Banks have a new tool to bar underworld borrowers.

Starting Thursday, the Japanese Bankers Association said its members will be able to screen individual loan seekers using the National Police Agency¡¯s database of organized crime members.

Banks compile their own lists on yakuza and other so-called anti-social forces to keep undesirable persons from using their services to perform transactions. The police database, which is already available to the Japan Securities Dealers Association, could enhance banks¡¯ accuracy and efficiency when screening for gang members.