These days everyone is talking about Lehman Brothers and its future. Some say the company is already doomed to follow the path of Bear Stearns while others think the investment bank is capable of getting out of this mess. But what about other firms? What are other brokers and investment banks up to? Let's take a quick look.

Drastic changes are taking place at Lehman Brothers. Yesterday the troubled investment bank hit the media world with two announcements. Has the house of Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH) started to capsize or have they righted their course?

Shares of New York Stock Exchange listed Friedman Billings and Ramsey (NYSE:FBR) have lost 22% of their value in less than 3 trading sessions. Countrywide (NYSE:CFC) and Thornburg Mortgage (NYSE:TMA) share prices are also underwater for the week.

I know that there are some really rude fraudsters out there just waiting for a chance to swindle you. But this really hit home when I heard that a stockbroker had deceived even his own grandmother. I just can imagine what a childhood he must have had if he now rips-off his own relative.