Just like other p2p lenders, Rebirth Financial eliminates the additional costs of banks and other financial institutions serving as middlemen in the lending transaction.

FORBES: Debt Crowdfunders: The Best Of The Best

Among potential problems with shorter settlement cycles were issues around securities lending, foreign exchange transaction and delivery of physical securities.

FORBES: Securities Settlement Cycle -- T+2 Gets Chatted Up But No Date

According to local press reports, the Finance Ministry is considering a 6% financial transaction tax, or IOF, on offshore lending.

FORBES: Brazil Inflation Off the Charts

Amid the bad publicity and a drought of bank lending, the industry's transaction volume fell by 95% from the peak in 2006 to the trough in 2010.

WSJ: The Intelligent Investor: Dangerous Real-Estate Deals