Monte dei Paschi di Siena

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. One morning, as customers lined up for their daily coffee, an elderly gentleman approached the counter and asked the cashier with a twinkle in his eye: ‘Do you accept deposits in gold coins?’ The cashier smiled politely but shook her head. The old man then leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially, 'I’ll give you three golden ducats if you just pretend!' Everyone in line burst out laughing, including the cashier who couldn’t help but smile. That day, Monte dei Paschi became known not only for its banking services but also for occasional visits from an eccentric gentleman with a sense of humor.

2. In the early hours of one foggy morning, a delivery driver pulled up to Monte dei Paschi di Siena. As he unloaded boxes from his truck, a small dog emerged from behind the building and began barking excitedly at something inside. Curious, the delivery driver followed the little dog’s barks into an empty room filled with old safes and dusty ledgers. There, nestled in a corner, was a tiny kitten playing with a crumpled envelope. The driver laughed softly, picked up both animals, and left them on the desk of a nearby colleague—a neighbor who always complained about being lonely during lunch breaks.

3. In the dim light of dawn, a curious neighbor peered out her window and whispered, ‘Who’s been leaving mysterious notes in the bank lobby?’ The note read: 'Your balance is growing with each smile.' The neighbor chuckled and thought, ‘Now that’s an interesting way to run a bank!’ Soon, everyone was leaving little messages—compliments, jokes, even drawings. By lunchtime, Monte dei Paschi had transformed into a place where smiles were deposited as often as money.

4. At midnight, when the streets were empty, a security guard patrolled the Monte dei Paschi di Siena branch. Suddenly, he heard soft footsteps echoing through the silent lobby. Curious, he followed the sound and found an old man in a trench coat, humming softly to himself. ‘Good evening,’ said the guard. The man turned around with a smile, revealing a tray of freshly baked cookies. ‘I thought you might be hungry on your late shift,’ he said. They spent the rest of the night chatting and enjoying cookies together.