Astoria Financial Corporation (NYSE: AF), the holding company for Astoria Bank, operates as a regional thrift institution focused on retail banking and mortgage lending primarily in the New York metropolitan area; it offers deposit products including checking accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit; multi-family and commercial real estate mortgage loans, residential mortgage loans, consumer loans such as home equity lines of credit and overdraft protection, and commercial and industrial loans including equipment loans, letters of credit, and term loans; as well as life insurance agency services, ATM access, and digital banking via telephone, internet, and mobile platforms. Founded in 1888 and headquartered in Lake Success, New York, the company historically maintained approximately 88 full-service branches across New York state, targeting individual consumers, small businesses, and local communities with a emphasis on asset quality and deposit gathering. In a major strategic development, Astoria Financial merged with Sterling Bancorp in an all-stock transaction valued at $2.2 billion completed on October 2, 2017, forming a larger entity with around $30 billion in assets, $20 billion in loans, and $19 billion in deposits to broaden commercial lending capabilities and enhance market presence in the greater New York City region while retaining Astoria Bank's branch network and operational strengths.