How Red Dead Online’s Banks Are Changing

For a time, the banks of Red Dead Online allowed players to pass through their doors while free-roaming, prior to the release of the game’s latest Blood Money update, but that has since been changed. Historically, the buildings have been locked, with no way to legitimate way to enter the premises. Many have expressed disappointment at the lack of outlaw-like activities to pursue in Red Dead Redemption 2’s online mode, and calls for bank and train robberies have often been at the forefront of player demands. After almost three years, Rockstar Games has finally implemented these activities. The recently released Red Dead Online: Blood Money update introduced many changes and new outlaw opportunities into RDR2‘s online multiplayer mode.

The Red Dead Online Blood Money update allows players to engage with the criminal underworld of Saint Denis, working alongside the Bronte crime family and pursuing lucrative exploits to obtain riches and renown. Players work alongside Guido Martelli, who appears within the Saint Denis city center and acts as a primary liaison for the Bronte family. Martelli and other quest-givers send outlaws after riches such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and bonds that are referred to as ‘Capitale’. While players were able to rob banks in Red Dead Redemption 2’s story mode, bank robbery activities are hidden behind Red Dead Online’s newest stranger and story missions.

Red Dead Online’s banks  now serve as a new activity for solo and posse players. These banks were accessible for a short time in free roam prior to the update’s release, but have since been moved to be exclusively available as part of the Red Dead Online Blood Money missions available throughout the open world. The online mission titled “Banks Don’t Rob Themselves” is the first encounter players have with the new bank robbery activities, which requires outlaws to trick the bank manager into handing over the bonds to the “guards” of a stolen armored carriage.

Red Dead Online’s Bank Robbery Increase Activities In Saint Denis

The current banks available for Red Dead Online players to rob are the Bank of Rhodes and Lemoyne National Bank. Other bank locations are still unavailable for robbery missions, and Rockstar hasn’t confirmed if it will expand Blood Money missions into these unused locations. The starting points for robbery missions are generally within city centers, marked by a dollar sign and a blood drop. With these new and profitable activities, players have been given more incentive to venture into cities, increasing the traffic through urban and rural settlements and creating additional opportunities for social encounters.

More law-abiding players may not want to engage in some of these activities, unless they want to defend civilians against the more bloodthirsty posses on their servers. There is no option to stow money or other objects in banks or safe deposit boxes, nor is there any way to passively accrue interest. It is unknown whether Rockstar will implement a mechanic to take advantage of banking systems in the future, though given the outlaw nature of the Red Dead Online, it doesn’t seem like the most likely of options.

The future of Red Dead Online has been rather unclear for the past few months, but the Blood Money update has certainly gifted the player base with a series of new activities to occupy themselves with for the time being. The longevity of the update compared to recent activities such as Red Dead Online’s Bounty Hunter and Moonshiner roles has yet to be seen, but hopefully robbing banks and trains will keep players entertained for until the next content infusion.

About The Author

Natalie Lindner
(499 Articles Published)

Natalie Lindner is a Game Features Writer for Screen Rant, creating content on the past, present, and future of games in the industry. Prior to this, she worked out of a writing consultancy in Rhode Island from 2018 to 2021, where she helped college students improve their writing abilities. Natalie has contributed her video game writing to several smaller websites and projects since 2018 and is eager to continue that journey with Screen Rant.

Working out of New Hampshire, Natalie spends the time she isn’t writing about games outside; hiking or biking. On those rainy days, she can be found striving for action on the latest FPS or perusing the latest comic books.

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