SEI Partners with IBM to Advance Agentic AI Automation in Finance

Financial services provider SEI has announced a new collaboration with IBM to accelerate operational automation by introducing agentic artificial intelligence (AI) into its core systems. The partnership aims to redesign workflows, modernise internal processes, and improve both efficiency and client experiences by leveraging advanced automated solutions.

Agentic AI systems, designed to autonomously execute tasks and make decisions based on large datasets, are increasingly central to the evolution of financial operations. Their deployment, however, depends on establishing robust, well-governed data foundations—an aspect SEI and IBM are prioritising as they audit and update SEI’s operational systems.

The joint initiative begins with a comprehensive review by SEI and IBM Consulting experts to assess underlying data architectures and legacy workflows. This discovery phase informs both the governance framework and risk management strategies necessary for responsible AI integration. By mapping precise opportunities for automation, the companies seek to ensure that AI systems replace repetitive administrative tasks, enabling financial personnel to focus on client relationships and more complex work.

According to SEI, initial industry results suggest that automation of standard queries and basic data entry can reduce processing times by up to 40 percent. This not only improves productivity but allows teams to prioritise higher-value, relationship-driven activities—an increasingly important competitive factor in the financial sector.

Sean Denham, SEI’s Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer, stated, “As SEI enters its next phase of growth, investing in how we operate is just as critical as investing in what we deliver. IBM brings deep industry and technical expertise that will build on our strong operational foundation and strategic vision. By deploying and scaling AI across the enterprise through a disciplined, data-driven approach, we will work more efficiently, innovate faster, and scale with confidence.”

The technological backbone for this modernisation is the IBM Enterprise Advantage platform, which will guide the agentic AI deployment across SEI’s various business units. This platform enables the integration of intelligent agents—AI models capable of automating complex tasks and providing real-time decision support—into defined business processes while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Glenn Finch, Head of US Financial Services at IBM Consulting, noted, “SEI has a long-standing reputation for operational excellence and building integrated solutions in a complex, highly regulated industry. By combining SEI’s deep knowledge of its business with IBM’s expertise in process intelligence and agentic AI, we can unlock new levels of efficiency across the enterprise. With streamlined operations and data-centric insights embedded into how work is performed, SEI is strengthening its ability to scale while further differentiating itself in the market.”

Experts agree that the success of agentic AI hinges on more than technology. Effective implementation requires clean, well-governed data; detailed mapping of processes; and clear governance to ensure responsible use. Human oversight remains crucial, as employees move from manual, repetitive work to higher-value activities such as complex problem-solving and proactive client support.

While the project’s immediate focus is operational automation within SEI, the broader implications point to a growing trend in the financial sector toward more resilient, flexible, and intelligent systems. As regulatory requirements and competitive pressures continue to evolve, forward-thinking institutions are increasingly looking to partnerships with technology leaders to remain at the forefront of digital transformation.

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