Users will be able to interact with Erica over voice and text chat, and the 'bot will be able to analyze your spending and spot patterns. You'll get warnings when you have a few days of excessive spending well before you go into overdraft, advice on how to improve your credit rating and budgeting tips. More importantly, Erica will be available 24/7 to help you process transactions and, presumably, be the first point of call if have a problem with your account.

It all sounds pretty exciting, so it's sad to learn that we won't be able to spend any time with Erica in our phones until late 2017. Bank of America's digital chief Michelle Moore said that the firm is still developing the tool and expects to launch it towards the back end of next year. Until then, you'll just have to stare at yourself in the mirror and ask those tough questions about the size of your hat budget.