home loan bank: one of 11 regional banks that monitor and make short-term credit advances to thrift institutions in their region
financial institution: an institution (public or private) that collects funds (from the public or other institutions) and invests them in financial assets
barbary coast: a part of a city that is notorious for gambling dens and brothels and saloons and riotous night life (especially the waterfront of San Francisco after the gold rush of 1849)