The attraction of profit (8)
I believe the answer is:
interest
This clue is a double definition.
'the attraction' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)
'profit' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
'of' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for interest that I've seen before include "Attract - curiosity" , "Cost of borrowing" , "something that is enjoyable" , "Money paid on deposit account or loans" , "Concern or pastime" .)