Volsci Bank

The Volsci Bank is the largest financial institution in Evora due to its vast assets and its role in the economy of the continent.

The bank was founded in 233 AU by Massimillia Volsci of the city of Lazio in Ausonia where the bank is still based. This organisation essentially has a stranglehold on the minting of money, especially in central and western Evora, although they are also very active in other more typical banking activities such as money-lending and investing.

The bank fiercely maintains its reputation for neutrality and has often lent money to parties at odds in a conflict. The bank will also go to any lengths to bring to justice anyone who robs or cheats them. Any settlement of moderate size or larger will have a branch of the Volsci Bank set up and run by officials known as “factors”. These branches are believed to be established to forestall the growth of banking rivals as much as to engage in actual financial enterprises.

The two coins in widest circulation in Evora are the gold sol and the silver lunar (ten of the latter are worth one of the former) minted by the Volsci Bank in Lazio itself and distributed from there throughout the continent. Sols and lunars are universally trusted and of very high quality. The Volsci Bank pays 95% of the value of any gold or silver sold to them and they will accept antique objects as readily as nuggets. The Volsci Bank also issues coins in two higher denominations: the white gold astron (worth 10 sols) and the platinum stellar (worth 100 sols). These two latter coins are not much seen outside of the Ausonian Peninsula.

Note that Suisland and Jangala also issue their own coins but these do not circulate widely: the Volsci Bank changes them at a relatively low rate so those travelling to or from Suisland and Jangala tend not to carry their local currencies with them.

The distinctive ornate silver “V” symbol of the bank is marked on all Volsci property and is the only adornment to the severe and intimidating black uniforms of the bank’s staff.