Anthropic connects Claude to bank accounts for read-only financial queries

Anthropic has launched a Personal Finance feature for its Claude AI chatbot that links directly to users' bank and credit card accounts. The tool, which began rolling out in beta this week, allows individuals to ask plain language questions about their money. Users can request a breakdown of monthly spending by category, including rent, utilities, shopping, and food.

The system connects to financial institutions through Plaid, a widely used banking bridge platform. This integration means Claude does not see banking passwords. The access granted to the AI is strictly read-only, preventing it from moving, managing, or investing user funds. Anthropic states the feature is not designed to provide investment advice.

Through the Plaid connection, Claude gains visibility into specific account details. These include the bank name, account types, the last four digits of account numbers, current balances, credit limits, and up to two years of transaction history. With this data, the assistant can calculate remaining bills before a paycheck, estimate potential monthly savings, or determine if a user can afford a large purchase such as a holiday trip.

The feature is currently available only to subscribers on the Claude Pro, Max, and Ultra plans within the United States. This release follows a similar move by OpenAI, which introduced a comparable tool for ChatGPT in May. That earlier feature also uses Plaid to link with user bank accounts.

Anthropic describes this launch as an initial phase of a larger strategy. The company suggests that for complex financial decisions, users should have Claude work alongside licensed professionals and regulated firms. Anthropic is exploring how to facilitate this collaboration within the platform. The company has invited input from banks, wealth managers, and other financial services firms to help shape future developments.

The tool aims to make personal finance management more accessible by explaining complex financial terms and providing clear answers about balances and transactions. It acts as an explanatory layer over raw financial data, allowing users to receive immediate insights without manually sorting through statements.

By leveraging established banking infrastructure, Anthropic aims to reduce friction while maintaining security standards. The beta rollout allows the company to gather feedback and refine the experience before a wider release. This approach positions the tool as a bridge between users and professional financial services rather than a replacement for them.