MUFG eyes artificial intelligence for loans to smaller businesses from spring of 2019 - The Mainichi

MUFG Bank Ltd. is set to begin extending loans to micro enterprises and small- and medium-sized businesses based on artificial intelligence (AI) as early as the spring of 2019 -- a move it hopes will make the loan process more efficient and attract new customers. Under the system, AI will evaluate businesses' creditworthiness based on their transaction histories to determine whether or not to extend loans to them. By completing procedures online the bank expects to be able to quickly extend loans at low cost while spurring new demand. Corporate clients who have main accounts at the bank will be eligible to apply. Under the system, the client first visits a special website and registers their account and other information, and sets the amount they want to borrow.