Meta's Muse could trigger bank deposit drain, Apollo's Sløk warns

The debut of consumer-focused AI agents like Meta's Muse has sparked analysis not just about their capabilities but about how they might reshape consumer behavior. Torsten Sløk's blog post highlights banking as a prime example: agents could automatically move household cash from tepid checking accounts to higher-yield options, threatening the cheap deposits banks rely on for lending. This mirrors a broader pattern where AI agents could dismantle business models built on friction and customer inertia. Decades of profit have flowed from psychological barriers that keep customers locked into gyms, telecom contracts, and subscription services. If agents can effortlessly switch accounts, cancel subscriptions, or fill out forms, these industries face existential questions. As companies file SEC reports, their risk factors may soon reflect this new reality. The stakes are high: banks and inertia-dependent businesses must adapt or risk disruption, though the extent hinges on how widely and effectively agents are adopted.