Anyone who attended a Catholic mass this weekend (or went to another church that uses the Revised Common Lectionary) heard the Parable of the Talents. (Matt 25:14-30)

For those not familiar; Before leaving on a trip, a rich man gives three of his servants some money (talents). Two of them invest it wisely and make healthy profits, for which the master rewards them with more authority. The third, being afraid of his master, buries the money and gives it back when the master returns. Angry, the master berates the servant saying that:

"Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest."

Now, obviously, this 'bank' wouldn't look too much like our modern conception of one. But, questions of authorship and Divine Inspiration aside, the writer of the parable expected his 1st century readers to understand what he was talking about.

So what did it look like? Who could invest? How did the bank then make its money? What rates of return could be expected? Was there any sort of guarantee of a set rate of return? Was your principle protected, or was it more like a mutual fund? How easily could withdrawals be made?

Thanks!