The Securities Industry Association is stressing the value of the finance industry’s contribution to economic growth.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis of the U.S. Department of Commerce revealed that the finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing (FIRE) industry group contributed 24% of real GDP growth in 2005, making this industry group the leading contributor to GDP for the past three consecutive years.

Within the FIRE group, growth of real estate, rental and leasing slowed to 2.5% in 2005, down from 5.6% in 2004. This deceleration was more than offset by explosive growth in finance and insurance of 6.7% in 2005, up from 1.0% in 2004.

“Markets create opportunity for businesses and citizens to achieve their financial aspirations, said Marc Lackritz, president of the SIA. “The securities industry is an economic powerhouse that continues to strengthen the U.S. economy. SIA data shows that last year alone, we raised a record $3.2 trillion of capital for American business and nearly $14 trillion over the past five, underscoring our substantial contribution to overall growth in the U.S. economy.”