Financial services is an industry that covers a broad range of businesses, from banks to credit unions, investment firms to insurance agencies. Whether providing personal loans, commercial loans or asset management, the financial services sector helps people manage their finances, get access to credit and capital, invest for the future, and more. It also includes companies that help consumers pay for goods and services, such as payment networks like Visa and MasterCard and credit card issuers. Finally, the sector includes companies that provide accounting and tax filing services, currency exchange, wire transfer and stock brokerage services, as well as debt resolution and global payment providers.
The growth of the financial services industry has been driven in large part by increasing consumer demand for a variety of products and services. As the world economy grows, so does the need for consumer financial products such as bank accounts, loans, mortgages, investments and more. The demand for these products is also increased by the need to save for a number of reasons, including emergencies and retirement.
As a result, the financial services industry has exploded in recent years. This expansion has been led by a number of factors, including new regulatory requirements that have made it harder for smaller companies to operate, as well as the rise of technology and the use of big data. The rise of technology has also allowed for the creation of new types of financial services, such as online investing and mobile payments.
The most important function of financial services is to facilitate the flow of funds between those who have it and those who need it. This is accomplished through a wide array of activities, from banks taking deposits and lending them to individuals to investment services companies helping individuals choose and buy securities. Other activities include the provision of credit counseling, wealth management and estate planning. The financial services industry is also involved in promoting domestic and foreign trade. This is done through factoring and forfaiting companies, as well as by banks and insurance companies that step up promotional activities in backward regions of a country to bring them up to speed with developed regions.
Although a degree is often necessary to advance within the field, many jobs in financial services can be obtained without one. For example, a bank or investment firm can hire an intern to work on a specific project. This provides a valuable entry point to the industry, and can lead to a full-time position in the future. Another way to enter the industry is by starting at a small company and working your way up, which can provide you with more hands-on experience in the field. This can also be a good way to network with other professionals in the financial services industry. Financial services companies offer a diverse selection of career paths, and the pay is competitive. However, the competition can be fierce, especially for roles in wealth management.