Northern Trust cuts onboarding time by 83 percent with Microsoft AI agent

Northern Trust has reduced the time analysts spend preparing data for client onboarding by 83 percent through the deployment of a new artificial intelligence agent. The financial services firm developed the tool in partnership with Microsoft, marking an expansion of their existing collaboration. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the bank to integrate advanced AI capabilities while maintaining strict security, privacy and governance standards.

The client onboarding agent combines advanced AI with enterprise-grade controls to accelerate processes for clients. Northern Trust chief executive Michael O’Grady stated during the company’s third-quarter earnings call that the system is designed to make the process faster without compromising trust. The Monday announcement highlighted that human oversight is embedded throughout the agent’s workflow. This structure allows analysts to evaluate the tool’s reasoning and review its outputs, ensuring that the technology operates within established regulatory and operational boundaries.

Bill Borden, corporate vice president of worldwide financial services at Microsoft, described the approach as a broader opportunity for regulated industries. He noted that such systems can transform complex workflows and deliver business value while preserving client confidence. The move aligns with industry trends, as an Evident report published last month indicated that more than two-thirds of global financial firms have added specific controls for AI systems. This heightened focus on governance reflects the sector’s need to balance innovation with responsible use.

Beyond the onboarding agent, Northern Trust has adopted client action plan agents that save customer relationship managers two to three hours per client memo. The bank has also seen straight-through processing for automated financial transactions nearly double due to AI-enabled digitization. Internally, an AI assistant named Byron supports wealth managers by providing more tailored insights for client delivery. O’Grady told shareholders in a 2025 report that the deployment of AI and the use of the proprietary platform have delivered efficiency and productivity gains. He emphasised that the bank’s approach is disciplined, focusing on outcomes and process redesign rather than simply adding new tools.