Page 11 - FDI Alliance International Magazine, July 2019 Interactive Issue_Neat

credit. At the end of 2017, the U.S. banking system had over $16.7
trillion in assets.

Commercial banks in the United States offer retail and commercial
financial services to companies of all sizes – and while these banks are
not government-owned or managed, they are regulated by the federal
or state governments according to their charters.

Investment banks in the United States provide strategic guidance on raising
capital for greenfield investments and mergers and acquisitions, in addition
to offering other advisory services such as valuation and due diligence.
Financial markets in the United States are the largest and most liquid in
the world. In 2018, finance and insurance represented 7.4 percent (or
$1.5 trillion) of U.S. gross domestic product. Leadership in this large,
high-growth sector translates into substantial economic activity and direct
and indirect job creation in the United States.

Financial services and products help facilitate and finance the export of
U.S. manufactured goods and agricultural products. In 2017, the United
States exported $114.5 billion in financial services and insurance and had
a $40.8 billion surplus in financial services and insurance trade (excluding
re-insurance, the financial services and insurance sectors had a surplus
of $69.6 billion). The financial services and insurance sectors employed
more than 6.3 million people at the end of 2018.

Investment in the U.S. financial services industry offers significant advantages
for financial firms. As of 2018, at least 28 financial services companies
out of all companies in Fortune’s Global 500 listing have chosen to locate
their headquarters in the United States to take advantage of its creative,
competitive, and comprehensive financial services sector. The industry
offers the greatest array of financial instruments and products to allow
consumers to manage risk, create wealth, and meet financial needs

FDI ALLIANCE | JULY ISSUE 2019 11