What are financial services? Financial services refer to the economic services that the finance industry provides to customers. These businesses range from banks to credit-card companies. Each one has its own specific role, but many share the same common characteristics. Here’s a quick guide to the different types of financial services. In addition to traditional banking services, financial services can also include investment partnerships and hedge funds. Listed below are some of the most common types of financial services.
Insurance underwriting and reinsurance
Reinsurance and insurance underwriting are a two-pronged approach to managing risk. Insurance underwriting helps companies determine what level of risk is acceptable for their policies. They use data, statistics and guidelines provided by actuaries to calculate the probability of certain risks and determine how much premium to charge. Underwriters can also help their customers determine the amount of risk they are taking and offer products that match that risk level. Both are critical aspects of a successful insurance business.
Transaction accounts
There are several types of transaction accounts in the financial services industry. Some of the services in this industry include deposit-taking, lending of all types, money transmission services, and securities trading. Other services are used to facilitate payments, including cheques and electronic funds transfers. Auxiliary financial services include insurance and credit reference and analysis. Lastly, the financial services industry also provides advice to corporations regarding mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring.
Hedge funds
There are many dangers associated with the use of hedge funds in the financial services industry. These funds’ behaviors can amplify market shocks and cause larger moves in asset prices, resulting in broader market damage. A major hedge fund’s failure could jeopardize the viability of major financial institutions because they have direct exposure to the hedge fund, or may be exposed to other market risks. Therefore, avoiding the use of hedge funds in the financial services industry may prove to be very risky.
Online lending marketplaces
While online lending marketplaces are not a substitute for traditional banks, they can supplement them and offer a variety of products and services. Unlike large banks, which have long-standing relationships with local businesses, marketplace lenders have fewer legacy expenses and high-cost functions. They are already ahead of the curve when it comes to lending and may benefit from bank partnerships, regulatory reforms, consolidation, and diversification. However, these lenders are also likely to face challenges, such as increased lobbying and increasing costs associated with customer acquisition.
Banks
Traditional banks offer many services and products, including credit cards, mortgages, and stock investment recommendations. While the stability of their balance sheets may give them an edge in certain financial services, non-bank financial companies have been growing in clout, rendering banks less valuable in terms of macro-credit expansion. Tech titans are using online payment platforms to compete with traditional banks. These companies may also have lower fees. Here are three of the most important services banks offer.
Regulators
Financial regulation aims to protect the public from ill-informed or deceptive practices. Its role is to protect consumers, implement regulations consistently, and monitor the emergence of new risks. However, there are several challenges in financial regulation. Here’s a look at some of them. While the U.S. system is considered a model of financial regulation and often copied around the world, it is far from perfect. Moreover, numerous studies have been conducted on the effects of financial regulation.