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Final Note

The mafia is Italy’s biggest bank

Kai Ryssdal Jan 11, 2012

This final note today, the Cosa Nostra edition. A report out in Italy earlier this week says the mafia is that country’s biggest bank. Apparently, it’s been making big gains during the European debt crisis: more loans — if you can call ’em that — to people who can’t get cash elsewhere.

The mob, according to the Italian firm SOS Impressa, does $178 billion worth of business a year. Profit margin’s about 60 percent.

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