🇿🇦 English, 26 October 2026, AI security
South African banks block third-party AI agents from customer accounts
Major banks warn customers not to share login details with AI agents, citing security risks.
Absa and other South African banks have joined US rivals in blocking third-party AI agents from accessing customer accounts, citing security risks. The banks warn customers that sharing login details with AI agents can lead to losses. FNB is building a secure framework for approved AI assistants to connect to its platform.
The banks’ stance comes after reports of unauthorized AI agents accessing customer accounts in the US. Absa says its fraud systems can spot suspicious patterns, including those consistent with unauthorized agent access attempts.
FNB and Capitec are building their own AI tools, including digital assistants and scam checkers, to provide secure banking services to customers.