Gringotts Wizarding Bank
A neoclassical structure resplendent in white (faux) marble, the bank would be guarded by imposing bronze doors, held open by a Goblin. Dark, serious mien at odds with the flamboyant uniform of scarlet and gold, the unlikely doorkeeper would pick up a brass plaque and tag cast with the same number. Handing the tag over to an approaching customer, the Goblin would bow them in, before placing the plaque with the corresponding number into a sorting mechanism.
The entrance would open on a vaulted hall lined on one side with counters, each one "manned" by an uniformed Goblin. Facing the counters would be benches for customers to sit on while waiting for their number to be called. Behind every counter would be a robotic arm disguised as a brass stand. The arm would be holding up a plaque bearing the number of the customer being served.
At the completion of the current transaction(s), the metal arm would swing downwards, out of sight. After dropping the plaque in a collection bin, the arm would pick up a new plaque from the sorting mechanism. Swinging back into position behind the counter, the disguised brass stand would display a plaque with a new number, calling for a new customer with the corresponding brass tag.
Banking transactions include:
Account Opening:
The first transaction that every new customer must engage in would be to open an account with the bank. After registering their names and various other personal particulars, each new account holder would speak a password into an antiquated mouthpiece. Lastly, a key would be presented to the customer.
With any bank transactions requiring verification of identity, account holders would insert the key into a smart chip reading device and sound out his/her password into a connected microphone. A voice recognition software would compare the newly spoken word with the recorded audio file attached to the account number registered to the chip embedded within the key.
Cash Deposits:
Deposits made in any major Muggle currency would be acceptable. Using prevailing foreign exchange rates, an equivalent amount in wizard currency would be deposited into the bank account. The exchange rate would roughly correspond to:
Cash Advances:
Deposits could also be made with credit cards. The currency exchange would be charged as a purchase from Gringotts Wizarding Bank for an equivalent amount, using prevailing foreign exchange rates, on the credit cards.
Gift Vouchers:
The bank would also issue theme park Cash Certificates in the form of cheques bearing the Gringotts Wizarding Bank seal. Cheques could be deposited in valid bank accounts.
Cash Withdrawals:
Much like how video arcades work, wizard currency would be tokens with monetary value only within the theme park. Customers could draw down part, or all of the balance in their bank accounts, either in wizarding coins or any major Muggle currency, based on the prevailing exchange rate.
Safekeeping Services:
Customers could choose to store items at the bank for safekeeping. Anything from documents to luggages would be accepted. Fees would be charged based on the size and weight of the items, as well as the duration of storage.
For the branches in transport terminals:
Wizarding coins would be handed over the counter. Money pouches bearing the Gringotts Wizarding Bank seal would be provided for large transactions.
Customers with items to be placed in safekeeping would be led through a pair of silver doors into a room-sized vault where they would be able to sort through and deposit items in privacy. A metal box would be provided to store small items. A Gringotts wagon would periodically collect items from all the terminals on the main isle and transport them to the bank's central repository in Sentosa.
For the branches in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village:
Customers seeking to:
would carry out their transactions over the counter.
Customers seeking to:
would be led to a row of doors at the far end of the hall. A Goblin would bow them through a door leading to a dimly lit tunnel, reminiscent of a mine shaft, where a rickety cart would sit quietly on narrow railway tracks. The Goblin would be able to couple more carts together to accommodate a large group. After piling and strapping everyone into the cart(s), the Goblin would climb aboard and push off, causing the cart(s) to hurtle through passageways and thrilling visual effects.
Customers disinclined or unable to ride the cart(s) would instead be led to a side passageway that would open up to a cavern. The Goblin would lead them past an underground lake by taking one of several cleverly hidden smoothly paved pathways, beautifully lit by glowing stalactites and stalagmite.
Either way, the customers would eventually end up at a predetermined door, beyond which would lie a vault. Though it would not appear so with good planning and construction, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley would be in rather close proximity to each other. Therefore the branches in each location would share one deposit repository. In other words, all coins and/or items deposited would be stored in the same central location and would be easily accessible by both bank branches located within the theme park.
Surrounding the central repository would be several vaults, with concealed connecting passageways allowing repository staff to quickly and stealthily place all the coins and/or items deposited in a designated bank account into any vault. At each counter in the entrance hall would be a computer terminal that would allow the Goblin using it to assign an account number to any unoccupied vault. Once assigned, the vault would register on the system as "occupied".
The routes leading up to the newly reserved vault would also be registered on the system as "unavailable", thus restricting access to every vault and route to a single party at any one point in time. Each Goblin guide would carry on his/her person, a sneakily disguised handheld electronic device that would be able to access the bank's computer system. This would allow him/her to be informed of any change in plans and react accordingly, either by taking a detour or by giving the bank/repository staff new instructions.
Once the customer(s) have exited the vault, the Goblin would take them back to the bank's entrance hall, either by railway or walkway. Past the bronze doors of the front entrance would be cobbled streets, lined with shops in which to spend the newly withdrawn coins.
