Inputs needed: the design direction

[Childishcfo]

As for banking, look at it from the perspective of products involved within the business structure.

In order to keep it somewhat simple i would stick to retail banking.

A few ideas:

1) Product channels by type:
a) Plot a bank branch (like shop), then select "sale" or "advertisement". For each sale unit you could select "mortgage loans, short term loans, credit cards, leases" as products sold. Each product would differ by term and credit quality (1y, 5y, 10y, for customers with A, B, C, D, credit ratings). Depending on term and credit rating of product and economic situation the demand would be calculated.

b) Cost of each product would be the borrowing cost for the specific bank, income would be the spread between cost of product and price. Would be interesting if non-performing loans could be tracked and in case of economic downturn the NPL amount would eat into income stream of cash which then would leave debt on books (maybe even with option to write off).

c) Internet Bank, Mobile Bank, Phone Bank, Private Banking - could all be services with execution similar to "online commerce" in Digital DLC. All of these should have their product quality ratings and what not. Revenue streams consisting purely of commissions. Primary cost would be research and development. These services should be provided from separate building "banks HQ" for example.

d) ATMs could be plotted in 1x1 square of land and would have expenses and income. Income could be dependent on variety of ATMs for multiple banks within certain area.

2) Compliance:
a) I think banking in this DLC should be a possible "multi billion dollar" business scenario enabled. To make it challenging it could be interesting to introduce capital requirements to be held. If breached a message similar to when you run out of cash could appear with requirement to increase your financial position. Additionally these requirements could be dependent on economic situation. Risk off sentiment during "recessions" or "stagnation" would lead to central banks increasing capital requirements.

b) Similar to random events mechanics such as factory burning down, the amount of money spent for compliance (anti money laundering) could be correlated with probability of random even "regulatory fine". Regulatory constrains are a large part of banking in these days. So more spending on compliance = smaller probability of random event / fine.

Some of ideas that come off the top of my head.

[Childishcfo]

Also you could think about ways to spend the "private money" not related to company. Real estate is good but how about introducing lets say 1x1 plot size ferraris, mercedess benz, planes, helicopters and all that sort of stuff associated with up-town banking.

[buells]

As for banking, look at it from the perspective of products involved within the business structure.

In order to keep it somewhat simple i would stick to retail banking.

A few ideas:

1) Product channels by type:
a) Plot a bank branch (like shop), then select "sale" or "advertisement". For each sale unit you could select "mortgage loans, short term loans, credit cards, leases" as products sold. Each product would differ by term and credit quality (1y, 5y, 10y, for customers with A, B, C, D, credit ratings). Depending on term and credit rating of product and economic situation the demand would be calculated.

b) Cost of each product would be the borrowing cost for the specific bank, income would be the spread between cost of product and price. Would be interesting if non-performing loans could be tracked and in case of economic downturn the NPL amount would eat into income stream of cash which then would leave debt on books (maybe even with option to write off).

c) Internet Bank, Mobile Bank, Phone Bank, Private Banking - could all be services with execution similar to "online commerce" in Digital DLC. All of these should have their product quality ratings and what not. Revenue streams consisting purely of commissions. Primary cost would be research and development. These services should be provided from separate building "banks HQ" for example.

d) ATMs could be plotted in 1x1 square of land and would have expenses and income. Income could be dependent on variety of ATMs for multiple banks within certain area.

2) Compliance:
a) I think banking in this DLC should be a possible "multi billion dollar" business scenario enabled. To make it challenging it could be interesting to introduce capital requirements to be held. If breached a message similar to when you run out of cash could appear with requirement to increase your financial position. Additionally these requirements could be dependent on economic situation. Risk off sentiment during "recessions" or "stagnation" would lead to central banks increasing capital requirements.

b) Similar to random events mechanics such as factory burning down, the amount of money spent for compliance (anti money laundering) could be correlated with probability of random even "regulatory fine". Regulatory constrains are a large part of banking in these days. So more spending on compliance = smaller probability of random event / fine.

Some of ideas that come off the top of my head.

Good ideas on how to do implement cost of funds, NPLs and capital requirements without too many new mechanics.

[David]

Alternatively, there can be an internet company type set-up whereby you can develop a mobile banking app that would kind of be the equivalent of Ecommerce? That would only be available if you have both DLCs.

This is a good idea. Do you have further design inputs on how an e-banking web site will improve the banking business? Should it just increase the bank's overall quality of service rating which affects its rate of customer acquisitions and the total customer deposits.

This could be implemented by adding a new field on the bank HQ screen (see attached), which indicates "online banking service", which contributes to the bank's overall "Quality of Service". What do you think?

[xzinum]

Could it have the R&D style hiring and headhunting mechanism on top of the Branch Staff Skill level? Or perhaps some sort of specialization (ie investment, mortgages, business loans, etc) that further advances a bank's offered services.

[dubin]

I think there should be tens of millions of individuals who need loans, so it is interesting to play, and insurance companies should also add more types of insurance. You should not only target personal insurance, you can move the actual insurance company’s operation to the game.

[dubin]

I think there should be tens of millions of individuals who need loans, so it is interesting to play, and insurance companies should also add more types of insurance. You should not only target personal insurance, you can move the actual insurance company’s operation to the game.

[David]

UPDATE:
In response to the poll result, we have introduced a number of new game settings for bank operations, allowing the player to customize the profitability of banks and insurance companies. With the new settings, it's your call to decide whether banks will become hugely profitable financial powerhouses or just play a modest and complementary role in supporting your business expansion.

Please check out the details of the new game settings at https://www.capitalismlab.com/banking-d ... -settings/

[axel90]

Could we allow the creation of a digital challenger banks? their market is based on the number of connected retail users(pc/phone/telecoms/internet algorithm) these would not cater to corporate users. So similar to regular bank but 'lite' and could we allow the standard bank hq create a digital subsidiary where rates are lower etc and their market is based on the same criteria as the digital challenger but the funding and profits flow from and to the parent bank?

Just opens up options to get in on banking at different levels