Oportun Launches AI-Powered Smart Bills Feature to Automate Savings

Oportun launched a new artificial intelligence-powered feature called Smart Bills within its Set & Save savings app on July 27, 2026, to automate savings for recurring expenses. The tool analyzes member financial habits to identify and set aside funds for rent, utilities, insurance, car payments, and subscriptions, according to a company press release.

The company reports that initial users of Smart Bills saved 48% more per month compared to those using the Set & Save app without the AI feature. Oportun stated that members maintain full control over their funds, with the ability to withdraw money, pause savings, or establish specific savings limits at any time.

Integration of AI in Recurring Expense Management

The Smart Bills feature is designed to connect automated savings directly to priority recurring costs. By using AI to understand spending patterns, the app attempts to reduce the friction of budgeting for fixed monthly obligations.

Annie Ma, Oportun Head of Savings, stated in the July 27 release that the tool helps members connect savings to recurring priority expenses so they can better budget, plan ahead, and feel more prepared for when bills are due. Ma added that the broader Set & Save platform aims to make it easier for people to build healthy financial habits.

Financial Literacy and the Zillennial Demographic

The deployment of these tools aligns with findings regarding the financial habits of “zillennials”—individuals falling between the Millennial and Generation Z cohorts. A report from PYMNTS Intelligence titled Generation Zillennial: How Financial Literacy Drives Financial Confidence found that this group often earns lower to middle incomes from entry-level positions and gig economy work.

According to the PYMNTS Intelligence report, zillennials are more likely than other generations to identify living comfortably between paychecks as a primary financial goal. The report also noted that those who lacked access to financial literacy tools during their youth are more likely to struggle with paying bills between paychecks.

Oportun Credit Expansion and Column Partnership

The AI savings update follows a separate strategic move by Oportun to expand its lending capabilities. On July 9, 2026, Oportun announced a partnership with Column, a nationally chartered bank that provides financial infrastructure for technology companies.

Under the terms of the agreement, Column originates unsecured personal loans, while Oportun manages the marketing, servicing, and program-support capabilities through its platform. The partnership is intended to increase access to what the company describes as responsible credit.

Gaurav Rana, Oportun senior vice president general manager of lending, stated in a July 9 press release that the partnership supports the company’s mission to empower more people to build a better future by expanding access to credit.