Investment Banking

‘There are a lot of unhappy faces’: Banks’ bumper bonus round divides staff

Bankers are feeling short-changed despite a year of stellar profits

While the 2024 bonus round has brought cheer to many bankers, not all were rewarded in a buoyant year for fees  
While the 2024 bonus round has brought cheer to many bankers, not all were rewarded in a buoyant year for fees   Illustration: Getty

Wall Street banks have hiked bonuses for dealmakers after two years of cuts, but champagne corks are not flying across the City. 

Payouts have been skewed to a select band of top performers and senior staff, according to conversations with bankers, compensation experts and headhunters. 

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