The financial services sector encompasses an array of businesses that manage money. This industry includes banks, insurance companies, investment firms, and credit-card providers, to name a few. It also includes payment processing companies, which accept or transfer funds between consumers and merchants. Financial services are vital to the economy because they facilitate consumer spending and business investments.
A strong financial sector enables consumers to make more purchases, which in turn fuels economic growth and increases purchasing power. This, in turn, allows small and large businesses to expand, which leads to job creation. On the other hand, a weak financial sector can slow down the economy and result in recessions and depressions.
The service sector or tertiary sector is essential to any economy, but it can be difficult to grow when financing is limited. In these cases, financial services help bolster the tertiary sector by providing a steady stream of loans. The lending of money is a key function for financial services, and these institutions can provide a wide range of products and services to consumers. These include hiring purchase, leasing and housing finance companies that allow people to buy things they might not otherwise be able to afford.
Another major role of financial services is enabling producers to maximize returns from their assets. This is accomplished through the availability of various types of credit at reasonable rates. Producers can also obtain protection against risk from natural calamities through the use of insurance services. These companies typically charge a regular fee, known as a premium, in exchange for protection against different events.
Other aspects of financial services include debt resolution, which helps individuals with unmanageable levels of debt; asset management – the purchase or sale of shares and other securities; and payment utilities, such as stock exchanges, clearing houses, and real-time gross settlement systems. In addition, these companies may offer advisory services to their clients.
Working in the financial services industry can be lucrative, especially for those who are quick-thinking and team players. But it can also be challenging for those who are not suited to the fast-paced environment of the City, and it is a difficult industry to break into without experience.
Regulatory agencies are part of the financial services industry, and they ensure that the interests of consumers and businesses are protected. These agencies typically oversee individual financial entities to ensure they act ethically and responsibly, and they also work to create a level playing field for all participants in the financial markets.
A new human-centered economy is emerging, and forward-thinking financial services companies can play a powerful role in shaping it. By embracing a triple bottom line of purpose, profits, and people, these firms can regain trust, build trust with their customers, and transform the world for good. The seven fundamental forces driving this shift will amplify these challenges and opportunities, requiring financial services companies to make bolder choices than ever before.