The financial services industry is one of the most rapidly growing areas of the economy. Between 1976 and 1984 alone, the number of individuals employed in financial services increased by 25.5 percent. This is nearly double the employment increase for the entire nation and rapid growth is projected well into the 1990s. Financial services include the areas of banking, personal financial planning, investments, real estate, and insurance. Because these institutions offer many services, a wide choice of careers is available.
Loan officers handle installment, commercial, real estate, and consumer loans.
Trust officers administer trust funds for estates, foundations, and business firms. More recently, these institutions have begun to offer new services in insurance, brokerage, real estate, and financial planning. Career opportunities for personal financial planners have increased dramatically in recent years, largely because of increasingly complicated tax laws, new investment media, and a changing regulatory environment. Financial institutions, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and consulting firms are interested in hiring college trained individuals who can provide sound advice to consumers regarding the management of personal financial affairs. As a result, students enrolled in the Wright State program are eligible to sit for CFPr examinations.