If you are one of those who rails against the short-termism and excessive risk-taking of some banks and finance businesses, you might note that a public sector financial institution, the Debt Management Office, has taken a reassuringly long-term approach to managing the UK government's debts - and without its prudence, we might all be in Queer Street or Skid Row by now.

BBC: Why investors love lending to the UK government

Indeed, some of his projects bankrolling a catalogue, selling toys and art made by people from Los Angeles's Skid Row seem to ask for it.

ECONOMIST: The gospel of wealth

In recent years, the pawn industry, once saddled with a skid-row reputation, has targeted a more mainstream and sometimes downright wealthy clientele by offering to deliver short-term cash with speed and discretion.

WSJ: SmartMoney: Hocking the Jewels: Pawnshops Dipping Into Deeper Pockets