OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT with a new financial function that will enable personalized money and investment analyses directly in the chat. US Pro users will be able to connect their bank accounts and financial services to ChatGPT to receive personalized recommendations and overviews. This is made possible by a cooperation with the Plaid financial network. ChatGPT is thus increasingly evolving from a classic AI chatbot into a digital everyday assistant with direct access to personal data and financial information.
- ChatGPT can link bank accounts and financial services via Plaid
- AI creates personalized financial dashboards and analytics
- OpenAI restricts access to reading rights without account control
- Initially launched as a preview version for US Pro users
ChatGPT financial advice relies on linked bank data and AI analyses
With the new financial integration, OpenAI is taking the next step towards personalized AI services. Users can link their financial accounts within ChatGPT and receive significantly more personalized recommendations than before.
The technical basis is provided by partner Plaid, a widely used financial network in the USA. According to OpenAI, more than 12,000 financial institutions can be connected via Plaid, including banks such as Citi and Chase as well as services such as Robinhood and Affirm.
Once linked, ChatGPT analyzes account balances, transactions, investments and liabilities to create a visual financial dashboard. Users can then directly ask questions about their finances or use pre-prepared analysis functions.
The new function is designed to support budget planning, spending analysis and financial organization, for example. OpenAI emphasizes that ChatGPT cannot make any changes to accounts. The AI only has read access to certain financial data.
According to the company, sensitive information such as full account numbers also remain hidden. Users can disconnect their accounts at any time and manage or delete saved financial information in the “Finances” section.
At the same time, ChatGPT’s general data protection settings continue to apply. Anyone who has deactivated the use of chat data for AI training should also benefit from this setting for the finance function.
OpenAI expands ChatGPT into a personal AI assistant
The new financial function runs via GPT-5.5 and clearly shows where ChatGPT could be heading in the long term. Instead of just generating texts or answering questions, the AI should increasingly accompany everyday tasks and support personal decisions.
According to OpenAI, more than 200 million users already use ChatGPT every month to obtain information about money, savings and investments. With direct account access, this will now become personalized analyses in real time for the first time.
The link to OpenAI’s recent acquisition of the fintech start-up Hiro is also interesting. Hiro developed AI-supported financial planning tools for consumers. According to the company, however, the development of the new ChatGPT financial functions began before the acquisition.
Nevertheless, the new integration is likely to increase questions around data protection and data security. Financial data in particular is among the most sensitive personal information of all. OpenAI is therefore deliberately trying to restrict access and give users maximum control over stored information.
The function is currently only being launched as a limited preview for Pro subscribers in the USA. However, OpenAI is apparently planning to extend it to other user groups, possibly including Plus subscribers.
The development also highlights a larger trend in the AI market: voice models are increasingly developing into universal digital assistants that are deeply integrated into apps, devices and personal data.
Conclusion
With the new ChatGPT financial advice service, OpenAI is significantly expanding the possible applications of its AI chatbot. The combination of bank accounts, real-time data and AI analytics could make financial planning and budget management easier and more accessible. At the same time, the issue of data protection remains crucial, as sensitive financial information is processed. The function will initially be launched as a preview for Pro users in the USA, with wider availability potentially to follow later.
