AI behind the counter of a small-business bank account: an AI chatbot that contains most support inquiries, machine learning in underwriting, check processing and fraud controls, and mostly AI-written code, now being sold to a regional bank that wants the engineering team as much as the deposits.
How is Bluevine using AI?
Bluevine's AI is operational: an AI chatbot that handles about 80% of inbound customer inquiries, machine learning in underwriting, check processing and fraud controls, and more than 90% of new code written by AI, according to Valley National Bancorp's deal presentation. Valley agreed on September 28, 2026 to buy Bluevine for about $340 million, citing its AI talent and $2.1 billion of deposits from 175,000 active small-business customers; closing is expected in early 2027.
Category
Neobank
Founded
2013
Headquarters
Jersey City, United States
Licence and supervision
Not a bank: business checking deposits are held at Coastal Community Bank (Member FDIC) and sweep-network program banks; the Bluevine Line of Credit is issued by Celtic Bank, a Utah-chartered industrial bank (Member FDIC); term loans come from lending partners. On September 28, 2026 Valley National Bancorp agreed to buy Bluevine for about $340 million, subject to regulatory approvals; after closing the Coastal relationship ends and deposits move to Valley.
Scale
About 175,000 active small-business customers, $2.1 billion of deposits and $169 million run-rate revenue (as of June 30, 2026)
Flagship platform
Bluevine's AI support and risk stack
AI leadership
Eyal Lifshitz · Nir Klar · Sid Bellur · Aditya Narula · Ira Robbins
- Valley National Bancorp agreed on September 28, 2026 to acquire Bluevine for about $340 million (about 75% cash, 25% stock), expected to close in early 2027 subject to regulatory approvals; CEO Eyal Lifshitz will become Valley's head of small-business banking.
- Valley's deal presentation describes Bluevine as AI-native: more than 90% of new code AI-generated and about 80% of inbound customer inquiries contained by AI; Valley CEO Ira Robbins said Bluevine adds valuable technology and AI capabilities and about 180 research and engineering staff.
- Lifshitz wrote in a January 2026 Forbes column that Bluevine's human-backed AI chatbot resolved over three-quarters of customer interactions in its first month, and that machine learning in lending and check processing supports 97% same-day funds disbursement on deposited checks, with humans still overseeing reviews.
- Bluevine's deposits sit at Coastal Community Bank (Member FDIC) and sweep program banks, with FDIC coverage marketed up to $3 million; its Line of Credit is issued by Celtic Bank, and Bluevine has funded lines through warehouse facilities and forward-flow sales to loan buyers.
- As of June 2026 Bluevine had about 175,000 active customers and $2.1 billion of deposits with a 1.44% cost of funds; its separate claim of over 1 million lifetime customers and $17 billion of financing includes Paycheck Protection Program loans.
- A 2021-2022 House Select Subcommittee investigation into PPP fraud found Bluevine adapted to fraud threats better than some peers because partner Celtic Bank pushed it to invest in fraud controls, but still had difficulty reporting fraud to law enforcement promptly.
- Bluevine's 2026 research using data from more than 200,000 accounts found 74% of small businesses using or testing AI tools and 53% saying AI and automation had absorbed at least one full-time employee's workload.
What is Bluevine's AI support and risk stack?
Bluevine runs an AI chatbot, backed by human agents, that CEO Eyal Lifshitz said resolved over three-quarters of customer interactions in its first month; Valley National's September 2026 deal presentation puts AI containment at about 80% of inbound inquiries and says more than 90% of Bluevine's new code is AI-generated. Bluevine uses machine learning in lending and check processing, and an in-house credit-risk stack for automated underwriting, real-time onboarding and fraud controls; Valley's diligence covered AI model development, deployment and governance across underwriting, fraud and customer service, including explainability.[11][2][3]
What has Bluevine done on AI, and when?
- Oct 7, 2026
Lean Team Economy Report[8]
Bluevine's survey of 729 owners found 53% said AI and automation had absorbed the workload of at least one full-time employee and 75% planned to automate functions rather than hire in the next 12 months.
- Sep 28, 2026
Valley National agrees to acquire Bluevine[1][3][4][5][2]
Valley agreed to pay about $340 million for Bluevine's 175,000 active customers, $2.1 billion of deposits and about 180 R&D staff, citing its AI capabilities; Coastal Financial disclosed about $447 million of Bluevine-related deposits on its balance sheet.
