Scottish Communities Finance

Scottish Communities Finance (SCF) Ltd is a Community Benefit Society (BenCom) registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, registration number 7649. Scottish Communities Finance (SCF) Ltd was established to support both communities of interest and geography across Scotland.... As a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) our purpose is to assist communities to raise capital from within their own communities to create funds that can be used to address the needs of communities, thus making them more vibrant and resilient. We are interested in creating a new form of Citizen Investor or Community Investor. These are ordinary people who would not normally be investors but who want to invest a small amount of money to support their communities. SCF Ltd offers them the opportunity to fund activities in their community for the mutual benefit of all via the purchase of Community Bonds. Community investors are individuals and organisations interested primarily in a social return to their communities rather than a high financial return. The Community Bonds investment periods and investment amounts vary depending on the different community bond offers. However, in all cases, the capital received and any interest due is payable upon maturity date. Each community we engage with has a representative on the BenCom board, thus ensuring that we listen to and act upon the needs of our community partners. Most communities across Scotland have not been well served by the mainstream financial providers over the last years. This has an impact on the viability and vibrancy of communities as providers of services and goods struggle to secure finance to continue operating or to develop further. This is particularly the case for most small organisations and businesses. According to the Bank of England Bankstats, since 2011 banks have squeezed SME lending by 18% or £35billion. This is particularly the case for third sector organisations, social enterprises ...Read More