ITFOR Launches 'AI Scoring Model' Implementation at Mebuki Financial Group

ITFOR Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koji Sakata) announced today the start of practical application for the 'AI Scoring Model' provided by Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Kenji Yabuta; hereafter 'MRI'). The model will be used for mortgage screening within the 'SCOPE' personal loan business support system already in operation at Mebuki Financial Group, Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Tetsuya Akino). By linking credit risk measurement results from this model to SCOPE via API, the companies will jointly support faster screening responses, reduced workload for screening decisions, and enhanced screening quality. Operation is scheduled to begin at Joyo Bank on April 1, 2026, and at Ashikaga Bank in June 2026.

Background In mortgage screening, scoring models play a crucial role in understanding the applicant's credit risk based on application and credit information, which is then used for screening decisions and setting interest rates and guarantee fees. In recent years, due to rapidly changing external environments, data accumulation, and advancements in AI technology, there has been a growing need to review conventional models in favor of more precise and flexibly operational models. For ITFOR, as a provider of screening solutions like SCOPE, collaboration with AI technology is becoming increasingly important.

Mebuki Financial Group has been automating its screening by combining MRI's 'Screening AI Service' with SCOPE since 2023. With the introduction of this AI Scoring Model, they aim for further digital transformation (DX) in their screening operations.

Overview Joyo Bank, Ltd. and Ashikaga Bank, Ltd. (both subsidiaries of Mebuki Financial Group) will introduce an AI scoring model for mortgages that enhances traditional models with AI for screening loans guaranteed by Mebuki Credit Guarantee Co., Ltd. Along with the credit risk measurement results from the AI Scoring Model, the comprehensive approval/rejection results from the already implemented Screening AI Service will be linked to SCOPE via API. This integration will support improved screening response speed, reduced labor for judgment, and advanced screening quality as a whole.

What is the Personal Loan Business Support System 'SCOPE'? SCOPE is a web-based package system that handles mortgage screening, unsecured loan screening, and ongoing credit screening. It automates processes such as inquiries to personal credit information agencies, collation and aggregation of inquiry results, and checking eligibility for loan conditions and past transaction status after receiving a loan application. It enables total management of the process flow, realizing efficient screening.

(Reference Information) - Practical application of Screening AI Service started at Mebuki Financial Group: 70% of mortgage and unsecured loan cases are automatically screened by AI.

### Profiles **Mebuki Financial Group, Inc.** - Representative: Tetsuya Akino, President - Headquarters: Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo - URL: https://www.mebuki-fg.co.jp/

**Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. (MRI)** - Representative: Kenji Yabuta, President - Headquarters: Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo - URL: https://www.mri.co.jp/

**ITFOR Co., Ltd.** - Representative: Koji Sakata, President - Headquarters: Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo - Listing: Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime (4743) - URL: https://www.itfor.co.jp ITFOR is a company that responds to diverse social and individual needs through IT services. Providing services for financial institutions, local governments, and retail/EC businesses, as well as in fields like cashless payments, contact centers, security, and infrastructure, ITFOR supports regional revitalization and contributes to building a society that creates inspiration and smiles through its 'power of staying close' to customers.