- Jul 15, 2026
2026 SMB AI Trends Report[7]
Drawing on more than 200,000 Bluevine accounts and 942 surveyed owners, Bluevine reported 74% of small businesses using or testing AI, AI saving 48% of them more than 4 hours a week, and 78% not trusting AI with basic tasks.
- Jul 6, 2026
Onboarding for international owners[9]
Owners of US businesses living in Australia, Canada, select EU countries, Israel, India, New Zealand and the UK can open accounts through a digital onboarding flow powered by Wise Platform, with FDIC insurance of up to $3 million through Coastal Community Bank.
- Jun 24, 2026
1 million lifetime customers and $2 billion on deposit[6]
Bluevine reported over 1 million lifetime small-business customers and $17 billion of financing (both including PPP), more than $2 billion on deposit and $400 million a month in accounts-payable volume; most revenue now comes from payments, subscriptions and float rather than lines of credit.
- Jan 12, 2026
2026 AI plans: support and faster underwriting[10]
Bluevine said it uses AI to automate, predict and personalise behind-the-scenes tasks in applications and money movement, and planned new customer-support capabilities and faster underwriting in 2026.
- Jan 2, 2026
CEO describes Bluevine's AI chatbot and ML operations[11]
In a Forbes column Lifshitz said Bluevine's human-backed AI chatbot resolved over three-quarters of customer interactions in its first month and that machine learning in lending and check processing speeds disbursement while humans oversee reviews.
- Dec 1, 2022
Subcommittee report on fintech PPP fraud[16]
The final report found Bluevine adapted to fraud threats better than Kabbage, Womply and Blueacorn because Celtic Bank urged it to invest in fraud controls, but faulted its timely reporting of fraud to law enforcement; Bluevine said it maintained robust internal controls.
- Feb 3, 2022
Line of credit funding expanded[14]
Bluevine increased its Atalaya warehouse facility for the Line of Credit to $150 million, upsizable to $300 million, and restarted its forward-flow program selling line-of-credit originations to multiple buyers.
- May 28, 2021
House panel probes Bluevine's PPP lending[15]
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis sent letters to Bluevine and Kabbage over reports that fintech lenders and their bank partners failed to screen PPP applications for fraud; Bluevine's partner Celtic Bank was included in the probe.
- Nov 19, 2019
$102.5 million Series F for business banking[13]
ION Crossover Partners led the round weeks after Bluevine announced its business checking account; its line of credit, invoice factoring and term loans had provided over $2.5 billion of financing to more than 20,000 small businesses, with lines and term loans issued by Celtic Bank.
Where does Bluevine use AI today?
| System | What it does | Status | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human-backed AI support chatbot[11][2][3] | Resolved over three-quarters of customer interactions in its first month; about 80% of inbound inquiries are now AI-contained, with human agents handling the rest. | In production | Customer-facing chatbots |
| AI-written software[2][3] | More than 90% of Bluevine's new code is AI-generated, according to Valley's deal presentation; Valley's CEO described the majority of the fintech's code as AI-generated. | In production | AI-generated code & coding agents |
| Automated small-business credit decisions[2][12][10] | An in-house credit-risk stack automates underwriting; line-of-credit applicants can get a decision in as little as five minutes, Valley cites 10-minute decisions on one application, and Bluevine planned faster AI-assisted underwriting in 2026. | In production | Credit scoring & underwriting |
| ML in check processing and fraud controls[11][2] | Machine learning confirms beneficiary matches on deposited checks to support 97% same-day disbursement, with human review; the risk stack also runs real-time onboarding and fraud controls. | In production | Fraud detection |
| AI model governance and explainability[2] | Valley's diligence evaluated Bluevine's AI model development, deployment and governance across underwriting, fraud and customer service, including model explainability for compliance. | In production | Model risk management |
| New AI customer-support capabilities[10] | Bluevine said in January 2026 it would add new AI customer-support capabilities and use AI to automate, predict and personalise tasks in applications and money movement. | Announced | Generative & agentic AI |
| Bank buys AI capability instead of renting it[1] | Valley says Bluevine's engineering, data science and AI talent will reduce its reliance on third-party software and service providers once the deal closes. | Announced | Third-party & vendor AI |
Use-case links open the tracker's rules-by-use-case matrix: which documents govern each system type.
