Financial services is a broad term that includes all of the industries and businesses that touch money in one way or another. It encompasses everything from big bankers to small community banks, credit unions and even nonprofits.
The industry focuses on helping people manage their money, and it’s one of the biggest employers in the world. It also offers plenty of opportunities for growth, fulfillment and security.
You can find a job in any of the different sectors in financial services, from banking to asset management. Each of these sectors serves a specific purpose, and they’re all essential to the economy.
Consumer finance: This sector provides financial products and services for consumers, such as personal and student loans. It also includes debt resolution, which is an important service to help consumers resolve their financial problems without filing for bankruptcy.
Loan associations: These are financial institutions that offer a variety of loans and mortgages. They also provide savings and checking accounts. They may also provide insurance or retirement plans for their customers.
Banks: These are institutions that offer a place to deposit your money, and they also provide a number of other services, such as transferring funds. Some offer credit cards and online services.
Investment banks: They’re similar to banks in that they also offer a range of financial products, but instead of offering consumer loans, these firms focus on business and corporate financing. Their services include mergers and acquisitions, underwriting debt and equity, restructuring and investment management.
Regulatory bodies: Independent agencies oversee the operations of different financial institutions, and they ensure that they’re operating in a transparent and ethical manner. Some key agencies within the financial services sector include the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
The financial services sector is a major driver of the economy, but it can also cause a recession if it breaks down. This can happen when there is a shortage of capital, and lenders are not willing to lend. This can lead to a downturn in the economy, which can hurt businesses and hurt consumers.
Financial services can be a great career for people who are passionate about making an impact on the world and are driven by helping others. It can also be an exciting and lucrative industry, and there are many opportunities to travel internationally while working in this field.
Digital advancement and increased financial technology are rapidly transforming the financial services industry. These trends are leading to a greater need for gig workers and are opening up opportunities for big tech companies, like Amazon and Apple, to tap into this market.
It’s a highly-competitive industry that requires a variety of skills, from basic math to data analysis. In addition to these hard skills, you’ll need strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Whether you’re looking to get into the financial services field or are currently in the industry, you can be sure that there is always something new to learn. Most financial services firms are heavily invested in their employees, and they often encourage their professionals to continue their education and receive on-the-job training. This means that you’ll always be learning and growing your skillset, and that’s a good thing for any career.