When we hear the term ‘Financial services’, we often think of banks, stock brokers and mortgage lenders. But these are just a small part of the industry that encompasses the full range of professional services that individuals and businesses require to grow, save and protect their money.
The financial services sector is an important part of any economy, providing loans to businesses that need to expand, giving homeowners the opportunity to purchase a home, and offering insurance policies to protect personal assets. It also helps build up savings for retirement, and provides jobs to millions of people.
If you’re interested in working in the finance sector, you’ll find a diverse and exciting range of career opportunities. Whether you want to work directly with customers, or in support roles, there is a role for you in the industry.
The most obvious job titles for the industry are investment bankers, loan officers and real estate agents. But the sector is so large that it includes many other career paths. For example, if you work in customer service for PayPal, then you’re in the financial services industry (due to the nature of their business). The sector also includes credit card companies and networks, debt resolution firms, global payment providers like Visa and Mastercard, currency exchange services and wire transfer companies, and insurance companies that offer both commercial and personal lines of coverage. There are even financial services conglomerates that specialize in several sectors of the market.