Financial institution definition

A financial institution is a company that provides financial services such as deposits, loans, investments, insurance, or payments. It acts as an intermediary between the people and businesses that hold capital and those that need funding.

A financial institution moves capital through the economy by taking in money from one group and channelling it to another. The category includes banks, credit unions, brokerages, insurers, asset managers, and pension funds, and its services run from deposit accounts and loans to currency exchange and securities trading.

A financial institution differs from a financial market: the institution is the organisation that intermediates transactions, while the market is the venue where assets change hands. Because their stability affects the wider economy, most financial institutions are closely regulated.

Financial institution Example

A business needs USD 500,000 to expand.

It applies for a loan from a bank.

The bank acts as a financial institution by assessing the credit risk, providing the funds, and charging interest in return for the capital.