I have no issues with the banners. I at one time was running a new town in Ter Mur and had a banner in place. However, people that were part of my town did not want to keep participating with weekly community meetings and it seemed silly when I was left in charge of a few buildings to run the town and continue to hold the banner. So, I emailed Mesanna to remove my town from banner status and to take down the banner.
I just question the reason some want the banner. I gave mine up willingly because I didn't deserve it with a now defunct town. How many others would do this? How many are just applying for the sake of having a banner? I don't know, I just hope people are honest with their requesting for banners.
You can have a banner for a single establishment if you would like. Its set in the guidelines someone posted above. I'd say its ok to have a banner at an establishment if its actively doing events or hosting auctions on the shard. But if your not gonna be active with the community or support the RP aspects etc, then maybe you should pass on the banner. My town was not participating as much as I liked so I had my banner removed. If you get a banner, help with the shard, events and community aspects. Thats why your getting one.