A financial services industry is a huge business that includes Wall Street, credit unions, banks, and other companies that provide money management products and advice. It encompasses everything from a mortgage to a savings account. It also includes the critical utilities that support these functions. The sector is worth billions of dollars. But it’s not without its challenges, including a widespread lack of understanding about products and services, debt, and basic money management.

A strong financial sector is vital to a healthy economy. It advances loans for businesses to expand, grants mortgages for people to buy homes, and issues insurance policies that protect people’s property and health. It’s also a major employer and generates a lot of revenue.

Most people know about the stock market and Wall Street. But there are many other financial services that people use every day. These include credit card services, banking, and even pawnshops. The broader category of consumer finance is made up of the many different ways that people pay for goods and services with credit cards, loans, and mortgages.

This sector is a big part of the economy and a key driver of economic growth. Its role is to create capital, which in turn drives production and consumption. Without it, the economy would stagnate and the standard of living would decline. A financial services industry can help a country grow and avoid recessions.

The financial sector also helps promote domestic and foreign trade. Its factoring and forfaiting companies can step up the sale of goods in the domestic market, while its banks and insurance services can encourage investment and savings in other countries. This sector can also increase a company’s value by allowing it to borrow funds at low rates.

While the financial services industry is regulated, it can be a risky place to work. The risks can range from the possibility of losing a large sum of money to the threat of being sued by a customer for making a bad decision. For this reason, financial services workers must be careful to abide by all regulations and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their employers.

Working in financial services is not for everyone. The hours are long, and the job can be stressful. But it can be a good career choice for those who are passionate about the industry and have the right mix of skills. While a degree is helpful, it’s not required to start in the field. A lot of companies will provide extensive training and mentorship to new employees, ensuring that they have the tools they need to succeed. And the pay is competitive. A typical salary in this sector is between $64,000 and $70,000 per year.