Financial services include everything that touches money. That includes mortgages, credit cards, savings accounts, investments and more. The sector is a vital part of any country’s economy, and it plays an important role in the personal finances of people everywhere. A healthy finance industry allows individuals to take out loans for homes, cars and college education. It helps families save for retirement and other goals, and it provides businesses with the funds they need to expand and grow.
A weak financial industry can bring a nation’s economy down, as shown by the Great Recession of 2008. The sector is so intertwined with the global economy that even a small dip in its health can trigger widespread economic turmoil.
The most common subsectors of financial services are banking, asset management, investment management and insurance. All of these offer unique job opportunities to those who have the right skills and knowledge. Investing and saving have become more popular than ever, and digital innovations are helping customers manage their money better than ever before.
While many people associate financial services with major banks and hedge funds, the sector also encompasses small community banks and credit unions. It also includes a variety of credit and debit card networks and providers, such as Visa and Mastercard. These companies offer a convenient way to pay for goods and services, and they provide an important source of revenue for the larger banks that back them.
Other important subsectors of the financial services industry are credit rating agencies and aggregators, which collect, verify and analyze information about securities and other assets. These agencies help investors make informed decisions and protect them from fraud. They also play an important role in the debt markets, as they help investors understand the risks and potential rewards of taking on more debt.
In addition, there are private equity and venture capital providers, who supply investment capital to new companies in exchange for ownership stakes or profit participation. This group is important for launching and supporting technology firms, especially in the 1990s. Insurance is another critical component of financial services, and it includes policies that protect against death or injury (e.g., life and disability insurance) as well as property loss or damage (e.g., homeowner’s and car insurance).
Financial services also include brokerage services, which buy and sell securities for clients. They may also provide financial consulting and other services to their clients. They may also manage assets for high-net-worth clients and advise on mergers and acquisitions. The sector also includes foreign currency exchange and wire transfer services, as well as credit card payment services. Finally, it includes a variety of specialized financial exchanges, such as those that facilitate stock and derivatives trades. All of these sectors are important to the overall health of the global economy.