Simplified banking strategy to optimise effects of inflation:

1. Take in $1,000 of savings;
2. Convert savings into $1,000 of gold;
3. Customer wants savings back a year later;
4. Sell gold for $1,100 because inflation was 10% pa;
5. Give customer $1,000 and keep change!

Now, with all the world's savings in the bank and a steady 2% inflation rate that soon amounts to some serious cash.