ATB Financial (originally Alberta Treasury Branches) is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Alberta—making it the only government-owned bank in Canada outside of Quebec. Established during the Great Depression in 1938 when banks were refusing loans to Alberta farmers, ATB now operates like a regular bank, offering savings accounts, mortgages, loans, and investment services. Unlike private banks that answer to shareholders seeking profits, ATB's mandate includes supporting Alberta's economy, particularly in rural areas where private banks might not maintain branches. ATB's profits go to the provincial government rather than shareholders. This provincial ownership model shows how governments can directly provide financial services as an alternative to purely private banking.