Bank of America

(NYSE: BAC · $54.58 ▲ 0.5%) Bank of America is a financial institution serving individuals, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. It also operates in corporate and investment banking and trading. That breadth puts it among the diversified banks that combine retail deposits and lending with wealth management and capital markets activity under one group.

In the U.S., the company serves approximately 56 million consumer and small business relationships. Its products include bank accounts, credit cards, loans and health savings accounts. Through online banking, customers can view statements, receive account alerts by email or on a mobile device, pay credit card bills and check balances and account activity. A mobile banking app is also available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices. For large consumer banks, digital channels of this kind handle much of the routine servicing that once took place in branches.

Investing is offered under the Merrill brand, which spans Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, the Merrill Advisory Center and Merrill Edge self-directed accounts. Alongside these, the company operates a Private Bank and offers employer-sponsored retirement accounts and stock option plans. Such tiered structures, from self-directed brokerage to advisor-led and private banking services, are common among large banks and let clients change their level of service as their assets and needs evolve.