AI is redefining finance, but trust remains its currency. As AI systems make increasingly high-stakes decisions—who gets a loan, who’s flagged for AML, who receives an offer—the cost of error multiplies. The message for financial leaders is clear: A black-box AI might optimize for accuracy but can expose the bank to unseen bias, regulatory penalties, or wasted budgets. A Responsible AI framework builds resilience, customer confidence, and long-term value.