The Bank Of Dave Story
The tale of creating a "tiny, tiny" bank based in The Centre of the Universe (Burnley!) has inspired millions and been made into not just one but
Two Back-to-Back Netflix No. 1 Rated Films
But how did we get here?
The Bank Of Dave Films
Inspired by the extraordinary true story of Dave Fishwick, Bank of Dave and Bank of Dave: Loan Ranger follow Dave as he tries to set up a "tiny, tiny bank" to help support those the big banks forgot about, proving that fair, local lending can work. But just as things start to settle, a new threat emerges: shadowy loan companies and fintech PayDay Lenders targeting the most vulnerable with predatory rates and slick apps.
Bank of Dave
Inspired by the extraordinary true story of Dave Fishwick, Bank of Dave is a feel-good British comedy-drama about one man’s fight to take on the big banks and bring ethical finance back to his community. Set in Burnley, Lancashire, the film follows Dave Fishwick, a self-made millionaire and minibus salesman, who’s fed up with how traditional banks treat everyday people and local businesses. When he sees the devastation caused by the 2008 financial crisis and how hard it is for honest, working-class folks to get a fair loan, Dave decides to do the unthinkable — set up his own bank. But taking on the UK’s financial system isn’t easy. The law is stacked in favour of the big boys in the City of London, and Dave’s plan ruffles plenty of feathers. Enter Hugh, a London-based, risk-averse solicitor who’s sent north to shut Dave down — but ends up being inspired by the Burnley spirit and Dave’s genuine desire to help others. Packed with humour, heart, and a healthy dose of rebellion, Bank of Dave is a story about doing the right thing, standing up for your community, and showing that banking can be fair, transparent, and for the people.
Bank Of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger
Following the triumphant events of the first film, Dave Fishwick has finally shaken up the financial world with his grassroots bank — proving that fair, local lending can work. But just as things start to settle, a new threat emerges: shadowy loan companies and fintech giants targeting the most vulnerable with predatory rates and slick apps. When Dave hears from a single mum who’s lost her job and been pushed into debt by one of these “fast-cash” platforms, he dusts off the leathers (well… the jacket) and rides out again — this time not just to offer a loan, but to take on an entire system. Reuniting with his unlikely ally Hugh, the once-slick London lawyer now proudly Northern-ised, and Dr Alex, now running a community wellness centre, Dave launches a new mission: build a national lending co-operative — one owned by the people, for the people. But the financial establishment isn’t done fighting back. Cue backroom deals, parliamentary debates, and a sabotage attempt from a rogue fintech CEO who’ll do anything to stop Dave’s growing influence. Armed with spreadsheets, stubbornness, and the power of people, Dave sets off on a new quest across the country — from Burnley to Bristol, Edinburgh to Westminster — proving once again that you don’t need a bonus to do what’s right.
Real-Life Stories
Behind The Characters
Roy Kinnear as
Dave Fishwick
About the Character:
Dave is a big-hearted, straight-talking minibus salesman from Burnley who’s had enough of watching local people and businesses being let down by the banks. So, he does the unthinkable – he starts one himself.
Real-Life Inspiration:
✅ Based on the real Dave Fishwick, a self-made millionaire who created Burnley Savings and Loans to lend his own money to those rejected by high street banks. Dave has given away millions to good causes and has spent over a decade fighting for a banking licence and a fairer financial system.
Jo Hartley as
Nicky Fishwick
About the Character:
Nicky is Dave’s wife — fiercely supportive, quietly strong, and a grounding force behind the mission. She keeps things steady when the fight against the banks heats up.
Real-Life Inspiration:
✅ Based on Nicky Fishwick, Dave’s real-life wife. While she’s not in the public eye often, Nicky has been at Dave’s side throughout his journey, helping manage Burnley Savings and Loans and supporting the wider mission of ethical lending and community reinvestment.
About the Character:
David Henshaw is Dave’s calm, clever, and quietly formidable right-hand man. With decades of banking experience behind him and an unwavering moral compass, he brings wisdom, stability, and no-nonsense know-how to the Bank of Dave mission – helping Dave stand firm against the big lenders and regulators.
Real-Life Inspiration:
🟡 Based on the real David Henshaw, a veteran of the banking world with nearly 50 years of experience, who played a pivotal role in helping set up Burnley Savings and Loans. Known as Dave’s trusted right-hand man, Henshaw helped navigate the legal, regulatory, and financial challenges of launching a community bank from scratch. Dave Fishwick has often praised David’s high morals, sharp mind, and deep decency – crediting him as one of the unsung heroes behind the scenes. In Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger, his character is portrayed by actor Pearce Quigley.
