Citi is expanding its use of artificial intelligence in wealth management with the launch of Citi Sky, a new AI-powered virtual adviser. The tool aims to improve customer engagement, provide around-the-clock assistance, and strengthen the bank’s understanding of client needs.
Developed using technology from Google Cloud and Google DeepMind, Citi Sky can interact with clients much like a human adviser. The bank plans to launch the feature for U.S. Citigold customers this summer before expanding it across additional wealth divisions.
The AI assistant represents a major step in Citi’s broader effort to modernize its wealth management services and improve frontline productivity. Executives believe the technology could help attract new clients while increasing customer retention and cross-selling opportunities.
Citi executives also see strong demand for after-hours financial support, particularly among busy professionals who may not have time to connect with advisers during standard business hours.
Citi Sky Expands AI-Powered Wealth Services
Sky acts as an “always-on” financial assistant that can answer client questions, provide portfolio insights, and support investment-related discussions. The AI tool helps clients access financial guidance whenever they need it.
According to Joe Bonanno, the platform also helps advisers manage their workloads more efficiently by handling routine client inquiries. This allows human advisers to focus on more complex financial planning tasks.
The tool can also collect valuable customer insights during conversations, helping Citi build a stronger knowledge base around client goals, preferences, and financial interests.
Citi believes these insights can improve personalization and support more effective cross-selling and client retention strategies in the future.
AI Tools Aim to Improve Adviser Productivity
Citi has made wealth management growth a major priority, with the bank’s wealth revenue rising 11% in the first quarter to $3.1 billion. The company hopes AI will help accelerate that growth further.
The bank also introduced CitiScribe, an AI-powered note-taking tool designed to support advisers across North America. Both platforms generate data that advisers can use to provide more relevant financial recommendations.
Executives say the technology can identify opportunities for personalized conversations based on customer behavior and current financial needs. This “anticipatory intelligence” could strengthen relationships between clients and advisers.
Citi also plans to explore wider adoption of Sky across other banking services, including its credit card business, in the coming years.
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Citi Focuses on AI Safety and Global Expansion
Citi worked closely with legal, compliance, and risk teams during the development of Sky to ensure the system aligns with banking regulations and customer protection standards.
The bank conducted extensive testing to make sure the AI responses match adviser recommendations while respecting client risk tolerance and investment objectives. Multiple safeguards review responses in real time before they reach customers.
Sky currently supports English and Spanish, but Citi plans to expand the system to support up to 100 languages over time. The platform also includes a human avatar option, allowing clients to interact in a more engaging and personalized way.
As competition in digital banking intensifies, Citi sees AI-powered wealth management as a key differentiator that could help the bank expand market share and improve customer experience globally.
