Financial services are economic services provided by the finance industry, which encompasses a broad range of businesses that manage money, including credit unions, banks, credit-card companies, insurance firms, consumer-finance companies and stock brokerages. They also include providers of critical financial market utilities such as payment systems and deposit-taking institutions. Financial services are essential for a country’s economy to function properly, and they help promote growth by providing capital for investment and consumption.
Financial markets and their participants (such as exchanges, derivative and commodity markets) are the backbone of financial services. This is because they provide the avenue through which funds are raised by individuals and companies to invest in a variety of projects. In turn, this stimulates the economy and leads to increased production in the various sectors of the economy.
Another important component of financial services is lending. This involves a business giving out loans to individuals and companies, which in turn gives them the capital needed to improve their infrastructure or boost productivity. This leads to increased economic growth and a better quality of life for citizens.
The financial sector is governed by independent regulatory agencies that are charged with overseeing the operations of different financial institutions and upholding transparency. These include The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, among others. In addition to these independent agencies, the government also regulates the financial services sector, which provides a stable regulatory framework for the industry as a whole.
In terms of consumer financial services, the most popular are credit cards and mortgages. These consumer services allow people to purchase products and services that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford, as well as make large purchases with long-term repayment plans. Another service in this sector is debt resolution, which helps individuals get out of debt that they can’t pay off on time.
Finally, the last major category of financial services is investments. This includes private equity funds, venture capitalists, and angel investors, who all offer funding to start-ups and small businesses in return for a share of the company. These investments are crucial to growing new businesses and increasing the overall number of jobs in the economy. In the future, more and more people are expected to seek careers in this sector due to the growing need for these vital services. To become involved in this lucrative and rewarding career, you’ll need a good mix of hard and soft skills. Having a solid foundation in math and data analysis is a must, as is having strong collaboration and communication skills. It’s also a good idea to have a flexible schedule, as working in financial services can often be demanding and stressful. To learn more about a career in financial services, enroll in one of Forage’s virtual experience programs. Then, you’ll be able to determine whether this is the right industry for you!