what is FINANCIAL SERVICES ?

When you think about the financial services industry—cuddly, warm, and trustworthy might not be the first adjectives that come to mind. But these banks, insurance companies, and more win high marks from employees for emphasizing not just the balance sheets (though there’s plenty of that), but the softer side of customer outreach and employee relationships. A consistent refrain: employees at these companies get to put their clients first. And the benefits don’t hurt either.

The financial services sector provides financial services to people and corporations. This segment of the economy is made up of a variety of financial firms including banks, investment houses, lenders, finance companies, real estate brokers, and insurance companies. As noted above, the financial services industry is probably the most important sector of the economy, leading the world in terms of earnings and equity market capitalization. Large conglomerates dominate this sector, but it also includes a diverse range of smaller companies.

• Financial services make up one of the economy's most important and influential sectors.

• Financial services is a broad range of more specific activities such as banking, investing, and insurance.

• Financial services are limited to the activity of financial services firms and their professionals, while financial products are the actual goods, accounts, or investments they provide.