OpenAI is introducing a new personal finance feature in ChatGPT for U.S. Pro users. This update lets users connect their financial accounts through Plaid, so the chatbot can access real spending, balances, investments, and liabilities to offer more personalized money advice.
OpenAI said it is starting with a small group to learn from real-world use before expanding. This launch is a major trust test, since users can now give ChatGPT direct access to their financial accounts.
The feature is now available on the web and iOS for ChatGPT Pro users in the U.S., and it supports over 12,000 financial institutions through Plaid. OpenAI plans to offer it to Plus users next, with the goal of eventually making it available to everyone.
What ChatGPT can see
After users connect their accounts, ChatGPT can display a dashboard with portfolio performance, spending, subscriptions, upcoming payments, and other financial details.
OpenAI said users can ask questions based on their own finances, like planning for savings, reviewing subscriptions, analyzing travel spending, understanding investment risks, or comparing financial scenarios.
The Verge reported that this feature can show spending history, active subscriptions, and changes in financial habits. It can also help users consider decisions like buying a house or getting a credit card.
OpenAI said that over 200 million people already use ChatGPT each month for finance-related questions, such as budgeting, investing, and planning for future goals.
Plaid now connects ChatGPT to financial accounts
This new feature uses Plaid, a financial data platform that connects apps to bank and investment accounts.
Plaid works with thousands of institutions, such as Schwab, Fidelity, Chase, and Capital One. OpenAI said users can start by opening Finances in the ChatGPT sidebar or by typing “@Finances, connect my accounts.”
OpenAI said Plaid is the first connection method, and support from Intuit will be added soon. The company is also working with partners like Intuit so ChatGPT can eventually do more than answer finance questions, such as making credit card recommendations, giving tax estimates, or helping schedule with a tax expert.
OpenAI stresses limits and user control
OpenAI is addressing privacy concerns by stressing that users control their own information. The company said ChatGPT can access balances, transactions, investments, and liabilities, but cannot see full account numbers or make changes to accounts.
Users can disconnect their financial accounts at any time, and OpenAI said that synced account data will be deleted from its systems within 30 days after disconnection.
Users can view and delete financial memories, like goals or obligations saved by ChatGPT, and control whether their financial conversations are used to improve OpenAI’s models through data settings.
However, ChatGPT might see sensitive information, such as credit card debt, mortgage liabilities, transactions, and stock portfolios. This makes privacy and security key issues for the rollout.
Advice, but not a financial adviser
OpenAI says this product is meant to help users feel more confident about managing their money, but it is not a substitute for professional financial advice.
The company said financial questions are complex and depend on context, and that conversations with connected accounts use GPT-5.5 Thinking by default. OpenAI also said it worked with over 50 finance professionals to test the experience on challenging personal finance tasks.
This launch is a big step for ChatGPT, as it now handles highly sensitive personal data. If successful, the tool could make budgeting and financial planning feel more personal than using a spreadsheet or banking app.
However, there is a clear trade-off: better advice means giving ChatGPT more access, so OpenAI must show users it can protect their financial data as well as banks do.
