In this timely installment, Bankadelic welcomes two of the founders of Tyfone, a Portland-based digital banking company: CEO Siva Narendra and COO Prabhakar Tadepalli. Together, they shed light on the promise and practical realities of agentic AI, offering financial institutions a grounded perspective on what this evolving technology can actually deliver — and what remains more hype than help.

Agentic AI, often described as the next leap forward in artificial intelligence, enables systems to independently plan, reason, and take action on complex tasks with minimal human input. Unlike traditional AI, which requires continual prompting and human oversight, agentic AI can harness large language models and external APIs to complete multi-step goals, learn from outcomes, and adapt to new data in real time.

While the technology has ignited interest across industries, the financial sector has been particularly quick to explore its potential applications — perhaps too quickly, according to some experts. The Bankadelic episode poses a central question: Are financial institutions embracing agentic AI before it’s truly ready for wide-scale adoption?

Tadepalli offers a measured but optimistic view of the near-term benefits:
“And if you extend that further into your digital environment, you can enhance the customer experience significantly on basic questions that can be answered in a more efficient and comprehensive manner,” he said, referring to how agentic AI can streamline back-office operations and customer service functions, such as call centers.

Narendra and Tadepalli also explore how financial institutions can realistically implement agentic AI by first identifying the right opportunities, understanding the limitations, and aligning the technology with user-centric outcomes.

Tyfone, founded in 2004 by Narendra, Tadepalli, and Tom Spitzer, has long championed the idea that “digital trust” is essential to the future of a connected world. Its digital banking platform, nFinia, supports banks and credit unions across the U.S. and includes Penni, an AI-powered financial assistant. Penni AI is designed to help users analyze spending patterns, uncover savings opportunities, and improve financial wellness — a real-world example of AI improving everyday financial experiences.

The Bankadelic Podcast, based in Chicago, continues to set itself apart from traditional finance shows with its blend of expert interviews, original music, and skits — all produced and performed by Carlozo himself. The podcast’s unique voice and creative storytelling have earned it a loyal following among industry insiders and curious listeners alike.

From the high-level theory behind agentic AI to its immediate, practical implications for banks and credit unions, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the rapidly changing intersection of fintech and artificial intelligence.