Modern Capitalism
Introduction Recently, during a dinner conversation, my father mentioned receiving numerous unsolicited phone calls from banks inviting him to invest. I immediately responded that if the world truly offered free money without any work and risk, it would likely be a scam disguised as an investment opportunity, primarily designed to benefit the salesperson. Historically, banks have been trusted institutions where individuals could safely deposit their savings and earn interest. However, in recent years, many banks have increasingly adopted aggressive marketing tactics. For example, after making significant credit card purchases, I frequently receive offers for high-interest loans to repay the debt over several months (e.g. interest rate as high as 7.99% per annum). These practices suggested that some banks have adopted a predatory lending approach, reminiscent of loan sharks, preying on the financial struggles of consumers. This trend is particularly concerning given the rising cost of l...