Were Merchants and bankers the most powerful during the Renaissance?

During the Renaissance, merchants and bankers indeed gained significant power and influence, primarily due to the rise of trade and the growth of a wealthy merchant class. Their control over finance and commerce allowed them to fund artistic endeavors, influence politics, and support the burgeoning economy. Cities like Florence became centers of banking and trade, exemplifying the shift from feudalism to a more market-oriented economy. However, while they were powerful, they coexisted with and were often subordinate to the traditional nobility and the Church, which still held considerable sway.