What has Bluevine disclosed in numbers?
| Metric | Value | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Active small-business customers | about 175,000; more than 415,000 businesses served since 2013[1] | Jun 30, 2026 |
| Deposits / cost of funds | $2.1 billion active deposits; 1.44% cost of funds[2][4] | Jun 30, 2026 |
| Run-rate revenue | $169 million[2] | Jun 30, 2026 |
| Acquisition price | about $340 million (75% cash, 25% Valley stock)[1] | Sep 28, 2026 |
| AI in operations | 90%+ of new code AI-generated; ~80% of inbound inquiries AI-contained[2] | Sep 28, 2026 |
| Lifetime financing (including PPP) | more than $17 billion; over 1 million lifetime customers[6] | Jun 24, 2026 |
| Bluevine deposits on Coastal's balance sheet | about $447 million[5] | Sep 25, 2026 |
“It is expected to enhance our core funding capabilities, add a proven small business growth platform and meaningfully accelerate our digital and AI capabilities.”[1]
Ira Robbins · Chairman, President and CEO, Valley National Bancorp · Sep 28, 2026
“Bluevine adds valuable technology and AI capabilities, and significantly accelerates our path to relevancy in small business banking”[3]
Ira Robbins · Chairman, President and CEO, Valley National Bancorp (analyst call, reported by Banking Dive) · Sep 28, 2026
“AI shouldn’t be about casting aside the talent of our professionals but rather allowing their talent to shine brighter.”[11]
Eyal Lifshitz · Co-founder and CEO, Bluevine (Forbes column) · Jan 2, 2026
“Small business owners are pragmatic. They aren't looking for tech magic. They want utility, security, and hours back in their day”[7]
Sid Bellur · VP of Product Management, Bluevine · Jul 15, 2026
Who runs AI at Bluevine?
Which regulators govern Bluevine's AI?
| Authority | Why it matters here | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| FDIC | Bluevine's deposits are FDIC-insured through Coastal Community Bank and sweep program banks (marketed up to $3 million), and its Line of Credit is issued by Celtic Bank, a Utah-chartered industrial bank and FDIC member; its AI underwriting and onboarding run inside those banks' programmes until Valley takes the deposits. | |
| CFPB | The Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B cover business credit, so automated line-of-credit decisions made in as little as five minutes must still produce specific adverse-action reasons. | ECOA / Regulation B adverse action (15 U.S.C. 1691(d); 12 CFR 1002.9) |
| House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis | Investigated Bluevine and Celtic Bank in 2021-2022 over Paycheck Protection Program fraud controls, finding in December 2022 that Bluevine still struggled to report fraud to law enforcement promptly. | |
| U.S. Small Business Administration | Bluevine processed PPP loans under the SBA's programme with Celtic Bank, and its lifetime customer and financing totals include PPP loans. |
Linked authorities have a page in the Regulation tracker; the others are named for completeness and not yet tracked.
What does the public record suggest about Bluevine's AI strategy?
Analysis by BankingNewsAI from the sources cited on this page. Observations, not advice.
01
The AI team was part of the price
Valley's announcement lists Bluevine's engineering, data science and AI talent alongside its deposits, and says owning those capabilities will reduce reliance on third-party software providers. Bluevine's AI moves from a fintech's stack into a regulated bank's.
02
Two different customer counts
Bluevine's June 2026 release claims over 1 million lifetime customers including PPP loans; the acquisition release says more than 415,000 businesses served since inception and about 175,000 active customers.
03
Support automation reported by the company and the buyer
The 'over three-quarters' first-month resolution rate comes from Bluevine's CEO and the ~80% containment figure from Valley's deal deck; neither discloses customer outcomes or escalation rates.
04
Fraud controls were shaped by a partner bank
Congressional investigators credited Celtic Bank with pushing Bluevine to invest in PPP fraud controls; today the same bank still issues Bluevine's Line of Credit.
05
Lending is no longer the core business
Lines of credit once made up all of Bluevine's business; by June 2026 most revenue came from payments, subscriptions and float, and Valley says about 99% of deposits come from non-borrowing customers.
Is Bluevine a bank?
