2009 Bonus Expectations

The New York Times waved a red flag this past Sunday, asserting in a page one story that "workers at the largest financial institutions are on track to earn as much money this year as they did before the financial crisis began, because of the strong start of the year for bank profits."

It's hardly a surprise to read that Wall Street set aside more money for compensation expense in the first quarter than in previous recent quarters. But is the latest profit rebound enough to erase all of last year's damage and restore the record pay levels reached in 2007? That's what the Times contends.

How does that compare with current pay expectations within your company and among your professional contacts?