DZ BANK is the central institution for some 1,000 local cooperative banks, which serve 30 million customers from a combined 12,000 branch offices across Germany. It provides administrative services for its member banks, which are also the company's owners. Additionally, DZ BANK provides corporate banking services including commercial lending for small to midsized businesses, investment banking, structured financing, and private banking. GZ-Bank and DG Bank -- Germany's primary central institutions for cooperative lenders merged in 2001 to create today's DZ BANK.

Mid-Wisconsin Financial Services likes to stay in the middle of all things financial in the Badger State. The institution is the holding company for Mid-Wisconsin Bank, which offers traditional time deposit and lending services from some 15 branches in central and northern Wisconsin. The bank also provides wealth management services including administration of pension and profit sharing plans, personal trusts, and estates, as well as securities and annuities brokerage. Commercial and residential mortgages each account for about a third of the company's loan portfolio; other offerings include business, construction, and agricultural loans. Mid-Wisconsin Bank was incorporated in 1890.

Union First Market Bankshares is the holding company for Union Bank & Trust, which operates approximately 100 branches in central, northern, and coastal portions of Virginia. The bank offers standard services such as checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and certificates of deposit. Union Bank & Trust maintains a diverse loan portfolio: Commercial real estate loans make up about 30%, while one- to four-family residential mortgages and construction loans account for approximately 20% and 15%, respectively. The bank also originates personal and business loans.

Resona Holdings focuses on consumer and small business banking in the greater Tokyo area and Kansai region. Resona Bank provides corporate pension management, banking and trust services. Personal banking services at each bank includes loans for individuals, asset management, and estate planning. The company also provides corporate banking services such as loans, pension management, and real estate services. Altogether, Resona Holdings has about 600 branches throughout Japan.

United PanAm Financial flies the choppy skies of subprime lending. Operating through subsidiaries United Auto Credit Corporation (UACC) and United Auto Business Operations (UABO), the specialty finance firm originates, buys, and services auto loan contracts for high-risk customers. The company buys contracts from independent and franchised used car dealers. Most borrowers have less-than-perfect credit histories, which impairs their ability to secure loans. UACC, once heavily localized in California, now has more than 15 offices throughout the country -- a dramatic decrease from what it had only a few years ago. Chairman Guillermo Bron and investment firm Pine Brook Road are buying United PanAm.

Fentura Financial has its hands full. Fentura Financial is the holding company for Michigan community banks The State Bank, Davison State Bank, and West Michigan Community Bank. From about 20 branch locations, the banks provide commercial and consumer banking services and products, including checking and savings accounts and loans. Commercial loans account for some two-thirds of the bank's combined loan portfolio. The State Bank, Fentura's first subsidiary, traces its origins to 1898.

GrandSouth Bancorporation operates as the bank holding company for GrandSouth Bank that provides commercial banking services to individuals and businesses in South Carolina. Its deposit products include business and personal checking accounts, NOW accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, term certificates of deposit, and IRA accounts. The companys loan portfolio comprises secured and unsecured, short-to-intermediate term loans with floating and fixed interest rates for commercial, consumer, and residential purposes.

Firstrust Savings Bank serves individuals and businesses from about two dozen branches in eastern Pennsylvania's Delaware and Lehigh valleys, and a single branch in southwestern New Jersey. It offers traditional products such as checking, savings, and money market accounts; CDs; and credit cards. Commercial and industrial loans make up the largest portion of its loan portfolio, which also includes commercial mortgages, residential mortgages, construction loans, consumer loans, and lease financing receivables. The bank's Firstrust Financial Resources unit provides investments, retirement and estate planning, 401(k) and pension plans, employee benefits, and insurance through an agreement with AXA Advisors.

Vestin Group is investin' in commercial real estate. Through subsidiaries, the firm originates, invests in, and services mortgages secured by commercial properties such as apartment complexes, office buildings, shopping centers, and assisted living facilities. Its Vestin Mortgage subsidiary manages two real estate investment trusts (REITs) and a real estate investment fund, all focusing on mortgages and deeds of trust. Vestin Originations issues and services short-term commercial mortgages and construction loans; most are between $2.5 million and $10 million and have one-year terms. The company's portfolio also consists of acquisition, development, land, and bridge loans. CEO Michael Shustek owns Vestin Group.

Hitachi Capital helps business help customers buy stuff. Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC (HCUK) is a provider of financial services, including business cash flow, commercial asset finance, vehicle finance and management, and retailer finance. Hitachi Capital company, formerly Hitachi Credit, operates through various divisions and subsidiaries, including Hitachi Capital Business Finance, Hitachi Capital Credit Management, and Hitachi Capital Insurance Europe. HCUK provides finance for some 330,000 consumers, 45,000 fleet vehicles and provides asset finance and block discounting for 5,500 companies. Hitachi Capital Corporation, a unit of Japan's Hitachi, Ltd., owns HCUK and operates it as a wholly owned subsidiary.

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