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game of thrones - How does the Iron Bank collect its owed money?


In this clip we see Tywin and Cersei talking about the Iron Bank and how it always gets its money.


This shows that even the Lannisters, who are the most powerful family in the country, are afraid of the Iron Bank.


So how does it always get its money back? Is there anything in the books states how it does get it back?



Answer



Always remember the following words...


The Iron Bank will have its due.



The bank will not issue new loans unless payments are being made on older ones, and it seems like that may be enough..




A group of merchants appeared before her to beg the throne to intercede for them with the Iron Bank of Braavos. The Braavosi were demanding repayment of their outstanding debts, it seemed, and refusing all new loans. We need our own bank, Cersei decided, the Golden Bank of Lannisport. Perhaps when Tommen's throne was secure, she could make that happen. For the nonce, all she could do was tell the merchants to pay the Braavosi usurers their due.


A Feast for Crows - Cersei VIII




Although if and when it is not enough for the Iron Bank, they will still have their due...


Remember one of the main reasons the Bank decides to give loans to Stannis is because the current regime is not paying. Stannis gives the Bank another form of recourse. It is a large gamble that ultimately failed, but their intent was to back a new King would pay his debts.



The banker pressed his fingers together. "It would not be proper for me to discuss Lord Stannis' indebtedness or lack of same. As to King Robert... it was indeed our pleasure to assist His Grace in his need. For so long as Robert lived, all was well. Now, however, the Iron Throne has ceased all repayment."


Could the Lannisters truly be so foolish? "You cannon mean to hold Stannis responsible for his brother's debts."



"The debts belong to the Iron Throne," Tycho declared, "and whosoever sits on that chair must pay them. Since young King Tommen and his counselors have become so obdurate, we mean to broach the subject with King Stannis. Should he prove himself more of our trust, it would of course be our great pleasure to lend him whatever help he need."


A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44 (Jon IX)



Jon continues to reflect on what happens to those who do not pay the Iron Bank, as he had just signed a deal as well.



He did not have to like it, though. And come spring, when the time came to repay all that gold, he would like it even less. Tycho Nestoris had impressed him as cultured and courteous, but the Iron Bank of Braavos had a fearsome reputation when collecting debts. Each of the Nine Free Cities had its bank, and some had more than one, fighting over every coin like dogs over a bone, but the Iron Bank was richer and more powerful than all the rest combined. When princes defaulted on their debts to lesser banks, ruined bankers sold their wives and children into slavery and opened their own veins. When princes failed to repay the Iron Bank, new princes sprang up from nowhere and took their thrones.


A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 44 (Jon IX)




If all else fails, the Iron Bank could hire the Faceless Men, like Petyr Baelish had suggested Robert do with Daenerys. Although, there is no direct evidence that to support the Bank has done this...



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