Building on the launch of the first Model Context Protocol (MCP) server by a U.S. bank, Grasshopper and our digital banking technology partner, Narmi, are making secure AI-powered banking even easier to discover and use.
AI is quickly becoming part of how businesses get work done every day. More entrepreneurs are turning to AI assistants to answer questions, analyze financial data and make faster decisions. But getting meaningful insights from AI starts with having a secure, trusted way to connect your financial information.
That’s why we’re proud to share an important milestone: Grasshopper is now the first bank listed in Anthropic’s MCP Directory, making the Model Context Protocol (MCP) server we developed with our digital banking technology partner, Narmi, more easily discoverable for our Business Banking clients.
We built our MCP server alongside Narmi, a leading provider of digital banking solutions for financial institutions, to help startups and small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) securely bring their banking data into AI-powered workflows. Through this directory listing, users can now discover Grasshopper on claude.com or directly within the Claude platform and connect their bank accounts without manual configuration.
The listing builds on our launch of the first MCP server by a U.S. bank, giving our clients secure access to personalized financial analysis and insights through leading Large Language Models (LLMs), including Anthropic’s Claude.
The MCP Directory listing removes another barrier to adoption.
Instead of manually configuring a MCP server, our Business Banking clients can simply locate Grasshopper within Claude and authenticate using Open Authorization (OAuth) – a secure login method that connects their bank account to Claude via an encrypted token, meaning they never have to share their banking password with the AI. Once connected, users can immediately start asking questions about their finances using natural language.
Whether they’re reviewing cash flow before a board meeting, spotting spending trends or preparing for investor conversations, businesses can get financial insights in seconds within an AI workflow they already use every day – all while keeping their data secure.
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.Nate Gruendemann, Director of Product, Grasshopper Bank
We believe AI should make work easier and not come at the expense of 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. Clients remain in control of what information is shared and can manage that access at any time.
This architecture allows businesses to explore AI-powered financial analysis while maintaining the security standards they expect from modern digital banking.
AI is quickly becoming a new access point for financial services, and MCP gives banks a secure way to participate in that shift. This listing shows how we’re moving beyond experimentation and making AI-driven banking experiences more discoverable and easier to use. It’s an important milestone for bringing permissioned, real-time financial data into the digital environments where businesses are already working.Chris Griffin, Co-Founder, Narmi
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.
Becoming 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 Directory represents the next step in that journey.
Together with Narmi, we’re 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, we’re committed to helping our clients take advantage of it without compromising on the rigorous security standards you trust us to uphold.
We’re excited to keep building experiences that bring financial data into the tools where work is already happening – making it easier to turn insights into action.
Ready to put the power of AI to work for your business? Grasshopper connector in Claude or visit our AI Connections page to learn how you can securely connect your business bank account and start leveraging AI-powered financial insights in minutes.
The content provided on this blog is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. We strongly recommend consulting with a qualified financial advisor, tax professional, or legal counsel regarding your specific circumstances before making any financial or tax-related decisions.
Grasshopper Bank is a client-first, full service digital bank serving the business and innovation economy. Grasshopper replaces the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to banking with a suite of products and services tailored to specific industries and a passionate team of experts with deep expertise in their fields. Grasshopper’s banking solutions cover small businesses, startups, fintech-focused Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and commercial API banking platforms, SBA lending, and white-labeled consumer banking. Headquartered in New York, New York, the bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and is an Equal Housing/Equal Opportunity Lender.
