Security Finance Corporation of Spartanburg. Founded in 1955, the consumer loan company provides personal loans typically ranging from $100 to $600 (some states, however, allow loan amounts as high as $3,000). Customers can also turn to Security Finance for credit reports and tax preparation services. The company has approximately 800 offices in about 15 states operating mainly under the Security Finance, Sunbelt Credit, and PFS banners. It also has locations operating as Security Financial Services and Longhorn Finance in North Carolina and Texas, respectively.

Bank of America boasts one of the country's most extensive branch networks with more than 5,900 locations covering some 40 states from coast to coast. Its core services include consumer and small business banking, credit cards, and asset management. In early 2009 Bank of America paid some $50 billion in stock for Merrill Lynch, which had been crippled by the global credit crisis. The acquisition of the once-mighty investment bank known as "The Bull," which has an extensive retail brokerage network, beefs up Bank of America's wealth management, investment banking, and international business.

One of the largest financial services firms in Taiwan, Cathay Financial Holding Co. owns companies involved in banking, insurance, brokerage, and more. Its holdings include life, accident, and health insurer Cathay Life; property/casualty coverage provider Cathay Century; brokerage firm Cathay Securities; and Cathay United Bank, which offers consumer banking services such as deposit accounts, home mortgages, credit cards, and car loans, as well as international banking and trust services. Cathay Financial Group also has units devoted to venture capital investing. All told, the company has more than 700 locations and claims a customer base of more than ten million.

Desert Schools Federal Credit Union operates more than 50 locations in the Phoenix area, serving more than 370,000 members. Established in 1939 by a group of 15 teachers, the credit union offers traditional banking products and services, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and credit cards. Its lending activities include home mortgage, vehicle, personal, and student loans, as well as business loans and lines of credit. Subsidiary Desert Schools Financial Services provides investment advisory, retirement, insurance, and tax planning services.

The Ohio State Bank was founded in 1988 as The Marion Bank. Its mission was “To be a leader in providing quality banking services to all customers, at a fair price, with superior service and profitable growth.” The foundation of the Bank was to provide hometown banking, personalized service, and values you can bank on.

First Merchants makes community banking its first priority. The company owns First Merchants Bank, which operates some 80 branches in Indiana and western Ohio. The bank provides standard consumer and commercial banking services, including checking and savings accounts, CDs, and check cards. Loans secured by commercial real estate and farmland account for the largest portion of the company's loan portfolio (more than a third), followed by residential mortgages and business loans. First Merchants Corporation also owns First Merchants Trust Company, which provides trust and asset management services, and First Merchants Insurance Services, which sells personal, property/casualty, and employee benefit coverage.

CBRE | Melody helps commercial real estate owners sing a sweeter tune. A unit of real estate powerhouse CB Richard Ellis, the real estate investment banking and commercial mortgage lending firm offers a variety of debt and equity financing products and related services through more than 35 offices in major cities throughout North America. Loan servicing is provided through GEMSA Loan Services, its joint venture with GE Real Estate. CBRE | Melody offers construction, permanent, mezzanine, and other types of financing for apartment complexes, office buildings, hotels, and industrial and retail properties.

Security Federal is the holding company for Security Federal Bank, which has about a dozen offices in southwestern South Carolina's Aiken and Lexington counties. It expanded into Columbia, South Carolina and eastern Georgia in 2007. The bank offers checking and savings accounts, credit cards, CDs, IRAs, and other retail products and services. Commercial business and mortgage loans make up more than 60% of the company's lending portfolio, which also includes residential mortgages (about 25%), and consumer loans. Security Federal also offers trust services, investments, and life, home, and auto insurance.

Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M., whose name translates as National Bank of Israel, offers retail banking (for consumers and small businesses), commercial banking (middle-market businesses), corporate banking (large companies), and private banking (wealthy clients) through deposits, mortgages and other loans, credit cards, trust services, and investments. It has about 235 branches in Israel and more than 80 locations (including branches, agencies, and representative offices) in some 20 countries, including the US. Subsidiary Leumi Partners provides corporate investment banking services and makes direct investments in nonbanking businesses.

Magyar Bancorp is the holding company for Magyar Bank, which serves central New Jersey individuals and businesses through about a half-dozen offices. The bank offers standard deposit products including checking and savings accounts, NOW accounts, and CDs. It uses these funds to originate loans and invest in securities. Magyar Bank focuses on real estate lending, including construction loans, residential and commercial mortgages, and home equity loans, which altogether account for about 90% of its loan portfolio. Mutual holding company Magyar Bancorp, MHC, owns 56% of Magyar Bancorp.

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