Välittäjä

Välittäjä is a Finnish term used to describe an intermediary who mediates between two or more parties to facilitate a transaction or exchange of information. The root verb välittää means to convey or to mediate, so a välittäjä acts as an agent, broker, or go-between, often earning a fee or commission.

In everyday use the term spans several sectors. Real estate: kiinteistönvälittäjä or estate agent who arranges the sale or rental of properties. Finance and investments: a välittäjä may be a stockbroker or investment intermediary who executes trades or provides access to markets. Insurance: vakuutusvälittäjä helps clients obtain insurance coverage. Other contexts include art, employment, procurement, and general business deals, where the intermediary identifies counterparties, negotiates terms, and facilitates contracts.

Role and responsibilities: a välittäjä gathers information about needs and options, locates potential buyers or sellers, presents proposals, negotiates terms, coordinates due diligence, drafts or reviews contracts, and ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Payment commonly takes the form of a commission or brokerage fee.

Regulation and professional practice: licensing and professional requirements vary by sector and country. In Finland, kiinteistönvälittäjä is a regulated profession with training and registration requirements, and real estate agencies oversee agents. Financial and insurance intermediaries are subject to consumer protection and financial regulation. The term also overlaps with the legal concept of mediation, though formal mediation has its own procedures and qualifications.