The Bank of Yohannes—NationStates' Oldest Bank RP

Posts · by **Yohannes** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 5:06 pm

The United Providences of Perland wrote:Application Form [Account Creation]
Which one you are [tick one]? Agency [], Alliance [], Business [], Government [X], Individual [], Organisation []
Official name on record: Dan Wells
Official nation of origin: The United Providences of Perland
Type of account [tick one]:
Standard [] Executive [] Cash Fund [X] High Security [] Green Future [] Next Generation [] Gold Bullion []
Initial deposit [US$/gold/assets/etc.]: $2,460,000,000,000
Do you want us to invest the money nationally? No.
Do you want us to invest the money overseas? Yes.
[Optional]If stated as YES, how do you want us to invest your money? In what way? Education.

The Kelburn suburb of Ardenfontein

It was a great day when Kayla took the folders away from her desk. They went a few days before Christmas, three weeks after the school collapsed. It had taken this long for Headmaster Tau O'Shea to gather enough courage to see the site since the earthquake. Kayla had hired a civil surveyor and a site investigator from Dulton & Bogan Engineering in Ardenfontein, where a popular university campus had collapsed three years ago. The site investigator and his men had now worked for three days, finding and recording faulty geotechnical details and foundation materials on the site. They were concentrating their efforts on the western section of the site, near the surrounding dairy shop, pizzeria, and candy store, all located on the same block as the school. Looking to the left, she could see three mean looking small boys, of about nine years if one must guess, swaggering about in a hurried way, eyes staring at them, and then at the ruined site, and then at her. One was bouncing along, his stomach too big for his age, whilst the others looking rather too well fed for their age. One entered the candy store, whilst the others entered the dairy shop. What a thought.

The construction workers had arrived over the last three days, and were hard at work today. The scaffolding steel were fully erected along the north site, whilst a man with a peculiarly clean site jacket stood watching. “Mr, O'Shea, if you would pardon me. I will be back in a wee bit.” The ground and foundation materials were still undecided, as of yet, it seems, looking to her left and right, as she walked through the site. The scaffolding steel looked strong, Made in Afaenvia. It felt like just yesterday that it was Made in Knootoss, but someone had found a less expensive supplier, after all. The wonder of free trade, international market and the race to the bottom. She reached the north site. “G'day, my name's Kayla.” He was a bit shorter than her grandfather, and stockier than Darryl. His extended hand looked pudgy soft and white though, certainly not that of a working man.

“G'day m'lady, the name's Bob, Bob MacGarland, ground civil engineer for intermediate school seventy-one... and you are?”

“Kayla Williams, Fund Management, Bank of Yohannes Te Whanganui a Tara office.” She was used to what would happen next, for it happened most, if not all the time. A change of expression, inquiring eyes, disbelieving frown, and then after three seconds or so, a deep obliging smile. Men like him were rather very well read: big and stocky, quick to judge, and rather harder to reason with; but she had found that the Te Whanganui a Tara name tend to make the whole process simpler for both parties. “We are here to announce that Mr Dan Wells, of the United Providences of Perland, had made clear his intention of wishing to observe the work involved, pertaining to how his fund can benefit everyone not just financially, but also socially.” As yet there were no assistant supervisor to be seen around them, on the north site itself, she doubt that he would take this lightly.

“Madam Williams... I am afraid, as you can see all around us. We have just started work on the starting foundation of the north site. The scaffolding work itself as of yet, is not even near completion. Docked hours you will see, if you will have the time to check, that we have made it here in just days before. We need time. More time. I assure you that everything is going according to plan.” His eyes indicated anything but. “I understand Mr MacGarland, though I must stress that it is not me that you must direct that... assuring answer to, that would be Mr Dan Wells of Perland.” Between you and me, I am sure that tonight, we will all go on our merry way and forget about all this, Kayla surmised. After all, this faceless Mr Wells is located across the seas and oceans, somewhere far away. This man would probably be more worried with what would be on his dinner that night.

“I understand Madam Williams.” So that was it, his face indicated that perhaps he should not be pushed any further. She knew that MacGarland - and those like him - really liked the company of someone like her, only after they had known her position of course. These men were the face of Yohannes' middle aged, white collar workers. They looked up to their superiors, and looked down on or ignored anyone else. The thought was depressing. Maybe a holiday or two to the People's Republic of something might cheer her up, and made her realise that not all human beings are enslaved to the force of unbounded ambition and capitalism. She shook her head. Meanwhile, all her intellectual energy must be brought on this school project, and not unimportant things like that. Albert of the chopping block, or some more politely said the forced retirement overseer, would want to see a semblance of result from her field inspection today.

Of all the site inspecting engineers, construction workers and henchmen, one person stood unmoving still: the headmaster. Tau O'Shea must have felt devastated to see the ruin of his beloved school for the very first time today. MacGarland and his team of blue collared grunts might be the one to build the school, but it was this man, now looking somewhat lost, that would sprinkle it with life, or at least oversee the realisation of such a thing. If there was anything that Kayla had learnt so far, it was that good leadership was one of the most important things to have. And good leaders were hard to find anywhere, a rarity amongst the pack of men and women.

The walk back to the south site was easier. She knew which dirty ground to avoid, and the closest way to the headmaster. The steel beams packed, row after row, overlooking the unused machinery and construction signs around her, indicating that her work, or rather, Mr MacGarland's work, were anything but reassuringly smooth. She looked to the right. One of the mean looking boy was now making his way out of the candy store. He was happy. There must be an assortment of colourful candies bought by someone today. His stomach bulged comically as he ran to approach his mates, now making their way out of the dairy shop too.

“Quite the long walk to the other end... it must be, Ms Williams?”

“It is, Mr O'Shea.” The sun was suddenly strong, for Kayla realised that it was midday already.“... shall we go to the nearby coffee shop? I am sure you would know it better than I do; it's just three blocks' worth of walk. And you have been standing here all day today, I daresay it's time for us to grab some exercise - quick-paced walk along the way!”

“Of course. I was thinking... of all the challenges I will face. Meeting the School Committee, the Parent Board. It will be hard. But we need good a leader 'round here.” He was smiling at her.

Kayla looked at the three boys, now making their way somewhere, and she could barely make their figures from where she was standing there. The boy with the bag full of candy, his bulging stomach still seen, worryingly, even from that distance, was happy.

“Yes, we need a good leader around here, Mr O'shea.”

Posts · by **Yohannes** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 7:13 pm

Reserved space

by **Kettu** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 3:14 pm

Application Form [Branch Opening]
Nation: Kettu
Type of government:Socialist Democracy
[Optional]Economic policy: Democratic Socialist
[Optional]Foreign policy: Globalist

Posts · by **Yohannes** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 4:03 pm

South Shellfort wrote:Application Form [Account Creation]
Which one you are [tick one]? Agency [], Alliance [], Business [X], Government [], Individual [], Organisation []
Official name on record: Albert Templeton, CEO of the Birdpass Industries
Official nation of origin: South Shellfort
Type of account [tick one]:
Standard [] Executive [X] Cash Fund [] High Security [] Green Future [] Next Generation [] Gold Bullion []
Initial deposit [US$/gold/assets/etc.]: 1.150.000.000,00 USD
Do you want us to invest the money nationally? Yes
Do you want us to invest the money overseas? Yes
[Optional]If stated as YES, how do you want us to invest your money? In what way? Infrastructure, mostly ports and airports.

“Underdeveloped Nation Fund (UNF) attempts to explore the promising high growth potential of emerging economies. We invest in low-tier emerging markets around the world, with focus placed on those nations producing commodities and raw materials, i.e. industrial grade and bitumen grade coal, general or tropical timber, and various minerals for both capital purpose and consumption. Noting the high risk, but highly lucrative nature of post-war, nation-undergoing-recovery for an aggressive fund such as ours, UNF seeks to find good income from promising, but just recovering nations, i.e. from civil wars, general wars, or genocidal wars, whose leaderships and governments are short of capital and... I daresay quite desperate indeed, for cold, hard cash, and will agree to just about any condition - including evicting people from different races in their city or under their military command, or just about anything, ladies and gentlemen.”

“Unlike the more conventional funds in the Bank of Yohannes or abroad, we make friends, not enemies, with dictators and pseudo-president-army-generals.”

“Based on our hundred years traditional and historical trend, we have made good of such a condition, and generated good return for our investors.”

“The more destabilising the military and political conditions are, the more corrupt the government and bureaucratic conditions are, the better. UNF, using both on-the-desk and especially behind-the-desk schemes, tend to benefit the most from just such emerging, underdeveloped or developing nations. The initial, entry period may be hard, but once relationship, both formal official and informal behind the desk, with the militarily-backed presidents or army generals have been cemented between our pack of capital swollen managers and those money hungry bureaucrats, the good green balance and return will naturally flow through the proverbial waterfall. “

“Any question?”

There was none. Kayla was sure that she would have none of it. She watched all morning in the late Victorian, grand assembly room of the economic palace. This guy must be on meth or something. With her back to the wall, and rows and rows of fund managers now making their way in front, she closed her eyes. At first she could think of nothing but disdain for the speaker, Albert, her superior, and shame for herself. She had been through a lot of field inspections. And none were more depressing than watching the effects money could have on people, here or abroad. The shame eased a little; what about the lady – from that stereotypical People’s Republic, commie reddish with sickle and hammer official flag nation – who thanked her once for making it possible that her husband was hired as a factory floor manager? She was grateful, that one: food on the table, three fast growing children to look after, and a house on mortgage safe from the repoman. And then the disdain followed; if someone like Albert from Yohannes was not the one, then surely some Albert from another nation would take his place instead? And then the pollution, the sewer problems, the urban migration, and the rainforest destruction would still follow anyway.

