Dragon Heist / Dungeon of the Mad Mage

There are various banks and moneylenders in Waterdeep.

Most bank operate with a interest-concept called “on the gold standard”.

This means that only full gold pieces in an account accrue interest. You can deposit silver and copper pieces, by no interest is accrued on them.

And on top of that, the amount has to be divisible by the interest-rate. Any remainder does not accrue interest.

For instance, if the interest is 8 % on the gold standard, for every 8 gold pieces in the bank, 1 gold piece is added when interest is accrued.

The interest-rates listed below are their standard rates. Some banks and moneylenders provide better interest-rates to special groups or factions. And interest-rates can always be negotiated.

Mirt has been a moneylender for many years.

He mostly lends money to small businesses or promising adventurers.

Fees and Interest:

• There is no fee to etablish the account.
• It's possible to deposit smallish amounts with him.
• His standard interest-rate is 3% annually on the gold standard (but most likely Harpers get a better one).

Withdrawals:

• It can be difficult to catch Mirt at home, when wanting to withdraw money.

Loans:

• When lending money, Mirt prefers to get a share of the business' profits, in stead of normal interest.

Istrid is regarded as the Black Network's Master of Trade and Coin in Waterdeep.

The shield dwarf operates an illegal lending operation out of a heavily guarded warehouse in the Dock Ward, offering loans to those in need of coin.

Her interest rates are comparable to those of her competitors (including noble families of bankers such as the Cassalanters and the Irlingstars), but the penalties for not paying back Istrid's loans are severe.

Istrid worships Vergadain, the dwarven god of wealth and luck. She likes having others indebted to her, and she employs thugs and enforcers to collect on her loans. If those resources prove inadequate, Istrid can call on her old adventuring companions for assistance.

Victoro Casselanter and his familiy has been running a bank for many years.

The Cassalanters fell on hard times a few years back, but they have since reversed their fortunes and restored their lucrative banking and money-lending business.

Over the years, the Cassalanters have founded a number of philanthropic societies and made generous donations to temples dedicated to good-aligned deities. They are known to worship Siamorphe, a demigod whose ethos is the nobility's right and responsibility to rule.

They mostly lends money to nobles and large businesses.

Fees and Interest:

• There is a 50 GP fee to etablish the account.
• Their standard interest-rate is 7% annually on the gold standard.

Withdrawals:

• Deposits and withdraws are done at the Casselanter Villa.
• There is a 10 GP withdrawal fee.

Loans:

• Loans can be made up to almost any amount.
• If they are not paid back in time, the Casselanters are rumoured to be open to alternative payments.

Piergeron’s Palace is both the castle and the main bank of Waterdeep. Only citizens of Waterdeep, members of the Lord’s Alliance, or officially recognized adventurers may bank here.

Fees and Interest:

• You are charged no fee for banking here
• There is a annual interest rate of 5% on the gold standard for normal account holders.
• An annual interest rate of 8% can be acquired for Platinium account holders.

Platinium account holders:

• Account holders who are an active member of the nobility of Waterdeep, owning land.
• Agreeing under signature to never be Resurrected.
• The account holder’s primary account has a balance of 5000 gold pieces or higher.

Withdrawals:

• Withdrawals can only be made in the city of Waterdeep, though there are stations to do so in each of the city’s wards
• There is no withdrawal fee

Loans:

• Loans can be made up to any amount, provided they are paid back in full within One (1) month (three tendays).
• A 10% interest on the gold standard is paid.
• An additional 20% is added onto the fee, if the loan is not repaid in time.

To ensure that debts are paid, a member of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors must be available during the signing of the loan contract to perform a casting of Geas on the loan taker, ensuring the loan taker makes a formal request for more time, in which case a casting of Geas will be performed again, until the debt is paid.

The SCT Bank is based in Daggerford, but also has an office in Waterdeep. It is a popular bank for travelers, as they offer their services among multiple cities. It is open to everyone.

Fees and Interest:

• A one time fee of 10 gold pieces is required to open an account
• There is a annual interest rate of 4% on the gold standard for all account holders.

Withdrawals:

• Withdrawals can be made in any of the following cities: Daggerford, Waterdeep, Baldur’s Gate.
• There is a withdrawal fee of 10% of what you withdraw. Additionally, you are limited to 5 withdrawals per three (3) tendays

Loans:

• Loans can be made up to any amount, provided they are paid back in full within One (1) month (three tendays).
• A 12% interest on the gold standard is paid.
• An additional 20% is added onto the fee, if the loan is not repaid in time.

To ensure that debts are paid, loan takers are given a Cursed Ring of Hold Person, which they are required to put on upon signing the loan. The ring cannot be taken off, except by the administrator of the loan and ring, but does not harm its wearer.

However, if the loan taker does not pay off the debt within 1 year, the ring activates, and mercenaries hired by the SCT Bank bring the loan taker in for criminal activity of avoiding payment. These mercenaries are often Zhentarim-affiliated.