I think you are onto something. There's often a threat to make companies pay 4% of their global turn over or something, but it would be more effective to make t

I think you are onto something. There's often a threat to make companies pay 4% of their global turn over or something, but it would be more effective to make them issue voting shares with a value of 4% of their equity to the goverment - who could then sell them. If stockholders were threatened with a 4% dilution then they'd be much more vigilant than if the company has to pay a fine - which in the end shareholders will pass on to customers. Also I think that governments are wary of destabalising companies with big fines - especially banks. A shareholder dilution will not threaten the finances of structurally important entities.