One of the key factors in shaping an individual lender's loan portfolio is the 
profile of characteristics of the market area it serves.Larger banks focus 
on wholesale lending, with a majority of their loans going to large businesses.2- A lender in a suburban area with many single-family homes and small retail 
stores typically focuses on residential real estate loans, auto loans, and household 
credit.Conversely, a lender in a central city surrounded by office buildings, 
department stores, and manufacturing establishments primarily offers business 
loans for inventory, equipment, and payrolls.