agent tools, and most are not able to be achieved fully autonomously, and require human-in-the-loop during some stages. However, the technology is moving fast, and AI agents will likely reach this level of autonomy soon.

Customer service and support

Banks and fintechs have used all forms of AI to improve and automate their customer service for years. They can now use AI agents to understand customer queries and analyze the conversations to identify the root cause of an issue, then offer customers the appropriate reply.

Potential prompt: “When a customer contacts you seeking an agricultural loan, contact the county in which the property is located to verify the legal property boundaries.”

Content marketing and copywriting

AI agents can be deployed to research and analyze all available information on a specific topic. Banks can then use another AI agent to transform all of that information into a blog post or marketing copy for a webpage.

Potential prompt: “Research new budgeting websites and capabilities, then write a five-part blog post series and email it over the course of five weeks to customers with less than $5,000 in assets held at the bank.”

Loan and credit underwriting

While generative AI is able to analyze customer profiles to assess creditworthiness, AI agents can take the process a step further by completing tasks in a workflow analyzing credit histories, transaction patterns, and market analysis to make instant, accurate decisions about potential borrowers.

Potential prompt: “For every new small business loan inquiry that comes in, analyze the individuals’ credit and overdraft histories. For small businesses with a physical location, analyze foot traffic of similar businesses in the same region and make a credit decision based on this information.”

Administrative tasks

Because AI agents are able to “think” for themselves and operate independently, they can easily complete tasks such as organizing and making a reservation for a client dinner, placing an order for a new computer keyboard, or placing a catering order for an office party.

Potential prompt: “Make a dinner reservation at a restaurant my client would like, given their Instagram account, for 10 people on May 2 at 7 p.m. Tell the restaurant that two people in the party have a gluten allergy.”

Customer communication

Banks can deploy AI agents to communicate with customers to send personalized messages about their preferences, needs, or simply to autonomously notify them of account changes. They can also reply to customer responses. And because AI agents can generate answers without being trained, they can even reply to customers in cases where they do not have a specific, canned response template.

Potential prompt: “Email all of my wealth management clients that have been with me for over three years asking them to update their risk tolerance. Use their replies to update their portfolios.”

While it is fun (and a bit spooky) to think about all of the potential use cases of agentic AI, we are far from the reality of putting most of these potential prompts to use in a seamless manner. Operator and other AI agent technologies are still in their early stages; even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admitted they still have “a lot of improvements to do” on Operator.

Because of how new the technology is, there still needs to be a manual confirmation for most of the use cases, especially when it comes to making transactions. Similarly, even though there is no current AI regulation for banking operations, banks should use caution and keep humans in-the-loop, especially when making underwriting decisions and communicating with customers.

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