From Netscape to Chrome, browsers are digital windows to the world. But that era is potentially poised to quickly circle the drain as AI comes to control a greater share of the flow of information. ChatGPT.com is now the fifth-most visited website in the world, with Google.com on top, followed by YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. The news that Perplexity is developing its own web browser, Comet, that is expected to include agentic AI capabilities and the ability to automate certain tasks, is already showing that how users find things, how they buy things and even how they know things, could increasingly be up for grabs. Instead of opening a browser window and typing a URL, users may soon speak or text a request into an agent that goes out, searches the internet and delivers what they need. No tabs, no clicking and no endless scrolling. That, at least, is the envisioned future. The whole concept of a web browser may be absorbed into an ecosystem of intelligent, personalized, persistent AI agents. The advent of the agentic AI web experience could mark a transformative period in how users access and interact with information online. At the heart of the potential evolution are large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT-4, Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude. These systems are increasingly capable of understanding context, maintaining memory and executing multi-step tasks. But true agency requires more than linguistic prowess. Integration is key. APIs now serve as conduits through which AI agents interact with apps, services and devices. If AI agents are making purchasing decisions, traditional advertising strategies could falter. SEO, influencer marketing and even visual design may lose relevance if AI agents bypass websites in favor of direct API transactions. Brands will need to pivot, optimizing not for human attention but for AI interoperability. The AI browser wars have begun, and the outcome will shape the future of the digital landscape.
Four ways FIs are transforming customer experience in cross-border payments: Payment tracking without requiring a login, Global account verification to reduce rejects, Investing in intuitive websites and apps and Collaborating with all players in the payment chain
Enabling payment tracking: Banks are using Swift GPI’s tracking capabilities to provide customers with transaction updates and support new innovations. Citi, for example, has invested in a Global Beneficiary Services Payment Tracker to improve traceability of payments. This functionality allows beneficiaries to track payment status without a login, addressing the growing focus on retail payments and ecommerce. Checking payment data upfront to reduce rejects: Real-time global payments platform Nium has launched a global account verification capability to ensure correct domestic and cross-border payments. This is part of the European Commission’s Instant Payment Regulation, which mandates these checks across Europe. Nium’s system validates beneficiary account numbers and bank codes, reducing returns by up to 90%. Citi has also developed a similar capability using Swift’s Payment Pre-validation solution, resulting in a 70% reduction in customer queries and rejections. Enhancing their offerings: Payment providers must adapt to evolving customer needs by investing in intuitive websites and apps. BNP Paribas developed an app to guide cross-border payment processes, resulting in a six-fold increase in cross-border payment volumes since its launch in France. This demonstrates the importance of attentiveness to customer needs in boosting payment volumes and customer retention. Collaborating: Collaborating with partners can drive innovation and address payment pain points. Effective traceability requires all players in the payment chain to work together, confirming their part of the process. The financial industry has seen successful collaborations, such as Citi’s partnership with Bank of Shanghai, powered by Swift Go, enabling international tourists to access local currency in China via digital wallets.
Gateless’ integration of mortgage tech platform with Fannie Mae’s income calculator to enable lenders to calculate accurate qualified income in real-time using tax return data, for borrowers without W-2 wages
Mortgage technology firm Gateless has integrated its platform with Fannie Mae’s income calculator. The integration enables lenders to calculate qualified income, particularly for borrowers without W-2 wages, such as the self-employed, small-business owners and real estate investors. The solution provides real-time income calculations backed by Fannie Mae, offering representation and warranty relief on conventional loans. This gives lenders increased confidence in their underwriting decisions while reducing risk exposure. Using tax return data, the system generates monthly income calculations and delivers actionable insights. Gateless claims to optimize loan volume processing and accelerate the post-closing process by up to 400%. After analyzing more than 200,000 loans, the company found that 80% of critical documents identified during the loan process can be satisfied through automation. Gateless offers Smart Underwrite, an end-to-end automated underwriting solution that begins at the point of sale, as well as VeriClear, an income verification tool. Among its publicized partnerships are those with The Loan Store and Equifax. “Our technology automates the intricate process of income analysis and ensures lenders receive precise, accurate income calculations quickly, whether for traditional wage earners or increasingly common self-employed borrowers,” said Katie King, chief risk officer at Gateless.
HSBC UK Private Banking adopts Addepar’s client reporting platform to enable offering holistic view of clients’ wealth through aggregated performance across their entire investment portfolio including investments held with other wealth managers
HSBC UK Private Banking is the first major UK bank to adopt Addepar’ software platform designed specifically for wealth managers. The Addepar platform provides an enhanced client reporting experience, with complex aspects such as alternatives and account aggregation. Relationship managers and investment advisers can provide clients with bespoke, comprehensive performance data and insights on their investments with just a few clicks. Additionally, the platform can also aggregate performance for clients who hold investments with other wealth managers, meaning clients can see a full picture of their entire investment portfolio. Charles Boulton, Head of Private Banking, HSBC UK, said: “Addepar’s platform will mean that clients have the best possible insights at their fingertips to manage an increasingly complex financial landscape. Being able to present a client’s entire portfolio to them so they have a holistic view of their wealth across multiple currencies and multiple wealth managers will be a big step forward for us.” James Thomson, Head of Investment Counselling, HSBC UK Private Banking, said: Our new reporting capabilities will mean our investment advisors can deliver deeper insights and greater transparency to our clients in a more efficient way, meaning they can spend more time on what matters most: providing our clients with high quality advice supported by robust analytics.”