She had been naked, tired. After Albert the speaker had left... when the whole sordid ordeal had finished, and she was left there sitting alone, brooding, Kayla began to think: should I call father for this? Sir Temuera Williams, Order of Second Class of Her Majesty’s Realms, was one of the few dragons of the nineteen countries, or the trillionaires of a new age world. Some were founding industrialists from the early days of agglomerated exporters under VMK, whilst some were creative bankers and underhanded stockbrokers from the heady days of rogue capitalism in Yohannes. Her father was the latter, and not former. His specialty was ‘investing in emerging markets’, another word for strike it rich from poor peoples’ equally poor nations. But he was an equally principled man too. He provided capital only with the conditions that the local populace would also benefit from the deal. She longed for someone who could lecture her on the importance of wealth creation done with a benevolent hand. But Daryll, her personal assistant, thought otherwise. He thought that he was just like the rest of them, and that he was the reason she was sitting there and then. That last one particularly stung. Then again, he was drunk. Maybe, it was just a thought.

The sudden phone call broke the spell. Kayla realised she could sit there all day, or she could do something about it. And it was just the right person. “Father. Rich as mother... 022430...” It was now or never.

“Hi, dad, what's up?” Let's just get to the point.

“Hi Kayla, how are you...? I am missing you so much, and mother too. We are terrib...” Oh, no.

“... I understand, Dad. Listen, I have got another commission. My boss said that one of the parties involved in this fund is the CEO of Birdpass Industries. Have you heard about this man before?” She doubt he would hear of the name, but there was nothing wrong with asking. And beside, there was no better question than that to boost his ego.

“Well, I know billions of CEOs. Kayla. Billions. Let me tell you, me daughter. And this guy... seems like a good, fine guy.”

Sure.

“Listen, Dad. You are very influential indeed. Very. But I need you to make a call to The Honourable Ronald Chump, our ambassador in Bulanesia. Tell him to tell his acquaintances in South Shellforth the following: that everything is fine, and that capital will be directed towards the construction of airports and trading seaports, and the creation of company structures to manage these infrastructures well - in good, high-growth nation states. Our fund managers will compile a report for him anyway, but it's good to be extra sure, you know? That he will be clear of the message.” I hope that that wasn't too hard for father to comprehend.

“Yes, yes. Angel, I will. By high-growth, is that a shadow euphemism for underdeveloped and developing juntas and dictatorial regimes?” She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

“... you are getting old, Dad. Can I say that? Well, please take care of Mum. I will see you on Thursday, love you.” Thump, tud, tud, and tud. Now that that was out of the way, she could form a clear picture of what to do and what not to do. Kayla lowered her head and gave her neck a rest. She felt jubilant as if she had just been crowned the Empress of the nineteen countries. This, she thought, was how she would cement her career. She looked into the main body of the assembly hall. The portraits hung on the wall were those of previous governors of the Bank of Yohannes, and none of them were women. All male, late middle-aged, tall and stocky. Big men were always given positions of authority, no matter how undeserving they were of their posts, she came to think of it just then. To the left, behind the royal purple embroidered pillars holding the second floor of the assembly, were paintings of late eighteenth century voyage ships; they brought gold bullion and silver, jade and various precious stones of the sailing age. On the face of the small men and women watching, braving the waves and sharks drawn around their ships, were determination. The determination to succeed and to reap their rewards from their exploration of the then primitive nation states: just like the frontier investors of her time.

She walked along the south aisle to the front, where Albert was standing before, facing the crowd. As she turned around and watched the empty seats, she sensed that something quite remarkable was ahead of her. There was, it seems, people pouring in, but it was but a figment of her imagination, for it was half past three afternoon, and everyone were out enjoying the sunshine or buying late lunch. When Kayla opened her mouth to speak, she saw that the sun was streaming in through the rows after rows of Victorian windows, reflecting the different coloured glazing like a rainbow. And all the midsummer sunshine seemed to fill the vast empty vessel of the room, with warmth and light. She spoke. “So Bernard [OOC Ref 1] said to Dog [OOC Ref 2], look at my lady Christa, of the People's Republic of Impoverishment. Look at her. There's a good person, if I ever saw one.” Kayla paused, thinking of what to say next. She rarely went to Sunday school during her youth. “Tell me if she is not the ideal, God-fearing, law-abiding woman, who takes no shortcut and do not succumb to corruption. And Dog said: of course she belongs to your army. She have got it good, real good. Just look at her bulging stomach and ample bosom. Three fast growing, healthy daughters. Three thousand People's Renmipie per week. A husband with a good factory job who make her feel warm and sexy on bed every night.”

“Bernard said: you know what? I will prove you wrong. Take it all away from her. And you will see that you are wrong, and I am right. And Dog did just that.” Kayla paused for effect. Father once threatened her that she would be forced to become a priest for life, if she could not count from ten to a hundred properly. She could not believe that she had become just one, then and there. “It's good, continue...!” There was a word of encouragement from someone. He sat on the middle, gouty hand, ample stomach. He could be one of her seniors. But he could not be real, for it was not time for the second meeting to start just yet. It was just but a dream still, and he was a part of her dream. While Kayla was debating about whether this man was real or not, her mind kept wandering to the words Darryl had said back then.

You are only here because your father is one of the dragons. He was drunk, and everyone was laughing - including her - at the joke. Kayla did not know how drunk Darryl was, but she was quite sure that Darryl was not the type to say things carelessly even when he was drunk. The frown, and then disbelief, that accompanied her introduction to strangers. She was a young lady making her way to the top. Sexism. Surely? The excessive uncertainty and fear displayed by important politicians. She was, after all, the head of one of the most important sub divisions in the Bank of Yohannes; reporting directly to Albert the chopping executive, no nonsense man.

Or was it because she was the daughter of a dragon? Was she not fit for the job? Was she undeserving of the post, just as she thought of those bigwigs closing their deals, counting their Quertz russling every single day undeserving of such wealth?

Was she just another beneficiary of fat capitalism, internationalist money laundering market, and scamming multinational commerce and trade?

“Now what did Christa say, when her daughters came home from school one day and said that they were expelled because they forgot to bring their communist party membership card? What did Christa say...” Kayla saw that there were now three middle-aged men entering the room, making their way to their seats next to the gouty man, who was texting excitedly on his phone, as if telling the recipients that they were missing something real good. “... when her house was burnt down by communist party apparatchiks one day, and her husband lost his job, and also became sexually impotent at the same time? Did he say: curse you Comrade. Curse you Bernard. And curse my life? No, she did not! She said...”

“... I was born without anything. And I will die just the same.” Another group, fifteen... twenty-five... thirty-five, of important looking, black suited middle-aged men arrived, and made their way to their seats slowly, holding their coffees and phones.

“Comrade in Heaven gives, and Comrade in Heaven takes. The seven sins are not just the products of non revolutionary dreams. They are real, to us, as they are to our fat cat, capitalist sisters and brothers. And their religions.”

“That's what Christa said. And then Bernard said to Dog: See. What did I tell you? Whether capitalist or not. They are one and the same; pure and true. And Dog said: Alright. Alright. You are right, I am wrong. You have won, Bernard.”

“... and what happened to Christa of the People's Republic lady now?” She asked to the audience, imaginary surely. Kayla could tell that everyone were moved by her speech. She could become a female priest, maybe, after all.

“... well Bernard from the Heaven above gave her better health - she became fit, lean and curvy - and her three daughters were pardoned by the local regional communist officer. Her husband got a better job at a bigger plant - with capital and fund coming from an institution called the Bank of Yohannes abroad, managed by a certain young lady...” Albert the previous speaker came into the room, and looked at her straight. Her eyes caught his, as if to say: Dare me.

“... and her husband's not sexually impotent anymore. They live happily ever after; a dream shared not just by men and women of the nineteen countries, and from those nation states of her economic type and style. The dream. The internationalist dream, is shared by the Christa of the People's Republic nation states of our world too. By the Anarchist Federalist junta citizens too. By the people of the far flung, thousands of continents and hundreds of regions too.”

“Just like Christa, and guided by our very own Bernards, and tempted by our very own Dogs - which we must avoid - we all share...” She raised her microphone, Made in Mokastana and functioning very well indeed, to the whole audiences, and smiled.

“The internationalist dream!” Everyone was moved and stood in unison. A thunderous applause could be heard all around the room. The crowds were surely numbering by almost a hundred then and there. She caught Albert's eyes, smiling ruefully. She would lost her job tomorrow morning, there was no doubt about that.

[OOC Ref 1] Bernard: Saint Bernard: the Yohannesian Saint of Reward
[OOC Ref 2] Dog: Archdemon Dog: the Yohannesian Archdemon of the underworld, Temptation and Sorrow

Bank of Yohannes I Parenga-Motu
Parliament Square, Te Whanganui-a-Tara
BY9 1008, Alexandria, Yohannes

Contact Us
Customer Service0800 117 7442
From Overseas+585 53381717
__________________________________

Re: Account creation
Associated representative
Mr Albert Templeton
Of South Shellfort

Kia Ora, Te āheitanga katoa, Takawaenga e whakahonoretia ana,

Greetings, from the Bank of Yohannes to you and your extended national Whānau in South Shellfort. I am writing this letter to inform you that, as per instructions and request of your missive, and following the agreement made per our discussion, you will find - to be displayed below - the basic overview and summary of your numbered account:

As one of our many - but equally important - international private banking clients, your representative can find the above record in our list of accounts [ here ]. By equal order of importance, and after our private discussion with your accredited officials and accountants, keeping to the capital requirement and restriction of Her Majesty's banking regulation, seventy-three per cent of your fund shall be allocated towards the Multiregional Infrastructure Domestic [MID] Index; in mind with the forecast small growth, but equally safe and stable status of businesses dealing under this sector in a number of emerging nations of certain pre-selected regions.

As per the standard of our investment policy, we select only those enterprises having the presence of fiscally prudent - as well as responsible - business managing models, the existence of respect and acknowledgement for the basic principle of international trading law, and residing or registered within a nation of a relatively stable regional position. The accrued interest of your account will be further reinvested towards, as per agreement:

The international shipping structure and and seaport related industries of South Shellfort and Yohannes, in partnership with Chump Engineering Multiregional Limited.
Specifically targeted towards firms and enterprises of the above sector having relationship with firms and enterprises of both South Shellfort and Yohannes, or nations registered by you.

Should there be any issues requiring further clarification not made possible through correspondence, please do not hesitate to contact me via my attached e-mail and phone, or my office.

Mr Albert Templeton, thank you for your business, and for entrusting the fund of your government with the Bank of Yohannes.

