Wells Fargo launches AI Teammate for financial advisers

Wells Fargo announced on July 15, 2026, the launch of AI Teammate, an AI-powered chat capability designed to support financial advisers, support teams, and client associates. The tool connects directly to the bank's Advisor Gateway platform, which launched in May 2026 as part of Wells Fargo's broader technology modernization effort. AI Teammate allows users to submit queries in plain language—rather than navigating complex system menus—and returns product summaries, workflow documentation, and process information tailored to their needs.

The primary goal is to reduce the time employees spend searching for information and navigating resources. In the short time the tool has been available, users have already created thousands of prompts and hundreds of conversations, according to Evelyn Varner, chief product officer for wealth and investment management at Wells Fargo. Varner told CIO Dive in an email that the tool is helping advisers be "more connected, more useful, and ultimately more effective in delivering client advice."

The development of AI Teammate involved close collaboration between Wells Fargo's wealth and investment management division's product, enterprise technology, and AI teams, who focused on solving everyday workflow challenges identified by advisers. Varner explained that "starting with those high-frequency activities allowed us to focus on delivering immediate value while building a foundation for future capabilities." She emphasized her commitment to practical outcomes and to creating products collaboratively with advisers to reduce complexity and provide more intuitive experiences.

Wells Fargo's investment in this technology is substantial: CEO Charles Scharf disclosed during the company's Q2 2026 earnings call on Tuesday that the bank has invested more than $1 billion（約1600億円） in modernizing its technology platform over the last several years. Scharf stated that "investments like this are improving productivity, strengthening the client experience and driving improved adviser hiring and retention." The AI Teammate launch fits into a pattern of major banks deploying AI tools for employees in 2026—Citigroup began piloting Spaces, a collaboration tool for AI-assisted projects, in January, and Bank of America launched its AI-Powered Meeting Journey in March, which integrates with the firm's Salesforce CRM to deliver information to advisers before client meetings.

Wells Fargo's rollout of AI Teammate reflects the bank's broader technology modernization effort, which has required investment of more than $1 billion（約1600億円） over several years. The tool is built on the Advisor Gateway platform, which the bank launched in May 2026, and represents a deliberate focus on solving high-frequency workflow challenges—specifically the time advisers spend searching for information rather than serving clients. CEO Charles Scharf framed this investment strategy as central to the bank's competitive position, stating that such AI tools are improving productivity, strengthening client experience, and supporting adviser hiring and retention.

Wells Fargo's approach reflects a broader competitive pattern among large banks in 2026. Citigroup began piloting Spaces, a collaboration tool for AI-assisted projects, in January, while Bank of America launched its AI-Powered Meeting Journey in March—both tools designed to support advisers with AI-powered information access. Wells Fargo's emphasis on plain-language querying and immediate practical value distinguishes its approach; Chief Product Officer Evelyn Varner noted that focusing on high-frequency activities allowed the bank to deliver immediate value while building a foundation for future capabilities.

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