‘We bailed you out, now it’s your turn to help us’ – that’s the message to Britain’s big lenders from Dave Fishwick, founder of Burnley Savings And Loans and inspiration for the film Bank Of Dave.
His call came as Ministers urged banks and building societies to go easy on homeowners as borrowing costs soar.
Working class hero: Dave Fishwick, founder of Burnley Savings And Loans, and wife Nicola
‘The banks are profiteering.’ Fishwick told The Mail on Sunday. ‘They do not appear to be passing on huge interest rate rises to any of their savers.’
The five big banks plus Nationwide raked in £44 billion last year in net interest income – the gap between what they charge borrowers and pay savers. The sum was £8 billion more than in the previous year and is set to keep rising.
The lenders insist they have done nothing wrong. Lloyds and NatWest – who were bailed out by the taxpayer 15 years ago – suggest the margin they make on their interest rate ruse has peaked. But Fishwick has his doubts.
‘This seems to be a key strategy in their business model,’ he said. He wants the Government to tax banks on their windfall gains – something Number 10 has so far ruled out – and claw back directors’ past bonuses.
