‘Bank of Dave’ nominated for top TV award

The self-made millionaire’s latest programme “Bank of Dave: Fighting the Fat Cats” pulled in millions of viewers when it hit Channel 4 TV screens.

The one-hour special, which saw the minibus salesman battling for approval from the Financial Services Authority for his pioneering “bank” , proved a hit with Internet viewers on Channel 4 On Demand, Channel 4seven and was beamed to millions more across the world through CNBC and Al Jazeera.

Mr Fishwick has seen his not-for-profit community banking model go global after opening Burnley Savings and Loans which offers low-cost loans to local businesses rejected by mainstream banks. His book “Bank of Dave: How I Took On The Banks” shot to the top spot on Amazon for a time and his efforts have even been hailed by leading politicians in Parliament working on a new banking reform bill.

Mr Fishwick said: “The response to Bank of Dave was amazing. Millions watched it across the country on all the different Channel 4 channels. It went on CNBC and around the world. We got reviewed on the show Gogglebox and we got a really good response from people all over the country. They were saying what they think. It was very positive. One said ‘he is a national hero’.

He added: “It has been so positive for Burnley. Burnley has been seen by millions of people all over the world.

“I hope I can bring as much TV as possible to Burnley. My heart lies in Burnley with Burnley Savings and Loans. I deeply care about the little ‘bank’.”

The first series of “Bank of Dave” has now been nominated for a top award at the prestigious Royal Television Society awards.

Mr Fishwick will join stars including Simon Cowell, Ant and Dec and Sean Bean at the glitzy award ceremony on Tuesday.

He said: “You have got to pinch yourself. I think ‘what am I doing there? I am a lad from Burnley who sells minibuses. It is very humbling to be put forward for something like that.”