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From a bank older than the founding of the US to a company with AUM that’s more than 3 times India’s GDP, here are some finance facts that will astound you.
Cities generate 80% of the global GDP
Cities are key centres of economic development, as 70% of the world’s population, or 7 out of every 10 people, are expected to live in cities by 2050.
Source: World Bank
42% of women working in India’s factories reside in Tamil Nadu
Of the 14.9 lakh registered women workers across India, 6.3 lakh were registered in Tamil Nadu.
Source: Annual Survey of Industries (2021-22)
World’s first bank still exists
Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, established in 1472 in Tuscany, Italy, holds the title of the world’s oldest bank still in operation. It was initially set up as a charitable institution.
World’s most expensive stock
A single share of Berkshire Hathaway has a price tag of $770,185* (₹6.83 crore). Warren Buffett has deliberately avoided splitting the stock.
*As of Nov 14, 2025
BlackRock’s AUM is more than 3x India’s GDP
In Q3 2025, BlackRock reported a staggering AUM of $13.46 trillion (record high), more than 3 times India’s GDP of approximately $4.13 trillion.
The world’s richest 1% own 43% of global assets
Since 2015, the world’s richest 1% increased their wealth by over $33.9 trillion, which is more than enough to eliminate annual poverty 22 times over.
Source: Oxfam
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