The financial services sector is a large part of the global economy. It consists of a variety of companies, including banks, credit card companies, investment funds, and insurance firms. The industry is also a major contributor to economic growth.
The industry has a wide range of roles and opportunities available to those interested in joining. Some jobs, such as in the banking sector, may require a wide variety of skills while others might be more focused on a specific area.
In a world where information is constantly changing, the financial services industry relies heavily on technology to help consumers make informed decisions. Banks, brokerage companies, and mortgage lenders all use a variety of IT systems to process transactions, maintain records, and provide services to the public.
There are four main areas of the financial services industry: banking, investing, insurance and professional services. The service industries all work together, but each one has a unique relationship with money and an individual role within the larger sector.
Banking
The banking industry is the largest and most important part of the financial services industry. It includes everything from checking and savings accounts to mortgages and auto loans.
These services help individuals, businesses and nonprofits manage their finances. They also offer advice on how to best spend money and save for the future.
Investing
The investment services industry is the second largest segment of the financial services sector. These firms manage investment funds, securities, and other investments for individuals and corporations.
Many people think of banking and investing as separate sectors, but they actually share a lot of similarities. The banking industry offers savings and checking accounts, while the investment industry handles stocks, bonds and mutual funds.
Similarly, the insurance industry is made up of brokers who search for or negotiate rates and underwriters who create policies. These organizations all work together to protect the public, and they also offer advice on how to best use their money.
Asset Management
The third largest segment of the financial services industry is asset management, which involves handling pensions, insurance assets, and other types of investments. It is a growing sector that has changed drastically in the past few years thanks to new technology, but it remains a vital part of the financial services industry.
Consumer Finance
Consumer finance is a huge part of the financial services industry and helps millions of people around the world afford products and services like groceries, clothing and utilities. The industry is also a big contributor to economic development by helping consumers buy cars, homes and other goods.
Financial inclusion
The financial services sector has been making significant strides in bringing financial services to the world’s most vulnerable populations. Millions of people are now able to open and access bank accounts using digital technology, thanks to innovative companies and governments working to lower barriers and develop the necessary systems.
Despite these great achievements, there are still a lot of barriers to financial inclusion in the developing world. This is why our work focuses on ways to reduce them. We support governments in establishing systems, policies and incentives that will enable more people to access the financial services they need.