03.06.2025

Risks for Banks in the Age of AI

Interview with Hajo Riesenbeck: Risks for Banks in the Age of AI

Hajo Riesenbeck, an experienced management consultant and former director at McKinsey & Company, talks in an interview about the risks that banks and the financial advisory industry might face due to hesitant adjustments to the developments of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Here are the key points from the interview:

AI as an Industrial Revolution

Riesenbeck describes AI as a new industrial revolution that fundamentally changes the financial sector. This revolution brings with it an enormous increase in knowledge and automation that overshadows everything that has come before. An example of this is fraud detection in the financial sector, where AI can work faster, cheaper, and more effectively than human investigators.

Risks for Banks and Financial Advisors

Riesenbeck warns that banks and financial advisors face immense risks if they do not adjust to AI developments in a timely manner. This applies not only to large financial institutions but also to individual financial advisors. Without the use of AI tools, they could lose their competitive edge.

Impact on Traditional Business Models

The integration of AI calls into question traditional business models in financial advisory. AI can help optimize portfolios, generate investment letters, and communicate with clients through chatbots. This leads to increased efficiency and improves customer relations.

Importance for Investors and Savers

The changes brought by AI have direct implications for investors and savers. By optimizing portfolios and improving fraud detection, investors can benefit from higher returns and lower risks. At the same time, however, they must also adapt to new technologies and advisory approaches.

Conclusion

Overall, Riesenbeck emphasizes that adapting to AI technologies is essential for banks and financial advisors to remain competitive. Hesitating or ignoring developments could lead to significant risks that ultimately also affect investors and savers.