Money talks: An investigation into the efficacy of UK anti-money laundering policy

My primary, empirical research study will draw on evaluations, explanations and experiences within UK banks and the NCA to explore the SAR reporting process. To do this, I will address the following research questions:
What are the limitations of the existing SAR process in fraud detection and prevention in the UK?
How do the theoretical frameworks emphasising 'routinisation' and 'responsibilisation' influence the SAR delegated regulatory process?
To what extent does profiling, used by banks in the SAR process, reflect wider patterns of suspicion and financial 'risk' construction?

This research will employ innovative ethnographic approaches, adopting an interactionist epistemology foregrounding notions of power, institutional process and regulatory governance (Dennis and Martin, 2005). The research will be multi-sited, investigating those in different positions of power. The SAR process is complex, and my study will employ the novel approach of multi-sited ethnography underpinned by polymorphous engagement within a number of UK banks and at the NCA.

The projected impact of my research will be twofold. Firstly, to develop research examining the SAR reporting process through a greater understanding of routinisation, responsibilisation and governance, so as to improve risk assessment and intelligence development in financial security. Secondly, the research will help develop methodological approaches to the empirical study of spheres of localised (financial) governance. These are under-researched areas and yet they have tremendous influence over our lives and finances.