Zopa has launched an AI assistant inside its Biscuit Current account, enabling users to manage finances through voice or text commands.
What Can the AI Do?
The assistant appears as an ‘Ask’ button in the app’s menu. Users can type or speak naturally, like talking to a friend.
- Move money to savings: If you have a savings account with Zopa, the AI can transfer funds.
- Freeze your card: If you lose your card, the assistant can pause it instantly — useful during panic.
- Split bills: Upload a receipt and the AI splits it, showing the breakdown.
- Find payments: Ask for details about specific transactions — like when you paid a window cleaner.
- Set up new payees: Use a screenshot from WhatsApp, invoice, or copied text to add a new recipient. The AI verifies the name matches your account.
- Pay an invoice: Upload a document (via photo) and the AI sets up the payee and sends the money.
- Move money between linked accounts: You can transfer funds between connected accounts without logging into each one.
Our Key Tests
Several features were tested using real and simulated transactions.
To check spending habits, the source writer asked the assistant: ‘How much do I usually send to Dan?’ It pulled up recent transfers and allowed the user to set a new amount — though the user still had to confirm with Face ID.
For invoice testing, a fake ‘Dog Walking’ invoice was created. The source writer’s husband took a screenshot and used the locked phone to ask the AI to pay it. The assistant rejected the transaction — it did not send money to the fake payee.
Why This Matters
The AI simplifies routine financial tasks. It can save time and reduce errors in splitting bills or managing recurring payments.
For users who juggle multiple accounts, the ability to move money between linked accounts without logging in is a practical improvement.
Key Concerns
Despite the assistant’s success in rejecting fake invoices, privacy risks remain.
If a phone is stolen, a thief could potentially access the device and use the AI to send money — especially if Face ID or passcode is compromised.
Users can link other bank accounts. The AI could access balances and transfer funds across those accounts. This increases the potential for misuse if the device is lost or stolen.
There is no built-in mechanism to detect if a request is made by someone other than the account holder. The AI does not verify identity beyond the device’s authentication.
How to Stay Safe
While the AI works well, security is still a concern.
- Use strong passcodes and Face ID.
- Enable remote lock and erase features on your phone.
- Review all transactions regularly.
- Do not share bank details or sensitive information with the AI.
As one reader noted, even with Face ID, a thief could reset the passcode and gain full access — a risk highlighted in a London case where a phone thief spent £20,000.
For users, the AI is a helpful tool — but not a replacement for strong device and account security.
More research is needed on how AI financial assistants detect fraud or verify user intent in real-time.
Learn more about managing your money safely with Zopa’s Biscuit AI feature.
For tips on protecting your savings from smartphone theft, see our guide on Be Clever With Your Cash.
Explore student-friendly money-saving strategies at Student Money Tips.
Sources & further reading
AI-generated illustration.
