The banking industry is evolving once again. After years of digital transformation focused on automation and cost reduction, banks are now entering a phase of AI transformation. At the center of this shift is agentic AI, a form of artificial intelligence that can make decisions, take action, and learn from its environment without constant human direction. 

Agentic AI is not science fiction. It is already being used to improve lending decisions, reduce compliance risk, enhance fraud detection, and deliver faster, more personalized customer experiences.  

What Is Agentic AI? 

Unlike traditional AI, which relies on static rules or human prompts, agentic AI can operate more independently. It can review large volumes of structured and unstructured data, make decisions based on context, carry out tasks, and adjust its behavior over time. These capabilities make it ideal for use cases like automated underwriting, intelligent customer onboarding, regulatory analysis, and content-driven workflows. 

Agentic AI is now being built into enterprise platforms designed specifically for financial institutions. This means banks can deploy systems that are secure, explainable, and aligned with regulatory requirements. Adoption is accelerating, and institutions that wait too long risk falling behind. 

How Agentic AI Changes Talent Requirements 

Success with agentic AI will depend on the people who plan, oversee, and manage it.  

Banks will need leaders who can bridge the gap between advanced technology and core business functions. That includes executives who understand how to evaluate AI models, assess data readiness, and manage the risks that come with automation. It also includes operational managers who can translate AI outputs into real-world decisions and customer outcomes. 

Agentic AI expands the need for cross-functional collaboration. IT teams must work more closely with compliance, legal, marketing, and lending departments. Organizations will need leaders who are comfortable in these hybrid environments and who can build consensus across teams. 

Why Leadership Still Matters 

There is a misconception that more autonomous technology reduces the need for human leadership. In reality, it raises the stakes. Someone must still decide how AI is applied, which problems it is allowed to solve, and how performance is measured. In banking, these decisions carry legal and reputational weight. Strong governance is essential. 

Boards and C-suite leaders will also need to answer questions about fairness, transparency, and accountability. AI systems must be explainable and auditable. Customers and regulators will expect to understand how decisions are made, especially in areas like lending, risk, and fraud detection. 

How to Hire for the Future 

If your bank is beginning or accelerating its AI journey, here are a few priorities to keep in mind when hiring: 

1. Seek hybrid expertise.
   Look for candidates who understand both financial services and advanced technology. Domain expertise alone is not enough. Neither is pure tech fluency.
2. Prioritize collaboration skills.
   Agentic AI crosses departmental lines. Leaders must be able to work with legal, compliance, operations, and IT with equal confidence.
3. Hire for adaptability.
   AI technology is changing rapidly. Leaders must be comfortable working with uncertainty, making informed decisions without perfect data, and adjusting plans as new tools emerge.
4. Emphasize ethical thinking.
   Responsibility, fairness, and transparency are non-negotiable in financial services. Leaders need the judgment to apply AI appropriately and the confidence to challenge the technology when necessary.

Agentic AI is not just another software upgrade. It is a fundamental change in how banks operate, make decisions, and serve customers. The shift will open up new possibilities for growth, efficiency, and personalization. But it will also demand a different kind of leadership. 

At The Anderson Search Group, we specialize in helping banks identify and recruit forward-thinking executives who can lead through change.