In the first episode Dave learns about how banks operate. Almost everyone he meets in banking tells Dave to forget the idea. But the people of Burnley still support him and Dave presses ahead anyway. Together with help from local businesses and tradesmen Dave turns a tiny old flower shop into Burnley's very own 'bank' and has a grand opening. From a busker needing a loan for a new amplifier to a tropical fish store, Dave meets people in the community who until now have been unable to borrow money. The money begins pouring out of the 'bank' - and it starts to make a real difference to the town, but not much is coming in.
David Fishwick finally takes his alternative bank to the people of Burnley, Lancashire, driving his converted minibus - complete with safe and cash machine - into town and receiving advice on where to park it from ardent Burnley FC supporter and former spin doctor Alastair Campbell. As things gather momentum, he gambles on the stock market, canvasses for wider support, takes his message to the Bank of England and meets Business Secretary Vince Cable, before returning to his home town to see what effect his loans have had and find out whether he has broken even in the first six months. Does the Bank of Dave have a future?
The day after Bank of Dave first aired, local people queued to put money into Dave's care and the world's press flocked to Burnley to see his 'bank' in action. Politicians from all sides were quick to jump on Dave's banking bus to show their support and praise his common sense. Hailed by many as the 'People's Banker', Dave received letters pleading for him to open a branch in other towns too. But not everyone was a fan - the FSA (Financial Services Authority), which regulates the banking industry, had its own nasty surprise in store... Has Dave managed to get the banking world to listen? Have the naysayers of the banking world eaten their words? Has the promised support of the politicians turned into real policy reform? And was Dave able to stand up to the regulator and keep his tiny local 'bank' open for business?
First Dave Fishwick took on the bankers and successfully fought the regulators to open his own small 'bank' in the award-winning series Bank of Dave. Since opening his tiny 'bank', Dave has seen how the poorest in society can become trapped in cycles of debt after borrowing money from a new breed of moneylenders: the payday loan companies. Now he wants to do something about it. Filmed over six months, the programme waits to see if Dave's trust is repaid. Having lent thousands of pounds to high risk borrowers, does he get his money back?
