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FINANCIAL SERVICES Introduction The Indian financial services industry has undergone a metamorphosis since1990. Before its emergence the commercial banks and other financial institutions dominated the field and they met the financial needs of the Indian industry. It was only after the economic liberalisation that the financial service sector gained some prominence. Now this sector has developed into an industry. In fact, one of the world’s largest industries today is the financial services industry. Financial service is an essential segment of financial system. Financial services are the foundation of a modern economy. The financial service sector is indispensable for the prosperity of a nation. Meaning of Financial Services In general, all types of activities which are of financial nature may be regarded as financial services. In a broad sense, the term financial services means mobilisation and allocation of savings. Thus, it includes all activities involved in the transformation of savings into investment. Financial services refer to services provided by the finance industry. The finance industry consists of a broad range of organisations that deal with the management of money. These organisations include banks, credit card companies, insurance companies, consumer finance companies, stock brokers, investment funds and some government sponsored enterprises. Financial services may be defined as the products and services offered by financial institutions for the facilitation of various financial transactions and other related activities. Financial services can also be called financial intermediation. Financial intermediation is a process by which funds are mobilised from a large number of savers and make them available to all those who are in need of it and particularly to corporate customers. There are various institutions which render financial services. Some of the institutions are banks, investment companies, accounting firms, financial institutions, merchant banks, leasing companies, venture capital companies, factoring companies, mutual funds etc. These institutions provide variety of services to corporate enterprises. Such services are called financial services. Thus, services rendered by financial service organisations to industrial enterprises and to ultimate consumer markets are called financial services. These are the services and facilities required for the smooth operation of the financial markets. In short, services provided by financial intermediaries are called financial services.
Functions of financial services 1. Facilitating transactions (exchange of goods and services) in the economy. 2. Mobilizing savings (for which the outlets would otherwise be much more limited). 3. Allocating capital funds (notably to finance productive investment). 4. Monitoring managers (so that the funds allocated will be spent as envisaged). 5. Transforming risk (reducing it through aggregation and enabling it to be carried by those more willing to bear it). Characteristics or Nature of Financial Services From the following characteristics of financial services, we can understand their nature: 1. Intangibility: Financial services are intangible. Therefore, they cannot be standardized or reproduced in the same form. The institutions supplying the financial services should have a better image and confidence of the customers. Otherwise, they may not succeed. They have to focus on quality and innovation of their services. Then only they can build credibility and gain the trust of the customers. 2. Inseparability: Both production and supply of financial services have to be performed simultaneously. Hence, there should be perfect understanding between the financial service institutions and its customers. 3. Perishability: Like other services, financial services also require a match between demand and supply. Services cannot be stored. They have to be supplied when customers need them. 4. Variability: In order to cater a variety of financial and related needs of different customers in different areas, financial service organisations have to offer a wide range of products and services. This means the financial services have to be tailor-made to the requirements of customers. The service institutions differentiate their services to develop their individual identity. 5. Dominance of human element: financial services are labour intensive. quality financial products. Financial services are dominated by human element. Thus, It requires competent and skilled personnel to market the

2. Managing investible funds: (a) Portfolio management (b) Merchant banking (c) Mutual and pension funds 3. Risk financing: (a) Project preparatory services (b) Insurance (c) Export credit guarantee 4. Consultancy services: (a) Project preparatory services (b) Project report preparation (c) Project appraisal (d) Rehabilitation of projects (e) Business advisory services (f) Valuation of investments (g) Credit rating (h) Merger, acquisition and reengineering 5. Market operations: (a) Stock market operations (b) Money market operations (c) Asset management (d) Registrar and share transfer agencies (e) Trusteeship (f) Retail market operation (g) Futures, options and derivatives 6. Research and development: (a) Equity and market research (b) Investor education (c) Training of personnel