Who are Burnley Savings and Loans?

From a tiny idea in Burnley to a national movement for fairer finance


The Real Finance Company Behind The

Back-to-Back Netflix No. 1 Rated Bank Of Dave Films was born from frustration with the big banks – and we’ve spent every day since proving there’s a better way. No bonuses. No shareholders. Just fair finance for real people, and every penny of profit going to good causes you choose.

Dynamic picture of a cyclist riding downhill

Our Story

When the big banks turned their backs on hard-working people, Dave Fishwick and his team founded Burnley Savings and Loans with one radical idea: finance should be fair, and every penny of profit should go to good causes.

Since then, his mission has helped thousands across the UK, inspired Netflix’s Bank of Dave films, and sparked a growing movement of ethical lenders fighting for real financial change.

The Burnley Savings & Loans Story

Discover the real story behind the Netflix sensation through our documentary collection.

Bank of Dave: How To Open A Bank

Dave Fishwick, a self‑made minibus millionaire from Burnley, sets out to challenge the big banks by launching his own. With help from local businesses and everyday people, he transforms a tiny old flower shop into a working “bank” — lending to Burnley families and traders left behind by high street lenders. Cue the grand opening, the first loans… and a real test of whether Dave’s dream can work in practice

Bank Of Dave: Time for a Change

Dave takes his mobile “bank” — a converted minibus complete with ATM — out on the road, stopping in the town centre and questioning why London banks have closed the door on Burnley. He faces the Bank of England and meets Vince Cable, before returning home to assess the impact of his early loans. Is Burnley ready to support its own mentor? Has Dave’s first six months made a difference — or a loss?

Bank Of Dave: Fighting the Fat Cats

With national attention on Burnley, Dave is hailed as the “People’s Banker.” TV crews follow as locals queue to save with him, politicians climb aboard his bus for photo-ops, and letters pour in from across the globe. But amidst the praise, regulators — notably the FSA — begin to question his unconventional bank. Can Dave hold on to his dream while regulators threaten to shut him down?

A "Tiny Tiny Bank"

A "Tiny Tiny Bank"

A "Tiny Tiny Bank"

When the big banks turned their backs on hard-working people, Dave Fishwick founded Burnley Savings and Loans with one radical idea: create a "Tiny Tiny Bank" that used the savings of the residents of Burnley to support local people and businesses that were struggling, and every penny of profit should go to good causes.

From Burnley To Hollywood

From Burnley To Hollywood

From Burnley To Hollywood

Word spread. Fast. People from all over the UK – and the world – wanted to know what this little company from Burnley was up to. Channel 4 made a documentary. Then another. Then Netflix came knocking. The story of Bank of Dave became a global hit – inspiring people everywhere to rethink what finance could be.

The films showed the heart of the story. But behind the scenes, Burnley Savings and Loans kept growing – serving thousands of customers, helping them move forward, and doing good with every loan written.

Fights & Frustrations

Fights & Frustrations

Fights & Frustrations

It wasn’t easy. We fought regulators who didn’t know what to make of us. We weren’t a bank. We weren’t a payday lender. We were something different, and that made things hard.

Despite their best efforts Burnley Savings and Loans is still here helping people get the best deal possible and giving away every single penny of profit to causes that matter.

We’ve proven though you don’t need a shiny HQ or huge banker bonuses, you just need heart, honesty, and a proper reason for doing it

Timeline

Where It All Happens

Burnley - The Centre Of The Universe

Burnley, Centre Of The Universe
Burnley, Centre Of The Universe

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.

Dave Fishwick Media Enquiries

Get in touch for media enquiries and speaking opportunities

Fraud & Scams Awareness

Educational campaigns and media appearances

Fighting for Fairer Finance

Banking reform and financial justice advocacy

Inspirational Speaker

Motivational talks and keynote presentations

The True Heroes

The Staff Behind Burnley Savings & Loans

The Real Finance Company Behind The Bank Of Dave Story

Dave Fishwick

Dave Fishwick

Founder, Fighter, People’s Banker

David Henshaw

David Henshaw

Co-Founder & Quiet Engine Behind the Mission

Rachel Cowan

Rachel Cowan

Head of Lending

David Tattersall

David Tattersall

Head Of Risk & Compliance

Susan Land

Susan Land

Customer Service Manager

David Duxbury

David Duxbury

Accounts Executive

Ian Woods

Ian Woods

Finance

Jon Timmis

Jon Timmis

Chief Innovation Officer

Robert Ashworth

Robert Ashworth

Chief Finance Officer

Purves Ali

Purves Ali

Business Advisor

Get Fairer Finance Today &
Help Us To Give More By Applying Below

Get Fairer Finance Today &
Help Us To Give More By Applying Below

LATEST NEWS

LATEST NEWS

LATEST NEWS

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.

