# AI Expands Banks’ Options for Modernizing Legacy Cores

> AI agents connect banks’ old systems to new apps without replacing them.
- Title: AI Expands Banks’ Options for Modernizing Legacy Cores
- Summary: AI agents connect banks’ old systems to new apps without replacing them. AI agents access legacy banking systems via APIs, MCP, and employee interfaces to…
- Keywords: ai agents, banking systems, legacy cores, api integration, mcp protocol, financial services, business, finance, Expands, Banks, Options, Modernizing
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/ai-expands-banks-options-for-modernizing-legacy-cores
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-24T15:55:36+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ai agents, banking systems, legacy cores, api integration, mcp protocol, financial services, business, finance
## AI agents reach bank systems
AI agents access banking systems through apis, mcp connections and employee interfaces.
## 95% of banks use ai tools
95 percent of financial services firms deploy ai in data and technology functions.
## MCP enables ai access
mcp servers present approved banking functions to ai agents as tools.
## AI handles legacy code
ai agents migrate cobol and other legacy code through computer use interfaces.
## Banks face integration challenges
25 percent of banks use ai for api orchestration, but data quality hinders progress.
## AI changes system economics
ai agents reduce integration work while banks control access to legacy systems.
## Key takeaway

AI agents access legacy banking systems via APIs, MCP, and employee interfaces to modernize without full core replacement.