As AI agents become more common in commercial lending, banks face a critical question: which decisions can be delegated to technology, and where must human judgement remain central? While some lending journeys may be suitable for full automation, others require a banker who understands the client’s circumstances. Most will rely on a combination of both.

In an analysis from nCino, the banking technology provider explores how financial institutions can determine where AI agents add value across commercial lending while preserving human judgement and accountability. The analysis draws on Gartner’s Market Guide for Commercial Loan Origination Solutions to examine the technology landscape and the challenges banks face when integrating AI into lending workflows.

AI agents could help banks accelerate loan closings, serve more clients and improve quality control. However, these benefits depend on matching the technology to the right tasks and outcomes. Banks must determine whether each stage of the lending process calls for conventional automation, an AI agent working within defined boundaries, or direct oversight from a banker.

The challenge is compounded by a crowded technology market. Gartner’s Market Guide for Commercial Loan Origination Solutions identifies more than 60 vendors worldwide and describes the market as largely undifferentiated in terms of functionality. With vendors increasingly promoting AI capabilities, banks risk adding agents to existing workflows without establishing whether they deliver meaningful improvements. Gartner also cautions that enthusiasm around generative and agentic AI can exceed the technology’s current capabilities, making it harder for chief information officers to assess potential solutions.

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