I rather suspect they know they will die without this, and the more astute also probably realise they will die with it, but in the interim they can continue to

I rather suspect they know they will die without this, and the more astute also probably realise they will die with it, but in the interim they can continue to draw good salaries and bonuses. And for the institutions in the loan agreement that are banks, all they're doing is some extra book keeping to raise the money involved.