Yours sincerelly,
The Rt Hon Sir Matthew Alexander Gilligan
Member of His Majesty’s Privy Council

Bank of Yohannes I Parenga-Motu
Your Truly Multi-regional Bank

Governor of the Bank of Yohannes

Posts · by **Yohannes** » Sat Jan 14, 2017 7:14 pm

South Shellfort wrote:Application Form [Branch Opening]
Nation: South Shellfort
Type of government: Constitutional Monarchy
[Optional]Economic policy: Mixed (one central bank, owned by the state)
[Optional]Foreign policy: International neutrality.

Parenga Motu, the National Bank building

On his way to the Governor’s office, Albert stopped at Kayla’s office, which he had occupied before he was promoted. Her personal assistant, a head higher than most men he knew, had the right to be present today, alongside his employer, who was technically Kayla, but him also. As one part of the deal given during his promotion three years ago, he shared some of the expenses the young lady would have, and that included Darryl too, now standing looking crossed. Albert went inside to start the talk. A reprimand. You have not been good yesterday. Less commission percentage for you. Whatever. He needed to get his point straight through her thick head this morning. “Kayla will be back from the loo soon.”

Albert nodded. He stood still, examining his surroundings. A conjoint bachelor of law and commerce qualification, ‘hon’ clearly bolded, from the University of Yohannes. A photo of Sir Temuera Williams the Dragon and his wife immediately hung to its right. An unidentifiable, middle-aged woman — the picture looked rather old and outdated, from the seventies, it seems — he could not identified. A broken cricket bat, signed by the great Joe Rae himself. Minimalist. The young lady got style, he must admit. But he could not help but glanced again at the picture of the unidentifiable woman. Only that picture — old, shabby-looking, and done unprofessionally — stood apart from its surroundings.

Albert was there to notify Kayla that she was, after all, safe. From the chopping block. The dread of her colleagues. He did not normally do this personally, but she was the daughter of Sir Williams the Dragon. And the surge of lucrative contracts for their department recently meant that these were not normal times. He could not afford to lose one more of his gifted, if at times troublesome, lieutenants. In order to use his people in the most economical way, he was in the habit of sending the dreaded pink slips only when he was sure that they were approaching their time. Age. Reputation. How useful they are. Kayla still ticked all three boxes, easily.

Darryl was reading an East & West story about the failed investment in Hogansville. What he did not know, of course, was that I was the one in charge of liquidations and extractions of assets there, Albert smirked. The surge in commercial devastation and street crimes — as people lost their savings, some lost even their family homes of three generations — was an unfortunate side effect of his completely legal action on bad debts, bad credits, and broken promises. The contracts clearly stipulated what the consequences of breaking each and every single deal is. It was not his fault that people could not learn to read properly. Or could not learn to decipher complicated, unnecessarily long-winded and confusing binding contracts. He was just there to close the deal.

A community losing their wealth and fortune overnight usually turned to petty crimes. Some turned to genocides. Some turned somewhere in between. Neighbours killing neighbours of different races or religions, husband drowning wife for her will. Sons abandoning parents for the promise of a distant land. Mothers selling their daughters as prostitutes. Generally, they were of no value any longer to him and his colleagues, and Albert had expected the president-for-life or army generalissimo of their nation to keep it together. Keep calm and carry on. “Pretty tragic, eh. I am really thankful that this is not happening in Alexandria, or Yohannes for that matter,” the stocky assistant finished his leisure reading and checked his clock. Kayla should be here soon. And then I can finally start the talk. Albert was impatient.

“Yes. Fortunate it’s not happening here, hmm…”

He stopped, looking at the door. Kayla was there standing, looking at him. “… Let me get my cardboard box from the secretary downstairs.” She turned immediately away from him.

“No need to. You are here to stay, well, for now anyway.”

He beckoned for her to sit.

_______________________________________________

Kayla was unsure of what to expect. Albert didn't fancy us staying here, Darryl once said. Too rebellious. Too troublesome. It was an old joke between the two, during their random bouts of coffee shop visits. It certainly doesn't look like a particularly funny one now. They both stood attentive facing Albert. The face. It was not exactly the same expression he would use when he was giving someone a second chance. Darryl caught that as a hint too, for his eyes were for a very brief moment trying to lock with hers. Albert stood up. No doubt, looking from his folded arms, that they should not celebrate just yet. Thud, the door was closed gently. That was all right: Albert liked people to be anxious - by now, she had come to know him more than most people anyway. That gave him the power to drive his side of the bargain. Pressuring the enemy. Closing the deal. Ugh, I am sick of this game. Just get to it will ya. “I didn't know you were being paid millions to be a priest.” Albert sat on her now empty chair, facing them. Hey, that's my seat you slimy goblin.

“... and I am not sure you have got commission Quertz from delivering sermons, Ms Williams.” Their eyes locked. “I understand, and I would like to deeply apologise for my behaviour yesterday.” But even as she said those words, Kayla could not but believed that her expression belies anything but. You are not wrong, why should you apologise? Darryl asked her through their phone conversation last night. Let him eat cake. I am sure your father would bail you out. She immediately went to sleep after that. Bail you out. Bail me out, Kayla thought. Like the World Assembly tried once to bail out impoverished nations; though the national sovereign factions immediately made sure that proposal was erased from the floor without a trace. Just like the word bail signifies a helping hand from above, she was never here for her competence or her qualifications. She was but a shadow of her father's tentative grips through the deep maze of the Bank of Yohannes. Well if she was that privileged, as Darryl had said, she should drive her point home. Why not? “I am not being paid to be a priest. A female priest. And I am not being paid to deliver sermons. To unforsaken heathens. And greedy launderers. That's right.” She said those words so forcefully and honestly, that her opponent blinked.

“... but I know that I am here for a reason. I have a purpose, and that purpose was made clear to the whole audience yesterday. Sir, you may think that Quertz russling and NationStates Dollars are there for the sake of profit, and profit alone. But I do not. Sir, I believe in morality and justice. I believe in social contract. I believe in the internationalist dream. That nations are there to economically interact with one another not just for the NationStates Dollars, but also for a social contract. A form of contract that can not be seen unless one tries to reach deeply under the surface. It is the contract that keeps on giving, when profit has been turned into loss. Surplus into deficit. The bond of a community will not be broken, so long as there are those who still believe that it is still worth holding to.” She stood, not caring anymore.

“I may not know the full history of how my father had made his way to become the cream of the top. But I know that he did so following on the gospel of justice and the internationalist dream. That for every Quertz russling his portfolio has produced, there is a happy kid in a tropical nation state studying in a newly and properly constructed school. That for every factories built in city A or city B, there is a water waste disposal scheme being prepared as a contingency plan too. I would like to make clear my displeasure at the way you have led our meeting yesterday, Mr Schongrad.” The name Von Schongrad was as old as the founding of the nineteen countries; the ancestor of the person facing her was a well known philanthropic aristocrat of his time. They would be anguished, agonised to see the path one of their few descendants had followed. “You are my superior, and I know that I must accept your decision yesterday. But I must say this: I have lose respect for you. For a wee while now.” She looked at Darryl, still sitting beside her. Shocked and speechless.

“Calm down, calm down, young lady,” Albert said. His hand waving up and down in a gesture like a seal.

“Do not tell me to calm down. And don't you dare call me a young lady. I am offended by that phrase.”

“What do you want me to call you then. A man?” Darryl smirked at the reply and the scene he was seeing, not sure if he should cheer his boss for her bravery, or keep calm and sit down to appease the other boss.

“Ms Williams. There. Ms Williams. Now please sit down, and let us assume our professional position once more.” Lest Darryl here might report this to his favourite magazine East & West. If that snotty, middle-class populist magazine ever got this down as writing material... Albert shivered. It would be a field day out there. Sexism in Te Whanganui a Tara workplace. The Bank of Yohannes. Middle aged man made his demand forcefully. Ambitious, smart, and not to mention attractive, young woman forced to submit herself. The headlines. The choice of words. No.

Kayla sat down.

_______________________________________________

Darryl was amused. It was such a poorly made performance by Kayla's standard, that he could figure out the whole thing the moment she stood up. It was cold. Kayla forcefully said her rebukes, challenging Albert. He was starting to get bored of this drama. The air conditioner was working furiously, even though it was a fine mid summer day outside. A woman came out of an exit door from the Beehive downstairs, across by the park through the full view of the window. The woman was middle-aged, dressed very formally - even by Bank of Yohannes standard - and held an official looking green and yellow folder. Damn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs stuff, right there. She made her way to the Bank of Yohannes main entrance. Before she entered the wide main entrance, Darryl saw that she was looking intently at his direction. No, surely she could not see him, high up there. Darryl looked around at the room, Kayla still standing, Albert sitting, amused. No, the official looking parliamentary lady with official looking documents and folder was looking at the direction of this office instead. Shit.

“Pay attention, Darryl.”

“Someone's coming...” He trailed. “Someone from the beehive is coming here, to see us.” He looked at Kayla, and then Albert. Both were staring at him, looking puzzled. A light of recognition was seen on Albert's eyes. The haughty man was so surprised that he accidentally knocked his chair. He stood and made his way to the door quickly. “Official paper. Where is the paper I gave you two days ago?” He asked Kayla, though she was still looking confused. “There was no paper, Darryl?” The thought occured to him like a brick wall. Yes, the paper. The one about South Shellfort Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Introduction of BoY investment through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise. “Yes, I have it. I will be back in a bit.” He made his way out, Albert following him. The green paper. It was a paper reviewed by Her Majesty's Fifty-Third Parliamentary Committee on Overseas Investment just last week. Three offices would be registered in South Shellfort, with the structure of the company organised alongside that nation's regulation on banking. One would be located in that nation's capital city, whilst the other two located in two different important coastal centres of trade. A rapport would be built with that nation's shipping industry at first. And then urban infrastructure related manufacturing works the second. Strategic stuff, right there.

