Why not use a less crude metaphor, like “courtship”, which would have made the same point?
Because it was exactly the boorish, fumbling, jerkish behavior of the money managers which he was trying to highlight. Calling it "courtship" would have had the opposite effect - made it sound like the money managers were honorable fellows, showing up on the porch with a box of chocolates under their arms, straw boater in hand, asking to speak to the "young lady's father" and ask him for permission...
Regards,