The story of how Dave Fishwick became a self-made millionaire and set up a community bank to battle the big boys is being made into a movie, This is Money can reveal.
Dave set up Burnley Savings and Loans – otherwise known as the Bank of Dave – 10 years ago, which has helped businesses in Burnley, Lancashire and beyond, survive and thrive with its no-nonsense lending model.
A long-time friend of This is Money, he excitedly told us the news and that award-winning actor Rory Kinnear will be playing him on the big screen.
Filming is starting at the end of the month, much of which will take place in his beloved home town.
Dave has now lent nearly £30million via his bank and currently has a three year waiting list for people to open a savings account – I went on the road with him in 2014.
Story of his life: Dave Fishwick is being played on the big screen by actor Rory Kinnear
He made his money selling minibuses, a business that he says continues to thrive despite the recent chip shortage hitting the vehicle market.
During and after the financial crisis, he was fed-up with how businesses were struggling to get finance for vehicles and the rest is history.
He took matters into his own hands, setting up a bank, presenting a hugely successful and award-winning Channel Four programme and publishing a best-selling book, though there were plenty of big hurdles along the way.
The film will tell the story of how the working class Burnley man fought against all the odds to set up the community bank, so that he could help the local businesses of Burnley.
In his bid to help Burnley, he took on the elitist financial institutions of London and fought to receive the first new banking license to be issued in Britain for more than 100 years.
The all-star cast includes Rory Kinnear, who stars in the recent James Bond movies and Phoebe Dynevor, who shot to fame in smash Netflix hit Bridgerton.
Joel Fry, who recently starred as a lead in big-budget family movie Cruella, plays young London lawyer Hugh who is hired by Dave to fight his case against the British banking system.
It has been written by Piers Ashworth from Save The Cinema, Blithe Spirit and St Trinian’s – he also wrote the first draft script of Mission Impossible for Tom Cruise.
Leading lady: Phoebe Dynevor is also starring in the film – pictured here in hit show Bridgerton
The movie is being directed by award-winning up and coming director, Chris Foggin, who made the British feel good film Fisherman’s Friends, also based on a true story about a folk music group from Port Isaac, Cornwall.
Dave said: ‘To have a global movie filmed here in Burnley about such an important part of my life, is truly amazing.
‘David Henshaw and myself was overwhelmed, when we were approached with the idea of making the film.
Banking tough: Dave Fishwick and Lee Boyce outside Burnley Savings and Loans in 2014
‘All our team at The Bank of Dave are incredibly excited.’
Dave was keen to stress how important his staff are at The Bank of Dave – especially his trusted sidekick David H – and that all profits go to charity.
He tells me that recently, the bank lent money to somebody who needed an extra £2,000 for IVF treatment, after being turned down by mainstream banks.
This localised, community banking and lending decisions were clear when I visited in 2014.
He took me to some of the local businesses he had helped at the time after they were turned down elsewhere.
It included a local florist, a pet shop and a furniture store.
Chris Foggin, director of the film, said: ‘I was immediately drawn to this story about the triumph of community, and I’m delighted to be working with such a wonderful cast. I truly believe the world needs films like this.’
Piers Tempest adds: ‘This is such a great story and I’m delighted to be working with Chris and the team on the film, which I am sure will really resonate with audiences worldwide.’
Netflix have acquired the rights and WME Independent are representing global rights on the film.
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