US financial institutions are on a heightened alert for possible cyberattacks as tensions escalate following the US-Israel war with Iran. Banking executives and cybersecurity experts say geopolitical conflicts often trigger increased cyber activity, particularly against critical financial infrastructure. US intelligence has suggested that pro-Iran "hacktivist" groups may launch low-level attacks that might cause heavy internet traffic. Groups such as the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) say banks are closely monitoring the situation and strengthening their operational resilience. In the past, Iran has used cyber capabilities against commercial targets and while major disruptions are unlikely, smaller incidents can still affect functionality.