It's a way of simulating this:
Though less physically imposing than the other races, the Imperials are shrewd diplomats and traders
Nothing wrong with the makers of the game realizing their lore through features.
And after playing fallout and New Vegas and NEVER getting rich, perhaps the economy of Skyrim will follow suit? You might be damn happy to have that ability when your struggling to buy anything worth a damn. I know I took the scrounger perk where you find more money in fallout and still never really was rich.
Edit: If you watch the video, Todd only has 140 gold and he's level 30 ish? That is a hint that the economy will be harder than in Oblivion and more like fallout I bet.