Utlånare

Utlånare is a term used mainly in Swedish to denote a person or organization that provides loans or lends items to others under a lending agreement. In finance, utlånare are lenders or creditors that extend credit to borrowers, such as banks, credit unions, or other financial institutions. They assess creditworthiness, set terms (principal, interest rate, fees, repayment schedule), and decide on collateral requirements. The lending process involves application, underwriting, disbursement, servicing, and, if necessary, collection. Lenders operate under national and European consumer credit laws that regulate disclosure, responsible lending, interest charges, and data protection.

In non-financial contexts, the term also applies to institutions that lend objects rather than money, most commonly libraries. A library utlånare circulates books, media, and equipment to the public, with due dates, renewals, fines, and conditions for loss or damage. Some libraries also operate digital lending platforms for e-books and audiobooks.

Origin and usage: The word derives from the verb utlåna, to lend out, with the agent noun utlånare meaning the lender. In English, the closest equivalent is lender or creditor; in library contexts, lending library or library.