Bank of America’s Erica Surpasses 10 Million Users, Introduces New Capabilities

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Wednesday, December 18th, 2019

Bank of America announced that its artificial intelligence (AI)-driven virtual financial assistant, Erica, has surpassed 10 million users since its nationwide rollout in June 2018 and is on track to complte 100 million client requests in the coming weeks. These milestones coincide with the introduction of several new Erica insights within the bank’s award-winning mobile app that offer clients personalized, proactive guidance to help them stay on top of their finances.

“Erica is ushering in a new era of personalized banking and providing our clients never-before-possible convenience,” said David Tyrie, head of advanced solutions and digital banking at Bank of America. “Our high-tech capabilities together with our high-touch approach deliver a more intuitive and efficient banking experience for our clients across all channels.”

The latest enhancements to Erica include a new Refund Confirmation Insight through which clients are proactively notified when a merchant refund is posted and available to use in their checking, savings or credit card accounts.

Erica also provides new insights for members of Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that recognizes the value of a client’s entire relationship with the bank. In addition to alerting clients when they are eligible for the program and guiding them through the enrollment process, Erica now proactively notifies members when they’re within $10,000 of the next Rewards program tier, enabling them to see how much more they could earn at the next tier and offering guidance on how to qualify. Six million clients are Preferred Rewards members, with access to an array of perks and benefits across their entire banking and investing relationship.

Additionally, the following enhancements to Erica will be introduced early next year:

New Card Merchant List Assistance: After receiving a replacement debit or credit card, Erica will proactively provide clients a list of merchants and subscription services where their card information may be stored, making updates easier. Clients can also ask Erica for a list of companies that have their card on file at any time.

Duplicate Merchant Charges Insight: Erica will alert clients when they may have been charged more than once for a purchase so they can take immediate action. Erica will then guide them through the process of filing a dispute when necessary.

Nation’s most mobile banking cities

Bank of America also revealed today new insights into the adoption of mobile banking among its 29 million mobile clients nationwide. Today, 60 percent or more of Bank of America clients in 17 major cities are actively using the company’s award-winning mobile experience.1

Memphis, Tenn., known as the home of the blues and birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, now has another designation – Bank of America’s most mobile banking city, with nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of clients actively using the company’s mobile app. Nashville, Tenn. takes the second spot with 64 percent.

Closely following are Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Dallas, Orlando, Fla., and Raleigh, N.C. at 63 percent each; Houston at 62 percent; and Austin, Texas, Boston, Miami, and New York City at 61 percent.

Rounding out the top mobile banking cities at 60 percent each are Chicago, Knoxville, Tenn., Philadelphia, Richmond, Va., and Washington, D.C.

Approximately 30 percent of Bank of America mobile clients nationwide have interacted with Erica, with the highest rates of adoption occurring in Memphis, Tenn. (34 percent); San Antonio, Texas and Las Vegas (31 percent); and Albuquerque, N.M., Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Providence, R.I. (30 percent).

Even more, Bank of America found that in nearly 100 major cities across the country, at least 50 percent of clients are active mobile banking users – including in several cities known for being tech-savvy, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Tampa, Fla.2

“Whether it’s Erica, Preferred Rewards or mobile banking and investing, we’re providing clients the technology, benefits and resources to help them reach their financial goals – meeting them where they are, and through the channels they prefer,” added Tyrie.