Truist is prioritizing innovation and has seen a sharp increase in the number of patents it has been granted. 

The $544 billion bank launched its patent program in 2022 as it looked to foster a more digital and innovative approach to banking, Michael Springs, senior associate general counsel at Truist, told Bank Automation News. 

“Truist’s patent strategy is aligned with the bank’s overall strategy and prioritizes protecting Truist’s innovation in digital-facing client technologies, payments; artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies; information handling; data analytics; and branch technology,” Springs said.  

Since 2022, the Charlotte, N.C.-based Truist has been granted 315 patents, up from 41 in 2021, he said. 

The patent effort has landed Truist on the 2025 AI Patent 100 List published by patent preparation and prosecution firm Harrity & Harrity, which ranks top companies obtaining U.S. patents involving AI in 2024. The bank stood against tech giants Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia and Apple. 

According to the list, Truist ranked 87th out of 100, with 53 patents granted in 2024, a 960% increase year over year.  

Truist joins these financial institutions in the top 100: 

Recently issued patents

In 2025, the bank is on track for 125 patent issuances, Springs said. 

Patents were recently granted for Truist inventions relating to: 

• Cybersecurity; 

• Payments; and 

• Cards. 

For example, U.S. Patent 12,33,286, “advances cybersecurity with a graphical interface that helps administrators identify and securely containerize legacy applications, reducing vulnerabilities and improving system resilience,” Spring said. 

The team

Truist’s patent program is part of Truist’s Technology Legal Group, he said. The patent program is made up of four team members, several law firm partners and 700 Truist inventors to date, Spring said. 

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