TOEFL Reading: ETS-TOEFL阅读机经 - T_6E3JU37235IOQGL$

Why does the author mention in the passage that the Bardi and Peruzzi banks were "the two largest financial houses of Europe?" A. To indicate the connection between Florence banks and the English government B. To emphasize the great impact that these bank failures had on the economy C. To compare the Bardi and Peruzzi banks with the Riccardi bank D. To indicate the success that these banks had previously achieved