Bonus outlook mark III, and 2010 bonus announcement and payment calendar

As the time approaches, the shrieking about bonuses is becoming more shrill. Hence, The Guardian on Saturday had a headline screaming, "Bonus time as banks pay out 40bn." Little mention was made of the fact that this is a global figure.

Nevertheless, huge deferrals not withstanding, UK bonuses do look like being fairly generous this year. According to a poll of ten banks by the Financial Times, revenue raised by the UK bonus tax is expected to reach 5bn this year, implying a total UK bonus pot of 10bn.

This looks generous, even by recent estimations. In October 2009 the CEBR predicted bonuses would be 6bn for 2009, up 50% on 2008, but below the 10.2bn is said was paid out in the City in 2007.

So when will the distribution of this possible windfall become known? Below we've added a table of alleged bonus announcement and payment dates constructed with the aid of various headhunters across the City. Let us know if you know anything we don't.

The first to divulge numbers will be JPMorgan, Goldman and Morgan Stanley (probably in that order). Expect information to start surfacing this week.