The hall was a mix of old and new. There were throngs of workers, some standing drinking their coffee, some glancing at the two anxious looking people walking fast, whilst others screaming at their callers and takers. This was the heady mid summer day of a Yohannesian banking institution, and the Bank of Yohannes was the finest of such an institution. He would have to make sure that that parliamentary lady would believe those words. “It's here.” The room was especially dark, blinds on the windows as far as the eyes can see. Row after row of marked purple embroidery cabinets separated by labels indicating their orders of importance. They went straight for the third one in front. The paper was inside, right at the top, still clean and tidy. The office grunts and slaving interns haven't messed it up yet, I see. “Let's go. Wouldn't want to do anything less than impress the lady.” The walk back to the first office would be fast. The Beehive lady, whoever she was, would not arrive there before him and Albert.

_______________________________________________

On that quintessential Yohannesian midsummer day, Kayla met The Right Honourable Ramahani Dumblepore. Order of First Class of Her Majesty. It was not her idea to see the Deputy Minister of Business, Innovation and Enterprise in such a state of emotional disarray. Damn you Albert, if just you decided to have this talk tomorrow instead. She kept looking at her, standing, as if she expected Kayla to do something. “Are you ready for the meeting?” Dumblepore was smiling. “It is my pleasure to finally meet the only daughter of Sir Williams myself. Your father... was a dear friend of mine, during the days of the gold rush.” The gold rush was a name given to the second period of internationalisation of Yohannesian funds with other funds of equal standard in Greater Dienstad and beyond. The unequal quality of financial regulations and policies between differing nation states - especially those ruled recklessly by militaristic regimes, lacking as they are good background in economic, or any sound knowledge of proper financial regulations - meant that many individuals in Yohannes made good with their investment. This is interesting. It seems that my dad used this as one of his early springboards to success.

Dumblepore was looking straight at Kayla, who was standing ready to shake her hand. She was staring at the picture directly behind her, shabby looking, old and at odd with the others. Kayla assumed that the Deputy Minister would simply brush it off as one of her minimalist quirks, just like presumably Albert and all the others before her. But this time it was different. This time, her visitor cried. First her eyes closed and her expression changed. Kayla began to feel uneasy. And then the tears flowed. Dumblepore cried softly. Slowly she opened her eyes, red with emotion. What is it? Nostalgia. Happiness. Yet she could see regret too. Their eyes locked, searching. “You have got the same eyes as Claudia.” Kayla's heart sank. “How did you know... of my mother?” I can't believe she knew mother.

“Yes.” Her visitor took her seat. “I knew your mother well too, just like your father... before the tragedy, and your father met your adoptive mother.” The Deputy Minister stared at her eyes once again with the same searching look. “Mrs Dumblepore. Please, tell me more about my mother.” Two men stood at the door. “The Right Honourable Lady Dumblepore... it is my pleasure to see you, once again...” Albert approached the Deputy Minister, and then bowing in reverence. What a tosh. “We are sorry we are late, Ms Williams and... Lady Dumblepore, but we have got the green document with us.” Darryl was acting unusual, calling Kayla by the name of Miss Williams, but he was not sure of what to expect from this important looking dignitary now sitting before them, Kayla felt sure. He handed the prepared document to the seated person. “That will do, actually.” Lady Dumblepore stood, brushing off Albert's bowing gesture. “You know not to call me Lady Dumblepore, Albert, and please don't bow. I am, not, Bill Snottish.” Kayla smiled at the underhanded quip towards the current Minister of Business, Innovation and Enterprise. Minister Snottish was known for his pompous regal manner.

“I have to make my leave now, but not before... Ms Williams.” Everyone stared at her.

“Will you kindly come to my office, tomorrow afternoon, approximately half past four? I believe... we have some unfinished business to discuss.” Albert was beside himself. He was ignored over one of his lieutenants.

The visitor closed the door behind her. They were all dumbfounded, silent, not expecting such an unannounced trip coming from the Beehive itself. But I can not wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will finally figure it all out, Kayla stared at the Beehive, looming majestically over the Economic Palace. High above, she could see the royal green, clear white and imperial blue of the Yohannesian flag.

Bank of Yohannes I Parenga-Motu
Parliament Square, Te Whanganui-a-Tara
BY9 1008, Alexandria, Yohannes

Contact Us
Customer Service0800 117 7442
From Overseas+585 53381717
__________________________________

Re: National registration
Associated representative
Minister of Finance & Trade
Nation of South Shellfort

Kia Ora, Te āheitanga katoa, Takawaenga e whakahonoretia ana,

To the representative of the Honourable Minister, greetings from the Bank of Yohannes, to the Government and national Whānau of South Shellfort. I am writing this letter to inform you, with the understanding from your letter, regarding cross border partnership and contractual relationship, that you are interested in the establishment of an agreement under the following contractual terms, as discussed and understood previously by our representatives:

I would like to close this letter with the following words: thank you for your decision, for the time of your representative during our long private negotiation, and for the trust you have for the Bank of Yohannes. Should there be any issues requiring further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me immediately.

Yours sincerelly,
The Rt Hon Sir Matthew Alexander Gilligan
Member of His Majesty’s Privy Council

Bank of Yohannes I Parenga-Motu
Your Truly Multi-regional Bank

Governor of the Bank of Yohannes

by **Torontonian Canada** » Sun Jan 15, 2017 5:31 pm

Application Form [Branch Opening]
Nation: Torontonian Canada
Type of government: Democracy
[Optional]Economic policy: Free and Open Trade
[Optional]Foreign policy: Also Free and unlimiting (unless you are a nazi)

by **Droigs** » Sat Feb 04, 2017 7:11 pm

Application Form [Account Creation]
Which one you are [tick one]? Agency [], Alliance [], Business [x], Government [], Individual [], Organisation []
Official name on record: Greeley Industries
Official nation of origin: The United Kingdom of Droigs
Type of account [tick one]:
Standard [] Executive [] Cash Fund [x] High Security [] Green Future [] Next Generation [] Gold Bullion []
Initial deposit [US$/gold/assets/etc.]:NS$ 350,000,000
Do you want us to invest the money nationally? yes
Do you want us to invest the money overseas? yes
[Optional]If stated as YES, how do you want us to invest your money? In what way? In the way which gets the most return with a reasonable risk.

by **Zjaum** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 11:33 am

Would it be possible to discuss issues with other bank members, or is privacy ensured by the Bank?

by **New Visayan Islands** » Fri Mar 03, 2017 12:13 am

Victoria Associated Industries is a private firm based in the Confederation of the New Visayan Islands. We just completed a high-value contract last week and have found your bank to be suitable for our needs.

Attached is the Account Creation Form for Victoria Associated Industries:

Application Form [Account Creation]
Which one you are [tick one]? Agency [], Alliance [], Business [X], Government [], Individual [], Organisation []
Official name on record: Victoria Associated Industries
Official nation of origin: The Confederation of the New Visayan Islands
Type of account [tick one]:
Standard [] Executive [] Cash Fund [X] High Security [] Green Future [] Next Generation [] Gold Bullion []
Initial deposit [US$]: 25 million
Do you want us to invest the money nationally? Yes
Do you want us to invest the money overseas? Yes
[Optional]If stated as YES, how do you want us to invest your money? In what way? No more than 50% of the money shall be invested in heavy industry.

We appreciate your timely response to our request.

Sincerely,
(Sgd.)
Simeon Cui, Jr., CPA
CFO
Victoria Associated Industries

by **Zjaum** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 7:31 pm

We, the people of the Zjaumit Daskalarchy, would like to mourn the loss of the great Bank of Yohannes. We do not recall an heir to the bank and so will be withdrawing our deposit. We admire the six-year-long project, and we wish the investors within peace, prosperity, and economic success.

In the meantime, we will retreat to our Heartless Free Trade Network.

by **Argentinstan** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:40 pm

Application Form [Branch Opening]
Nation: Republic of Argentinstan
Type of government: Democratic presidential republic
[Optional]Economic policy: Regulated by Ministry of Commerce and minimal taxation rate
[Optional]Foreign policy: Welcome to foreign investment and influence. Try to maintain good relations with all democratic and peaceful nations/regions

Application Form [Account Creation]
Which one you are [tick one]? Agency [], Alliance [], Business [], Government [X], Individual [], Organisation []
Official name on record: Government of Argentinstan
Official nation of origin: Republic of Argentinsta
Type of account [tick one]:
Standard [] Executive [] Cash Fund [] High Security [X] Green Future [] Next Generation [] Gold Bullion []
Initial deposit [US$/gold/assets/etc.]: 56 billion euros
Do you want us to invest the money nationally? Yes
Do you want us to invest the money overseas? No
[Optional]If stated as YES, how do you want us to invest your money? In what way? Invest in our banks and companies

Posts · by **Yohannes** » Thu Apr 27, 2017 9:29 pm

Zjaum wrote:We, the people of the Zjaumit Daskalarchy, would like to mourn the loss of the great Bank of Yohannes. We do not recall an heir to the bank and so will be withdrawing our deposit. We admire the six-year-long project, and we wish the investors within peace, prosperity, and economic success.

In the meantime, we will retreat to our Heartless Free Trade Network.

[ Out of character: Hi Zjaum. Not dead, just too busy with heaps of things (study, work, stuff, etc.) in real life.

(like I have done multiple times in the past)

by **Shazbotdom** » Thu Apr 27, 2017 9:40 pm

HE LIVES!!!!!!

Posts · by **Yohannes** » Thu Apr 27, 2017 9:45 pm

Shazbotdom wrote:HE LIVES!!!!!!

[ Out of character: Hi Shazbotdom I fee

l a bit embarrassed typing this (haha), whenever I am gone, it's only temporary. I can't promise that I can be active in this game anymore though (like me constantly dissapearing/becoming ex-nation for months happening multiple times in the past). I know less and less about NationStates everytime I got back, but it should be enough for me to maintain the Bank of Yohannes and your interests/assets in it. ]

Posts · by **Yohannes** » Fri Apr 28, 2017 12:41 am

Zjaum wrote:Would it be possible to discuss issues with other bank members, or is privacy ensured by the Bank?

[ Out of character: You are free to discuss or debate about anything related to this bank, in this thread, in out of character/OOC manner like we are doing here. You are also free to discuss or ask/negotiate with other participants (people who have acknowledged the existence of this bank by either posting here, or simply referencing things relating to my nation in their posts) in this thread. I have to ask something though (if you wouldn't mind, hehe).

If you can, it would be great if we can put 'Out of character' or 'OOC' in posts like this to indicate that it is not an in-character post.

