Lunchtime-ish Links: Festering resentment coming over pay at the FSA relative to pay at the BofE

At 7.2k, the FSA's average bonus doesn't look particularly jaw dropping, but it's apparently the equivalent of a sky-diving hedgehog if you work at the Bank of England.

According to the Times, any attempt to fuse elements of the FSA and the Bank of England under the new regulatory architecture, will end in tears because people at the FSA are now paid so much more.

Following efforts to make FSA staff feel empowered and appreciated, the Times says they're compensated 50% more generously than their new colleagues at the Bank are. This is illustrated by the income of their respective chief executives: Hector Sants earned 742k lsat year; Mervyn King earned a mere 305k.

With austerity looming, it would seem appropriate for everyone at the FSA to take a pay cut. Somehow, this seems unlikely.

Hiring frenzy coming as banks try and poach the FSA's 3,000 staff. (Financial News)

Pay at Tudor Capital Europe has halved. (City Am)

Hedge funds are in a bleak mood. (Reuters)

European banks must refinance nearly €2 trillion of long-term debt by the end of 2012. (Telegraph)

The Lincoln plan appears to be staying in the US bank bill. (Reuters)

It is no longer possible to command HSBC investment bankers stay in cheap hotels and fly economy. (Bloomberg)

Citigroup has hired another senior financial sponsor banker. (Financial News)

There are still not enough plumbers or electricians. (Evening Standard)

90% of vuvuzelas are made in China. (AFP)