Pioneer Trail Sneak Peek: Bank building (finally) coming soon

Way back in April of this year, Zynga released a user survey for FrontierVille players (that is, back when the game was still called FrontierVille, and not the Pioneer Trail), asking us what we'd think of a new Bank feature. Of course, that led us to believe that a Bank was to be released sooner, rather than later. But here we are, just now hearing official confirmation that yes, a Bank is coming to the game--and soon.

We'd guess that if anything, the Bank will launch in the game as early as tomorrow, as Tuesdays tend to be very active in the world of Pioneer Trail. However, what the Bank will do exactly still remains to be seen. Via Zynga's teaser, we've been told that "A Bank will give you a nice little nest egg and lots more!" If we head back to the survey released earlier this year, the Bank idea was touted alongside a Stock Market, loans, interest rates and even Bank Robberies.

While I can see the idea of Bank Robberies actually being turned into a feature (perhaps we need to ask friends to help us catch the robbers), the idea of us receiving Loans on coins from the Bank is also an interesting one. Do you need to plant a large number of crops for a goal, but don't have the money to do so? Just take out a Loan from the Bank and pay back the coins, perhaps plus a little interest, once those crops have been harvested. Or, perhaps the Bank could be as simple a feature as giving us a place to store our coins, where we might earn interest the longer we've stored them.

Of course, the above is purely speculation, but it does leave us with plenty to think about until the Bank officially makes its presence known in the game. We'll make sure to let you know exactly what the Bank entails as soon as it launches, so keep checking back.

What do you think of the idea of a Bank on your Homestead? Would you ever take out a loan to complete a goal or task more quickly than if you had to earn the coins the hard way?

Pioneer Trail Bank and Goals: Everything you need to know

After a lengthy trek through the Pioneer Trail, it's about time to come home and build something, no? Luckily, Zynga agrees, as it just released the oft-teased Bank building to this FrontierVille expansion. The Bank will allow players to deposit coins for special rewards. (Sorry, no robbers just yet.)

Players Level 16 and above will be granted a new set of Goals upon returning to their homesteads from the Trail, and can immediately get started on this interesting new feature. Here's everything you need to know about the Bank Goals in Pioneer Trail:

A Nest Egg

    Start Building A Bank
    Clear 10 Grass
    Collect 1 General Store Bonus


To start building the Bank, find it in the Market for a mere 1,900 coins and 50 Wood. Put it any old place to fulfill this requirement, and collect from the General Store once. Your rewards for this simple Goal are 100XP, 500 Coins and one Bag of Money (whatever that does). To start building the Bank, you will need to find the items pictured below from your friends:

Pioneer Trail Bank upgrade
Paper Pushin'

    Visit Jack's Homestead & Collect From His Bank
    Visit 5 Neighbors
    Collect 12 Bankin' Permits


Visiting neighbors should be second nature in Pioneer Trail by now. To grab the 12 Bankin' Permits, ask your friends through the Goal menu. For completing this Goal, enjoy 250XP, 500 Coins and a Banker's Apron.

Pioneer Trail Bank interactionThem Bulls 'N' Bears

    Scare 3 Bears
    Tend 10 Adult Oxen
    Collect 10 Gold Certificates


Scaring Bears is as easy as clicking on them, and I doubt the Cannon would be applicable in this Goal. If you don't have any Adult Oxen, they cost 990 coins on the Market. The Gold Certificates likely also come from friend requests. Your rewards: 1 Grizzly Oak, 300XP and 500 Coins.

Countin' Yer Chickens

    Buy 5 Chicks
    Sell 20 Adult Chickens
    Make 4 Bank Deposits


Five chicks from the Market would cost a paltry 375 coins, while selling 20 Adult Chickens could take some time. To make a deposit in the Bank, click on the building and choose "Deposit." Then, choose the amount you want to deposit from the preset options, and confirm the transaction. You'll receive a special item for doing so, and you can only deposit or withdrawal a total of three times daily. So, this Goal will take more than one day regardless. Enjoy 500XP, 500 Coins and one Chicken for completing this Goal.

Pioneer Trail Bank deposit
Seal The Deal

    Collect A Neighbor's Bank Bonus
    Harvest 10 Cabbage
    Collect 10 Silver Notes


You can interact with neighboring Banks just like you would any other animal, crop or debris. The 10 Cabbage will cost you 2,650 coins and take a least 16 hours without Boosts. The 10 Silver Notes look like they're from friends as well. Your rewards for completing this final task are 750XP, 500 Coins and one Gold Bullion.

[Source and Image Credit: Zynga]

Check out the rest of our FrontierVille Cheats & Tips right here. >

Have you started your Bank in Pioneer Trail yet? What do you think of the new feature so far?