Financial services are the businesses that help individuals and companies manage their money. They offer loans for business expansion, mortgages and other debt-based financing, and they also issue insurance policies.
This sector is a key driver of the economy because when it is strong, it gives consumers confidence in spending and allows for more investment in the economy. It also helps people save for retirement, and it employs millions of people. In addition, the financial services sector provides critical utility functions such as accounting and tax filings, currency exchange, wire transfer and credit card network services.
The financial services industry includes thousands of depository institutions, providers of investment products, insurance companies and other credit and finance organizations. In addition, this industry includes many other firms that support these functions, such as financial utilities (such as accounting, tax filing and custody), credit reporting agencies, reinsurance companies and global payment networks like Visa and Mastercard.
There are a lot of reasons to work in financial services, including good pay, job security and the ability to advance quickly. However, it’s important to remember that this is a very competitive field and jobs can be stressful. It is also not uncommon for people in some roles to work 16 or more hours a day, which can lead to burnout and decrease work-life balance.
Getting into the field can be difficult, but building a network of connections and taking entry-level positions in different areas of the industry are good ways to get started. Depending on your career aspirations, it may also be helpful to speak with a recruiter or a hiring manager at a firm that specializes in your desired area of the industry.