MUFG aims to become AI-native with OpenAI
Japanese financial group MUFG is working with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT Enterprise across Mitsubishi UFJ Bank as part of its goal to become an AI-native organization. The rollout includes approximately 35,000 employees, mandatory training, and the creation of custom GPTs to streamline internal operations. Additionally, MUFG is exploring customer-facing AI applications such as conversational banking and advisory platforms.
The Core Development
MUFG is one of Japan's largest financial groups, with Mitsubishi UFJ Bank at its core. Through banking, trust banking, securities, cards, leasing, and other financial services, MUFG supports individuals and businesses in Japan and around the world.
For MUFG, AI is more than an efficiency tool. The company sees it as a way to extend human thinking and creativity, helping employees and AI learn together as they build better financial services. To advance that vision, MUFG is working with OpenAI to roll out ChatGPT Enterprise across Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and create new AI-powered customer experiences.
In October 2024, MUFG began working with OpenAI to modernize financial operations and improve efficiency with generative AI. Beginning in 2026, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank began a phased rollout of ChatGPT Enterprise so that approximately 35,000 employees could use it in their daily work, as MUFG continues its journey toward becoming an AI-native company.
Deployment & Availability
Sayuri Yonese, Vice President, Artificial Intelligence and Solutions Department at MUFG Bank, says OpenAI's support helped MUFG create a foundation for employees to expand AI use on their own. OpenAI provided custom GPT training materials, banking-specific examples, and best practices for driving adoption at scale. MUFG then appointed AI champions in each department. Rather than relying on a single central team, these AI champions encourage colleagues to experiment with AI and help expand usage from within each business area.
One example is Moneytree, a wealth management app. Through Apps in ChatGPT, users will be able to ask questions in natural language from within ChatGPT and view information such as account balances and transaction details. The experience can use follow-up questions to organize relevant information and make it easier to understand in a conversational format.
Strategic Perspective & Ecosystem Impact
MUFG is building the systems, environments, and culture that make AI part of everyday work. Its transformation combines top-down commitment from leadership with bottom-up enablement for employees using AI in daily workflows.
"I believe AI will fundamentally change the nature of finance," says Tadashi Yamamoto, Group CDTO at MUFG. "To bring AI into the organization quickly, it is important to have an environment and culture where every employee can use AI naturally."
OpenAI became MUFG's partner of choice for that shift. Yamamoto describes OpenAI as a hands-on partner from service design through implementation, helping MUFG pursue both customer-service innovation and banking transformation.
Why it matters
This partnership highlights how major financial institutions are deploying enterprise generative AI at scale while addressing strict security, governance, and training requirements. It also demonstrates a shift toward integrating AI into both internal bank workflows and customer-facing financial services.