Does Your Bank Have an AI Policy?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing how community banks operate. Your employees may already be using AI to draft emails, summarize meeting notes, research regulations, create presentations, analyze spreadsheets, write reports, or develop customer communications. While these tools can improve productivity and efficiency, they also introduce risks involving customer data, regulatory compliance, information security, and confidential bank information.
If your bank does not have a formal AI Usage and Security Policy, now is the time to establish one.
The SBA Advisors Artificial Intelligence Usage and Security Handbook provides community banks with a practical framework for implementing responsible AI use throughout the organization. It helps establish clear expectations for employees, outlines acceptable and prohibited uses of AI, explains how to protect sensitive information, and provides guidance for AI governance, employee training, and incident response.
Whether your bank is just beginning to explore AI or already incorporates AI into daily operations, this handbook can help your institution embrace AI with confidence while managing risk and supporting regulatory compliance.
Before You Begin, Ask Yourself…
- Are bank employees using AI to draft emails or summarize documents?
- Is AI being used to analyze financial information or prepare reports?
- Are employees using AI to create presentations, customer communications, or marketing materials?
- Has your bank approved which AI tools employees may use?
- Do employees understand what customer, loan, or confidential bank information should never be entered into an AI platform?
- Does your bank have procedures in place if sensitive information is accidentally shared with an AI tool?
If you answered “no” or “I’m not sure” to any of these questions, implementing an AI Use Policy can help your bank reduce risk while allowing employees to use AI responsibly and effectively.
AI Usage and Security Policy Handbook Table of Contents
Inside this AI handbook, you will find practical guidance for establishing an AI governance program, educating employees, protecting sensitive information, and reducing risk while taking advantage of AI technologies. Below is an overview of the topics covered.
- How to Use This Handbook
- Purpose & Scope
- Key Definitions
- Governance & Key Stakeholders
- Approved AI Platforms
- Data Classification & AI
- Prohibited AI Use
- Incident Response
- Regulatory Framework
- Employee Responsibilities & Training
- Policy Violations & Enforcement
- Policy Review & Updates
- Employee Acknowledgement
- AI Record Retention
- Glossary of Key Terms
- Appendix A: Quick Reference Card
- Appendix B: Implementation Guide
