Which of the following parties best defines a 'mortgage investor'?

Underwriting loans involves assessing the risk associated with lending to a borrower and determining whether to approve the loan. This process is conducted before the loan is closed and does not involve the acquisition of loans, which is the primary role of a mortgage investor.

This choice describes the role of a loan originator or a broker who gathers necessary documentation from borrowers to facilitate the loan approval process. This task is not related to the actual investment in mortgage loans, which is the focus of a mortgage investor.

Loan servicing refers to the management of existing loans, including collecting payments and managing escrow accounts. While this role is crucial in the mortgage industry, it does not pertain to the investment aspect, which involves acquiring loans rather than managing them.