No. Bluevine is a financial technology company. Its business checking deposits are held at Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC, and sweep-network program banks, and its Line of Credit is issued by Celtic Bank, a Utah-chartered industrial bank. Valley National Bancorp agreed on September 28, 2026 to acquire Bluevine for about $340 million; after closing, expected in early 2027, Bluevine's $2.1 billion of deposits are due to move onto Valley's balance sheet.
Who is buying Bluevine?
Valley National Bancorp (NASDAQ: VLY), parent of the roughly $66 billion-asset Valley National Bank, agreed on September 28, 2026 to buy Bluevine for about $340 million, about 75% in cash and 25% in Valley stock. The deal adds about 175,000 active small-business customers, $2.1 billion of deposits and about 180 R&D staff, and is expected to close in early 2027 subject to regulatory approvals. CEO Eyal Lifshitz will lead small-business banking at Valley.
How does Bluevine use AI?
Bluevine uses AI in customer support, software development, underwriting, check processing and fraud controls. Valley's deal presentation says about 80% of inbound customer inquiries are contained by AI and more than 90% of new code is AI-generated. Its CEO has written that machine learning in check processing supports 97% same-day disbursement of deposited funds, with humans still overseeing reviews, and Bluevine planned faster AI-assisted underwriting in 2026.
Does Bluevine use an AI chatbot?
Yes. CEO Eyal Lifshitz wrote in Forbes in January 2026 that Bluevine implemented an AI chatbot, aided by human support staff, to resolve simple concerns, and that it resolved over three-quarters of customer interactions in its first month. Valley National's September 2026 acquisition presentation puts the share of inbound inquiries contained by AI at about 80%.
Who funds the Bluevine line of credit?
The Bluevine Line of Credit is issued by Celtic Bank, a Utah-chartered industrial bank and FDIC member. Bluevine has financed lines through warehouse debt, including an Atalaya facility raised to $150 million (upsizable to $300 million) in February 2022, and through a forward-flow programme that sells line-of-credit originations to outside buyers. Term loans are offered by Bluevine's lending partners rather than Bluevine.
What happens to Bluevine accounts at Coastal Community Bank?
Coastal Community Bank has held Bluevine's deposits for about five years. American Banker reported that the relationship will end when Valley's acquisition closes and that Valley expects to move Bluevine depositors onto its balance sheet over about six months. Coastal Financial disclosed about $447 million of Bluevine-related deposits on its balance sheet as of September 25, 2026 and said it did not expect a material adverse effect.
Did Bluevine face scrutiny over PPP fraud?
Yes. In May 2021 the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis opened an investigation into Bluevine and its partner Celtic Bank over PPP fraud screening. The December 2022 report found Bluevine adapted to fraud better than some fintechs because Celtic Bank pushed it to invest in fraud controls, but said it struggled to report fraud to law enforcement promptly.
- Valley National Bancorp to Acquire Bluevine Inc., Accelerating its Digital Small Business Growth Strategy and Meaningfully Enhancing its Core Funding Capabilities
- Accelerating Valley's National Digital Banking Franchise: Acquisition of Bluevine Inc. (investor presentation)
- Valley National Bank to acquire fintech Bluevine for $340M
- Valley will gain low-cost deposits from deal for Bluevine
- Coastal Financial Corporation Form 8-K (Bluevine relationship)
- Bluevine Surpasses 1 Million Small Businesses Served, $2 Billion on Deposit, $17 Billion in Originations
- Bluevine Study Shows AI is Saving Nearly Half of SMBs 4+ Hours a Week
- Bluevine Study Finds More Than Half of SMBs Use AI to Handle Workload of at Least One Employee
- Bluevine Breaks Geographic Barriers for US Small Businesses, Launches Digital Onboarding for International Owners
- Celebrating Growth & Innovation in 2025, Looking Ahead to 2026
- Rethinking AI: How Prioritizing The Consumer Experience Can Rekindle Innovation (Eyal Lifshitz, Forbes Finance Council)
- Business Line of Credit for Small Business
- Bluevine Raises $102.5 Million To Build Next-Generation Small Business Banking
- BlueVine Doubles Revolving Credit Facility With Atalaya to Better Serve Small Businesses
- Congress investigates PPP fraud at fintech lenders BlueVine and Kabbage
- Panel blasts fintechs for missing 'obvious and preventable' PPP fraud
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