New C4 Show to Follow Entrepreneur David Fishwick

LONDON: Channel 4 has commissioned a new series from Finestripe Productions that follows entrepreneur David Fishwick as he tries to create a bank from scratch and turn a profit within six months.

The show, tentatively titled Bank of Dave, will follow the business man in his quest, though he’s equipped with little knowledge of the banking system. The docu-series will chart his progress from the initial idea to carrying it through to fruition. The three-part series will air in 2012.

Fishwick said: "There are businesses and individuals out there who are hardworking and honest but through no fault of their own, they can no longer get loans. They are being ignored and let down by the banks, while bankers still pay themselves enormous salaries and bonuses. My bank may be tiny but it will be better than a High Street bank. I want to show how banking can be socially responsible and not greedy and reckless and I’m going to do what the High Street banks just can’t bring themselves to do—give away any profits to charity."

He added: "I may not know much about banking, but I can’t do much worse than they have! I know it won’t be easy, but by hook or by crook I’ll get this bank open with sheer Northern Grit and determination."

Andrew Jackson, Channel 4’s deputy head of features, said: "This is easily one of my favorite commissions. Not only does it feel like one of the most timely shows ever, Dave is a larger-than-life character who will be a really fun watch. I also want Dave to teach me about the world of banks, bankers and finance and in plain English show how we got into this mess but also, I hope, how we get out of it."

Series producer Ian Lilley commented: "Dave wants to create a simple ‘back to basics’ bank that benefits its customers more than its shareholders and he’s determined to find a way through the incredibly tight regulations. Anyone else attempting this would have already given up, but as filming progresses I realize we’re just at the start of a crazy journey and I’m beginning to think that Dave—in his own irreverent and funny way—just might succeed."