Banks

[iSuck345]

Now all we gotta do is when someone should distinguish a bank roberry from town defense INSIDE the bank...

[Mahdavi]

Also, bankers don't lend to just random strangers in basic gear. You'd have to make a name for yourself before a lender is interested in lending.

Exactly, this would be a great solution to the "But that'll make the game too easy early on" problem.
You would need to establish a credit, maybe have a certain amount of money first before you can take a loan, otherwise, the addition of banks would make the game too easy early on if just anyone could take money out of the bank.

[Lupine]

I actually agree with this. Banks have existed since about even before the Renaissance (by my expectations) and they were quite vital in trading since you could take loans and convert other coins to the coin of the town you're currently on to so then you can buy stuff. I have no objectiosn against this.

Banks have existed since at least the 12th century when the Knights Templar had their own, they even issued notes of hand which worked like a debit/credit card. You deposited money with them, they issued you a note when you traveled, when you needed to pay for something you went to the local Templar treasurer. The treasurer paid what you needed, issued a newly coded note and the traveler went on his way. When he returned to his original place of departure he presented the note to the Templar treasurer and was given whatever sum of the deposit remained or given a bill if he overspent.

Of course the true power in the addition of banks is to make the ability of a player owning one possible, take in mind you'd have to have a large number of outposts and alot of manpower to protect them so it wouldn't be an overnight thing. An interesting sidenote, the Templars also ran pilgrimage tours of the holy lands and charged money to provide safe passage... think of being able to pay to go from one city to another without being killed by bandits [though no looting of the bodies of dead bandits of course because the guards get first dibs].

[marches58]

Loans and interest aside, I like the idea of banks. Although a painful thought, I'm looking forward to the day when the bandits who beat you down in the desert loot you for most/all of your valuables and cash, so the bank would be a good place to store some of your wealth.
I also like the idea of getting your band walking up to a bank looking for contract work as debt collectors. "Go find [borrower] and get [Y amount of money] from them, one way or another. Bring it back and we'll pay you [Z percent of Y]." The bank could give you an official writ or notice to serve to the borrower. You could do the job, or even get the money and just keep it and lose serious reputation.