0+

Years fighting for you

0+

Years fighting for you

0+

Years fighting for you

0+

Million in affordable loans

0+

Million in affordable loans

0+

Million in affordable loans

0+

Businesses helped

0+

Businesses helped

0+

Businesses helped

0+

Good causes supported

0+

Good causes supported

0+

Good causes supported

Get Fairer Finance Today &

Help Us To Give More By Applying Below

Get Fairer Finance Today &

Help Us To Give More By Applying Below

Why We Do This
WHERE OUR PROFITS GO

I sent an email asking for help to release me from being a mortgage prisoner. I didn't expect a response but to my surprise I was contacted by a Mortgage Avisor called James Adamson. James turned out to be my Knight in shining armour. He secured a Mortgage for me with Principality Building Society which has now completed and I am released from an interest only Mortgage. How I wish I had contacted the Bank of Dave sooner.

Margaret Ward

I sent an email asking for help to release me from being a mortgage prisoner. I didn't expect a response but to my surprise I was contacted by a Mortgage Avisor called James Adamson. James turned out to be my Knight in shining armour. He secured a Mortgage for me with Principality Building Society which has now completed and I am released from an interest only Mortgage. How I wish I had contacted the Bank of Dave sooner.

Margaret Ward

I sent an email asking for help to release me from being a mortgage prisoner. I didn't expect a response but to my surprise I was contacted by a Mortgage Avisor called James Adamson. James turned out to be my Knight in shining armour. He secured a Mortgage for me with Principality Building Society which has now completed and I am released from an interest only Mortgage. How I wish I had contacted the Bank of Dave sooner.

Margaret Ward

Helping real people obtain fair-rate loans that give back to society

Save yourself money. Help save and improve the lives of others.

Drone shot of a running track at night

Helping real people obtain fair-rate loans that give back to society

Save yourself money. Help save and improve the lives of others.

Drone shot of a running track at night

Helping real people obtain fair-rate loans that give back to society

Save yourself money. Help save and improve the lives of others.

Drone shot of a running track at night

Burnley Savings and Loans Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 717019).

We act as a credit broker and a lender. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders who may be able to offer you finance facilities for your purchase, We will only introduce you to these lenders. We will receive a commission payment from the finance provider if you decide to enter into an agreement with them. Your interest rate is determined by several factors such as the age of the vehicle, the amount you borrow and the terms of the agreement. These factors may affect the commission we receive from the lender for any agreement that is entered. We will provide customers with a written breakdown of any commission paid by the lender prior to a signing of the credit agreement, which you will acknowledge the presence thereof.

Rates from 10.9%: The actual APR offered is subject to status and is based on your individual circumstances on application. Representative example: Borrowing £7,500.00 over 4-years with a representative APR of 22.1%, the amount payable would be £224.38 per month, with a total cost of credit of £3,270.24 and a total amount repayable of £10,970.24.

If you would like to know how we handle complaints, please ask for a copy of our complaints handling process. You can also find information about referring a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) at financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

Registered in England and Wales. Company number 7640762

Burnley Savings and Loans Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 717019).

We act as a credit broker and a lender. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders who may be able to offer you finance facilities for your purchase, We will only introduce you to these lenders. We will receive a commission payment from the finance provider if you decide to enter into an agreement with them. Your interest rate is determined by several factors such as the age of the vehicle, the amount you borrow and the terms of the agreement. These factors may affect the commission we receive from the lender for any agreement that is entered. We will provide customers with a written breakdown of any commission paid by the lender prior to a signing of the credit agreement, which you will acknowledge the presence thereof.

Rates from 10.9%: The actual APR offered is subject to status and is based on your individual circumstances on application. Representative example: Borrowing £7,500.00 over 4-years with a representative APR of 22.1%, the amount payable would be £224.38 per month, with a total cost of credit of £3,270.24 and a total amount repayable of £10,970.24.

If you would like to know how we handle complaints, please ask for a copy of our complaints handling process. You can also find information about referring a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) at financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

Registered in England and Wales. Company number 7640762

Burnley Savings and Loans Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 717019).

We act as a credit broker and a lender. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders who may be able to offer you finance facilities for your purchase, We will only introduce you to these lenders. We will receive a commission payment from the finance provider if you decide to enter into an agreement with them. Your interest rate is determined by several factors such as the age of the vehicle, the amount you borrow and the terms of the agreement. These factors may affect the commission we receive from the lender for any agreement that is entered. We will provide customers with a written breakdown of any commission paid by the lender prior to a signing of the credit agreement, which you will acknowledge the presence thereof.

Rates from 10.9%: The actual APR offered is subject to status and is based on your individual circumstances on application. Representative example: Borrowing £7,500.00 over 4-years with a representative APR of 22.1%, the amount payable would be £224.38 per month, with a total cost of credit of £3,270.24 and a total amount repayable of £10,970.24.

If you would like to know how we handle complaints, please ask for a copy of our complaints handling process. You can also find information about referring a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) at financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

Registered in England and Wales. Company number 7640762