BNY Rejects AI Tokenmaxxing as Automation Drives Higher Worker Revenue

While Silicon Valley software developers frequently monitor prompt output and raw token consumption—a practice known as tokenmaxxing—Wall Street institutions are prioritizing bottom-line operational results. At Bank of New York Mellon, corporate leadership has rejected raw activity metrics in favor of measuring capacity expansion and revenue per employee.

BNY Chief Financial Officer Dermot McDonogh noted that the enterprise cost of AI tokens remains negligible within the bank’s broader engineering budget. Instead of tracking query volume, the firm focuses on concrete workflow integration.

Financial performance indicators reflect the impact of this approach. BNY saw its revenue per employee increase from $338,000 in 2022 to $401,000 in 2025. Over the same timeframe, pre-tax income per employee grew from $99,000 to $143,000.

Automation now permeates BNY’s key business operations. Around 50% of the bank’s computer code is currently authored by artificial intelligence, up from more than 40% in early 2026. In operational workflows, automated systems draft roughly half of annual account plans, assist with 25% of client onboarding, and handle review tasks for 70% of restricted-party payment screening.

To streamline adoption without manual prompt engineering, the bank deployed an internal LLM-agnostic system called Eliza. The platform routes individual tasks to the optimal underlying AI model while managing context across the organization. Access to advanced capabilities is managed through a structured proficiency program, where staff achieve a “pioneer” designation upon completing formal training.

Within finance teams, AI systems support predictive modeling, regulatory reporting, balance sheet analytics, and investor relations preparation ahead of quarterly earnings reports.

This strategic pivot aligns with findings from consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal, which noted in a recent report that corporate finance departments are shifting from isolated transformation projects to continuous operational redesigns where digital tools directly inform strategic decisions.

The focus on technological modernization comes alongside broader leadership updates in financial technology and natural resources. Capitolis appointed Ashwath Bhat as CFO, effective August 3, following his tenure leading Fractal’s initial public offering. At Cadiz, Inc., Jacinto J. Hernandez will take over as CFO on September 1, succeeding Stanley E. Speer after a 17-year tenure.

In broader corporate metrics, the 2026 Fortune Global 500 list revealed that world’s largest companies recorded $43.1 trillion in aggregate revenue and $3.4 trillion in net income for fiscal year 2025.