meaning of ‘arms’ in this text?

In the United States, the rescue effort may also grow. The Treasury Department, officials said, is weighing whether to expand its program of capital injections to encompass insurance companies, many of which own savings and loans, and is under pressure to include the financing arms of the auto companies. The government injections are currently reserved for banks.

question: meaning of ‘arms’ in this text.

thanks.

financing arms of the auto companies would be like Ford Motor Credit or other auto makers financial "arms"