Crossword Genius

A factor in becoming more impoverished (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

broker

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a factor' is the definition.
(I know that factor can be written as broker)

'becoming more impoverished' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'impoverished' could be 'broke' (breaking is a kind of impoverishing) and 'broke' is found within the answer.
A single letter 'r' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for broker that I've seen before include "Negotiate with" , "A dealer in stocks and shares" , "One buys and sells for others" , "Middleman, dealer" , "See 7" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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