Payment shake-up as Santander tests new system that completes transactions on customers' behalf

Mastercard and Santander have successfully executed a live payment carried out entirely by an artificial intelligence agent.

The collaboration between the financial services giant and the Spanish banking group saw an AI system independently initiate and complete a purchase on a customer's behalf.

During the pilot programme conducted in Spain, the technology was used to buy a T-shirt, demonstrating its practical application in retail settings.

The companies emphasised this trial does not represent a commercial launch but rather marks an important step forward for AI-driven payment systems that could eventually transform everyday shopping habits.

The concept of "agentic" AI is expected to become integrated into daily routines for many consumers, enabling automated purchasing with minimal human involvement.

In practice, this could allow shoppers to simply converse with an application and request a purchase, with the AI system then independently assessing available loyalty rewards and selecting the most suitable option based on individual circumstances.

Such automation would effectively remove much of the effort traditionally required from buyers when making purchasing decisions.

Santander conducted the transaction within a controlled setting utilising Mastercard Agent Pay, with the payment processed through the bank's operational infrastructure while upholding established security, privacy and consumer protection standards.

Matias Sanchez, global head of cards and digital solutions at Santander, said: "At Santander, we see AI as a transformative force in the evolution of payments."

Kelly Devine, president for Europe at Mastercard, said: "Agentic payments represent a profound shift in how commerce is initiated and executed."

The banking group confirmed it intends to progress towards expanded testing and broader implementation of the technology.

Throughout this next phase, Santander stated it would ensure robust controls remain in place alongside operational resilience and compliance with regulatory requirements.