The financial services industry provides a wide range of products and services to consumers, small businesses, large corporations and even governments. These include banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, insurance companies, securities traders and investors, wealth management firms and more. These sectors provide the money that people, businesses and government need to function and grow. They also manage the risk that comes with taking risks, like investing or borrowing.

When considering a career in this sector, it’s important to realize that it is a very competitive field. This means that you need to be smart, quick-thinking and a team player to make it in this industry. Many businesses offer extensive training to new hires and promote based on merit. This is one of the reasons that salaries in this industry are often high, especially for those who work in the top levels of a firm.

While it may seem that the financial services industry is all-encompassing today, it wasn’t always this way. Before the 1970s, different sectors of the industry more or less stuck to their specialty. Banks provided places for consumers to keep their checking and savings accounts, while loan associations focused on providing mortgages and other loans. Brokerage companies offered investment opportunities in stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Credit card companies, like Visa and Mastercard, provided credit cards.

As time went by, these sectors began to merge and offer more products. The lines between them blurred, and it became easier for consumers to get all of their financial needs met with just a few providers. As this happened, it became more difficult for regulators to protect consumers from unregulated financial products and practices.

Consumers rely on financial services to help them save money for the future, purchase cars and houses, start new businesses and pay for existing ones. They also need them to manage their debts and avoid bankruptcy, as well as insure themselves against illness and accidents, property loss and damage, and death or disability.

A nation’s economy relies on the free flow of capital and liquid assets. Without the financial services industry, individuals who have money would not be able to find those who need it to lend, and businesses would struggle to make profits. This sector is critical to the overall functioning of a country’s economy.

While it might not be as glamorous as the tech sector, it is still a very important part of the UK’s economy. There are over 2 million jobs in this industry, and the number is growing rapidly. The average salary for a job in this sector is PS45,000, with the potential to rise into the high 5 figures.

There are a variety of jobs available in this sector, from administrative assistants to investment advisors. You can even find positions working in data analytics. With new tools being introduced to the field seemingly every day, it’s important for those in the financial services industry to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. This can be a challenge, but it is also an opportunity for those who are able to keep up with the changing industry landscape.