The Role of the Financial Services Sector in Expanding Economic Opportunity

Financial services are fundamental to economic growth and development. Banking, savings and investment, insurance, and debt and equity financing help private citizens save money, guard against uncertainty, and build credit, while enabling businesses to start up, expand, increase efficiency, and compete in local and international markets. For the poor, these services reduce vulnerability and enable people to manage the assets available to them in ways that generate income and options - ultimately creating paths out of poverty.