Financial services are the activities that businesses, governments, and individuals engage in to further their economic objectives. These activities include buying and selling products (or assets), issuing stocks, initiating loans, and maintaining accounts. When these services are strong, the economy is healthy. However, when these services fail, the economy suffers.
The financial services industry seems to be all-encompassing today, with banks offering everything from checking accounts and savings accounts to mortgages and auto loans. But it wasn’t always that way. Before the 1970s, each sector of financial services tended to stick to its own specialty.
For example, investment banking firms specialized in helping public companies and corporations raise capital by selling shares or bonds. Insurance companies sold insurance to protect people and businesses against property loss or damage. Commercial banks handled deposits and loans, but only a few provided other financial services like money market accounts or mutual funds.
Technology has allowed financial services to expand and diversify. Now it’s possible for small, specialized firms to provide financial services that were once the province of only large institutions. These include family offices, which provide investment and wealth management services to wealthy families. Also, online brokerages allow small investors to buy and sell stock without the expense of having a broker.
Some financial services are still tied to specific government regulations. For example, national banks may be required to extend credit lines to industries in need of assistance.
In general, these industries are important to the global economy, and they have a significant influence on domestic politics and foreign relations. They can have a positive impact on consumer confidence and purchasing power when they are strong, but can have a negative effect when they falter.
The success of financial services is tied to the health of the economy as a whole. When these sectors are strong, the overall economy is healthy and consumers are confident enough to spend. But when they are weak, it can lead to recession and even depression.
A career in financial services offers a variety of opportunities, including a high level of job satisfaction. Moreover, since many of these professionals work for large multinational organizations, there are often plenty of opportunities to travel around the world and meet new people.
In addition to this, working in the financial services industry provides excellent career progression possibilities. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, there will always be room for advancement within this sector. Whether you’re an accountant, analyst, or investor, you can choose from an array of roles in this highly lucrative industry.