There exists the myth of "banksters" – often under discussion within the pages of The Daily Bell. In fact, absent government involvement – mercantilism – there is nothing wrong with a "bankster" or banking of even the most aggressive sort.
Banksters might commonly be said to have evolved from Venice banking manipulations in the 11th century and then become truly powerful in the 15th century with the invention of modern central banking.
Of course, central banking was different 500 years ago, but much of the mechanism was developed long ago, and banksters took advantage of it. The ability to print money from thin air and charge for the privilege was the base and fulcrum of banker power.
Today, banksters (also referred to as the Monetary Elite) are said to run the world through their ability to print money and set into motion various dominant social themes that frighten the world's population into giving up ever more power and wealth to the banksters' chosen global institutions. The goal is said to be one-world domination.
Of course, absent mercantilism – the blurring of public and private sectors and privileges – banksters would not have the power they currently have. Absent government power, the free market itself would sort through the most horrid of these practices in short order.
It is precisely because the free market would make a hash of today's abusive banking, worldwide, that those involved in global banking have turned to government to ensure their monopoly power. Absent government coercion, the bankster monopoly would not long survive.