Insider trading – unsolved issues

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to show that, despite the development of prevention mechanisms for banks, undetected insider trading remains highly feasible. It, thereby, highlights that the current anti-insider-trading mechanisms, on which previous literature has extensively focused, can be easily circumvented.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-step research process was employed. First, informal interviews were conducted with illegal financial services providers. Second, 50 compliance experts and law enforcement officers were formally interviewed. Responses from both sets of interviewees were subjected to quantitative content analysis to yield empirical findings.

Findings

Concrete and specific methods of insider trading and limiting the risks of being prosecuted were reported by interviewees. They suggested that the use of strawmen and offshore banks greatly facilitate insider trading.

Research limitations/implications

The perspectives of the 100 interviewees have not been quantitatively tested.

Practical implications

Suggestions on how to more effectively combat insider trading are provided for financial institutions and compliance officers.

Originality/value

Although the empirical findings are based on conditions in Europe, the results have potential global application.

Citation

Teichmann, F.M.J. (2019), "Insider trading – unsolved issues", Journal of Financial Crime, Vol. 26 No. 3, pp. 786-792. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-08-2018-0079