June 11, 2009

After financial firms grabbed the spotlight at the beginning of the rally in March, technology stocks took over, leaving bank shares mired in uncertainty. Now, 10 large-cap companies, including JPMorgan(JPM Quote), Goldman Sachs(GS Quote) and Morgan Stanley(MS Quote) have received approval to repay funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, highlighting the stronger banks and putting investors' focus on financials once again.

Meanwhile, little-known companies are going unrecognized. Here are two micro-cap banks worthy of consideration that didn't require TARP money. And both have superior fundamentals.Catskill, N.Y.-based Greene County Bancorp(GCBC Quote) is a full-service bank offering retail, commercial, municipal and investment-management services in upstate New York.