InterGalactic Banking Clan

"May there be prosperity and stability in all our Republic lands! May our people be free and safe! Long live the banks!"

―Sheev Palpatine^[5]

The InterGalactic Banking Clan (IGBC), also known simply as the Galactic Banking Clan or as the Banking Clan, was a financial commerce guild in the galaxy that was governed by the Core Five from the Main Vault located on the world of Scipio. During the waning days of the Galactic Republic, it was one of the most important organizations in the Outer Rim.

The InterGalactic Banking Clan survived into the reign of the Galactic Empire as an institution under Imperial control. However, as a somewhat decentralized organization, the guild was allowed some flexibility and independence. The Banking Clan found itself embroiled in a series of trade wars.

History[]

Republic Era[]

During the time after the fall of the Old Republic and rise of the Galactic Republic, the settlers of the world of Eriadu lacked the funds needed for mining, processing, and shipping lommite ore, so they were forced to get high-interest loans from the Banking Clan. However, hyperspace travel from their location to the Core Worlds required use of hyperspace beacons and reversions to realspace, meaning ore shipments were often delayed or lost. Until entrepreneurs from the Core planet of Corulag intervened, Eriadu risked becoming a client world to the bankers because of their growing debts.^[17]

The InterGalactic Banking Clan soon arose to the become one of the most powerful companies in the Outer Rim Territories.^[18] Since it left the aurodium standard, the Republic partnered with major banks, including the Banking Clan, to keep a credit reserve. This was to ensure the Republic's money remained stable.^[7] During the Separatist Crisis, the organization agreed to support Count Dooku's Confederacy of Independent Systems^[15] in a non-exclusive deal.^[19] Its chairman, San Hill, was given a place on the Separatist Council. While it seemed as though the Republic would be defenseless against the united droid armies of the Banking Clan and other trade guilds after they joined with Dooku, the Republic found itself defended by a full military composed of clone troopers produced by the Kaminoans on the extragalactic planet Kamino. As such, the galaxy was faced by a full-scale war between the droid-defended CIS and the clone-defended Republic.^[15]

Clone Wars[]

"I believe in the banks. The system works. The Muuns aren't bad people. It's just a dishonest few who are destroying everything for their own gain."

―Rush Clovis^[20]

SanHill-BaseSeries5 — San Hill was the Chairman of the Banking Clan during the Clone Wars.

The Banking Clan continued to conduct business with the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars. By working with both sides, it was seen as a neutral party.^[2] In truth, however, that "neutrality" covered up how their business favored the Separatists.^[21] Indeed, upon the deregulation of the banks by the Republic Senate, the bank offered its services to the Republic at exorbitant interest rates.^[10] One Banking Clan gun platform was built and established over the Sanshur Flats as a counter to possible Republic attacks.^[22]

In part due to their alliance with the Confederacy, which failed to pay back their loans and the interest on them out of concern for the corruption present amongst the leading Core Five,^[20] the Banking Clan was at the verge of bankruptcy as the Clone Wars neared its close.^[2] Much of the corruption was pro-Confederacy; the Core Five allowed the Separatists to take money out without interest. However, Dooku moved to topple the Core Five^[20] to ensure his Sith Master, Darth Sidious, could take control of the banks.^[5] After Senator Padmé Amidala traveled to Scipio to secure aid for civilians displaced by the war, she was informed of a scheme by the Core Five to steal from each bank account from an old romantic partner, Senator Rush Clovis.^[2]

After Amidala was able to recover the evidence and return it to Coruscant, Clovis was then chosen to be the next head of the banks. Because he was only able to reach the position with help from Dooku,^[20] Clovis was forced to raise rates on the Republic and respect a Separatist military presence on Scipio. The Republic then countered by invading Scipio, bringing the banks into the control of the Office of the Supreme Chancellor. Unbeknownst to everyone, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's was but the alter-ego of Darth Sidious, who gained more political power in time for his eventual galactic takeover. Despite the Republic control of the banks,^[5] the Muunilinst Banking Clan under San Hill continued to support the Confederacy^[23] and became entrenched on their stronghold of Mygeeto.^[8] Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi was dispatched in reaction, leading the 21st Nova Corps against the battle droids until he was executed by his own clone troopers during Order 66.^[23]

Imperial Era[]

Limited independence[]

At the end of the Clone Wars, Palpatine transformed the Republic into the Galactic Empire while his new Sith apprentice, Darth Vader, cut down the Separatist Council, including Hill, on the planet Mustafar.^[23] With the collapse of the CIS state,^[24] its trade group supporters were nationalized by the Empire,^[25] but at least a few exceptions were allowed to continue on, including the Banking Clan:^[26] having survived the Clone Wars^[27] but been annexed by the Republic,^[5] the Banking Clan would find itself under Imperial control during the reign of the Empire. However, the clan was not an entirely centralized force during the Imperial Era, which gave the banks some flexibility in what they could invest in.^[28] Indeed, the Banking Clan was able to exhibit independence and control its own business interests^[27] to a certain degree.^[28]

