Spatial Pattern Characteristics of the Financial Service Industry: Evidence from Nanjing, China

China’s financial service industry is developing rapidly. Under the background of globalization and informatization, the structure of the financial system is constantly adjusted. Therefore, re-examining the spatial layout characterizing the overall financial industry has profound importance. Based on point of interest data, we utilize Nanjing as a case study and the analysis spatial pattern and agglomerative characteristics of the financial service industry. The research is conducted through various spatial measurement methods and negative binomial regression models as well as factors affecting the overall spatial distribution of the industry. Results indicate that Nanjing’s financial service industry has prominent features of agglomeration-oriented characteristics, while spatial distribution generally presents a “northwest–southeast” trend, i.e., a layout formed along transport lines and facilities and from the central business district to the suburbs is steadily being reduced. The spatial distribution, concentration and scale of financial service companies, business halls, and automatic teller machines in Nanjing vary widely. Market demand, corporate agglomeration effect, geographical location, transportation facilities, and population size and dynamics have profoundly affected the distribution pattern of the financial service industry Nanjing-wide. Accordingly, this research provides some reference and suggestion for the construction of financial centers, the formulation of policies to optimize the layout of financial industries, and as a research benchmark for other developing countries in the process of rapid urbanization.