Taylor Scott
Burnley Savings and Loans (BSAL), more commonly known as the Bank of Dave, is still open and thriving. The company was founded by Dave Fishwick, a local businessman from Lancashire, in 2011. Despite its name, BSAL is not an official UK-regulated bank, and customers can only deposit a limited amount. However, it has gained significant attention for its personal service and unique approach to lending. Since its opening, BSAL has lent over £27 million to thousands of customers and continues to grow. Dave Fishwick remains dedicated to his mission of transforming BSAL into a UK-regulated bank and advocating for a community-oriented banking model.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Burnley Savings and Loans (BSAL) |
| Founder | Dave Fishwick |
| Year of Founding | 2011 |
| Current Status | Open and thriving |
| Official Status | Not a UK-regulated bank |
| Customer Deposits | Limited |
| Customer Base | Thousands |
| Loan Amounts | Over £27 million as of 2022 |
| Staff | Large, thriving team |
| Services | Vehicle finance, business loans, mortgages, credit cards |
| Media Attention | Channel 4 series, Scottish BAFTA-winning episode, books, Netflix films |
| Current Mission | Become a UK-regulated bank |
| Community Focus | Yes |
| Social Responsibility | Yes |
| Lobbying Efforts | Reform UK banking system |
| Support | Former Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna MP |
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What You'll Learn
- Burnley Savings and Loans (BSAL) is the official name of the company
- The Bank of Dave is not yet a UK-regulated bank despite efforts to become one since 2017
- Dave Fishwick is still lobbying Parliament to reform the UK's banking system and help educate the public about finances
- BSAL has lent over £27 million to thousands of customers since 2011
- The Bank of Dave film series is available to watch on Netflix
Burnley Savings and Loans (BSAL) is the official name of the company
The company is based in Burnley, England, and was created to address the perceived shortcomings of the traditional banking system, particularly during the 2008 financial crisis. Fishwick believed that high street banks were not lending enough money to people or small businesses, and that they were viewed negatively by the wider population due to the 'bonus culture' benefiting their employees.
BSAL has received significant attention for its unique approach to lending and its focus on serving the local community. It has been featured in a Channel 4 series, "Bank of Dave," which aired in 2012 and was later broadcast worldwide. The series showcase the creation of BSAL and its operations, attracting a global audience to Fishwick's endeavour.
Despite its informal moniker, "The Bank of Dave," the company is not officially a bank. It operates as an independent lending company, and its customers can only deposit a limited amount. However, BSAL has ambitions to become a UK-regulated bank. In 2017, the company applied for official banking status, aiming to offer an expanded range of products and services to a wider audience. The application process and Fishwick's continued lobbying for banking industry reforms demonstrate his commitment to establishing BSAL as a recognised bank, serving the community and promoting social responsibility in the financial industry.
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The Bank of Dave is not yet a UK-regulated bank despite efforts to become one since 2017
Burnley Savings and Loans (BSAL) is an independent lending company based in Burnley, England. It was founded by Dave Fishwick, a local businessman, in 2011. The company has gained media attention since it first opened, with a series on Channel 4 in 2012 documenting its creation and Dave's call for Parliament to reform the banking system.
In 2017, BSAL applied to become a UK-regulated bank, "The Bank of Dave", offering an expanded range of products to a wider audience. Despite Dave's continued lobbying of Parliament and his efforts to make changes to the banking industry, as of January 2025, BSAL is still not a UK-regulated bank.
Dave is also still running his mini bus company, as well as Burnley Savings and Loans, and has continued to gain media attention for his work. He has appeared on BBC1, ITV, CNBC, and CNN, as well as in press articles on helping charities and local community members.
The Bank of Dave has inspired two films released on Netflix, with a third film in the works as of January 2025. The films have shone a light on the payday loan industry and helped lead to regulations and the shutdown of several major payday loan companies.
While waiting for UK regulatory approval, Burnley Savings and Loans has continued to lend money to local businesses and families, with all profits donated to local charities. The company has lent over £30 million as of 2025 and has grown from three members of staff to a large, thriving team.
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Dave Fishwick is still lobbying Parliament to reform the UK's banking system and help educate the public about finances
Dave Fishwick is a businessman from Burnley, Lancashire, who founded Burnley Savings and Loans (BSAL) in 2011. The company and its founder gained media attention after Fishwick called on Parliament to reform the UK's banking system. Fishwick believed that the existing banking system was failing people and small businesses, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.
Since 2012, Fishwick has continued to lobby Parliament for change. He first applied for official banking status in 2017, seeking to expand the range of products and services that BSAL could offer. Despite being an independent lending company, Burnley Savings and Loans has lent over £27 million to local businesses and families, and all profits are donated to local charities.
Fishwick is still working at Burnley Savings and Loans, which continues to grow. He is also running a minibus company, as well as campaigning against payday loan companies. Through his media profile, Fishwick has continued to lobby Parliament and help educate the general public about their finances. He believes that BSAL is the future of banking and wants to prove that the financial industry can be socially responsible.
In addition to his lobbying efforts, Fishwick has worked with Netflix on two films based on his life and the founding of Burnley Savings and Loans: "Bank of Dave" and "Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger". The films have helped to shine a light on issues within the financial industry, such as the need for regulations on payday loan companies.
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BSAL has lent over £27 million to thousands of customers since 2011
Burnley Savings and Loans (BSAL), more commonly known as the Bank of Dave, is an independent lending company based in Burnley, England. It was founded by local businessman Dave Fishwick in 2011. The company gained media attention in 2012 when Fishwick called for Parliament to reform the banking system, arguing that traditional high street banks were not lending enough money to people or small businesses.
Since its founding, BSAL has lent over £27 million to thousands of customers. The company offers a range of services, including vehicle finance, business loans, mortgages, and credit cards. BSAL has also been recognised for its work with vulnerable people, partnering with the Vulnerability Registration Service (VRS) to better identify and support vulnerable customers.
In 2017, BSAL applied to become a UK-regulated bank, which would allow it to offer an expanded range of products to a wider audience. The company is still awaiting approval as of 2025. Despite this, BSAL continues to thrive, with Fishwick attributing its success to its personal service and no-nonsense approach to lending.
Fishwick has continued to lobby Parliament for reforms to the banking industry and to educate people about ways to improve their finances and support their businesses. He believes that BSAL represents the future of banking, prioritising social responsibility and the needs of the local community.
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![Dave (BD) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91GujdWpZNL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The Bank of Dave film series is available to watch on Netflix
A sequel, *Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger*, was released in January 2025 and is also available on Netflix. The film continues the story of Dave Fishwick's efforts to establish a community bank and his battles against the elite financial institutions. The sequel received positive reviews, with many praising its charm and feel-good undertones.
The Bank of Dave film series offers an inspiring and heartwarming portrayal of a small-town community's resilience in the face of financial adversity. It showcases the power of grassroots initiatives and the impact they can have on local economies. The films also provide a glimpse into the challenges of navigating the complex world of banking regulations and the determination required to bring about change.
While the films take creative liberties with some aspects of the true story, they capture the essence of Dave Fishwick's journey and his mission to support local businesses and the community. The films have received praise for their positive message and their portrayal of a community coming together to challenge the established powers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Bank of Dave is still open and thriving. However, it is not technically an official UK-registered bank. It is an independent lending company called Burnley Savings and Loans (BSAL).
The Bank of Dave is a lending company founded by Dave Fishwick, a local businessman from Lancashire, UK. Fishwick started the company in 2011 after feeling that the existing banking system needed change in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.
Burnley Savings and Loans first applied for official banking status in 2017. The company is still awaiting approval to become a UK-regulated bank.
