The main purpose of applying machine learning techniques in finance is to enhance decision-making processes through data analysis and automation. These techniques allow financial institutions to identify patterns in historical data, assess risk, and predict market trends. Applications include fraud detection, where algorithms analyze transactions for unusual behavior, and credit scoring, predicting borrower reliability. By leveraging machine learning, firms can optimize resource allocation, improve customer experiences, and adapt more swiftly to market dynamics, ultimately leading to higher profitability and resilience against economic changes.