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Odd Jobs

A number of banks have found unique niches as they pursue growth.


Wine a Little Bit
SVB Financial Group in Santa Clara, Calif., is best known for funding technology companies, but it also has a thriving business of lending to wineries. (Image: ThinkStock)

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Odd Jobs

Hooray for Hollywood
City National Corp. in Los Angeles lends to movie producers and affluent members of the entertainment industry. Such loans make up roughly a quarter of its total loan portfolio. (Image: ThinkStock)

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Odd Jobs

Planning for the Afterlife
Forethought Federal Savings Bank in Batesville, Ind., focuses on loans related to funeral planning services. An advertisement for the thrift is in a recent edition of Funeral Business Advisor magazine. (Image: ThinkStock)

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Odd Jobs

Are Pets Allowed?
First Associations Bank in Dallas specializes in lending to community association management companies. The bank states on its website that it had zero nonperforming assets at March 31. (Image: ThinkStock)

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Odd Jobs

Striking the Right Note
Avenue Bank in Nashville, Tenn., focuses on the music industry. It lists Kix Brooks, formerly of country music duo Brooks & Dunn among its founders. (Image: ThinkStock)

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Odd Jobs

On the Field
SunTrust Banks Inc. in Atlanta has a division that focuses on musicians, actors, artists, athletes and agents. It began as a motorsports business in 2004. (Image: ThinkStock)

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Odd Jobs

Cleaning Up
Community South Bank in Parsons, Tenn., likes to do business with car washes. If you want to buy, renovate, expand or build a car wash, they want your business. (Image: ThinkStock)

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Odd Jobs

On the Block
Emigrant Bank in New York has a fine art division that lends money to clients using their art collections and antiques as collateral. (Image: ThinkStock)

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