A financial service is anything related to money management, investments, insurance and the redistribution of risk. It is an extremely diverse sector and includes everything from credit card companies to payment platforms and banks.
The banking industry is the cornerstone of financial services and is most concerned with direct saving and lending. Banks collect deposits from depositors, pool them and lend them out to borrowers to generate income. They make their money by charging fees, commissions and interest on loans.
Another important component of financial services are finance companies that provide consumer products like hire purchase, leasing and housing finance. These companies enable consumers to afford essential and luxury consumer goods by paying in installments over a certain period of time.
Finally, investors like private equity funds and venture capital providers are a critical component of the financial services sector. These entities provide investment capital to startups and established businesses in exchange for ownership stakes or profit participation.
All of these entities are crucial for the economic growth and recovery of a country. Without them, a country’s financial position would be weak and susceptible to risks. As such, they are heavily regulated by the government in order to protect the interests of the general public.