Financial services is a broad sector of economic services provided by the finance industry. It encompasses a broad range of service sector firms that provide financial management, including credit unions, banks, investment firms, mortgage companies and insurance providers.
Banking and financial goods
The core of the financial services sector is the banking industry, which includes large commercial banks, community banks, and credit unions. These entities earn revenue primarily through fees, commissions, and the spread on interest rates between loans and deposits.
Other types of financial services include securities trading, investing and other asset management, Wall Street, insurance companies, and more. These sectors are essential to the functioning of any nation’s economy, and serve all kinds of customers, from small business owners to nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
Consumer financial services
Consumer financial services involve lending money to people who need it for things like buying a house, financing a car or paying for college. Credit card companies, mortgage lenders and personal loan services are among the most well-known financial services firms.
Insurance and financial services
The insurance industry is a part of the financial services industry, but it also involves insurance brokers who research or negotiate rates for insurance policies, as well as underwriters who create them. The entire insurance business is a financial service, even if it only helps protect you from things like a fire or a car crash. The industry is a good way to build a career in finance, because it pays well and offers many different job opportunities.