The global banking sector is adding to its C-suite to keep pace with the AI revolution. 

Enter the chief artificial intelligence officer (CAIO). 

A CAIO is an executive focused on the oversight of development, strategy and implementation of AI, according to IBM. 

Banks in the U.S., U.K., Europe and Australia — even digital banks — are hiring CAIOs to propel AI strategies. 

The $2.1 trillion Wells Fargo, for one, announced in November that Saul Van Beurden, will lead AI efforts at Wells as head of AI, co-CEO of consumer banking and lending. 

“Success will be driven by business heads embracing these new technologies and rethinking their own operating models using generative and agentic AI solutions,” Wells Fargo Chief Executive Charlie Scharf said in a November release. 

In 2025, the following banks filled these inaugural roles: 

Sarthak Pattanaik, chief data and AI officer, BNY  

Sarthak Pattanaik was appointed chief data and AI officer at BNY in June. He joined the bank in 2013. 

The $2.1 trillion BNY continues to prioritize AI and has 117 AI solutions under development. It has also deployed digital agents within its API marketplace and updated its enterprise AI platform, Eliza, using Google Cloud’s Gemini. 

Pattanaik was named to the FinAi News list of “FinAi execs to watch in 2026.” 

Maja Pantic, chief AI research officer, NatWest 

Maja Pantic was appointed chief AI research officer of London-based NatWest in June. 

Pantic is responsible for advancing the bank’s AI capabilities, according to a June release from the $970 billion bank. 

“It’s not the first time I’ve said that AI is helping us to be a simpler NatWest,” CIO Scott Marcar said in the release. “Maja’s appointment is another important and exciting milestone.” 

Prior to NatWest, Pantic’s roles included: 

• Professor at Imperial College London; 

• Generative AI research director at Meta; and 

• Research director at the Samsung AI Center. 

Ranil Boteju, CAIO, Commonwealth Bank of Australia 

The $730 billion Commonwealth Bank of Australia named Ranil Boteju as its CAIO in November. His appointment is effective in early 2026.

“As we scale to deliver even greater value from AI for our customers and our people, Ranil’s global leadership in harnessing AI and data will be instrumental,” CEO Matt Comyn said in a November release. 

Boteju joins Commonwealth, which services 17 million customers, from Lloyds Banking Group, where he was group chief data and analytics officer. 

Oliver Dorler, chief data and AI officer, Commerzbank 

Germany-based, $693 billion Commerzbank selected Oliver Dorler as its chief data and AI officer in May. 

The chief data and AI officer, a new role at the bank, is responsible for bankwide AI application and data management, according to the bank.  

“By appointing Oliver Dorler as chief data and AI officer, we are ensuring that our central themes of data and AI are strategically integrated,” Chief Operating Officer Christiane Vorspel said in a bank release. 

Dorler joined Commerzbank in 2019 and previously held positions at Deutsche Bank and Deloitte. 

Kasper Tjorntved Davidsen, chief AI officer and head of gen AI, Danske Bank  

The Denmark-based, $575.8 billion Danske Bank named Kasper Tjorntved Davidsen as its chief AI officer and head of gen AI in June.

“Kasper’s technical capabilities and extensive experience with executive leadership roles and large-scale digital transformations will be instrumental to realize our commitment to being frontrunners in the gen AI revolution within financial services and becoming an AI-first bank,” Chief Technology Officer Richard Davis said in a Danske Bank release. 

Davidsen is a seasoned chief technology officer and chief information officer, according to LinkedIn. 

Pascal Belaud, chief AI and data officer, Truist 

Truist appointed Pascal Belaud as its chief AI and data officer in November.

“Pascal is a visionary, as well as a charismatic leader, and will be an incredible asset to our team,” CIO Steve Hagerman said in a November Truist release. “His expertise across AI and data is matched only by his passion for driving innovation at speed and scale.” 

The addition of Belaud to the Truist team is the bank’s latest push in its AI efforts. Truist announced a 5-year plan during the third quarter which consists of technology investments and new branches, including advanced AI-driven technology, CEO Bill Rogers said during the bank’s Q3 earnings call.  

Belaud joins the $544 billion, Charlotte, N.C.-based bank from Microsoft, where he spent more than 25 years, according to the release. His latest role at Microsoft was general manager, cloud and AI platforms for the U.S. financial services vertical. 

Ali Abedini, CAIO, Metropolitan Commercial Bank 

Metropolitan Commercial Bank (MCB) named its first CAIO in August, with the appointment of Ali Abedini for the post. The $1.7 billion, New York City-based bank gained Abedini from TD, where he was executive head of advanced analytics and AI. 

“We recognize the critical importance of growing our team to lead the development and implementation of cutting-edge technologies to better serve our clients,” MCB President and CEO Mark DeFazio said in an August release. 

Asmau Ahmed, chief AI and data officer, Varo Bank 

Asmau Ahmed was appointed chief AI and data officer of $486 million Varo Bank in September.

She joined Varo with experience at Google, Bank of America and Capital One, according to a bank release. 

“Asmau is an industry leader in data science and AI, and I’m excited that she’ll continue advancing Varo Bank as an AI-first bank and drive innovation to improve the financial lives of everyday Americans,” Varo Bank CEO Gavin Michael said in the release. 

Asmau will speak at the FinAi Banking Summit on Monday, March 2, 2026.

Register here for early-bird pricing for the inaugural FinAi Banking Summit 2026, taking place March 2-3 in Denver. View the full event agenda here.