a financial institution that funds their investment activities from the sale of securities or insurance

invest money in government securities

provide a fund for the redemption of principal or payment of interest

a flexible investment company for a small number of large investors (usually the minimum investment is $1 million); can use high-risk techniques (not allowed for mutual funds) such as short-selling and heavy leveraging

a regulated investment company with a pool of assets that regularly sells and redeems its shares

a regulated investment company that issues a fixed number of shares which are listed on a stock market

a regulated investment company that pays a stated amount to certificate holders on a stated maturity date

an investment trust that owns and manages a pool of commercial properties and mortgages and other real estate assets; shares can be bought and sold in the stock market