BMO Capital Markets AI Leader to Headline Panel on Autonomous Agents in Financial Services

AI agents are fundamentally reshaping the financial services industry, transforming how banks gather information, improve back-end operations, accelerate processes, and enhance both customer and employee relations. The rapid evolution of these autonomous systems promises to revolutionize financial services in unprecedented ways. Armando Benitez, the Chief Data & Analytics Officer and Head of AI at BMO Capital Markets, stands at the forefront of this transformation and will lead a critical panel discussion on the topic at the upcoming Benzinga Fintech Day & Awards on November 10, 2025.

The panel discussion, titled AI In Finance: How autonomous agents are changing financial services, will provide comprehensive insights into the current and future applications of AI in banking. Benitez leads a team of engineers, strategists, and AI professionals who create end-to-end solutions at the intersection of finance and technology. As CDAO, he shapes the strategic vision for data and analytics, integrating AI into business processes to drive innovation and improve decision-making across financial institutions.

The discussion will cover several critical areas where AI agents are making significant impacts. Panelists will explore specific functions AI agents currently handle within banks and fintech organizations, providing concrete examples of automation and intelligence augmentation. A key focus will be on how financial institutions measure ROI and productivity improvements from deploying AI agents, offering valuable metrics for organizations considering similar implementations. The conversation will also address where AI agents have directly led to better fraud prevention or compliance outcomes, highlighting the security and regulatory benefits of these technologies.

Risk assessment forms another crucial component of the discussion, with panelists examining the biggest concerns stakeholders have about deploying agentic AI in finance. This includes addressing security vulnerabilities, ethical considerations, and operational risks associated with autonomous systems. The panel will also delve into human/AI collaboration in financial workflows, discussing what approaches work effectively and what areas require improvement for optimal integration. Looking forward, participants will share predictions about AI in finance for 2026, identifying the biggest innovations and changes on the horizon that could further transform the industry.

Joining Benitez on the panel will be AJ Audino, Head of Enterprise Growth at Perplexity, Lava CEO & Founder Mitchel Jones, Adam Dell, CEO of Domain Money, and Adam Heimann from True Trading Group. The diverse perspectives from these fintech leaders will provide a comprehensive view of how AI is impacting various segments of the financial services ecosystem. Tommy Cotter, head of product at Benzinga, will moderate the discussion, ensuring a balanced and insightful conversation.

The implications of this panel discussion extend beyond the event itself, offering valuable insights for financial institutions navigating the AI transformation. As banks increasingly rely on AI agents to streamline business processes, boost productivity, and enhance employee relations, understanding best practices and potential pitfalls becomes crucial. The improved customer service and loyalty resulting from these technological advancements represent significant competitive advantages in an increasingly digital financial landscape. The discussion serves as an important resource for anyone interested in learning how AI is currently transforming the banking industry and what broader impacts these changes will have on financial services in the coming years.