How banks' bonuses measure up
After a bumper third quarter, most investment bankers are expecting inflated bonuses payouts, but which banks look set to top the generosity stakes?
Businessweek says Goldman Sachs racked up $19.9bn in compensation expenses in the first three quarters of this year, up 50% from last year's figure.
Similarly, Lehman Brothers notched up $6.4 bn in the same period, up $1bn from last year.
Not only will bonuses be higher this year, but CIBC World Markets analyst Meredith Whitney tells Businessweek that at Goldman's at least, a greater number of people will see their bank accounts swell as the bonus pool is "spread around more" as banks make headway in a number of sectors, including trading and banking.
