Summary
Learn how to write clear AI prompts that can help you explore cash flow, expenses and financial trends using information from your connected business accounts.
Better AI Prompts Can Lead to Better Business Financial Insights
If you choose to connect eligible First Internet Bank business accounts to an AI assistant through Model Context Protocol (MCP), you’ll gain a new way to explore your financial information. Setting up that connection is entirely optional and requires action on your part. No accounts are connected unless you choose to establish and use the connection.
Once connected, the real value comes from knowing what to ask.
A clear AI prompt can help you understand changes in cash flow, take a closer look at expenses or prepare for an upcoming business decision. You do not need to be an AI expert. You simply need to give the assistant enough direction to understand what you want to learn.
Here is how to write better AI prompts for your business finances and get more useful insights from information made available through your MCP connection.
Better Answers Start with Better Questions
Consider the difference between these two questions:
“How is my business doing?”
“How has my cash flow changed over the last 90 days, and what trends should I review more closely?”
The first question is broad. The second gives the AI assistant a timeframe and a specific area to analyze. That additional context can lead to a more focused, useful response.
Think of it this way: If you asked a financial professional a question, you would probably provide some background. AI works better when you do the same.
Start with What You Want to Accomplish
Before writing your prompt, ask yourself one question:
What am I trying to understand or decide?
Maybe you want a clearer picture of your cash flow. Perhaps expenses are rising and you want to know why. You may be considering a major purchase and want to understand how it could affect your available cash.
Starting with your goal makes it easier to ask a useful question.
Instead of:
“Tell me about my finances.”
Try:
“Based on my recent transaction history, what are the biggest factors affecting my cash flow?”
The second version gives the AI assistant a job to do, not just a topic to discuss.
Include a Timeframe
A timeframe helps narrow the analysis and makes the response easier to evaluate.
- “Compare my spending from the last 30 days with the previous 30 days.”
- “How has my cash flow changed since the beginning of this quarter?”
- “Which vendors have increased in cost over the past six months?”
- “What changes stand out in my expenses this year?”
If the first response is still too broad, shorten the timeframe or ask about a particular account, vendor or expense category.
Keep the Conversation Going
You do not have to fit everything into one perfect prompt. An AI assistant can help you explore a question one step at a time.
For example, you might begin with:
“Which expense categories increased the most this quarter?”
Then follow with:
“Which transactions contributed most to that increase?”
From there, you could ask:
“What should I review more closely?”
Each follow-up builds on the information already provided. This can help you move from noticing a change to understanding what may be driving it.
Ask for Comparisons and Patterns
Financial changes are not always obvious when you are looking at individual transactions. Asking the AI assistant to compare periods or identify patterns can help bring those changes into focus.
- “What has changed the most in my spending over the past 12 months?”
- “Which months had the strongest cash flow?”
- “Are any recurring expenses increasing?”
- “What patterns stand out in my transaction activity?”
You can make the prompt even more useful by naming the account or category you want the assistant to review.
Explore Business Scenarios
AI cannot predict what will happen, but it can help you examine your current financial information in the context of a potential decision.
- “Based on my current cash position, what should I consider before hiring another employee?”
- “How might a large equipment purchase affect my available cash?”
- “What financial trends should I review before expanding my business?”
These prompts are not a substitute for professional financial advice. They can, however, help you identify questions or information worth exploring before you make a decision.
AI Prompts for Business Owners
Not sure where to begin? Try one of these prompts after choosing to connect an eligible First Internet Bank business account through MCP.
Cash Flow
- “Summarize my current cash position.”
- “Based on activity in my Business Checking account, what trends do you see in my cash flow over the last 90 days?”
- “How much liquidity is available across my Business Checking and Business Money Market accounts?”
- “Based on recent activity, how much cash should I consider keeping in checking versus savings?”
- “What upcoming expenses may affect my liquidity?”
Expenses
- “Which vendors account for the largest share of my spending?”
- “Where have my expenses increased most this year?”
- “Are there expense categories I should review more closely?”
- “Which recurring expenses have changed over the last six months?”
Business Performance
- “What financial trends stand out this quarter?”
- “What has changed since last quarter?”
- “Which areas of spending deserve a closer look?”
- “What patterns should I continue monitoring?”
Planning
- “What financial information should I review before making a major purchase?”
- “Based on my Business Savings and Business Money Market balances, how prepared am I for a large upcoming expense?”
- “How has my available cash changed over time?”
- “What questions should I be asking about my finances right now?”
Use these prompts as written or personalize them around your business. A useful prompt does not need to sound technical. It just needs to be clear about what you want to understand.
Think of AI as a Financial Research Assistant
MCP does not replace financial expertise or your own business judgment. It gives you another way to access and analyze information from your connected accounts.
You remain in control. You decide whether to connect an eligible account, which questions to ask and how to use the information you receive.
The more context you provide, the more focused the response can be. When an answer raises another question, keep asking.
Better Questions. More Useful Insights.
Your First Internet Bank business accounts hold information that can help you understand what is happening across your business. MCP can make that information easier to explore through AI tools you may already use.
With a thoughtful prompt, you can spend less time searching through transactions and more time considering what the information means for your next move.
Available now for Claude Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans, as well as ChatGPT Pro, Business and Enterprise plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I write a good AI prompt for my business finances?
Start with a specific financial question or goal. Include the account you want to review, the timeframe and the type of insight you need. For example, replace “How is my business doing?” with “How has my cash flow changed over the last 90 days?”
Can AI analyze my business account information through MCP?
Yes. After you choose to connect an eligible First Internet Bank business account through MCP, a supported AI assistant can use the connected account information to respond to your prompts. The usefulness of the response will depend in part on how clearly you frame your question.
Can I ask follow-up questions?
Yes. You can ask follow-up questions to examine a trend, transaction or expense category in greater detail. Each question can build on the assistant’s previous response.
Will AI make financial decisions for me?
No. AI responses provide information based on your connected account data. You are responsible for reviewing that information and making your own business decisions.
Do I have to connect my First Internet Bank account to an AI Assistant?
No. Connecting your accounts is entirely optional. MCP only works if you choose to set up a connection between your eligible First Internet Bank personal accounts and a supported AI assistant. No accounts are connected automatically.
What kinds of business accounts can I analyze using MCP?
Eligible First Internet Bank business accounts may include Business Checking, Business Money Market and Business Savings accounts. Account availability and supported AI platforms may vary.
Is MCP a replacement for financial advice?
No. MCP can help you access and analyze information from your connected accounts, but it does not replace professional accounting, tax, legal or financial advice.