Crossword Genius

Cool Italian banker’s thick-skinned customer (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hippo

'thick-skinned customer' is the definition.
(thick-skinned animal)

'cool italian banker's' is the wordplay.
'cool' becomes 'hip'.
'italian banker' becomes 'po' (Italian river, something that 'banks').
'hip'+'po'='HIPPO'

(Other definitions for hippo that I've seen before include "Aquatic creature" , "Water-loving mammal" , "Great beast" , "Semiaquatic animal" , "Augustine's place" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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