The Securities and Investment Board (SIB) was the United Kingdom’s top financial regulator under the Financial Services Act 1986 before institutional reforms replaced it.
Institutional Role
The SIB oversaw rule-making and supervision through recognized self-regulatory organizations, aiming to improve market integrity, investor protection, and conduct standards.
Economic Significance
Regulation changes market structure by affecting disclosure, compliance costs, entry barriers, and confidence in financial intermediation. In that sense, the SIB period is an important case in regulatory design trade-offs.
Policy Transition
The UK later moved to a more centralized model, with responsibilities evolving through the Financial Services Authority and then into the current split architecture. The transition reflects a broader policy shift toward integrated prudential and conduct oversight after recurring market stress episodes.