Edit: I have added everyone who have posted applications to the list of numbered accounts. Sorry for the delay and thanks for the patience! I will reply to each and everyone of your posts with story like what I did with South Shellfort here next (next one should be Chasetopia). Thanks!

Donata ]

Posts · by **Yohannes** » Sat Apr 29, 2017 5:22 pm

The United Federation of Chasetopia wrote:Application Form [Branch Opening]
Nation: The United Federation of Chasetopia
Type of government: Theocratic Republic
[Optional]Economic policy: Laissez-faire (Total Free Market)
[Optional]Foreign policy: Jingoism

Application Form [Investment]
Which one you are [tick one]? Agency [], Alliance [], Business [], Government [X], Organisation []
Amount to be invested [US$]: 10,000,000,000
Summary of how and where we should invest in your nation: Defence, Arms Manufacturing

Application Form [Account Creation]
Which one you are [tick one]? Agency [], Alliance [], Business [], Government [], Individual [X], Organisation []
Official name on record: His Holiness Chase McClure - CEO of Chase & Co. Petroleum
Official nation of origin: The United Federation of Chasetopia
Type of account [tick one]:
Standard [] Executive [X] Cash Fund [] High Security [] Green Future [] Next Generation [] Gold Bullion []
Initial deposit [US$/gold/assets/etc.]: 90,000 gold bullion troy ounces: valued at 114,174,000 NSD/USD
Do you want us to invest the money nationally? No
Do you want us to invest the money overseas? No
[Optional]If stated as YES, how do you want us to invest your money? In what way?

Parenga Motu, the National Bank building

“According to a recent domestic report by the reputable East & West journal, cybercrime has climbed to become the third most reported economic crime affecting financial institutions throughout Yohannes”, Kayla paused. Everyone was watching her. The bald, overweighed thirty something executives along the front row. The awkward looking university graduate on her newly purchased, oversized attire. The lady at the back of the room. Wait, isn’t that’s Deputy Minister Dumblepore? Mhmm…

“The potentially common minor ones have been: CVE 2014-3566 (Poodle), CVE 2015-0204 (Freak), and CVE 2016-0800 (Drown), connected as they are with SSL configuration problems. Most domestic institutions have responded accordingly by keeping up to date their legacy IT infrastructures. But this is still not enough, in some potentially serious cases.” What is she doing here? I thought she would come later midday? The suited bigwigs grumpy. The slaving interns tiresome. She was busy. Distraction by family related matters, or thought, was the very last thing she would have wanted there and then.

“One of many recent technologies to be used to counter cyber criminals are the hoax banking card network. It uses coupled computer software programmes of the same group, processing together to give legitimate-looking information or assets to be stolen by criminal organisations or individuals. Yohannesian law enforcement will then be able to arrest and prosecute these offenders.” A hand was raised.

“Yes, Sir?”

“Gregory Lindén, Madam Williams. It is a pleasure to converse with you this morning.”

“Thank you, Mr Lindén.”

“Highlighting specific areas of economic crime worth focusing on is easy. Acquiring the technology, or prior to that, of course… utilising the currently available means to update or create the technology, is easy. As you would know yourself, Madam…”

“Yes, Mr Lindén, I understand where this is going…” Get to the point, will ya.

“But as the former Chancellor Shon Key would say: show me the money. Who will spearhead this effort, of shifting a part of their budget towards something that, some would say, are still considered non-existential?”

“It is existential, Mr Lindén.”

“Yes. That it is existential is true. That it is harmful enough or proven to be realistically possible – notwithstanding the non-existent infrastructures due to the lengths of oceans and distance from our nation, is another matter.”

“If I am understanding this right, we are of the opinion, or you are, that the more peripheral, or far away from Yohannes, Bank of Yohannes branches and offices are, the more we should just let these assets be insecure? And we shouldn’t do anything about it?”

“I am sure you would understand, Ms Williams. Very few nations out there would have the know-how and actual knowledge to attempt such a thing, given that they lack the infrastructures – the vast undersea cables, logistics, etc. – to attempt such an undertaking from far away, through the vast oceans and seas separating Greater Dienstad and Yohannes?”

“What about our far away branches and assets?”

“Is it important enough for us to put aside substantial resources to protect against what may never come, or may never even be possible to be done, towards our most important assets: those closer home?”

“These assets are faraway and worth not as much, Mr Lindén, but peripheral assets are still assets.”

“But their effects would be limited towards assets of these peripheral, faraway, minor branches of the Bank of Yohannes. There is no magic formula that somehow, by targeting these peripheral branches, suddenly our headquarters, or even inner branches, closer to our borders, would be affected also.”

“Yes, Mr Lindén. But they will still target our assets at these peripheral, as you have said yourself, faraway and minor branches.”

“And that is the point, Madam Williams. They are faraway, peripheral and minor. Business 101, spend much less than you earn. Will the annual amount we spend to protect these peripheral branches faraway from Yohannes be much, much less than the annual profit of these branches, including assets held in their host countries?”

“Maybe yes, maybe no.”

“It cannot be both, Madam Williams. It must be one, or not at all.”

“Thank you for your concern, Mr Lindén.” Thank God, you are finally seated. Kayla glanced towards the direction of the Deputy Minister, still attentive and knowing, looking at her from the back. I hope her opinion of me wouldn’t be affected by the rebuke of that haughty man. A particularly nasty piece of work he was. Must make sure I will tell Albert this one later. It was half past ten. The meeting was over.

_______________________________________________

Outside Parliament Square

Kayla's distress had turned to fury. She was too distorted to concentrate properly. She wanted to shake herself for daring to spearhead the cybersecurity reform act. I knew that I needed the political support of more members of parliament in the Bank of Yohannes Committee, but I never knew it would be that bad. She made a mental note to remember this next time, for her steps of springboard through the career ladders were all but set. Under the influence of her father, she was the favoured lieutenant of Albert. And it was a matter of time before she could have her way with a particular Mr Lindén. The prospect gave her consolation.

The path from the Economic Palace to the Beehive crossed a main road. At the crossroads pedestrians could turn west, for the Imperial Palace and diplomatic quarters, or east, for the largest port in the Kingdom of Alexandria, and subsequently Yohannes, Port Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Kayla and Dumblepore turned east. Te Whanganui-a-Tara was a city of hills on one side, and rounded, naturally shaped low coast on the other; the ideal place for the establishment of a protected port of trade for the earliest Yohannesian settlers. It was a city built on that port, with commerce and trade being the catalysts for growth since the 18th century.

At Easter the Home Fleet of the Commonwealth Navy was conducting its annual naval exercise around Te Whanganui-a-Tara bay. It attempted to demonstrate its ability to protect the many container ships and merchant vessels carrying overseas goods to and from Te Whanganui-a-Tara, even as parliament had recently voted once again to cut naval related expenditure for three consecutive years. With Bank of Yohannes related assets and investments in around six hundred nations overseas, and foreign trade being the bread and butter of the Yohannesian economy, Kayla was unsure whether parliament had chosen the right target to reduce government expenditure.

"Slashing welfare or healthcare will never be a vote winning move. And the education sector is already so vastly overburdened, that even the most ardened populist would never dare to chop it round the block further", Dumblepore cut her moment of tranquility. She was smiling, Kayla thought, and she knew my thought process very well. A mother figure, it seems, is what she wanted to be. Someone to replace my absent mother, after all this year. The way she said her name, Claudia, on that day. There was something about it. Dumblepore must knew more about the story of mother and father than father had told me so far.

Kayla had not warmed to the Deputy Minister in their two hours' worth of walk together. Dumblepore was a well meaning person, who attempted to probe as much about her past as possible, without asking directly as to make her think she was being interrogated. Choice of university. Past boyfriends. Career decisions. It seems Dumblepore wanted to see a trace of Claudia, her old close friend, in Kayla the daughter. But I never knew my own mother, beside pictures and portraits of happier times.

Dumblepore was mentally brave, always ready for a fight with ministerial subordinates or counterparts; but in other ways she was weak. She confused her superior, Minister Bill Snottish, by not standing for what she thought was wrong when ministerial agenda was on the line. She separated her personal views from official reasoning too far. The decision to close down Korokoro Ecosanctuary Regional Park was one recent example. She was an ardent greenie at heart, and she knew that putting the axe towards Korokoro related funding would not be a votewinning move for her environmentalist, left leaning constituency and electorate. It was, of course, not so for Bill Snottish, who represented the Eastland constituency: true blue, fiscally conservative National heartland. Yet she led the Minister had his way, all the way through. She was afraid of putting at stake her chance. The first female Minister of Business, Innovation, and Enterprise. Fancy that. By the time that they reached the inner complex of Port Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Kayla knew that Dumblepore was cut on the same cloth as her father.

They passed an area teeming with large container ships, rows after rows of valuable cargo, both destined for exports and coming as imports could be seen. No doubt financed by the Bank of Yohannes or our constituent banks, Kayla surmised. Money made the world go round, as father would say. But Kayla wondered whether too much money was ever a good thing. Capital growth. Foreign investment. Industrial contract. Asset expansion. For what price? A foreign version of Korokoro ecosanctuary abroad would be one, I guess. And the soul of someone, not unlike the person she was walking with would be another one.

Beside the area there was a path leading straight to the port office. They went through another guarded gate. Now they left behind the sprawl of container ships and entered the teeming inner area of the port. A vast, beautifully decorated glasshouse structure protected them from the weather outside. The outside air made way for the air conditioned reception area. The late 19th century portraits - of admirals, of trading pioneers, and of merchant-bankers - that jostled shoulder to shoulder on either side let her knew that she, and those of her generation, was the heir of a long, rich tradition of Imperial prestige and splendour. That her forebears expected her to sacrifice just as much for the future of the nation. I feel suffocated just thinking about it. Ugh.

Kayla realised with astonishment that there were silver and gold decorated shades beneath her feet. The whole floor was paved with gold, silver, and other precious metals! What wealth there must be here, she thought, for such materials to be used as if they were in a palace. They reached the end of a corridor and passed through yet another guarded checkpoint. Now they entered the inner office, and the atmosphere was suddenly quieter, but very tense. Immediately to the left was the entrance to the Director's Office. The magnificent oak door was shut tight, with two armed guards glaring at their direction. Dim figures moved behind the blinded windows of the office, and she could hear voices from the room, the insulated walls provided not enough protection indicating the raised volumes of the speakers in question.

