Banking is a technology in Age of Empires II available at the Market upon reaching the Imperial Age and requires Coinage to be researched. Once researched, it removes the tribute fee of 20%, allowing players to send resources freely without having to pay a fee. Considering it pays off very quickly (food-wise if more than 1,500 food is tributed after researching it, and gold-wise if more than 1,000 gold is tributed after researching it), researching Banking is highly recommended when giving other players resources.
Civilization bonuses[]
- Chinese: Banking is 15% cheaper.
- Spanish: Receive 20 gold after researching Banking.
- Vietnamese: Researching Banking is 100% faster.
Team bonuses[]
- Bohemians: Researching Banking is 80% faster.
- Portuguese: Researching Banking is 25% faster.
Changelog[]
The Age of Kings[]
- Banking costs 200 food, 100 gold.
- Banking takes 50 seconds to research.
- Banking becomes available in the Castle Age.
The African Kingdoms[]
Rise of the Rajas[]
- With patch 5.8, Banking becomes available in the Imperial Age.
Definitive Edition[]
- Portuguese: With update 42848, all technologies are researched 30% faster.
Return of Rome[]
- Vietnamese: With update 87863, researching Banking is 100% faster.
History[]
“ | The loaning of money for interest, or usury, was long prohibited by the church in the West and this proved a handicap for economic growth. The religious laws were avoided by a number of ploys, and non-Christians were often allowed into a community to provide this service. Preaching a pogrom against money-lending Jews or other non-Christians was a convenient way for more than one king to clear off a large debt. The religious and political climate changed gradually, especially in the great trading cities of Italy where the first of many great merchant banking firms came into existence. | ” |