Final answer:
A finance company provides loans and financing, such as Wells Fargo Financial. A life insurance company offers life insurance policies, like Prudential Financial. A mutual fund pools money from multiple investors and invests it in a diversified portfolio, such as Vanguard 500 Index Fund.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'finance company' refers to a financial institution that specializes in providing loans and financing to individuals and businesses. An example of a finance company is Wells Fargo Financial, which offers personal loans and auto financing to consumers.
A 'life insurance company' is an organization that offers life insurance policies to individuals, providing financial protection to their beneficiaries in the event of their death. Prudential Financial is an example of a life insurance company.
A 'mutual fund' is a type of investment vehicle that pools money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other securities. Vanguard 500 Index Fund is an example of a mutual fund.
A 'pension fund' is a type of investment fund set up by employers to provide retirement benefits for their employees. The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is an example of a pension fund.
'Real estate investment trusts' (REITs) are companies that own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate. They allow individuals to invest in real estate without having to directly own property. An example of a REIT is Simon Property Group, which owns and operates shopping malls.