British authorities have searched five homes and arrested eight people in connection with insider-dealing investigations since March 2020, pointing to a lull in regulatory action at a time when widespread home working has raised market abuse risks. The data disclosed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to Reuters comes amid pressure on the watchdog to improve its broader enforcement record, after facing criticism over its handling of the collapse of several funds. The shift to remote working since the COVID-19 pandemic has raised regulatory fears that bankers could cheat markets by taking advantage of laxer systems and controls away from the watchful gaze of bosses and compliance teams.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40203310/uk-insider-dealing-probes-dipped-since-covid-19

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