Advantages & Disadvantages of Being Regulated by One Body in the Financial Market

Investors look to the protections that regulation provides to protect them from threats to their finances. In some cases, a single regulatory agency has oversight over a particular niche of the financial markets. Sometimes, though, multiple agencies claim jurisdiction over the same industry players. Each method has its pros and cons, as you'll see in greater detail below.

Different countries, different rulesYou'll find different regulatory schemes in countries across the world. The primary distinction among regulatory frameworks is the extent to which regulatory bodies specialize within the financial industry.

In some countries, a single regulator governs over the entire financial system. As a result, regardless of whether you're looking to open a bank account, obtain an insurance policy, or trade securities, the same regulatory body has oversight over your transactions.

Having a single regulatory body has some clear advantages. For would-be participants in the financial markets, a single regulator avoids the confusion of not knowing where to look for guidance on a particular matter. Making one contact can address all of your financial needs at the same time.

In addition, a single regulator ensures that there aren't any cracks or gray areas in enforcement. Market participants can rest assured that no matter what the particular issue, the regulatory agency will have jurisdiction over it and be able to address concerns.

Having multiple regulatorsBy contrast, other countries tend to divide the financial industry into subsectors, with a regulatory agency having oversight over each niche. For instance, in the U.S., regulation of the insurance industry typically occurs at the state level. Banking regulation is done primarily by the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, while different types of securities are overseen by entities such as the Securities & Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The benefit of multiple agencies is that each can provide a level of specialization that a single general regulator would have trouble matching. In addition, regulatory schemes can be set up so that no one regulator has unlimited power, requiring coordination and cooperation to control markets.

One problem with multiple regulators is that there tend to be gaps in coverage that can lead to some transactions escaping regulation. These gray areas can create unintended consequences for the government, creating the very environment that regulation is intended to prevent from occurring.

Regulatory frameworks vary across the globe, but there's no one perfect system. Each scheme has its advantages and disadvantages, and the main key is to know how to operate in whatever regulatory framework prevails in your jurisdiction.

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