About the Character:
Hugh is a London-based lawyer who’s sent north to shut Dave down — but soon finds himself inspired by Burnley’s spirit and joins the fight for fairer finance.
Real-Life Inspiration:
🟡 Loosely based on Chris Moss & Keith Arrowsmith, the legal advisers who stood shoulder to shoulder with Dave during his long battle with the FCA and financial regulators. Both Chris & Keith still work with Burnley Savings and Loans to this day, helping guide it through the legal minefields of UK finance.
Other Great Characters &
Their Inspirations
Phoebe Dynevor
as
Alexandra
About the Character:
Alex is a compassionate and driven local doctor who helps Hugh understand the human side of Burnley’s financial struggles — and becomes a love interest along the way.
Real-Life Inspiration:
❌ Fictional. But represents the real community figures — teachers, doctors, local leaders — who backed Dave’s mission to reinvest in the people who make towns like Burnley thrive.
Hugh Bonneville
as
Sir Charles Denby
About the Character:
Sir Charles is the face of the financial establishment — polished, privileged, and more interested in protecting the status quo than serving the public.
Real-Life Inspiration:
❌ Fictional. Sir Charles embodies the institutional barriers Dave faced from the City of London, financial regulators, and corporate banks.
About the Character:
Rick is Dave’s friend and trusted right-hand man — loyal, blunt, and always ready with a comeback or a pint. He brings comic relief and a dose of Burnley wit to the story.
Real-Life Inspiration:
🟡 Loosely inspired by friends and team members who helped Dave turn a simple idea into a real-life financial revolution.
Chrissy Metz as
Megan
About the Character:
Warm-hearted and optimistic, Megan plays a key role in supporting the community cause and grounding Dave’s mission in empathy.
Real-Life Inspiration:
❌ Fictional – but captures the spirit of community activists around the world who have joined the fight for fair finance for real people.
Amit Shah as
Raj
About the Character:
Friendly and sharp, Raj brings humour and grounded wisdom to the story — the guy who always sees what others miss.
Real-Life Inspiration:
❌ Fictional – representing Burnley’s diverse, supportive, and entrepreneurial community.
Rob Delaney as
Carlo Mancini
About the Character:
A sharp-tongued investor who sees profits where Dave sees people. If he could monetise your nan, he would.
Real-Life Inspiration:
❌ Satirical representation of tech-first, ethics-last lenders and financial opportunists that in real life Dave helped to take down such as Wonga
Radio Times
★★★★☆ “Rory Kinnear is utterly charming as the man who tried to take on the City – and nearly pulled it off.”
The Guardian
“In a time when trust in finance is low, Bank of Dave is a reminder that it doesn’t have to be this way.”
Financial Times
Where It All HappenEd
Burnley - The Centre Of The Universe
From Burnley to Hollywood
Red Carpet Moments
Movies Meets Real Life
Filming In The Real Life Locations
Discover Burnley
Explore the rich heritage, famous faces, and hidden gems of this remarkable Lancashire town
Rich Heritage
From industrial revolution mills to modern football glory, Burnley's story spans centuries of innovation and community spirit.
Famous Faces
Home to legendary actors, musicians, athletes, and entrepreneurs who've made their mark on the world stage.
The True Heroes
The Staff Behind Burnley Savings & Loans
The Real Finance Company Behind The Bank Of Dave Story
Our Story
When the big banks turned their backs on hard-working people after the financial crisis, Dave Fishwick decided to do something about it . In 2011 he founded Burnley Savings and Loans with one radical idea at its heart: finance should be fair for everyone, and every penny of profit should go to good causes . He proved that a bank could lend to local people on decent, common-sense terms and still make a positive difference in the community .
What do we mean by “fair” finance? For Dave, fair finance means always putting people before profit. It means we work with a range of partner lenders to find you the best deal we can – if one of them can offer a better rate or a more suitable loan than we can, we’ll make sure you get that option . It also means doing everything we can to help more folks get approved for loans that are affordable and responsible, rather than leaving people with nowhere to turn. And “fair” isn’t just a slogan – it’s a promise that we give back to the community. We don’t pocket the profits ourselves; every pound we earn is donated to local charities and good causes to help others . In short, Dave’s approach is about doing what’s right for you, the customer, every single time.
Since then, this fair approach to finance has helped thousands of people across the UK, showing that banking can put people first. Dave’s mission has even inspired the Netflix “Bank of Dave” films and sparked a growing movement of ethical lenders fighting for real change in the financial world . As Dave himself puts it, we have a duty to act in the very best interests of our customers at all times – proving that finance can be fair, and that when you “Bank on Dave,” you’re banking on something better for everyone.
