1) Are there any banks other than the one in Fountainhead?

2) Some items need to be equipped in order to be used. Eg. rod. But... it seems you can equip and unequip them anytime you want even in combat. So in essence if you want to use the rod, you enequip shield, equip rod, use rod, unequip rod, equip shield.
Is you can use the rod anytime you want anyway. Is this an oversight or am I missing something here?

I haven't played 3 yet, but in the MM games I've played, there are banks all around the world.

Yes, you can do that. You can't change armour in battle, at least in the MMs I've played, but things in your hands can be changed - which makes sense, really.

1.) The bank in Fountain Head is the only one.
2.) After using the rod your character's turn is over so he won't be wearing the shield when the monsters attack him immediately afterwards.

Until I read kmonster's answer, I would have said "but of course!". But maybe I am remembering it wrong, probably due to the fact that it is easy enough to access any town from any other town via the portal (e.g. use HOME for Fountain Head).

Thanks all Ahh, I see. So the only time when the fact that the rod must be equipped in order to be used is important is when monsters attack you right after your attack (because if it's one of your team members turn, you can just put shield back...)