Osakekirja

Osakekirja is a Finnish term that translates to "share certificate" in English. It is a physical document that represents ownership of a share in a company. Historically, osakekirjat were the primary means of proving share ownership, detailing the number of shares held, the company's name, and the owner's name. They were often elaborately designed and issued by the company itself.

In Finland, as in many other countries, the use of physical share certificates has largely been phased out. The vast majority of shares are now held in electronic, book-entry form within a central securities depository. This dematerialization process has made share trading more efficient, secure, and less prone to loss or forgery compared to physical certificates. While an osakekirja was once a tangible asset, its role has been superseded by digital records maintained by financial institutions and registries. However, the concept of share ownership it represented remains fundamental to corporate finance and investment. The term itself is still understood in Finland, though its practical application is rare for newly issued shares.