Which agency is most likely to scrutinize a collusion on management pay rates among competing banks?

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is tasked with enforcing the nation’s antitrust laws, which are designed to prevent anti-competitive practices, such as collusion. When it comes to industries like banking, collusion on management pay rates among competing institutions could be seen as a way to reduce competition and manipulate the labor market. The DOJ would investigate such actions to protect the interests of both employees and the integrity of the market. If competing banks were found to be coordinating pay rates, it could lead to legal action against them for violating antitrust laws, which aim to ensure fair competition and prevent monopolistic practices. This reason highlights why the DOJ is the most relevant agency in scrutinizing such a scenario.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission primarily focuses on issues related to workplace discrimination rather than pay collusion. The Department of Labor oversees wage and hour laws but is less concerned with competitive practices among employers. The National Labor Relations Board regulates labor relations and union activities but does not typically engage in investigating collusion between companies regarding executive compensation.