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APRIL 14, 2026 |
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What are consumers who are very concerned about gas and energy prices most likely to do with their tax refund this year? |
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A) Put it aside B) Pay off debt C) Home improvement D) Invest it |
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PERSONAL FINANCE |
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Perplexity has expanded its personal finance capabilities by supporting connections through financial technology company Plaid for checking, savings, credit card, and loan accounts for the former’s recently released Computer tool. |
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Computer looks and in many ways functions like Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT. The distinguishing factor the company markets is the ability to break down tasks and hand them off to AI agents using optimal models to respond to each prompt. This is like asking ChatGPT to write code that pulls news from the internet and letting it handle each step in the best way possible. It is distinct from search, whose primary function is to surface, summarize, and analyze resources from the internet. |
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CYBERSECURITY |
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US regulators are escalating concerns about advanced AI-driven cyber risk, summoning CEOs of systemically important banks to an urgent meeting about Anthropic’s new Mythos. The triggering event was the fear that Anthropic’s latest model could enable a new class of sophisticated cyberattacks. |
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Mythos is Anthropic’s latest model, which in testing autonomously discovered security exploits. It can be used as a defensive AI cybersecurity tool, but it can also be weaponized. Anthropic restricted access to a small group of firms, including large tech companies and banks, which are participating in a project to protect critical systems before the model goes live. |
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DIGITAL BANKING |
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In his shareholder letter accompanying JPMorganChase’s 2025 annual report, CEO Jamie Dimon has framed AI as a core strategic priority for the bank and a foundational shift in technology rather than a speculative bubble. He positions AI as fundamental to the bank’s plan to compete against both traditional rivals and newer entrants, and cites Block, Citadel, Revolut, and Stripe as standout insurgents. |
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Though touting JPMorgan’s technology strategy and AI focus, Dimon makes no explicit assertion that it will be an ultimate AI “winner.” But it is one of few financial institutions with the resources to support the independent advancement of AI. In JPMorgan’s Q4 2025 earnings, Dimon defended the bank’s $18 billion in tech spending for the year. |
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REPORT |
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Card payments still underpin commerce in the US, but the model is evolving under pressure. As ecosystem roles converge, providers are pushing into new functions to capture more value—while facing growing competition from alternative payments, AI, and shifting consumer behavior. |
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Key question: Who are the major players in the card payments ecosystem, and what are the biggest trends disrupting the space? |
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Key stat: Total US card network transaction value will surpass the staggering $13.5 trillion milestone in 2026, per our forecast—representing a massive revenue pool for the entire ecosystem. |
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(EMARKETER subscription required to read the full report) |
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CHART OF THE WEEK |
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Key stat: 85% of US adult consumers trust their bank, more than healthcare apps/telehealth platforms, AI, the news, and social media influencers, found a February 2026 survey from TD Bank. | | | |
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