Whether you’re in banking, wealth management or insurance, you are part of the financial services industry. And this industry is important to NYC, the nation and the world.
The financial sector is crucial to the economy, as it provides loans to individuals and companies, which in turn create more jobs in other sectors of the economy. This is why it’s so important for the financial services industry to be strong and stable.
Financial services are a broad category of business activities that include deposit-taking, lending, investment and market intermediation. Banks provide many of these services, but other entities—such as payment system providers and non-banking institutions that accept payments through credit and debit cards and other methods—also offer financial services.
A financial good is something that you own and use, like a car or a home. A financial service is what helps you acquire and manage that good. For example, a mortgage is a financial good, but the process of getting one—including securing a loan and providing a home appraisal—is a financial service.
Financial services also promote economic growth by allowing people to spend more, which encourages producers to increase production. They also enable consumers to purchase products and services through hire purchase or leasing, which encourages savings. They also help businesses get more out of their investments by minimizing risks and maximizing returns. Moreover, financial services are helpful for those who want to diversify their savings by investing in various securities such as stocks and mutual funds.