THE BANK OF DAVE

This is a true story of how self-made Burley business man Dave Fishwick took on London’s elite banking institutions to get a licence to pen his own bank serving the local community. It is a semi-fictionized version of the story but it definitely makes great viewing.

Finding financial freedom from big banks and championing circular economies seem like pretty established ideas in 2022 with decentralized crypto currencies like Bit coin disrupting traditional ways of banking. However, over a decade ago, the first new bank licence in 150 years in UK was awarded to a local businessman Dave Fishwich from Burnley in Lancashire in the north of England and it shook up UK elite London based banking industry.

Dave Fishwick made his millions running a successful minivan dealership. After the global financial in late 2000 left communities in dire straits in Britain with recession running riot in the country, Fishwick’s customers were having problems making payments, so he started lending his own money over 1 million in total. Then he made loans to families in the neighbourhood as well as small businesses – all of whom were unable to find the same loans from banks.

Everyone of Fishwicks loans were repaid and and customers even asked him to invest their money for which he needed accreditation. Although he eventually gained the first new licence in 150 years – a lot of fight and heart break were involved in the saga against the long established up themselves banking section based in London. And while technically he is still not a bank but an independent lending business he does operate as the “Bank of Dave” in Burnley today.

Kinnear plays the titular role of Dave – a sort of heart and soul of his community. He is portrayed as a real down to earth guy who enjoys a regular spot of karaoke at the local pub. He is supported by his savvy wife Nicola (Jo Hartley) and his smart savvy niece Alexandra ( Phoebe Dynevor).

The film is a real treat in the current climate of doom and gloom and it shows us how living is giving and how love and care can re-invent a distraught and beleaguered people.

****1/2