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Your Questions & Our Answers

Welcome to our frequently asked questions page

We have compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions to help you navigate our website more effectively. Our Q&A are designed to provide you with immediate answers to your queries. If you don’t find what you are looking for, do not hesitate to reach out. Explore the categories below to find the answers you need!

 

What is Digital Lending?

In line with the Financial Stability Board (FSB), this is understood as a lending activity facilitated by electronic platforms that are not operated by commercial banks. Consequently, the deposit-taking business is not included since this is part of bank lending. The sourcing side is made up of retail and institutional investors rather.

Furthermore, FSB divides the industry roughly into two categories:

  • auxiliaries, i.e. marketplace lenders, crowdlenders, peer-to-peer lenders, for example, and
  • intermediaries, i.e. balance sheet lenders.

The DLA is home to all the different forms of digital lending. It’s the first and sole organization in Europe to focus exclusively on the specific needs of Fintech lenders, investors and relevant service providers in their entirety. Come and join a vibrant and growing community!

What topics are the DLA working on in 2025?

In 2025, we have three top priorities that we are pursuing through the work of our committees:

  • Open Finance:
    • Already since 2020, we have been working on ways to improve access to finance through Open Finance in order to close the financing gap for consumers and SMEs in Europe. Important regulatory decisions will be made this year, and the DLA is again at the forefront of these discussions. Simply because nobody else takes care of the specific needs of Fintech lenders when it comes to Open Finance.
  • Artificial Intelligence:
    • Our mission is: Development and application of techniques to optimize the digital lending process – from application to approval and beyond. The DLA is dedicated to bringing AI and Open Finance together to unlock the full potential of Fintech lending.
  • Cyber Security:
    • Digital lenders must operate securely and, in particular, develop measures to protect sensitive customer data, secure transactions by preventing fraud, and avoid cyber attacks. We are working in our committees on a common understanding of how these goals can be achieved.

How to become a member?

That’s fairly easy. Just write an email to info@digitallenders.eu and say the keyword:

  • If you are a Non-Bank Digital Lender, please apply for the Ordinary Membership Digital Lender.
  • If you are an institutional investor, please apply for the Ordinary Membership Institutional Investor. These can be, in particular, domestic or foreign legal entities such as insurance companies, pension funds and their asset management companies, foundations, banks, church institutions or family offices.
  • If you are a service provider, please apply for the Associate Membership. This form of membership is designed for all service providers that play a role as specialists on the Digital Lending value chain. The purpose of the Associate Membership in contrast to the Ordinary Membership is to support the exchange of opinions and experience among members. Supporters become members of the DLA because they want to help build the European ecosystem with like-minded peers.

More information to be found here.

How much does a membership cost?

The annual membership fee is based on the type of membership:

  • Ordinary Member Digital Lender:
    • Level 1: EUR 6,000 = 1 – 50 FTE
    • Level 2: EUR 8,000 = 51 – 100 FTE
    • Level 3: EUR 10,000 = >100 FTE
  • Ordinary Member Institutional Investor: EUR 4,000
  • Associate Member: EUR 3,000

How can I get involved with the work of the association?

The DLA offers its members various opportunities to get involved:

  • All members of the DLA, i.e. Ordinary Members and Associate Members, have the option of attending the annual General Meeting, the most important body of our association, and casting their vote. However, only Ordinary Members have the right to vote and the right of motion.
  • Ordinary Members also have the option of appointing a representative to the Executive Board. The decision on this is taken by the General Meeting.
  • There is currently also a Committee and several Working Groups that are open to members. They deal with various topics, develop positions, and offer the chance to meet and exchange ideas with like-minded people on a regular basis.

How can I contribute to DLA's communication content?

It is DLA’s clear goal to provide relevant communication content to spread our message. Hence, there are different ways to become more active and to contribute to the DLA’s communication work with your ideas and visions:

If you are an expert who would like to cover a topic, please get in touch with: press@digitallenders.eu .

What sponsorship opportunities are available?

DLA offers several different sponsorship opportunities based on your priorities, type of visibility and markets of interest.

Our many proven and popular packages offer tailor-made solutions that fit your objectives and help you to:

  • Target the Fintech Lender community;
  • Raise your branding profile in Europe;
  • Generate new business from relevant target audiences;
  • Partner with DLA on relevant thought leadership;
  • Showcase your company in a variety of events dedicated to European audiences: FINTICS and Digital Lending Summit.

To find out more about our packages please contact: info@digitallenders.eu

Who are the members?

Please surf to our members‘ page.

Where do I find the latest DLA Annual Report?

Please surf to our transparency page. There you will find both our Annual Report and much more information. We are a fully transparent association since we became part of Transparency International’s Transparent Civil Society Initiative in 2021.

Who can help me with my additional questions?

Please get in touch with us via email to: info@digitallenders.eu . Thank you!