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.

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.
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.
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.
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
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
The True Heroes
The Staff Behind Burnley Savings & Loans
The Real Finance Company Behind The Bank Of Dave Story
Dave Fishwick
Founder, Fighter, People’s Banker
David Henshaw
Co-Founder & Quiet Engine Behind the Mission
Rachel Cowan
Head of Lending
David Tattersall
Head Of Risk & Compliance
Susan Land
Customer Service Manager
David Duxbury
Accounts Executive
Ian Woods
Finance
Jon Timmis
Chief Innovation Officer
Robert Ashworth
Chief Finance Officer
Purves Ali
Business Advisor
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.