The entrance would open on a vaulted hall lined on one side with counters, each one "manned" by an uniformed Goblin. Facing the counters would be benches for customers to sit on while waiting for their number to be called. Behind every counter would be a robotic arm disguised as a brass stand. The arm would be holding up a plaque bearing the number of the customer being served.
At the completion of the current transaction(s), the metal arm would swing downwards, out of sight. After dropping the plaque in a collection bin, the arm would pick up a new plaque from the sorting mechanism. Swinging back into position behind the counter, the disguised brass stand would display a plaque with a new number, calling for a new customer with the corresponding brass tag.
Banking transactions include:
Account Opening:
The first transaction that every new customer must engage in would be to open an account with the bank. After registering their names and various other personal particulars, each new account holder would speak a password into an antiquated mouthpiece. Lastly, a key would be presented to the customer.
With any bank transactions requiring verification of identity, account holders would insert the key into a smart chip reading device and sound out his/her password into a connected microphone. A voice recognition software would compare the newly spoken word with the recorded audio file attached to the account number registered to the chip embedded within the key.
Cash Deposits:
Deposits made in any major Muggle currency would be acceptable. Using prevailing foreign exchange rates, an equivalent amount in wizard currency would be deposited into the bank account. The exchange rate would roughly correspond to:
- one Gold Galleon to fifty Singapore dollars;
- one Silver Sickle to three Singapore dollars;
- one Bronze Knut to ten Singapore cents.
Cash Advances:
Deposits could also be made with credit cards. The currency exchange would be charged as a purchase from Gringotts Wizarding Bank for an equivalent amount, using prevailing foreign exchange rates, on the credit cards.
Gift Vouchers:
The bank would also issue theme park Cash Certificates in the form of cheques bearing the Gringotts Wizarding Bank seal. Cheques could be deposited in valid bank accounts.
Cash Withdrawals:
Much like how video arcades work, wizard currency would be tokens with monetary value only within the theme park. Customers could draw down part, or all of the balance in their bank accounts, either in wizarding coins or any major Muggle currency, based on the prevailing exchange rate.
Safekeeping Services:
Customers could choose to store items at the bank for safekeeping. Anything from documents to luggages would be accepted. Fees would be charged based on the size and weight of the items, as well as the duration of storage.
For the branches in transport terminals:
Wizarding coins would be handed over the counter. Money pouches bearing the Gringotts Wizarding Bank seal would be provided for large transactions.
Customers with items to be placed in safekeeping would be led through a pair of silver doors into a room-sized vault where they would be able to sort through and deposit items in privacy. A metal box would be provided to store small items. A Gringotts wagon would periodically collect items from all the terminals on the main isle and transport them to the bank's central repository in Sentosa.
For the branches in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village:
Customers seeking to:
- make money deposits;
- withdraw money in Muggle currency;
- purchase Cash Certificates;
would carry out their transactions over the counter.
Customers seeking to:
- withdraw money in wizard currency;
- withdraw items held in safekeeping;
- deposit new items for safekeeping;
would be led to a row of doors at the far end of the hall. A Goblin would bow them through a door leading to a dimly lit tunnel, reminiscent of a mine shaft, where a rickety cart would sit quietly on narrow railway tracks. The Goblin would be able to couple more carts together to accommodate a large group. After piling and strapping everyone into the cart(s), the Goblin would climb aboard and push off, causing the cart(s) to hurtle through passageways and thrilling visual effects.
Customers disinclined or unable to ride the cart(s) would instead be led to a side passageway that would open up to a cavern. The Goblin would lead them past an underground lake by taking one of several cleverly hidden smoothly paved pathways, beautifully lit by glowing stalactites and stalagmite.
Either way, the customers would eventually end up at a predetermined door, beyond which would lie a vault. Though it would not appear so with good planning and construction, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley would be in rather close proximity to each other. Therefore the branches in each location would share one deposit repository. In other words, all coins and/or items deposited would be stored in the same central location and would be easily accessible by both bank branches located within the theme park.
Surrounding the central repository would be several vaults, with concealed connecting passageways allowing repository staff to quickly and stealthily place all the coins and/or items deposited in a designated bank account into any vault. At each counter in the entrance hall would be a computer terminal that would allow the Goblin using it to assign an account number to any unoccupied vault. Once assigned, the vault would register on the system as "occupied".
The routes leading up to the newly reserved vault would also be registered on the system as "unavailable", thus restricting access to every vault and route to a single party at any one point in time. Each Goblin guide would carry on his/her person, a sneakily disguised handheld electronic device that would be able to access the bank's computer system. This would allow him/her to be informed of any change in plans and react accordingly, either by taking a detour or by giving the bank/repository staff new instructions.
Once the customer(s) have exited the vault, the Goblin would take them back to the bank's entrance hall, either by railway or walkway. Past the bronze doors of the front entrance would be cobbled streets, lined with shops in which to spend the newly withdrawn coins.