A lot of people these days don't have credit for a loan. So they foolishly go to the shadiest bar downtown and find the local connected guy. Unfortunately, they sometimes end up with guys like Teets Battaglia, but money is so tight that it clouds the innocent's judgement. They get desperate and take the risk. There's hardly any legal usury these days. And on the streets if you're a criminal, there are certain shylocks with a reputation of being businesslike with no brutality. So a semi-connected guy can feel safe going to the sharks.