K&H Bank frames the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in banking not as full automation but as "controlled autonomy": AI is intended to support decision-making, while human roles and responsibilities remain intact.
Gradual rollout with risk and compliance safeguards
Against the backdrop of rapid AI adoption in finance, K&H is pursuing a development and deployment approach based on gradual steps and strict risk-management and compliance rules. The bank's aim is to generate measurable business value from innovation while preserving the safety and predictability of its operations.
In K&H’s interpretation, controlled autonomy means that AI does not act as an independent decision-maker; instead it operates within predefined boundaries under human supervision to assist processes and decisions.
Emphasis on human control
"When introducing AI, the priority is not technological risk-taking but deliberate, step-by-step construction. We build systems where artificial intelligence supports decisions, but final responsibility and control remain with humans," said Lóska Gergely, Chief Information and Innovation Officer at K&H Bank.
Lóska stressed that it is essential for the bank to keep customer relationships under its own control. K&H views it as a strategic question how banks can remain active participants in customers' decision processes in an environment increasingly mediated by AI.
What the bank expects going forward
K&H expects AI over the coming years to be more than an efficiency tool: it could substantially reshape how financial services operate. The bank singled out the potential impact of so-called agentic AI, which may evolve from merely providing information to initiating transactions or making purchases.
Accordingly, the bank's innovation strategy focuses on ensuring that technological developments deliver tangible benefits in daily operations for both customers and the organization, while preserving human ultimate control and responsibility.
Implications for the sector
K&H’s approach aligns with broader industry debates calling for responsible, regulated AI adoption in financial services. The bank’s model aims to minimize operational and compliance risks during AI rollout while maintaining the bank’s control over customer relationships and decision authority.
