Our ethos

DSL is not just about lending. We want to create businesses and jobs in Scotland.

DSL loans increase client’s incomes by large average margin. 60% of our clients are starting their businesses and 89% of clients have under 10 staff.

Independent long-term studies of DSL, our clients and other CDFIs have shown the following:

"The successful business-lending CDFIs, such as DSL and to some extent Derby Loans, increase their clients’ incomes by a large average margin (although most of the gain is concentrated among a few ‘star clients’) and also generate multiplier effects through diffusion of technology and through employment generated amongst their clients."
–Pamela Lenton and Paul Mosley “Out of the poverty trap: Overcoming financial exclusion in the inner city” Published Oct 2011

What do or clients say about us? (independent evaluation, 2008)

• 100% of clients would recommend us to other businesses
• 77% think DSL is good or very good in comparison to other sources of finance
• 92% of clients are happy with the post-loan contact they receive
• 86% received some assistance with their application
• 93% of clients had approached a bank for finance before coming to DSL
• 82% of clients perceived DSL to be the only source of finance available to them