Washington Mutual Inc. is a financial services company that serves consumers and small to mid-sized businesses. Through its subsidiaries, Washington Mutual engages in consumer banking, mortgage banking, commercial banking, financial services and consumer finance. The Company's principal banking subsidiaries are Washington Mutual Bank, FA, Washington Mutual Bank and Washington Mutual Bank fsb. The banking subsidiaries accept deposits from the general public, make, buy and sell residential loans, consumer loans, and commercial loans and engage in certain commercial banking activities. The Company originates, purchases, sells and services specialty mortgage finance loans through its subsidiaries, Washington Mutual Finance Corporation and Long Beach Mortgage Company. In January 2002, the Company acquired Dime Bancorp, Inc. On March 1, 2002, the Company acquired certain operating assets of HomeSide Lending, Inc., the United States mortgage unit of the National Australia Bank Limited.