fb

Bankers’ bonuses. Necessary, a necessary evil or just evil?

A lot has been said about bankers’ bonuses in recent years, with a general view amongst the public that paid to bail out the banking system that they are excessive.

Bankers, unsurprisingly, say that without packages that include large elements of performance-related bonus, the banking industry would not attract the top talent that a complicated business needs. So goes the argument.

So who is right? The answer is simple enough; they both are.  Without bonuses, ambitious people are likely to relax, creating inefficiency. As banking is widely seen as the central nervous system of the capitalist system, lethargy in banking would hurt us all.

Yet it seems that many bankers (other than directors of the bank) had bonus systems linked only to short-term profit measures. Had they been paid in a more carefully crafted cocktail of short- and long-term measures that deterred risk taking (eg long-dated share options), then the perceived pattern of excessive risk taking for inadequate return may have been curbed. Perhaps the same discipline that affects the remuneration committee should pervade all remuneration deals.

With ambitious and aggressive people the rule is simple: WYPIWYG (what you PAY is what you get). If bankers were paid to take high risks on derivatives and not held back in pay terms for taking risk, it might be harsh to see it as their fault for doing what their remuneration package incentivised them to do.

Putting together a remuneration package for a banker without bonuses is arguably like making a cosmo cocktail without the vodka.

Speaking of which, I’m writing this on a Friday at 8.00pm. Time for a cocktail of my own. Cheers!

Share this entry

Recent articles

View All Articles
Professionally qualified in one year – DipIFR
Mar 22, 2024
Title
Professionally qualified in one year – DipIFR
Excerpt

Unlocking Opportunities with DipIFR Introduction In the second installment of our series, we shift our focus to the […]

Professionally qualified in one year – CMA (USA)
Mar 21, 2024
Title
Professionally qualified in one year – CMA (USA)
Excerpt

Accelerate Your Career with CMA Certification Series Introduction In our fast-paced world, the demand for highly skilled professionals […]

Lego – building strategy blocks…
Mar 14, 2024
Title
Lego – building strategy blocks…
Excerpt

In the contemporary business environment, characterised by rapid changes and unforeseen challenges, companies across various industries must adapt […]

Weathering the chocolate storm?
Mar 12, 2024
Title
Weathering the chocolate storm?
Excerpt

In today’s interconnected global economy, the ripple effects of local weather phenomena can have far-reaching consequences, extending far […]

Pass the doughnuts…
Mar 12, 2024
Title
Pass the doughnuts…
Excerpt

Does your weight affect the amount of money you earn? That’s an interesting question and researchers from the […]

The Significance of Audit Quality: Lessons from KPMG’s Fines
Mar 06, 2024
Title
The Significance of Audit Quality: Lessons from KPMG’s Fines
Excerpt

In the intricate world of finance and business, the accuracy and integrity of a company’s financial statements stand […]

Insider Trading: A Cautionary Tale from the Oil Industry
Feb 29, 2024
Title
Insider Trading: A Cautionary Tale from the Oil Industry
Excerpt

In the complex world of finance, insider trading remains one of the most controversial and closely watched issues. […]

Lessons from Kraft Heinz’s Sales Decline
Feb 20, 2024
Title
Lessons from Kraft Heinz’s Sales Decline
Excerpt

In the fast-paced world of business, staying ahead of market trends and consumer preferences is paramount. The recent […]