East Lancashire self-made millionaire's ‘Bank of Dave’ project set for TV revelations (From Lancashire Telegraph)

East Lancashire self-made millionaire's ‘Bank of Dave’ project set for TV revelations

12:30pm Wednesday 27th June 2012 in News By Peter Magill , Chief reporter

A SELF-made millionaire from East Lancashire is set to share the secrets of a ‘people’s bank’ which aims to give entrepreneurs a leg up.

The Lancashire Telegraph revealed last August how Colne-based David Fishwick was launching the ‘Bank of Dave’, to offer credit to fledgling firms.

He has made his name with his North Valley Road minibus and vans empire but he wanted to put something back into the community.

And next month, in a two-part programme on Channel Four, viewers will be able to see how he fared in his battle with the high-street banks.

He established an office in Keirby Walk to support the venture and pledged to donate any profits he made to charity.

David said: “If I can make £1 after all the bills are paid, my bank will be £2billion and one pound better off than the RBS, because they lost £2 billion.”

His bank promised to give a five per cent return on savings and provide loans ranging from around £5,000 to £10,000 to people who have struggled to secure finance from the major players.

And the cameras also capture his struggles with Financial Services Authority red tape, with so-called money gurus urging him to shut up shop at every turn.

His customers range from a busker needing a new amp to a tropical fish store looking to expand, as he tries to make good on his belief that bank managers need to meet their customers face-to-face.

The programme will be aired starting July 12.

The tycoon, aged 41, has also penned a book, Bank of Dave, which is to go on sale this year.