🏦 VSL — Vouched Short Loans
Vouched No-Collateral 0-5% Short Loans From Members To Members
📊 Initiative Launch Status
| Category | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 🟡 PREPARING | Self-funding once operational |
Prerequisites for Launch
1. Leadership
| Role | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Crown (Treasury Keeper) | 🟡 Invited | Cathie Mahon — awaiting response |
| Operations Lead | 🔴 Open | Apply → |
| Circle Coordinators | 🔴 Open | Need local organizers |
2. Cold-Start Funding
| Source | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A. Cross-Initiative (20% split via 1/3 rule) | ⚪ Pending | Requires other initiatives operational |
| B. Member Savings Circles | 🔴 Not Started | Need 10-20 founding circles |
| C. Seed Pool | 🟡 Planned | Initial lending capital |
3. Resource Allocation
| Resource | Need | Have | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circle formation system | ✅ | 🟡 40% | Needs UI |
| Loan voting mechanism | ✅ | 🟡 50% | Basic design ready |
| Repayment tracking | ✅ | 🟡 30% | Needs integration |
| Social accountability scoring | ✅ | 🔴 | Needs design |
| Interest calculation (0-5%) | ✅ | ✅ | Ready |
4. Technical Support Services
| Service | Status |
|---|---|
| Platform infrastructure | ✅ Ready |
| Payment processing | ✅ Ready |
| Circle management | 🔴 Not started |
| Lending compliance | 🔴 Legal review needed |
Want to help launch VSL? Get involved →
What Is It?
VSL provides vouched, no-collateral loans at 0-5% interest from members to members. Small loans backed by social trust rather than credit scores — your circle vouches for you.
The Model
Based on systems that work across developing nations:
- Savings circles build capital
- Small loans for business/emergency needs
- Social accountability replaces credit scores
- Transparent interest (low, not extractive)
How It Works
- Join a circle of 10-20 members
- Contribute regularly to the pool
- Request loans when needed
- Circle votes on loan approval
- Repay with modest interest (goes back to circle)
Why This Works
- Grameen Bank: 97%+ repayment rates
- Social pressure is powerful
- Small amounts, big impact
- No predatory payday loans
Crown Leadership
Cathie Mahon — Treasury Keeper
- Expert in cooperative finance
- Understands credit union models
- Community lending advocate
Get Involved
This initiative launches with the platform. Join the waitlist →
“The village lends what the bank won’t.”