To Dumblepore's right, no more than thirteen steps from the Director's Office, was the Company Meeting Room A, and Kayla saw instantly that despite the early timing of their arrival, it had been taken over with the silhouettes of many individuals beyond the door and windows. Two large civilian clothed men barred the narrow corridor that led to the meeting door. Beyond the two civilian clothed individuals were lines of armed men in black attires. Her Majesty's Secret Agents. There must be quite the number of distinguished guests there today.

The space between the Director's Office and Meeting Room A was empty except for Kayla and Dumblepore. Kayla suddenly realised that they had the full attention of the armed guards on the Director's Office side and the lines of armed men in black attires on the opposing meeting room. She had no visible identification badge, nor was she a regular sight to this place. Hey, there's no receptionist desk here, don't blame us! Looking around, she saw that Dumblepore had moved on to the meeting room door, and she followed her hastily.

The armed men in black attires let them through immediately: Dumblepore was well known. Kayla admired the eastern interior of the large room. It had an enormously tall glazing of The Last Supper, accompanied with secondary glazings of angels and saints painted on either side, about one third in size to the main glazing. The sun shone through, which was clearly planned. It looked like a palace, where all decisions of importance are made - which it was, in a way.

_______________________________________________

Inside Company Meeting Room A

The dignitaries stared at Kayla and Dumblepore. She was nervous. To avoid looking at them, she appreciatively raised her eyes to the ceiling. It was decorated with gold and silver, beautifuly painted in glowing colours, just like the floor. She followed Dumblepore through the crowd. Dumblepore seemed tranquil here, secured and sanguine, naming out attending noblemen and peers, and shaking the hands of cabinet ministers of the Kingdom of Alexandria. If they are here, then it means. No way.

There was another line of armed men in black attires, then a crowd of naval officers, then an inner circle of dukes and margraves, with Her Majesty the Queen Garnet til Alexandros standing at the end. The Queen had lost her youthful expression since the last time Kayla saw her, three years ago in the Royal Castle of Alexandria. There were lines of anxiety on her freckled face and below her eyes, and a year of fighting the budget austerity-driven imperial parliament had made her thinner. She seemed to be enjoying the company of her dukes and lecturing her margraves, being at odds but not displeased.

Dumblepore moved to face the crowding higher noblemen and slowly curtsied in symbolical adherence. The queen stared, acknowledged her, and said in her quintessentially feminine voice: "My faithful servant, the Imperial Deputy Minister of Business, Innovation and Enterprise, Rahamani Dumblepore. What have you brought for us to represent the interest of the empire?" That last line was playfully done. Nice. The contrast between royal and imperial was moot: for as the Queen of Alexandria, she was the Yohannesian Empress.

"I am pleased to be acknowledged in your present, my lady queen", said Dumblepore.

Kayla scurried beside her and made the same bow. Garnet said: "Have you brought your daughter to accompany you today?" The earls of the kingdom around them laughed. Kayla could see a trace of red on Dumblepore's cheek.

"This is the daughter of Sir Temuera Williams, who is also one of many rising stars amongst the Bank of Yohannes' regional management ranks, my lady queen", said Dumblepore.

Garnet looked again, and Kayla saw the light of recognition and surprise in her eyes. "Of course, I know Sir Temuera Williams.... the Dragon of Westland", she said, but her tone was cold; not the same as when she acknowledged Dumblepore. "Have you come to ask me to pay back the debt I owe to your father?" The earls laughed again.

Nicely done, yet again. Of course, the Queen had long ago paid her debt to father, or to be more precise, the debt the late King Garland, the father of the queen, had owed. "I am here because Minister Dumblepore had brought me along to accompany her... in this illustrious meeting, my lady queen." Garnet raised her eyes.

"I am thoroughly humbled to be given this opportunity to see the inner working relating to the future of our illustrious kingdom, and that of the empire - the Yohannesian Realms - of the Yohannesian peoples."

I would be glad to be of service to whatever it is that you may have within your planning and disposal, Your Majesty."

"... and you shall hear about it, daughter of illustrious dragon Williams," Garnet made a mocking smile. "Come and see me this afternoon, when I shall have within my disposal more time." She turned back to the margraves of the kingdom, and resumed her conversation in a lower voice.

Dumblepore curtsied slowly and retreated, and Kayla did the same.

_______________________________________________

Her Majesty's surrounding

"The twentieth century brought us the start of telecommunications through the very basic thing we take for granted today. Telephone. And throughout the twenty-first century, the scope of telecommunications expanded to include many things out there; to name but a few, mobile phones, personal computers with internet access, the intercontinental networks linked by undersea cables, and many other things which are important for both the civilian and military sectors of a nation state."

"The Bank of Yohannes acknowledged the importance of investing in this strategic industry, both in the nineteen countries and overseas, for the telecommunication industry is a string of networks touching the very fabric of everyone's lives; no functioning, civilised societies and industrialised nation states can survive without a healthy chain of telecommunications network; even the most military-driven, crackpot dictatorial nation states and societies could not realistically escape the importance of the telecommunications industry and network, for without its healthy existence their foreign ventures would grind to an immediate halt, rendering their military machines powerless against foreign predators and vultures."

"At contemporary, even taking into account the existence of mobile phones, digital networks, and the internet, the telephones realistically still takes the largest share of revenue earner for the industry, for one of the earliest inventions of the industry is responsible for the most basic things in life - a mother calling his son and daughter, someone forgetting to pay another person for the service rendered - down to some of the most important: the president of a nation calling his or her generals about important military matters, second line logistics officers calling their superiors in the army command, and the prime minister of a nation calling the leader of the opposition party to sort out an agreement over an important law about to be passed."

"I am of the opinion that this brief explanation is indeed, of acceptable standard", Garnet turned around to face the Earl of Halstenfortein. "As the Director of Port Te Whanganui a Tara, I am, of course, aware of your undoubted bias towards the shipping industry."

"Yes, my Lady Queen."

"The presiding head of government of Chasetopia, of course, insisted instead that the bulk of our investment be generously granted in the direction of her illustrious industry of armaments production?"

"Yes... my Lady Queen."

"... and that scandalous wish she shall have."

"Truly a generous acceptance of Her expressed wish, my Lady Queen."

"Ensure that the bulk of United Investment Corporation Emerging Nation Fund #1003 be made into reality, to be renamed that of Chasetopia Defence Fund by no later than... 2019."

"... and reality that shall become, my Lady Queen."

"Finally... I request for the summoning of Lady Williams. I shall not miss the opportunity to converse with her... before the end of today."

by **New Transeurasia** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:00 am

[no longer canon]

by **Zelee** » Tue May 02, 2017 11:09 pm

Application Form [Branch Opening]
Nation: The Most Serene Merchant Republic of Zelee
Type of government: Parliamentary Merchant Republic with monarchistic features (namely, Doge wields immense power and is in office for life unless they resign)
[Optional]Economic policy: Almost Free Market (there are heavy environmental restrictions, along with massive regulations concerning international expansion)
[Optional]Foreign policy: Short: Friends to All, Allies to None. Long: Zelee prefers not to pick a side in conflicts, it's bad for profits. As such, we try to remain neutral and be friendly with everyone. Yes, everyone, from the most anarchistic of independent hippy communes, all the way up to the most brutal of dictatorships.

by **Tegradia** » Thu May 04, 2017 7:12 pm

To The Bank of Yohannes

The board of directors here at West Coast Fuels would like to thank Yohannes for the opportunity they have given Tegradian companies to showcase their projects to potential Yohannesian investors. We believe that this investment both outgoing and incoming are a priority for our two prosperous nations, as we have spent much time debating and discussing this action.

West Coast Fuels would like to use this investment with projects directly related to our company. We would use the loan to increase the speed of our resource extraction, infrastructure including creating more jobs for local Tegradians, and shipping our products. West Coast Fuels and the Tegradian government is proud to announce it's new partnership with The Bank of Yohannes. We are looking forward to creating more jobs in our nation, flow of wealth towards local and regional businesses, and ultimately increasing Tegradian export to other nations.

Application Form [Branch Opening]
Nation: The Empire of Tegradia
Type of government: Monarchy
[Optional]Economic policy: WIP
[Optional]Foreign policy: WIP

Application Form [Investment]
Which one you are [tick one]? Agency [], Alliance [], Business [X], Government [], Organization []
Amount to be invested [US$]: $80,000,000
Summary of how and where we should invest in your nation: Above

Regards, James Fullmer

Posts · by **Yohannes** » Fri May 05, 2017 9:38 pm

Out of character: A part of the FAQ section: How the Bank of Yohannes works in your nation?

I have just had a satisfying and good conversation with a nice individual by the (nation state) name of [Edit: the person/owner of the nation told me not to put his/her nation's name here/ask for his/her name to be confidential] today. It is pretty much one example is of how the Bank of Yohannes works in a nation (whether Yohannes itself, or overseas). Y is Yohannes (me) and N the nation:

Y: Hey! The nation of Yohannes is home to the Bank of Yohannes

I am wondering if it would be okay for the Bank of Yohannes to invest in your nation's industries?

N: How would that work?

Y: It's easy! Name me the most important industry in your nation

N: Book Publishing.

Y: It cannot be. Your nation can survive without book publishing. But your nation cannot survive without roads (the book sellers need to transport their books, your military generals need to transport their logistics through good roads, and your people need good railroads, roads, and airports to travel both in your nation, and to your neighbouring nations)

Another one that is realistically the largest industry in your nation: the telecommunication industry. Tell me, what happen if your President or head of state can't call anyone?

N: Then the entire country should shut down. That makes sense.

Y: Yeah! Now, imagine you are a business owner in the [name of nation redacted]. Your business is struggling because of, say, a recent economic downturn in your nation. Your business deals with roading. You supply bitumen for chipsealing operations of the many roads of your proud nation; to fix the holes, failures or cracks present here and there.

