How would a loan shark operate today to be successful?

I mean if a guy was to try to intimidate a business owner who owed him money, the majority would laugh in his face and the feds would be knocking down the guys door in no time.

So how the fuck would a guy even make a living in todays world being a loan shark?[/quote]

The key in my eyes is not charging extortionate rates but being a useful solution for someone who needs/wants fast cash. It's never hard to find someone who wants money right? Important is getting the balance between being profitable and not pushing someone beyond their means so that it becomes an issue. Old school style of charging extortionate rates and then threatening them should be gone, but it can still be profitable.

Take New York, the number of people there, the number of small businesses and the crazy prices of rent, cost of living etc. It should be a loansharks playground