Google lets Gemini connect to bank accounts via Google Wallet

What Google announced

Google has announced that Gemini users can connect the chatbot to their bank accounts through an integration with Google Wallet. According to Engadget, the feature is designed to give more tailored responses around personal finance, rather than to let the chatbot make purchases.

Once an account is linked, users can ask Gemini questions about their money. Google suggests the chatbot could, for example, spot a price increase on a subscription or help identify unnecessary recurring charges.

What Gemini can do with the data

Beyond simple account questions, Google says Gemini can build budgets for set time periods, complete with dynamic charts tracking cash flow and asset allocation. It can also reportedly help users set up a holiday budget.

The company describes the feature as part of Personal Intelligence in Gemini, which connects information from apps people already use to make the assistant more personalised.

Security and user control

Security is an obvious concern when a chatbot touches financial data. Google says the integration is read-only: Gemini can view account information but cannot move, manage or invest any money.

The feature is entirely opt-in, and Engadget reports that it appears to be easy to switch on and off in the settings. That gives users control over whether their financial data reaches the chatbot at all.

Rollout and the Plaid partnership

The integration is rolling out now across web and mobile. Google has also partnered with the fintech company Plaid, which it says will help users unlock deeper insights, though it gave no specifics about what that will involve.

Engadget has contacted Google for more detail on the Plaid partnership, so further information may follow.

Why it matters

This is the latest step in AI assistants gaining access to personal finances. OpenAI recently introduced a feature that lets its agents shop on a user's behalf, and Meta offers something similar with Meta Muse.

That trend has drawn resistance: companies including United Airlines, Delta and Amazon have banned AI agents from shopping on their platforms. Google's approach differs, since Gemini only reads financial data and cannot spend it.