The Banking Clan also retained its seat in the Galactic Senate following its transition into the Imperial Senate, where the group was represented by^[26] Senator Gani Riduli^[29] by the year 18 BBY.^[30] An Ishi Tib who only cared about protecting galactic wealth,^[29] Riduli argued in favor of the Imperial Defense Recruitment Bill^[26] in 18 BBY.^[30] As all Kaminoan cities and facilities had been destroyed by the Empire, which covered up its actions by claiming a storm had wiped out the Kaminoan civilization, the bill was brought forth by Vice Admiral Edmon Rampart and concerned the formal creation of a new Imperial Military made out of Imperial citizens, instead of cloned soldiers. Alongside a Commerce Guild senator, Riduli argued in favor of the bill in one of the many debates over whether it should pass, claiming to the senate the galaxy needed protection without the creation of new clone troopers.^[26]

War with the Hutt Clan[]

With its limited freedom,^[28] the Banking Clan found itself in a competition with the Hutt Clan known as the trade wars. The Clan's Vice Chairman, the Muun Anolo—who resided on Mygeeto and had come into possession of Ki-Adi-Mundi's lightsaber, which the Jedi General had dropped after being killed—plotted to wage a subtle trade war with the Hutts for the control of their smuggling routes, hiring a Givin codebreaker to advise them on what moves to make; the Givin's brain was linked to the Imperial algorithm that generated security codes. However, Jabba the Hutt came to learn of the Givin and desired to kidnap him to help his smuggling operations, so he hired the veteran bounty hunter Greedo to lead a team to Mygeeto to capture the Givin.^[27]

GreedoKillsGuard-GalaxysEdge2 — Greedo kills a Banking Clan guard during his mission to kidnap a Givin codebreaker.

Making their presence known by firing a sniper shot into the Vice Chairman's office, Anolo instantly sought to evacuate the tower, and Greedo ordered his team of mercenaries to attack the front gates as Anolo and the Givin fled; thus, the Vice Chairman and codebreaker had moved to walls that were weaker than those in the Muun's office and were away from most of the Banking Clan guards, as most of them were dispatched to the front gates. Anolo understood the Hutts were behind the operation, knowing the capture of the Givin could heavily impact the trade wars, but the codebreaker understood the mercenaries had tricked them, and Greedo, joined by Kadas'sa'Nikto operative Takvaa, broke into the room via an explosion at one of the walls. Despite being outnumbered, the two engaged the guards, with Greedo using Takvaa as a living shield to block an electrified baton. With all guards in his immediate vicinity dead, Greedo murdered Anolo, having been reminded by the Vice Chairman that the Banking Clan would never allow him to kidnap the codebreaker and someone with such a high rank.^[27]

However, a new team of guards arrived and were instantly angered by the murder, running at Greedo and making the codebreaker state that the bounty hunter's chances of success had fallen. While being chased, the Rodian locked himself and the Givin in Anolo's office by shooting the door controls after entering, which only lessened their chances at escape because it was the only exit. Learning from the Givin that his blaster pistol would not break the glass of the office windows, Greedo spotted and used Mundi's lightsaber to break the glass as the Muun guards used their heavy blasters to melt through the door. However, Greedo overestimated the strength of the grabbling line the mercenaries fired from their Bantha-II cargo skiff, so the codebreaker fell to his death, robbing both the Banking Clan and Jabba of the Givin's skills. For his failure, Jabba nearly killed Greedo by dropping him into his rancor pit, only stopping when Ithorian collector Dok-Ondar offered to buy Mundi's lightsaber.^[27]

New Republic Era and the Rise of the New Order[]

"The banking clan is here for an economic summit and to enjoy the baths. So we are high alert for spies and impostors."

―Lanupa hotel director to Jod Na Nawood^[31]

Femalemuun — A Banking Clan representative relaxing in a mud bath on Lanupa

The InterGalactic Banking Clan continued to operate well into the New Republic Era.^[31] Around 9 ABY,^[32] a few Banking Clan representatives went with an official trip to the planet of Lanupa, staying in^[31] Skull Ridge Mountain Hotel & Spa^[33] for the duration of an economic summit. The arrival of the bankers prompted the hotel staff to enhance security by introducing checkpoints and allowing entry to guests with prior reservation only. The bankers, in turn, took the opportunity to relax in mud baths when off-duty.^[31]