Gringotts Bank was Re: PoA question and Sirius

[Ali <Ali@zymurgy.org>]

No: HPFGUIDX 50519


 Kathryn Wolber wrote:-

   Also, Sirius said he had money taken from his Gringotts account, 
he didn't actually say he went to Gringotts and took out money.

Maybe the order form had a place to put your vault number and the 
money was just removed for him and no one ever had to know it was 
Sirius Black's vault.

James P Robinson replied:-
 
> I do not think the goblins would care.  Sirius is a convicted 
murderer, not a bank robber.  Gringotts seems to me to be the 
equivalent of an offshore (or a truly international) bank.  I do not 
believe Gringotts or the goblins that run it are under the authority 
of the MoM.  Canon evidence:  Sirius' account had been neither frozen 
not confiscated, nor apparently was any notification given to the MoM 
of activity in the account.  The merchant need never of known whose 
money was being spent.  Same as paying with cash or a money order.

I say:-

To me, Gringotts is equivalent to an average English clearing bank, 
except, that it deals in Galleons and is run by goblins - ok, that 
does make it rather different <vbg>. English Banks owe their 
customers a Duty of Care and a Duty of Secrecy. They would only 
divulge information relating to their customers for a few very 
specific legal reasons, which do not include being a murderer per se.

Sirius should expect to have the same rights with regards to the 
operation of his account as any other customer. Where things perhaps 
become a little more complex is how he was able to authorise 
Crookshanks to take money from his account.  I had a similar problem 
over Mrs Weasley taking money for Harry as their appeared to be no 
written authorisation. Gringotts bank must allow cats to withdraw 
money in a way we Muggle Bankers would never do, and possession of a 
key must equate to authorisation....

Ali, formerly a bank manager