No one is immune to debt, and the majority of us are in some form of financial debt (1, 2, 3). Studies show that not having enough money, and especially being in debt, causes serious physical and mental distress (1, 2, 3). This article investigates why banks put people into debt, and uncovers why a world without any debt is completely possible. The modern word 'bank' stems from the word 'banca' used in Italy during the Middle Ages, but the goldsmiths of 17th Century England are often cited as where contemporary banking began (1, 2, 3, 4). In those days, people would deposit their gold for safe keeping with the goldsmiths who issued a piece of paper (or promissory note) for the gold stored. The goldsmiths then loaned the depositor's gold out to others in the form of further promissory notes, making good profits from the interest they charged (source).