Bank of Dave: The Loan Ranger has proven to be a Netflix hit as the second instalment follows Dave Fishwick (played by Rory Kinnear) as he confronts predatory payday lenders. The films were inspired by the real life of Dave Fishwick, a 53-year-old businessman from Lancashire.
After leaving school at 16 with no qualifications, he set up David Fishwick Minibus Sales, which went on to become the biggest minibus supplier in Britain. He soon realised big banks were no longer lending his customers money after the 2007-2008 financial crisis.
To tackle the problem, he launched Burnley Savings and Loans, which used the advertising slogan “Bank on Dave”. Burnley Savings and Loans is an independent lending company which first opened its doors in 2011.
In 2017, he applied to become a UK regulated bank, offering an expanded range of products to a wider audience. While this may be the case in the films, in real life the bank is yet to be recognised as a real bank.
Officially, Burnley Savings and Loans is still on a mission to become a UK regulated bank and speaking to The Guardian, he claimed a City expert told him that “if I use the word deposit or say I’m a bank then I will go to prison”.
Bank of Dave: The Loan Ranger sees Dave tackle payday lenders
Instead of the ‘Bank of Dave’ as shown in the films, he actually runs an independent lending company and customers can only deposit a limited amount.
Still, this does not detract from the fact Dave has done some remarkable work for the community, lending over £30 million pounds to those in need.
As is depicted in the film, all profits are still donated to local charities.
On the company’s website, Dave announced it had joined forces with the Vulnerability Registration Service, meaning: “Burnley Savings and Loans will now be able to search the VRS database to find out which of their existing or potential customers are vulnerable, and what their vulnerabilities are.
Burnley Savings and Loans founder Dave Fishwick
(Image: Tim Merry / Daily Mirror)
“They’ll be able to use this information to adapt their approach appropriately, and communicate with that person accordingly.”
Commenting on the latest development, Dave said: “Burnley Savings and Loans Ltd are pleased to be associated with the excellent Vulnerability Registration Service, who help protect vulnerable people.
“Burnley Savings and Loans Ltd are consumer centric, and as an ethical business, we believe we have a duty to act in the very best interests of our customers at all times.”
Since its early days the company has grown considerably, from just three members to a team of experienced staff and a suite of offices in Burnley.
Through his media profile, Dave has continued to lobby parliament to make changes to the banking industry and educate people on improving their businesses and finances.
Bank of Dave: The Loan Ranger is available to watch on Netflix