ACCESS Financial Services Limited is pushing further up the small-business lending curve with the launch of Herizon – Women in Business, a new loan product aimed at established, female-led enterprises seeking between $5 million and $30 million in growth capital.

Rolled out officially last week, Herizon targets a segment that Access says has long fallen into a financing gap — businesses that have moved beyond start-up phase but still struggle to secure mid-size loans from traditional lenders. Although it was developed earlier this year, the product is now launching into an environment where access to timely capital has become increasingly important.

“Creation of the loan product was informed by our internal portfolio insights and research on the performance of women-led small businesses, [but] the recent economic disruptions have simply reinforced the importance of timely financing,” the company said in response to queries from the
Jamaica Observer.

Women borrowers show stronger repayment discipline

Women already account for more than half of the company’s loan book, with management pointing to strong repayment discipline, sound financial management, and long-term sustainability among female borrowers.

“Herizon formalises our commitment to a segment that consistently delivers strong outcomes,” the company continued.

Unlike Access’s core micro and small-business offerings, Herizon is positioned as a scale-up facility. It targets established firms — particularly in professional services, small manufacturing and other service-based industries — and is structured around longer tenures of up to 60 months, reducing-balance interest, and a streamlined credit assessment process designed to better match the cash flow realities of growing enterprises.

The launch comes as Access continues to broaden its lending mix beyond traditional microfinance. The company’s portfolio spans personal loans, payroll-linked facilities, and business products aimed at micro operators — including entry-level business loans, agricultural financing and working capital support for small traders. Herizon sits at the upper end of that spectrum, signalling a deliberate move to retain customers as their financing needs evolve, rather than losing them to commercial banks.

While demand for credit in the wake of Hurricane Melissa has not been gender-specific, Access told the BusinessWeek that it has seen increased enquiries from sectors tied to rebuilding and resilience, particularly hardware and construction, as businesses seek working capital to stabilise operations.

Early response to Herizon has been encouraging, according to the company, following direct marketing during the product’s development phase. Management says the initial level of interest suggests solid demand for a financing option positioned between micro-lending and traditional bank credit.

The new product is being launched against a backdrop of improving financial performance at Access. For the six months ended September 30, 2025 the company reported net profit after tax of $234 million, up 18 per cent year on year, driven mainly by growth in interest income from loans. Total assets increased seven per cent to $8.32 billion, while loans and advances rose five per cent to $6.31 billion, reflecting continued demand across personal and business segments.

Management has cautioned that Hurricane Melissa may lead to a short-term increase in delinquencies in affected areas but says the group’s liquidity position and capital base remain strong.