Thanks to the efforts of its new president, Mr. Emran, and the Minister of Finance, Omari Hani, the Green Shade Territory Bank was quickly established.
Its location was chosen to be the plaza building near the bell tower in the inner city, with a branch established in the outer city. Operations began simultaneously at both sites.
The citizens throughout the territory were all very curious about the bank, but unfortunately, there were very few depositors.
It was against this backdrop that the first shareholders' meeting of the Green Shade Territory Bank was convened.
Lian, Omari Hani, Emran, and a group of nobles led by the wealthiest man in the territory, Romayada, gathered in the bank's conference room.
"The fact that the bank was successfully built is commendable, but without deposits, we can't loan money out to more people."
Lian, who urgently needed loans to drive the city's development, said with a serious expression.
"Those ignorant commoners don't even know what a bank is. Asking them to open an account would probably make their stupid heads spin."
Romayada said.
"Besides, they don't have any money to deposit anyway."
Another noble gave a mocking smile, and the others chimed in with agreement.
"That's right. They're too poor. Many of them don't even own property and can only afford to live in rented apartments with dozens of other people."
"Their monthly income isn't even enough for one of my afternoon snacks, yet all they think about is pleasure. They love to get together and throw parties whenever they have free time."
Lian's mouth twitched. 'This hedonistic atmosphere in Green Shade Territory probably spread from Old Moria.'
Both nobles and commoners were hopelessly addicted to parties.
'But the outer city branch isn't for commoners to deposit money. It's for them to learn how to take out loans and start businesses.'
'The real problem is the inner city bank. Don't you shareholders have any self-awareness?!'
"Fellow shareholders, have you forgotten our target market? The inner city bank is for high-end clients, while the outer city bank is for ordinary customers."
Lian reminded them.
"High-end clients? You mean for the nobility?"
Romayada asked.
Lian nodded. "Of course. As shareholders, shouldn't you be the first to invest some of your own capital?"
"I believe it's safer to keep my gold in my own Treasure Vault at home."
A noble tilted his head back haughtily. Even though he had been forced to contribute funds to open the bank and become a shareholder, he didn't truly believe in the bank's function as a depository. He was afraid all his money would fall directly into the pockets of this young fox, Lian.
His view was met with approval from many others.
"Karel."
Lian looked at the Minister of Internal Affairs, Karel Dennis, who immediately handed him a file.
"These are the home burglary cases involving nobles and wealthy merchants in Green Shade Territory over the past ten years. A total of 312 incidents. Last year was particularly bad—a noble's Treasure Vault was robbed almost every single month."
Thieves and robbers are far cleverer than you imagine. Even when they are eventually caught, the stolen wealth is never recovered.
The nobles and merchants who were robbed ended up with nothing, left to curse their own bad luck."
Lian then produced another record.
"And this is the theft record for the Empire Bank. Since its founding, there has been only one recorded theft. However, the client who was robbed didn't lose any money, because the bank compensated him for the full amount."
"Comparing the two, you should understand that depositing your money in a bank is much safer. After all, who knows which noble lord's home will be the site of the next Treasure Vault robbery."
The crowd looked at the records, then at each other, and began to murmur amongst themselves.
"Are you saying that if we deposit our money in the bank, even if it's stolen, the bank will compensate us for our entire loss?"
Romayada asked.
"Yes, you will be compensated for the full value. Not only that, but money deposited in the bank also earns interest."
Lian explained, "In other words, money sitting in your vault generates no returns, but money deposited in the bank can generate a continuous stream of income."
"If you were to deposit 1 million gold coins, at an annual interest rate of 2.4%, you would earn 24,000 gold after one year, and 120,000 gold after five years. You don't have to think about it or manage it; you can earn this income just by sitting at home. Of course, the rates for fixed-term and demand deposits are different. For a five-year fixed-term deposit, the Green Shade Territory Bank can offer an even higher rate, say 3%. On top of that, since you're shareholders, you deserve better treatment than other investors. So, we'll raise it another two points, bringing it to 5%."
"By that calculation, a deposit of 1 million gold coins would earn you 250,000 gold after five years—an increase of a quarter of the principal. Tempting, isn't it?"
The nobles' eyes lit up as they listened. A one-quarter increase in their wealth in just five years! And without any management on their part, with a one-to-one reimbursement from the bank in case of theft. Where else could they find such a good deal?
Seeing the stirred looks in their eyes, Lian continued,
"Furthermore, you are also shareholders. You will receive annual dividends based on your shares. The better the bank performs, the more dividends you receive. I don't need to explain that part, do I?"
Lian's underlying message was that not only should they deposit their own money, but they should also encourage other nobles to do the same. The more others deposited, the more money they would make.
Of course, they understood. And quite a few of them were already swayed.
Turning them into a free sales force was also part of Lian's plan.
"Mr. Emran, please go over the bank's deposit interest rates with our shareholders."
Lian smiled as he looked at the Minister of Finance, Omari Hani.
Emran cleared his throat and said solemnly,
"Deposits at the Green Shade Territory Bank are divided into demand deposits and fixed-term deposits. Demand deposits can be withdrawn at any time, which is convenient for emergencies. The interest rate for these is 2%."
"Fixed-term deposits come in three tiers—one year, five years, and ten years—and can only be withdrawn on the specified date. The interest rates are 2.4%, 3%, and 4.5% respectively."
"The shareholder privilege adds two percentage points to these rates."
Emran paused for a moment before continuing,
"What you have just heard are the deposit Rules for the first month of the Green Shade Territory Bank's operation."
"After that, the deposit interest rates will decrease by 0.1% each month until they stabilize. The demand deposit rate will settle at 1%, and the fixed-term deposit rates will settle at 1.4%, 2%, and 3.5%. Only then will the rates stop changing."
"The interest on your deposits will be calculated based on the initial rate at the time of deposit and will not change with these fluctuations."
As soon as Emran finished speaking, the nobles erupted into a heated discussion.
"Mr. Emran, are you saying that the earlier we deposit, the more interest we earn?"
"That is correct. Right now, only those of you present know this information. You will be the first to 'eat the crab.' By the time this news becomes widespread, more than a month will have passed, and anyone who deposits money then will not be able to get a higher interest rate than you."
Emran replied.
The nobles instantly felt a sense of superiority. They knew that information is sometimes equivalent to money, and this rule was the perfect embodiment of that principle.
"The Green Shade Territory Bank will be protected by an Elite Legion formed by members handpicked from the Green Shade Territory's Guard Army. You can rest assured of its security."
Minister of Internal Affairs Karel Dennis added.
"One last thing. Any noble who deposits more than 100,000 gold will have the opportunity to invite me to their home as a guest."
Lian said with a smile.
The nobles immediately realized what this implied. Perhaps he intended to choose a fiancée of suitable status from among the wealthy families.
If they were to become in-laws with the new Lord, their privileges in Green Shade Territory would only increase in the future.
Now, the nobles had no more doubts. The conservative ones planned to test the waters with 10% of their assets. The moderate ones intended to deposit 50% of their vault's holdings into the bank. And the radicals planned to go all in, inviting their friends and relatives to join them in being the first to 'eat the crab'.