financialization

American  

[fi-nan-shuh-luh-zey-shuhn, fahy‐] / fɪˈnæn ʃə ləˈzeɪ ʃən, faɪ‐ /

noun

1. an increase in the role of financial institutions, markets, and executives in a nation’s economy, and its subsequent dominance over the traditional economics of industry and agriculture.

   The forces of modern financialization have become irresistible.

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Other Word Forms

• financialize
  verb (used with or without object)

Etymology

Origin of financialization

First recorded in 1970–75; financial ( def. ) + -ization ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

financialization

“I think the mainstreaming and financialization of gambling may be one of the most significant developments in financial services in the last decade,” Nadig said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026

Welcome to the world of financialization, in which profit is made through fees, stock buybacks, complex derivatives, and the like rather than through investment in production and services.

From Barron's ● Mar. 25, 2026

This financialization of property led to a wave of speculation, evictions and displacements citywide as developers and landlords began to realize they could get more profit from their holdings.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2025

I understand it with payment rails and financialization, which right now basically operate on computers owned by banks.

From The Verge ● Dec. 7, 2021

Berlin has been hit hard by financialization and speculation in the housing sector, campaign organizer Jenny Stupka explains.

From Slate ● May 10, 2021