Financial Industry Overview: Capital Markets and Financial Services

The industry of financial services refers to transparent and effortless financial systems which deal with employment growth, financial risk management and poverty alleviation. The sector is highly evolving due to its working with digital technology. The usual facets such as paying via cash, in-person meetings with financial consultants or transferring cash through ATMs are now replaced with hassle-free methods due to digital technology. The roles of capital markets and financial services in the current world have gained enough significance, adding a new definition to the financial industry. 

Understanding Capital Markets

The development of Capital Markets can be correlated with the contribution toward economic growth and financial stability. They support an enabling policy to assist the growth of government bond markets, corporate financing and mobilizing of finances to the strategic sectors. 

Capital Markets deal with a range of services and products tailored to specific requirements and agendas which is equal all across the continents. The following are:

Capital Markets Development Advisory Services

These services can be used in different levels of financial development such as focusing on regulatory and policy frameworks. It allows the development of certain segments and policy issues in certain sectors. 

Capital Markets Regulatory Assessments

The Financial Sector Assessments Program (FSAP) analyzes the strength of regulations and supervision to provide financial risk management over certain products in such capital markets. 

Peer Group Dialogues

The focus on peer group dialogues in Government Bond Market Development since 2009 provides potential areas which can be expanded for client requirements and interests. Cross-country knowledge also plays an essential role in providing more strength to such peer group dialogues. 

Understanding Financial Services

Financial services can be understood as investing and managing finances for both people and organizations. For example, trading in the stock market. These services enable a country to improve its economic conditions and create more production. It also allows an individual to acquire several consumer products through the medium of hire purchase. This process has allowed various financial institutions to gain profits via the tools of investment, savings, production etc. 

The importance of financial services can be reflected in several ways:

• Promotion of investments

Financial services allow more demand for both the product as well as the producer, creating more opportunities for investments. The stock market initiates more mobilization of funds for the investor. These services are used for factoring as well as leasing companies in both domestic and foreign trade. 

• Promotion of savings

Financial services, for instance, mutual funds, can create various conveniences in terms of savings. Several other types of investment opportunities are added, such as pensions for aged people, assuring a return over investments.

• Prevention of risks

Producers, as well as financial companies, tend to avoid risks present in all insurance companies. The risks are protected from fluctuations in business situations which include natural catastrophes. 

Insurance has played a multi-purpose role with savings, finances and cancelling out of risks. 

• Maximizing returns

Financial services allow businesses to maximize their returns. The availability of credit is necessary for possessing assets. Sometimes, leasing of assets can lead to a major value. 

• Economic Growth and Development

The development of economic growth is equivalent to the development of all sectors. Ensuring the equal distribution of funds to the three sectors i.e. primary, secondary and tertiary sectors yields major benefits for the financial services industry. A balanced growth can be witnessed, thus improving employment opportunities. 

• Government Benefits

Both short-term and long-term advantages can be received to have revenue and capital expenditure. The government plays a massive role to issue short-term funds in terms of Treasury Bills, mostly purchased by commercial banks. 

The government is also able to issue long-term funds due to the sale of government securities, hence being a part of financial markets. Additionally, foreign exchange requirements also fall under the spectrum of such financial markets. 

Hence, both Capital Markets and Financial Services play an essential role in the Financial Industry Sector. 

Conclusion

To understand more about the Financial Industry sector, one can enrol in financial services and capital markets course. To learn from the best, a  PGDM in financial management can be regarded as ideal. The Advanced Management Program in Financial Services and Capital Markets by Imarticus is one such option that will provide you with the best learnings and potential to work in the field. The course is taught for over 6 months by the faculty of IIM Lucknow. The advanced curriculum would allow you to work in renowned companies such as Apple and Larsen and Toubro. The application deadline is 16th September 2022, so grab this wonderful opportunity to learn more about the financial industry!