A financial export is a business service provided by a domestic firm (regardless of ownership) to a foreign firm within the scope of financial services. While financial services are often seen as a domestic service (such as current accounts, mortgages, cashpoints, etc.) the growing international nature of finance means that many services are now being handled abroad or in financial centres, for a variety of reasons. Financial exports include a wide range of activities from insurance to banking and brokerage. Many smaller locations (such as Bermuda, Luxembourg, and the Cayman Islands) lack sufficient size for a domestic economy, thus requiring them to look abroad for markets. The increasing competitiveness of financial services has meant that many countries which were self-sufficient or protectionist have become increasingly relient on financial service imports (such as the United States and Japan).

The United States, France, and Japan are all importers of financial services, whereas Switzerland and Germany both record modest surpluses. The world's largest financial exporter is the United Kingdom, which had £19bn of financial exports in 2004, rising to £21bn in 2005. The UK's position is helped by both unique institutions (such as Lloyds of London for insurance) and an environment that attracts foreign firms (all US large banks have offices and operations in the City of London/Docklands and/or Edinburgh). 2004(MMIV) is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The clock tower of the Palace of Westminster, which contains Big Ben London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... Docklands is the semi-official name for an area in the east of London, England, comprising parts of several boroughs (Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Newham) in Greater London. ... Edinburghs location in Scotland Edinburgh viewed from Arthurs Seat. ...