person or institution empowered to make investment decisions for others. Some examples are banks, savings and loan institutions, insurance companies, brokerage firms, mutual funds, and credit unions. These specialists are knowledgeable about investment alternatives and can achieve a higher return than the average investor can. Furthermore, they deal in large dollar volumes, have lower transaction costs, and can diversify their assets easily. Also called financial intermediary.

1. financial institution, such as a bank or savings and loan, that acts as a conduit between suppliers of funds (depositors) and users of funds (borrowers). See also financial intermediary .
2. in the swap market, a commercial bank or investment bank that makes a market in interest rate and currency swaps to earn fees or trading profits.

reinsurance broker for a primary company (the reinsured). This broker is paid commissions by the reinsurance company, just as an agent is paid commissions by an insurance company for selling its policies.

In general:anyone who serves as a go-between, including an executive recruiter or broker.
Finance:person or institution empowered to make investment decisions for others. Some examples are banks, savings and loan institutions, insurance companies, brokerage firms, mutual funds, and credit unions.