This appears to no longer be true: http://gregpytel.blogspot.com/2009/04/largest-heist-in-history.html http://gregpytel.blogspot.com/2009/04/largest-heist-in-hi

This appears to no longer be true: http://gregpytel.blogspot.com/2009/04/largest-heist-in-history.html http://gregpytel.blogspot.com/2009/04/largest-heist-in-histo... By financialising the mortgages and other loans, the banks can now treat them as if they were lendable cash. A bit like they can treat gold bullion like cash.