You've finally scraped together enough Geo to buy that expensive charm from Sly. Then, naturally, you get cornered by a Great Hopper or fall into a pit of spikes. You die. You panic. Now you're rushing back to your Shade, praying you don't take a stupid hit on the way and lose your entire fortune.
We've all been there. It sucks. It’s exactly why the idea of a bank in Hallownest sounds like a literal godsend. A safe place for your hard-earned cash? Sign me up. But in a world as bleak as this one, nothing is ever quite that simple. If you're looking for the bank, there is one, but there's a massive catch that most new players learn the hard way.
Where is the bank in Hollow Knight? Finding the Fog Canyon Branch
Finding the bank isn't actually that hard if you know where to look. It’s located in Fog Canyon, tucked away right near the border of the Queen’s Station. Honestly, if you’ve just arrived at the station from the Fungal Wastes, you’re basically on its doorstep.
You’ll want to head into the Fog Canyon area and look for a little shell-shaped structure with a bench symbol near it. There, you’ll meet an NPC named Millibelle. She’s a cheerful-looking bug who promises to keep your Geo safe from the "terrible things" that happen when you carry it around.
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The Cost of "Security"
Opening an account isn't free. Millibelle asks for a 100 Geo opening fee. Once you pay that, you can deposit your money in increments. It feels great at first. You drop off your cash, go fight a boss, and don’t have to worry about your Shade holding a 2,000 Geo death penalty.
The bank has a strict limit, though. You can only store up to 4,500 Geo in total. Most players find this useful for saving up for the Lantern or those pricey Charms early on.
The Twist: What Really Happens to Your Geo?
Here is where things get messy. If you’ve been searching for "where is the bank in Hollow Knight" because your banker suddenly vanished, I have some bad news.
Millibelle is a scammer. It’s one of the most famous "gut-punch" moments in the game. Once you deposit more than 2,550 Geo and then go sit on a bench or travel to another area, Millibelle decides she’s had enough of the banking life. She packs up her "office"—which, if you hit it, you'll realize is just a cardboard cutout—and disappears with every single cent you gave her.
Is your money gone forever?
Kinda, but not really. This isn't just a cruel joke by Team Cherry (well, it is, but there's a resolution). You can actually get your money back, but it involves a bit of a manhunt. You won't find her back in Fog Canyon. She’s moved on to much more "luxurious" accommodations.
Tracking Down the Thief: The Pleasure House
To get your Geo back, you need to find Millibelle’s new hangout. She’s living it up in the Pleasure House, which is a sub-area within the City of Tears.
Specifically, you’ll find the entrance to the left of King’s Station. Look for a building with a hot spring symbol outside. You’re going to need a Simple Key to unlock the door. If you don't have one, you can buy one from Sly in Dirtmouth or find one in the Ancient Basin.
Once you’re inside, take the elevator up to the very top floor where the hot spring is. You’ll see her lounging in the water, looking very relaxed for someone who just robbed a ghost.
How to recover your Geo (with interest!)
Don't bother trying to talk sense into her. She’ll give you some nervous excuse about the money being "safe" or "gone." To get your Geo back, you have to attack her.
Don’t worry, you can't actually kill her. Every time you hit her with your Nail, she’ll spit out Geo. You can even juggle her in the air to make the process faster. The best part? You actually get back about 1.5 times the amount she stole.
- If she stole 2,550 Geo: You’ll get back around 3,800.
- If she stole the full 4,500 Geo: You can walk away with roughly 6,750.
Essentially, by letting her scam you, you’ve actually made a high-risk investment that pays out better than any legitimate bank ever would.
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Why You Should (Maybe) Still Use the Bank
Knowing she’s going to rob you might make you want to avoid her entirely. But think about it: Geo can be hard to come by early in the game. Using the bank as a way to "hide" money from yourself while you explore dangerous areas like Deepnest isn't a bad idea.
Plus, the "interest" you get back from beating her up in the Pleasure House is one of the easiest ways to fund the Unbreakable Charms from Divine later in the game. Those cost a fortune (12,000 to 15,000 Geo each), and every bit helps.
Pro-Tip for the Scam
If you want to maximize your profit, wait until you have exactly 2,549 Geo in the bank. Then, come back with a huge stack of cash and deposit everything until you hit the 4,500 limit. This ensures she runs away with the maximum amount possible, giving you the biggest payout when you finally track her down.
Quick Location Summary for Your Journey
If you're in the middle of a run and just need the coordinates, here is the basic pathing:
- The Bank Location: Fog Canyon, directly east of the Queen's Station entrance. Look for the shell.
- The Trigger: Deposit at least 2,550 Geo.
- The Recovery Spot: City of Tears, Pleasure House (top floor). Use a Simple Key near King’s Station.
- The Refund: Hit her until the Geo stops falling.
Honestly, the "Hollow Knight banker" experience is a rite of passage. Most of us felt that heart-sinking moment of seeing the empty bank stall for the first time. But once you realize she’s basically a walking piggy bank with a 50% interest rate, you’ll probably find yourself looking forward to the heist on your next playthrough.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your inventory for a Simple Key. If you’ve already been scammed and haven't visited the City of Tears yet, prioritize getting into the Pleasure House. Not only will you get your Geo back, but you’ll also find a Wanderer's Journal and the ghost of Marissa, which adds some great flavor to the world of Hallownest. Just make sure you're ready for the long trek through the City's elevator shafts to reach the top.