The correct answer is A. investment banking houses.
Investment banking houses are financial institutions that provide a variety of services to corporations and governments, including underwriting securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions advice, and asset management. Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and Credit Suisse Group are all investment banking houses.
Exchange houses are financial institutions that facilitate the exchange of currencies. Transfer houses are financial institutions that facilitate the transfer of money between countries. Foreign exchange houses are financial institutions that facilitate the exchange of currencies and the transfer of money between countries.
Investment banking houses are different from exchange houses, transfer houses, and foreign exchange houses in that they provide a wider range of services, including underwriting securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions advice, and asset management.