Cleo AI

Cleo is an AI-powered personal finance app that connects to bank accounts, analyses spending, provides budgeting guidance, automates savings goals and offers selected users credit-building and cash-advance products. Founded in the UK and now heavily focused on the US market, Cleo presents financial information through a chat-based interface rather than relying only on conventional banking screens. The company describes Cleo as an AI financial assistant that can talk, think and remember user goals. How Cleo works A typical workflow is: 1. Download the Cleo app. 2. Create an account. 3. Connect a supported bank account. 4. Allow Cleo to analyse transaction data. 5. Ask questions about spending or savings. 6. Set budgets and financial goals. 7. Review Cleo's recommendations. 8. Use optional savings, credit or cash-advance features. 9. Monitor progress through the app. Bank connections use third-party providers such as Plaid. Cleo states that bank login details are handled through Plaid rather than being stored directly by Cleo. What can you do with Cleo? Track spending — Cleo categorises transactions so users can see how much they are spending across groceries, restaurants, takeaways, transport, shopping, bills, subscriptions, entertainment, travel and household expenses. Users can ask questions like "How much did I spend on takeaways last month?" or "How much money is left until payday?" Use an AI money coach — Cleo's AI answers questions about financial activity based on connected data and goals, providing spending summaries, budgeting ideas, savings targets, financial reminders, cash-flow awareness, debt organisation, credit information and general money education. Cleo should not be treated as a regulated financial adviser. Use Roast Mode — humorous or sarcastic feedback about spending, drawing attention to repeated takeaway purchases or excessive shopping in a deliberately blunt tone. Can encourage users to think twice, but may feel inappropriate when someone is already anxious about money. Use Hype Mode — positive and encouraging approach with motivation, positive reinforcement and recognition of progress. Use Wise Mode — calmer, more measured financial guidance for users who find Roast Mode too informal or aggressive. Set budgets — create spending limits for particular categories or periods, with weekly spending targets, bill monitoring and impulse-spending reduction. Create savings goals — set targets for holidays, emergency funds, Christmas, new technology, car repairs, moving home, deposits and special occasions. Automate savings — Cleo's savings tools help automate transfers towards a goal. Autopilot creates a personalised plan based on spending and financial objectives, adjusting its roadmap as daily spending changes. Earn interest on savings — Pro and Builder plans include access to a high-yield savings feature with a variable rate of 2.75% APY (rates can change). Banking services are provided by partner banks. Monitor credit — credit-score insights, credit education, credit history tools, suggestions for improving credit habits and information about factors affecting credit. Credit results are not guaranteed. Use the Cleo Card — the Builder plan includes access to the Cleo Card, issued by WebBank, Member FDIC. Designed to support credit-building, subject to approval and a minimum deposit. Apply for a cash advance — eligible users may receive a cash advance against expected income. Advances range from $20 to $250 on Plus, while Builder users may be eligible for up to $500 under additional conditions. Eligibility applies, amounts are not guaranteed, first-time limits can be lower, and same-day transfers may involve an express fee. Use Debt Reset — organises debt information into a single dashboard and creates a repayment plan, helping users list outstanding debts, see payment priorities, estimate a debt-free date and track progress. Use Money IQ — a financial quiz feature that tests users' knowledge of their own spending patterns. Eligible users may have the chance to win cash prizes. Talk to Cleo by voice — real-time, two-way voice conversations with the AI assistant, allowing users to speak rather than only type. Receive financial nudges — reminders and prompts about spending, savings, budgets, upcoming financial pressure and progress towards goals. View recurring expenses — identify recurring payments and subscriptions, making it easier to spot forgotten memberships, duplicate services, increasing prices and unused accounts. Review income and cash flow — understand how much income is arriving and how quickly it is being spent, useful for payday planning, irregular income, freelancers and users with multiple income sources. Use early-pay features — Builder users may receive access to direct-deposit funds up to two days early, depending on when the employer sends the payment file. Not guaranteed.