AI is rapidly becoming a new interface for how businesses work. Entrepreneurs are increasingly turning to AI assistants to analyze financial data, answer operational questions and make faster decisions. But building that connection securely is harder than it looks. Most banking APIs weren't designed for AI integration, and most AI platforms weren't built with financial data security in mind.
That’s why we’re proud to announce an important milestone: Narmi’s digital banking platform, which powers Grasshopper Bank’s core banking experience, has helped Grasshopper become the first U.S. bank listed in Anthropic's Connector Directory. The same secure infrastructure Narmi built to run Grasshopper’s platform now extends directly into Claude, making the jointly developed Model Context Protocol (MCP) server more easily discoverable for Business Banking clients.
This news reinforces our position as an early leader in bringing secure, AI-driven financial insights to startups and small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Through this directory listing, users can now discover Grasshopper on claude.com or directly within the Claude platform, and instantly connect their bank accounts with no manual configuration.
The listing builds on our launch of the first MCP server by a U.S. bank, enabling Grasshopper’s Business Banking clients to access personalized financial analysis and insights through leading Large Language Models (LLMs), including Anthropic’s Claude.
The Connector Directory listing removes another barrier to adoption.
Instead of configuring an MCP server manually, Business Banking clients can simply locate Grasshopper within Claude and authenticate using Narmi’s Open Authorization (OAuth) – a secure login method that connects your bank account to Claude via an encrypted token, meaning you never have to share your actual banking password with the AI platform. Once connected, users can immediately begin interacting with their financial information through natural language. This approach, in giving AI read-only access to permissioned financial data, represents a fundamental shift in how banks can safely integrate with the AI tools their customers are already using. Rather than restricting AI from financial data or requiring customers to manually feed it information, Narmi's architecture lets both happen securely.
Whether they’re reviewing cash flow before a board meeting, identifying spending trends or preparing for investor conversations, businesses can now access financial insights more intuitively within an AI workflow they already use day-to-day in a secure setting.
As Nate Gruendemann, Director of Product at Grasshopper, explains:
“For startups and small businesses, AI is most valuable when it helps simplify the work behind everyday operational tasks. Our clients are already using AI to streamline workflows, analyze information, and make faster decisions. By making Grasshopper easier to discover and connect within Claude, we’re giving our clients a more intuitive way to securely access their financial data, while maintaining the control and trust that are core to every banking relationship.”
Both Narmi and Grasshopper believe AI should expand what’s possible and not compromise security.
Our MCP server uses OAuth 2.0 authorization, allowing customers to grant read-only, permissioned access to their financial data without sharing usernames, passwords or sensitive credentials. Customers remain in control of what information is shared and can manage that access at any time. Certain information like account numbers are redacted to enhance security as well.
Both Narmi and Grasshopper believe AI should expand what's possible without compromising security. This partnership is a live example of what Narmi calls Practical AI: using AI to solve a challenge faced by financial institutions, rather than starting with the technology and looking for a use case. While the financial industry has been cautious about AI integration, Narmi recognized that the real constraint wasn't the technology, but having a standard, secure way for banks to participate.
Chris Griffin, Co-founder of Narmi, said:
“Most banks, rightfully so, saw AI as a new risk. But it is also a new opportunity. Security and AI accessibility do not need to be hard trade-offs. This listing shows how we’re moving beyond experimentation and making end-user permissioned AI-driven banking experiences more discoverable and easier to use. It’s an important milestone for bringing real-time financial data into the AI tools where most businesses are already working.”
Once connected, Grasshopper Business Banking clients can use Claude to:
The result is a faster, more intuitive way to interact with financial information using AI while maintaining the security and controls businesses expect from their banking relationship.
Helping Grasshopper become the first U.S. bank to launch an MCP server demonstrates what’s possible when digital banking and AI come together. Earning a spot as the first bank listed in Anthropic's MCP Connector Directory represents the next step in that journey.
Together, Narmi and Grasshopper are continuing to make AI-powered banking more accessible, secure and easier to use for startups and small businesses. As AI becomes an increasingly important part of everyday business operations and individuals' lives, both companies remain committed to building trusted experiences that help customers confidently bring their financial data into the tools where work is already happening.
Ready to see it in action? Explore the Narmi-powered Grasshopper Bank connector in Claude to learn how you can securely connect your Business Banking account and start using AI-powered financial insights in minutes.
