

Ancient and medieval civilizations incorporated basic functions of finance, such as banking, trading and accounting, into their economies. The early history of finance parallels the early history of money, which is prehistoric. These fields are the foundation of business and accounting. Some fields are multidisciplinary, such as mathematical finance, financial law, financial economics, financial engineering and financial technology. In some cases, theories in finance can be tested using the scientific method, covered by experimental finance. Financial analysis is viability, stability, and profitability assessment of an action or entity.

Asset, money, risk and investment management aim to maximize value and minimize volatility.

In practice, risks are always present in any financial action and entities.Ī broad range of subfields within finance exist due to its wide scope. Assets can also be banked, invested, and insured to maximize value and minimize loss. In a financial system, assets are bought, sold, or traded as financial instruments, such as currencies, loans, bonds, shares, stocks, options, futures, etc. Finance activities take place in financial systems at various scopes, thus the field can be roughly divided into personal, corporate, and public finance. It is related with, but not synonymous with economics, the study of production, distribution, and consumption of money, assets, goods and services. Finance is the study and discipline of money, currency and capital assets.
