Which process involves pooling similar types of loans to create mortgage-backed securities?

Securitization is the process in question, as it specifically refers to the pooling of similar types of loans, such as mortgages, to create mortgage-backed securities (MBS). This process allows lenders to convert illiquid assets (the mortgages) into liquid assets that can be sold to investors.

In securitization, mortgage loans are grouped together into a pool, which is then used as collateral to issue securities. Investors purchase these mortgage-backed securities, allowing the original lenders to gain immediate capital. This process is crucial in managing risk and providing liquidity in the mortgage market.

The other options, while related to finance or real estate, do not pertain to the creation of mortgage-backed securities. Investment refers to the allocation of resources for future profit, amortization relates to the gradual repayment of a loan through scheduled payments, and depreciation is the reduction in the value of an asset over time. Each of these processes serves distinct purposes in finance but does not encompass the pooling of loans to form securities like securitization does.