@AoE (and other bankers):
I saw that you've got a third member in your bank. Given the sentiments on some players regarding pre-game-start alliances I think it might be wise to wait with applications on membership until the game starts.
I like the metagaming idea of the bank, and it might be nice to know the dynamics and organization of it before the game starts, but since the game has not officially started yet it might be best if you waited with the in-game stuff, membership etc until the game actually starts.
That way I don't think anyone will have anything against the idea.
A bit off topic: I once played a fantasy PBEM game with 12 players. It went well. I defeated a neighbour or two, as did some other players. I ended up in an alliance with two other players pretty early on. Probably because we were the ones that communicated at all. We ended up in a war with another strong player and suddenly the game ended !?! All small nations and dropouts had been defeated and the strongest player had joined our alliance and game mechanics ended the game. Most annoying. One reason I dislike built in diplomacy
Why do I mention this? If there is a big alliance before the game starts and everyone likes to be in, there is no need for war, and no one dares to be left out. Thus all live in a happy democratic banking environ. Thus better to start banks etc when the game has started and a few alliances and grudges build up regardless of meta gaming policies.