Yeah quite a lot of people don't understand the power of holding or just "financial services" companies in todays economy. They are quiet giants in most respects. For example, in the "147-corporations who rule the world paper"[1] I noticed number 13 was Franklin Resources Inc. Never heard of them, but apparently as a holding company they are one of the most powerful in the world... with many more like them.

[1]https://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/1107/1107.5728v2.pdf