Truist Financial Corporation announced that Pascal Belaud will become its Chief AI & Data Officer, a position that will take effect on November 24. Belaud brings more than 25 years of experience from Microsoft, where he led AI and data initiatives for the U.S. financial sector, and will report directly to Chief Information Officer Steve Hagerman.
Belaud’s appointment follows Truist’s recent investments in AI‑enabled tools such as Truist Assist, launched September 15 2022, and Truist Client Pulse, which entered a pilot phase in September 2025. The new role is designed to accelerate the bank’s AI‑driven product roadmap and embed data‑centric decision making across consumer, commercial, and wholesale banking segments.
Truist’s total assets stood at $544 billion as of September 30 2025, and the bank has been pursuing a broader digital transformation strategy, highlighted by a $1.2 billion investment announced in August 2025 to expand its technology footprint. Belaud’s mandate is to shape the strategic vision and execution of AI, data, and advanced automation across the enterprise, positioning the bank to enhance client experience, operational efficiency, and competitive differentiation in the regional banking market.
"We’re thrilled to welcome Pascal to Truist as our chief AI & data officer," said CIO Steve Hagerman. "Pascal is a visionary and a charismatic leader who will be an incredible asset to our team." Belaud added, "I believe we have tremendous opportunities to strategically and responsibly harness the full power of AI and data to transform client and teammate experiences."
The appointment signals that AI and data analytics are core to Truist’s growth strategy, reflecting a broader industry trend where financial institutions invest heavily in these capabilities to gain a competitive edge. By placing a seasoned AI executive at the helm, Truist aims to deepen its technology capabilities and accelerate the deployment of AI solutions that drive both customer‑facing innovation and internal operational efficiencies.
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