Credit Reporting System Launched to Expand Access to Finance

The Central Bank of Belize has announced the establishment of a national Credit Reporting System (CRS), marking a major advancement in the country’s financial infrastructure and efforts to expand access to credit for Belizeans.

Under the CRS, CRIF Information Services Limited—the licensed credit bureau—will begin collecting and sharing borrowers’ credit data from banks, credit unions, and other lending institutions. The initiative is designed to help lenders more accurately assess creditworthiness and reduce information gaps that have historically limited access to affordable credit, especially for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and households.

According to the Central Bank, the system will also enable Belizeans to build verifiable credit histories, which can serve as “reputational collateral” to unlock financial opportunities that were previously out of reach. The Governor, Kareem Michael, described the move as a transformative step toward financial inclusion and stability, emphasizing that it provides both fairness and transparency in lending decisions.

The CRS is expected to reduce borrowing costs over time by helping financial institutions better gauge risk while rewarding responsible borrowers. It will also standardize the process of information sharing among lenders, promoting competition and improving overall credit market efficiency.

In accordance with the Credit Reporting Act, CRIF is required to ensure that all credit information is stored and managed with strict safeguards for privacy and accuracy. The system is set to go live in early 2026, once data integration and security compliance testing are complete.