Financial centre

Major financial centers on all continents

Asia

International Finance Centre in Hong Kong

Skyscrapers in Xinyi District, Taipei

Singapore Financial district

Tokyo Skyscrapers in Shinjuku

Shanghai Stock Exchange

Examples

Old finance centers such as Amsterdam, London, Paris, and New York have long histories.^[17][18] Today there is a diverse range of financial centres worldwide.^[19] While New York and London often stand out as the leading global financial centres,^[20][21] other established financial centres provide significant competition and several newer financial centres are developing.^[22] Despite this proliferation of financial centres, academics have discussed evidence showing increasing concentration of financial activity in the largest national and international financial centres in the 21st century.^[23]:24–34 Others have discussed the ongoing dominance of New York and London, and the role linkages between these two financial centres played in the financial crisis of 2007–08.^[24]

Comparisons of financial centres focus on their history, role and significance in serving national, regional and international financial activity. Each centre's offering includes differing legal, tax and regulatory environments.^[25] One journalist suggested three factors for success as a financial city: "a pool of capital to lend or invest; a decent legal and taxation framework; and high-quality human resources".