A 21st Century Moneylender

Chantler63's Shakespeare Challenge for April - Day 2 Shylock from A Merchant of Venice

The sight of three gold balls representing a pawnbroker or moneylender was probably a familiar sight on a Victorian high street. In the second half of the 20th century, as I grew up, I don't ever recall seeing them, though I doubt that the business, which first came to the UK at the time of William the Conquer from 1066, disappeared. However today, as the 21st century marches on, we are seeing numerous online sites offering short term loans, and, as seen here, shops once more appearing on the streets.

Hopefully these new businesses do not try to claim their "pound of flesh", though by all accounts, woe betide anyone unfortunate enough to fail to make their payments, with escalating interest rates.