A not-for-profit lender extolling the virtue of responsible finance, DSL has always stood out from the crowd.
DSL Business Finance Ltd, to give you its full title, was established in Glasgow in 1993 to provide loans to start-up and growing businesses in the West of Scotland.
And the figures are impressive. Since the Millennium it has distributed £18.5m, supporting 1500 budding entrepreneurs and 4000 new jobs in Scotland.
DSL’s annual loan disbursement in Scotland stepped up significantly – rising from £1.5m in 2016 to £4.5m in 2019 – after it became Fund Manager for the Scottish Government’s Scottish Microfinance Fund and the Digital Development Loans scheme. It is also the only Scotland-Headquartered Delivery Partner for the British Business Bank’s Start-Up Loan Scheme.
In turn, DSL’s team has increased from four members of staff to 11 to meet the demand.
The fact DSL can tap into four different funding streams, including a kitty of its own, means clients have the luxury of choice.
Executive director Stuart Yuill said: “Yes, there are a number of options we can draw on for someone seeking start-up or growth funding – that does make us quite different to the marketplace at large.”
“We also have very good links with support agencies right across Scotland, through the Gateway and Elevator networks, and we know about a lot of rural and legacy funds that we can help clients tap into as well.”
“Our aim is simply to do the very best we can to help our clients start-up and grow their business on a sustainable financial footing.”
DSL has very experienced staff who, between them, cover the whole of Scotland, including the highlands and islands.
Each applicant is allocated a dedicated loan officer to guide them through the process. They are the most reassuring of people, as confidence-boosting as Stuart Yuill himself.
“Irrespective of the uncertainty that is perceived to be out there at the moment, a lot of good businesses start up in difficult times,” he said.
“It shouldn’t be a reason not to start out in business. If the business planning is sound and the owner has drive, passion and acumen, then it most likely will succeed.”
www.dsl-businessfinance.co.uk
