Financial services are all the activities that relate to the making, investment and management of money for both individuals and businesses. Most of us think of banks when we think of the industry, but financial services actually include many other organisations that deal with money, such as investment and wealth management firms, credit unions and private equity companies.

A career in the financial services sector can be extremely lucrative, but it also offers some of the best job security of any industry. In addition, the work is often very satisfying as it helps to improve the lives of others, especially in times of economic hardship or when people need help putting away money for a rainy day.

There are also a wide range of jobs within the industry, from accountancy and tax advice to credit card networks and global payment providers like Visa or Mastercard. Other roles include insurance brokers and underwriters, fund managers and stockbrokers who trade shares and commodities. Lastly, there are family offices that manage investments for wealthy families and advisors who provide bespoke financial planning to their clients.

Ultimately, the financial services industry is vital to both business and consumers. However, as more and more people take advantage of the ease of online banking and digital finance, there are challenges to financial wellbeing. There is still a lack of understanding about financial products and services, debt and basic money management. It is imperative that the industry continues to amplify, catalyze and connect with the needs of customers to drive broader economic gains.