Your business is very important, for it is one of the largest in [name of nation redacted]. It is responsible for many things; to make sure that guy who are driving his company truck carrying timber logs (to build furnitures for the furniture industry) can arrive safely to his destination, or perhaps the daughter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (or equivalent) of your nation won't have to experience bumps along the road (because of cracks or fatigues along the road top layer)

Your business has borrowed a lot of money to invest in capital purchase and stock (buying things that it needs to operate; such as trucks for the bitumen laying, cars to transport its employees, and many other things) from some of your nation's largest banks (which would realistically be apprehensive about giving more money to you)

Enter the Bank of Yohannes, which by the way, may not even be the Bank of Yohannes at all. It can be "The Industrial Bank of [name of nation redacted]", wholly owned by some guy in your nation; but operating together under the umbrella of the Bank of Yohannes internationally (yes, you can do this)

The rest is history. More money given so that your business can afford to buy more things important for its running day to day. And also perhaps you can afford to pay out some of your managers more, so they are happier at work and productivity increase.

The money that the Industrial Bank of [name of nation redacted] (under the umbrella of the Bank of Yohannes) are spread throughout many parts of your nation's societies; from the managers of your business being able to buy coffee in the morning and afford it easily (jobs created for the cafe, the cafe owners got more demand, so he or she had to hire someone new, thus money spread for the benefit of everyone)

A bank can be a force of good, and I am roleplaying mine as a force of good in NationStates hehe

We can invest in the shipping industry of your nation; lending you money so companies in your nation can build more ships for trade with overseas nations. We can also, perhaps if you still want to, lend money to the largest book publishing companies in your nation, so they can spend more money to keep their state of the art equipments up to date to the latest development, or they can hire more staff to keep up to higher demand (because you are exporting more books overseas)

The opportunity is endless. It is up to you ___(^__^)___

----

Realistically, some of the largest industries in our theoretical 'nation states worlds', despite the popularity or trend of people who tend to assume it is, are not the arms manufacturing or defence industry. A nation can survive without tanks, guns or missiles (it can easily buy these from overseas). But the generals, school children, or president of that nation cannot survive without good roads. The president also needs telephone to easily call the leader of the parliament everyday. The prime minister needs a decent water treatment network otherwise he or she will get sick from drinking bad waters (or he or she will have to heat his or her water everyday, but then you are a third world nation if this is the case!). Your shiny missiles need good, expensive merchant ships for export or import from overseas.

You can manufacture a few tanks yourself but trains are not running on time? What about the managers of your many profitable banks? They will come late to work! Or what about that school boy, the future president of your nation, he will come late to classes and earn detentions: well, he won't be your nation's future president anymore would he?

Infrastructures. Telecommunications. Shipping. Not arms manufacturing, should be your nation's priority, unless you are a third world, dictatorial crackpot nation!

Posts · by **Yohannes** » Sat May 06, 2017 7:09 pm

Patrick OConner wrote:Application Form [Investment]
Which one you are [tick one]? Agency [], Alliance [], Business [X], Government [], Organisation []
Amount to be invested [US$]: 5 to 10 billion.
Summary of how and where we should invest in your nation:
O'Malley Heavy Industry is a prime candidate for investing. The company handles most of the naval contracts for Timocrtic Republic's navy. For example, all of the capital ships were constructed in the shipyards owned by O'Malley Heavy Industry and it is currently owns all the yards capable of servicing said ships. The company also handles a lot of commercial industry and consumers products while supplying lots of refined materials to other company to make there products. O'Malley is looking into opening a third massive ship yard at the request of the current goveremnt to service the capital ships.
Another prime candidate is a relativity new corporations called O'Conner Industries which currently specializes in R&D and hold contracts for such from the government. The MASH (Mobile Assault Suit Hardened) design came from the O'Conner Industries as well as the desgin for the Air Carrier and Air Battleships and the Battleaxe Class ship killer as well. The company also currently owns patents on several key peices of technology such as manufacturer of ceramic parts, new alloys used in construction and on the new generation of reactors used to power the nations grid and ships.

Application Form [Branch Opening]
Nation: Timocratic Republic of Patrick O'Conner
Type of government: Timocratic Republic
[Optional]Economic policy: Hands off with some regulation ment to prevent issues from going out of control
[Optional]Foreign policy:

[ Out of character: narrative continued from Her Majesty's surrounding scene ]

Port Te Whanganui a Tara

Kayla did not hear from the queen for the first hour, not the hour after, and not the hour after that. On the first hour she corresponded with the Earl of Bellafontein, one of the largest earldoms in the kingdom, and one of the most diverse, with almost half of its constituency born overseas; a testament to Alexandria's booming economy, and that of the nineteen countries as a whole. The Earl of Bellafontein was somewhat deprived, in a traditionally moral sense, for the lack of a stable domestic arrangement meant that he brought with him his collection of mistresses, one for this week, one for the week after, and another one for the week after that. He was also a portly man. And that meant only two things: loose women and oily meat. I feel oppressed just thinking about it. Ugh. Fortunately he was a good administrator and enthusiast of foreign diplomacy. And that meant one particularly stimulating conversation.

"Our realm may now be entirely independent of foreign shipping, but it was once not so. Lady Williams, I have brought with me the following historical fact: only twenty seven per cent of the exports, and imports, of the Kingdom of Alexandria, was transported in Yohannesian bottoms for the majority of the Wilhelmine Restoration period. That is, for the majority of the time that industrialisation proceeded at its fullest speed."

"... that is interesting, my lord Earl. Presumably, the same can be said for what was the Kingdom of Burmecia, the Kingdom of Lindblum, and the other sixteen countries?"

"Indeed I would assume as so, my lady. What is fascinating for me, of course, is that that fact meant only one thing: the benefit of industrialisation, of catching up to outside forces, more technologically superior and modernised as they are, do come not immediately after or during the course of our industrial enlightenment itself, but long after. And this, I must deduce, is the reason why many nation states are unfortunate enough to industrialise and modernise rightfully even at present day; for their societies and bureaucracies gave up immediately the moment they feel that the fruits of their reforms are not present. Yet, such fruits of reforms would eventually come, if they wait just a little bit more."

"... and that is the problem, my lord Earl. Time is a privilege, not right. And especially so for the non civilised and non modernised societies of our time."

"Yes, my lady."

They went right outside the port, to the suburb of Lastenburg, where there was one embassy of a foreign nation for every three Victorian houses to follow. There she got Lamonian cheesebread and Marshite chai latte for late lunch, a platter dreamed only by working class Alexandrians. A good diplomatic quarter pub and a quiet atmosphere away from the crowds. Nice. The Earl of Bellafontein continued to enlighten her to the day to day running of his constituency. She knew why she was being kept waiting. The queen wast at odd with the entire financial and banking establishment of her realm. Although the public knew that the queen was constantly fighting the budget-austerity driven imperial parliament, they did not know of the extent of influence the bigwigs of finance and banking had on these elected members. Annual 'voluntary' staff costs, electorate reelection spending, and of course, various other non-registered financial benefits. The imperial parliament was not an entity of government completely separated from the society it represents. It was, if anything, shaped and influenced by those it ruled. The queen, however, was of an entirely different standing.

At the head of the Kingdom of Alexandria stood the queen, generally mistaken by foreigners as the empress of Yohannes, a title comparable to a hereditary emperor or empress of one nation, owning his or her subjects within that realm, being graced by heaven above. The queen Garnet was the Yohannesian Empress, not the Empress of Yohannes, for she was in her authority elected by the nineteen monarchs of the nineteen countries, two of equal standing to her - the Regent of Lindblum and the King of Burmecia - and the rest resolved to the end of maintaining their rightful titular authorities over their respective countries; from the Grand Dukes of Eastland to the Prince of Karlstenfontein. She was therefore beholden to the imperial parliament, being at the mercy of ultimately those influencing the day to day running and issues facing the elected members of that institution. And that, at present, meant subservience to the alliance of industrious capitalists and scheming financiers of the realm. They were present in every decision of historical and contemporary times; from the twilight of colonial empire to the withdrawal of navy and diplomacy.

_______________________________________________

The Royal Court of Alexandria

The reception hall at Alexandria castle looked very pretty. There were dishes of colourful confectionary, exquisitely authentic paintings, ornamented curtains, and decorated Dalbergia chairs. There were scents of Juliet Rose. Expensive. Kayla was seldom relaxed at a government function. But a feminine government function? That was enough to put her in a state of trembling worry. The queen was her last port of call for the prerequisite approval of her planned investment fund in Patrick OConner. But she had no confidence that this cynical, contemptuous woman would make a just decision. For a start, the queen was just two years older than her. Dealing with someone my age is already a hard thing. The underhanded drama, constant gossiping, pack competing. But I can live with that. If that someone happens to also be the Queen of Alexandria, reigning monarch of almost two hundred million people, and supreme commander of the Commonwealth Navy? Yeah, right. This gonna be tough alright.

The queen sat on a delicately carved gilded throne. She was of medium build, with proud green eyes and wavy, sandy light blonde hair. Over her gown she wore, to Kayla's surprise, a unisex working attire. Just like your typical Bank of Yohannes tomboy employee. Well, I didn't expect that one. She was single throughout her life, but the resigned lines on her face made her look like someone who had raised two children already. And that must be the imperial parliament's doing. Wow. I know reigning administrative monarchs and presidents decline in appearance relative to their age pretty quickly; just look at the President of Maxtopia, Max Barry. He went semi bald on the centre and had greying hair already at the age of forty-three! He looks like a sixty years old man for heaven's sake. Kayla knew that the queen had a tough two years fighting the imperial parliament, but she never thought it would look that bad. She still looks pretty though, I am surprised she hasn't got herself at least a boyfriend yet by now.

Kayla, Dumblepore, Albert, and the Earl of Bellafontein bowed to her and stood waiting. She ignored them for a while and continued talking animatedly to an officer of the navy. The conversation seemed to be informal, for they both laughed and joked about; but the queen did not interrupt it to greet her formal visitors. The Earl of Bellafontein advised her on the day to day running of the Greater Te Whanganui a Tara Regional Council, corresponding with her almost everyday, but they were never good friends. His sister, Annabelle Thorndon-Stevensonn, the chancellor of the empire, had entrusted him to keep an eye on her when she assumed the throne of Alexandria, and was elected Yohannesian empress. It was nothing for head of states and head of governments to secretly disagree with one another, especially under a constitution like that of the empire, where the monarch was not a mere figurehead of the realm. The queen knew this and accepted it, but her relationship with the Earl of Bellafontein was nevertheless a strained one.

