Brasil S.A., Alagoas, adding a network of 180 branches to the organisation. At that time, Banco da Lavoura became the largest private bank in Brazil. With its position in Brazil consolidated, the bank began its operations abroad. In 1957, it was the first Brazilian bank to open a representative office - which was to become a full agency in 1964 - in New York City. Also in 1957, it was the first bank to set up business in Brasilia, even before the inauguration of the future federal capital, thus receiving the "operating license No. 1". During the period from 1958 to 1966, Banco da Lavoura purchased Banco Vera Cruz, with a total of 346 branches, and created Banco Real de Investimentos S.A. The year 1969 was marked by important events, such as the creation of two additional financial businesses: Companhia Real de Investimentos (The Real Investment Company) and Companhia Real de Crédito Imobiliário (The Real Property Loans Company), in addition to the purchase of Banco Mercantil de Niterói. On 1 March 1971 the bank moved its head office from Belo Horizonte to São Paulo and the bank assumed its current name Banco Real S.A. Defunct banks of Brazil Banks established in 1925 Banks disestablished in 1971