Merchant banks are financial institutions that provide specialized non-deposit taking banking services like corporate financing, mergers and acquisitions advisory, project financing, and securities underwriting. They work with large corporations and do not provide retail banking services to the general public. Merchant banks deal extensively in international finance and business loans. They help companies raise funds through private placements, debt/equity offerings, and provide other advisory services. Unlike investment banks, merchant banks do not underwrite and sell securities to the public through IPOs.