It was eight months since the declaration of naval withdrawal and diplomatic neutrality by the imperial parliament, and in that time all had gone surprisingly well for the queen. Parliament had kept its promise to delay further funding cut for the Commonwealth Navy and had decided, instead, to increase taxes for certain high growth, high risk foreign focused telecommunication sector investment funds, to Kayla's ire. She was also negotiating recently with the Board of Directors of the largest five domestic industrial corporations: all under the confederate banner of VMK AG, the conglomerate that had stopped new contracts and exports overseas to consolidate its position to fill pre-existing contracts and demands. And the queen had won, with the Board of Directors promising that VMK AG would reaffirm its commitment to stop further export of armaments, industrial products and ultimately the outsourcing of much needed jobs overseas, and concentrate instead in keeping all those inside the nineteen countries. Finally, Regent Cid the Fourth of the Kingdom of Lindblum, the second largest but richest and most industrially advanced country in Yohannes, who happened to be her non biological uncle, was on his way to pay her a formal royal visit, with the very public intention of supporting her cause against the imperial parliament.

The four dignitaries stood waiting: Kayla as the daughter of Sir Temuera Williams the dragon and one of few influential rising stars in the Bank of Yohannes, Dumblepore her informal mentor and fairy godmother, Albert her superior, and the Earl of Bellafontein sympathetic to her cause. This was not the first time Kayla had set eyes on the queen, and last time at the Port of Te Whanganui a Tara, the cynical demeanours of the queen had exasperated her; despite her regal air of authority and recent strings of success, the monarch carried herself with a defeated aura, and looked scornful and uncompromising. When the queen finished chatting she turned to them with a triumphant look, as if to say: see how unimportant you are? Even some random officer of the navy had priority over you. What a haughty bitch. Ugh.

She looked at the Earl of Bellafontein, and then at the two banking bigwigs, though Kayla would never admit this, and then at Deputy Minister Dumblepore, finally resting her eyes on Kayla, until she became embarrassed, then she said: "Well, my loyal earl, have you brought along two well-dressed bankers to lend me an interest free credit at a...", the queen paused for a few seconds, and then made a mocking sound "... competitive rate", emphasising the word competitive. The two statements are foolishly paradoxical and doesn't make any sense at all. I swear by Heaven above, why do we have to deal with this trolling of a woman. Ugh.

The Earl of Bellafontein said: "The daughter of Sir Temuera Williams the dragon would like to speak with you, my lady queen Garnet til Alexandros, in the interest of the Bank of Yohannes in Patrick OConner, and thus that of your realm."

Kayla bowed again and said: "Somewhat inexperienced, and too young, to speak before you on behalf of the national bank, my lady queen." It was the kind of unimportant, belittling remark that high nobles of the realm, margraves, earls, dukes and princes, might find amusing. But to her horror the young queen gave her a few seconds of frozen look and intentionally ignored it. She decided to relinquish any pretension to be charming, girl to girl.

Queen Garnet turned to Dumblepore. "And the Honourable Rahamani Dumblepore, the Deputy Minister of Business, Innovation and Enterprise, and of course, Member of Parliament for the famously pro environmentalist Wellburn electorate, of my realm."

Dumblepore bowed and wisely kept her mouth shut.

Garnet turned back to Kayla. "You ask me to grant you the diplomatic recognition to act as minister plenipotentiary, in your position as manager of the Patrick OConner Sector Fund Group Three, Class B, in that nation?"

"Yes... my lady."

"... Why minister plenipotentiary...?"

The Earl of Bellafontein said: "There are no imperial diplomatic posting in that nation, as of yet, and the substantial profit from the income generated by that group of funds would be taxed, responsibly as so, by the Government of Patrick OConner, and as such, this proceeding shall be watched by the scheming army generals and territorial district commanders of that nation."

"Of course... this is the reason our civilisation chose the more civilian-driven, non-military focused, pro economic growth and stable path... whatever that statement would be to World Assembly bureaucrats and overtly military focused head of states out there."

"Of course, my lady, the wisdom of your ancestors, and those of the other eighteen monarchs."

"Presumably, my loyal earl, that these scheming army generals and territorial district army commanders of Patrick OConner would prize the chance to corruptly steal, under the table resource extraction bribe here, and building consent financial payment prerequisite there, the proceedings of this lucrative investment fund?"

"Yes, my lady Queen."

"... even knowing, fully well, that a percentage of such proceedings shall be given, annually, to their government, and thus fill the coffer of public treasury of their nation?"

"... As unfortunately we have discovered to be the case, in many nation states abroad, yes... my lady."

"On which sector of the Patrick OConner economy does this sector fund, or perhaps agglomerated funds, of yours play at, lady Williams?"

"... Arms manufacturing and defence, my lady queen."

".........."

"Yes, my lady queen. I humbly see the irony of that myself."

The queen raised her eyebrows. "In my capacity as a non-voting member of the board of the national bank, I have approved for the creation of twenty-six investment funds in a politically stable foreign nation state by the name of Chasetopia, recently. In fact, just hours before. And I would like for you, Lady Williams, to guess at which sector of that nation's economy, at the behest or expressed wish of her government, are the focus of these investment funds?"

"... Arms manufacturing and defence, my lady."

"Yes." The queen gave a scornful look. "At this rate, the World Assembly gnomes and bureaucrats would laugh at our nation, for dishonouring our status as an ethical and just, reputable power."

"You profit driven bankers are generally opposed to investing in arms manufacturing enterprises. Don't they blow up people's houses and create coup d etats for scheming dictators?"

"Loss of assets and high risk of disreputable default?"

"Not in our case", Kayla said. "Patrick OConner is our regional neighbour, in Greater Dienstad, and as you would know yourself, with the concentration of powers in such a region..."

"Yes, Lamoni. Holy Marsh. Lyras. Macabees. Sumer. Greater Nihon. You shall continue lady Williams, I don't have time to keep naming the almost exhaustive list of nations not to cross path with in our region."

"... Her government requires only the best in domestic arms manufacturing capabilities and industrial output. To defend herself. Not to aggressively expand her borders. Her banks have been exhausted with lending her all the credits she require, to internally expand her illustrious industries, and as such, we, at the national bank, have been given the honour of assisting her in her time of need."

"Very well put, lady Williams."

"Thank you, my lady queen. I have been briefed by my superior Albert, standing before Your Majesty with me today, and we have made the necessary plans to ensure the registration, allocation, subsequent organisation and running of this agglomerated fund in one week's time."

"So you're assuming there's an approval already?" She said sharply.

Kayla realised her mistake. She felt like kicking herself.

[ Out of character: putting this for easy drafting here for later :blush:

]

by **Hongkoen** » Sun May 07, 2017 5:55 am

Application Form [Branch Opening]
Nation: Hongkoen
Type of government: Unitary Parliamentary Monarchy
[Optional]Economic policy: see on General Assembly economic policy
[Optional]Foreign policy: see on General Assembly economic policy

Application Form [Account Creation]
Which one you are [tick one]? Agency [], Alliance [], Business [], Government [X], Individual [], Organisation []
Official name on record: Hongkoen Imperial House
Official nation of origin: State of Hongkoen
Type of account [tick one]:
Standard [] Executive [] Cash Fund [X] High Security [] Green Future [] Next Generation [] Gold Bullion []
Initial deposit [US$/gold/assets/etc.]: US$ 270,000,000,000 and 20 gold bars 10 grams
Do you want us to invest the money nationally? Yes
Do you want us to invest the money overseas? Yes
[Optional]If stated as YES, how do you want us to invest your money? In what way? For Education, Infrastructure, Tourism, Culture development, Arts, and small business loans.

by **Argentinstan** » Sun May 07, 2017 5:39 pm

ANNOUNCEMENT

Yohannes and I have announced a partnership agreement between this bank (Bank of Yohannes) and the Bank of the Atlantic where we will streamline the banking process and hopefully make banking for our customers easier than ever.

by **Fracels** » Sun May 07, 2017 10:13 pm

Application Form [Branch Opening]
Nation: Fracels
Type of government: Federal Constitutional Monarchy
[Optional]Economic policy:
[Optional]Foreign policy:

Posts · by **Yohannes** » Tue May 09, 2017 3:56 pm

Announcement regarding Bank of Yohannes position of the recent World Assembly proposal

With the recent announcement of the tabled proposal Stock Exchanges And Foreign Investment by the Government of Omega, the Bank of Yohannes reiterates its commitment to acting in the best interests of our own and friendly investors out there. As such, the World Assembly delegate of Her Majesty's Government has recently submitted our question to the most excellent delegate of the Omegan nation, Mr Alexander Xavier, regarding the exact nature of his government's proposal, and now at-vote resolution.

Following on the answer and assurance given by His Excellency the Omegan delegate to the World Assembly, the Bank of Yohannes would like to reassure friendly investors and banking institutions that the possible - if passing - passage of this at-vote resolution would not affect your operations and investment abroad. You can be sure that we, as the oldest continuing and original banking institution of NationStates, founder of the present financial & banking sector of the Global Economics & Trade index to which all other banking storefronts are based on, will protect your assets against possible World Assembly encroachment or intrusion.

Finally, we would like to reaffirm our commitment and willingness to work, together as friends, with any other active financial & banking storefronts as of the present time [and that meant working alongside our possible competitors] to protect the sanctity of the financial & banking sector of the Global Economics & Trade index from any possible future bureaucracy encroachment by the World Assembly.

The Bank of Yohannes—NationStates' Oldest Bank RP

Re: Mr Dan Wells and the Bank of Yohannes

Re: The Bank of Yohannes

Kettuan

Mr Albert Templeton and the Bank of Yohannes

Bank of Yohannes branches in South Shellfort

Re: Zjaum

Re: Shazbotdom

Re: Zjaum

Bank of Yohannes Investment in Chasetopia

How the Bank of Yohannes works in your nation?

Bank of Yohannes Investment in Patrick OConner

Regarding Stock Exchange and Foreign Investment

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