FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Southfield Capital to Sell Dealers’ Financial Services

Southfield Capital Advisors, a private investment firm focused on the lower middle-market, agreed to sell Dealers’ Financial Services (DFS) LLC to Dollar Financial Corp. for approximately $118 million in cash.

by Staff
November 3, 2009
2 min to read


GREENWICH, Conn. — Southfield Capital Advisors, a private investment firm focused on the lower middle-market, agreed to sell Dealers’ Financial Services (DFS) LLC to Dollar Financial Corp. for approximately $118 million in cash.

The acquisition, which is contingent upon Dollar obtaining financing, is anticipated to be completed in early December.

Ad Loading...

DFS is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky and was founded in 1996. The company’s flagship Military Installment Loan and Educational Services (MILES) program offers a range of services to enlisted junior military personnel, seeking to purchase new and low mileage automobiles, including automotive purchasing, budgeting, credit and ownership training, one-on-one consultation, access to a national bank for automobile loans and ancillary services such as service contracts and guaranteed asset protection (GAP) coverage.

The loans are funded and serviced under an exclusive agreement with a major third-party national bank, which funds and maintains the loan portfolio on its balance sheet, as well as bears any risk of repayment default. The unique underwriting standards of the third party bank lender, and the ability to purchase warranty and GAP insurance policies at a discount, help insulate the borrower from events that typically lead to loan default.

Southfield Capital acquired a majority stake in DFS in November 2006. In partnership with the senior management team at DFS, Southfield Capital helped more than double the company’s revenue and EBITDA since acquisition. The potential sale of DFS would represent a successful exit for Southfield Capital, its investors and DFS founders, and provides an opportunity for the DFS management team to continue to execute on its growth strategy.

More Auto Finance

Photo of a white toy car next to piles of coins
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellJune 8, 2026

First-Quarter Sees Long Auto Loan Growth

Experian data show more consumers are tapping the method, along with refinancings, to afford buying. Meanwhile, subprime borrowers are getting more access.

Read More →
Assurant, Mastering Credit Friction, Sales Series, Expert Trainer Josh Krach
Auto FinanceMay 29, 2026

Mastering Credit Friction

In this video, Josh Krach explains how to turn credit friction into an advantage.

Read More →
Couple talking with auto salesman next to new car inside dealership
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellMay 20, 2026

April Less Affordable

Based on prices, reduced incentives and slower household income growth, consumers found it more challenging to buy new last month, Cox Automotive reported.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of a loan contract on a desk
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellMay 13, 2026

Auto Lenders, Consumers on a Tightrope

April borrowing data shows that more consumers are bending over backward to buy vehicles, though subprime lending cooled off for the month.

Read More →
black background with orange text saying Alec Hagey Toyota Financial Services President and CEO effective April 6 with picture of Alec Hagey
Auto Financeby Lauren LawrenceApril 6, 2026

Toyota Financial Services President Replaced

Scott Cooke has served in various roles with Toyota Financial Services for over 20 years, including president and CEO, which he retires from on June 30.

Read More →
Photo of person grabbing stacks of cash from a surface
Auto Financeby Gil Van OverMarch 30, 2026

Permission or Approval: When to Notify Finance Sources

Credit card down payments, multiple vehicle purchases and even straw purchases can be completed without committing bank fraud, as long as you tell the bank first.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Three people's hands on desk as one signs a document
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellMarch 11, 2026

At-Risk Auto Borrowers Drive Looser Credit Access

Cox Automotive’s index shows the subprime segment, long loan terms, negative-equity borrowers and down payment amounts all grew in February despite ever-higher vehicle prices.

Read More →
Auto Financeby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 23, 2026

Auto Loan Forecast Bucks Market Trend

Auto loan originations rose over 6% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2025, but TransUnion predicts a slight decline in auto loan growth this year, making it an outlier in the company's overall lending forecast.

Read More →
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellFebruary 11, 2026

Auto Credit More Plentiful

Growing access shows greater lender appetite for risk as consumers take on heavier debt burden in an inflated market.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Auto Financeby Hannah MitchellJanuary 27, 2026

Auto Loans Long as Stretch Limos

More consumers, faced with ever-rising car prices, are adapting by agreeing to longer loan terms despite the cost of added interest payments.

Read More →