The financial activities sector is made up of two parts: the finance and insurance sector (sector 52), and the real estate and rental and leasing sector (sector 53). The finance and insurance sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in financial transactions (transactions involving the creation, liquidation, or
change in ownership of financial assets) and/or in facilitating financial transactions. Three principal types of activities are identified:
- Raising funds by taking deposits and/or issuing securities and, in the process, incurring liabilities.
- Pooling of risk by underwriting insurance and annuities.
- Providing specialized services facilitating or supporting financial intermediation, insurance, and employee benefit programs.
The real estate and rental and leasing sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in renting, leasing, or otherwise allowing the use of tangible or intangible assets, and establishments providing related services. The major portion of this sector comprises establishments that rent, lease, or otherwise allow the use of their own assets by others. This sector also includes establishments primarily engaged in managing real estate for others, selling, renting and/or buying real estate for others, and appraising real estate. The main components of this sector are the real estate lessors industries; equipment lessors industries (including motor vehicles, computers, and consumer goods); and lessors of nonfinancial intangible assets (except copyrighted works). |