Which of the following describes a financial intermediary?

A financial intermediary is an institution or individual that acts as a bridge between those who have capital to invest and those who need capital to borrow. This concept primarily revolves around channeling funds from savers to borrowers, which is integral to the functioning of financial markets.

In this context, a non-bank lender such as a pawnshop serves as a financial intermediary because it provides loans to consumers while accepting collateral in the form of personal property. This creates liquidity for borrowers who might have difficulty obtaining funds from traditional banking routes.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the role of a financial intermediary. A direct consumer of goods engages in purchasing products, but does not facilitate transactions between buyers and sellers in a financial sense. Someone who sells products online is simply a retailer and does not act as an intermediary in financial transactions. A property management service handles real estate but does not typically function as a financial intermediary in the context of lending or investment. Thus, the selection of a non-bank lender is the best choice for defining a financial intermediary.