These sites, with names like Prosper.com, Zopa, Lending Club and GlobeFunder, use social networking tools and other software to simplify the borrowing and lending of capital between strangers and even family and friends.

FORBES: Banking 2.0: New Capital Connections For Entrepreneurs

Louisiana State Attorney General Charles Foti is trying to force UBS, the Wall Street investment bank, to turn over vast quantities of information on its trading, stock lending and other activities related to shares of software firm Sedona .

FORBES: Magazine Article