Banks

Location

Banks are found in Segments 5 and 10, of all Zones apart from Zone 1 as this Zone has little need for banks. The only business in that zone that does is the arena, and it uses the bank in Segment 10.

Layout

The main cashiers’ area is barred except for a small slot through which someone can retrieve or give money to the cashier with the use of a transaction draw. Behind the cashier is a wall covered with draws. In these draws are boxes that have a person’s name and address. Within those boxes, many smaller boxes can be found. Those smaller boxes have letters: “CA” for Current Account and “SA” for Savings Account. On the Cashiers’ side on the desk is a coin sorter for New Sovereigns. The coin sorter shows how many coins have been sorted. As electricity is in short supply for the use by factories and commercial areas, the coin sorter is mechanical and so is the counter. The cashier also has the use of a notepad and pen to work out calculations. Something else that is at the desk on the cashier’s side is a book of people who bank at the Segments 5 - 9 or 10 - 4. These records are ordered alphabetically by surname and give the draw and box number they are to find their accounts more easily. A portion of the wall is taken by the vault. It holds the banks’ funds and profits, which can be used for loaning out to lenders. On one side are stairs that go up to the office area. Customers would only go there to discuss getting a loan. For staff, it is a place to work on calculations and to produce a daily list of loan instalments that needs to be paid by customers. The list is used by the cashier to be able to know who needs to pay off loans.

Purpose and Products

The Purpose of the bank is to provide financial products to its clientele, as well as a place to keep their funds. It is recommended that people keep 500 New Sovereigns on them for daily use. Thus they need to withdraw more funds if they require it for using the transport services for example, or for topping up what they are carrying.

Funds And Other Items

The Banks are only used to store their own money and that of other people. It doesn’t have its own metal reserve and doesn’t keep precious metals safe, as that is the job of the Warehouse. Precious metals aren’t seen as an investment into the commodities market. Rather the metals are used as building materials: for example, gold and silver are used for rings.

Loans

University

The banks provide loans of various types. They do not provide university loans as there is an earning threshold before people have to repay the loan. That threshold is determined by looking at the annual salaries and is set at what is considered a reasonable amount so that the individuals repaying the loans would still have enough money left to live. Nevertheless, because many people do not reach this threshold, they do not have to repay university loans, and so this would not be profitable for the bank to offer such loans.

Other Loans

Other loans the bank provides are Mortgages and Business loans.

Mortgages

There are not many houses in Birdencaster that require a mortgage as most accommodations in Birdencaster are rented. Those that can afford to have a mortgage will more than likely live in Zone 4

Business

Business loans are more likely to be used for business expansion than for new business. Innovations come from relearning technologies rather than inventing something new. As there has been little to no progress in relearning a previously lost technology, there are no “new” products to be sold. The expansions tend to be for buying new branches within Birdencaster. While a new business could start, it would be like a small stationer competing against a giant, there is not much of a market gap to warrant a new business and therefore a loan to start one.

Clientele

The Clientele of the banks is everyone who has money and is above 16 as it is the age when they get their first job. The clientele ranges from business owners to mortgage payers. Younger citizens that are not of the age to be able to work will have savings tins or boxes to keep their pocket money in.

Location
Segments 5 and 10 in All Zones