Feb. 15 at 3:14 AM
PickAlpha Weekend:
Wall Street bank CEO pay just reset to a new high: top U.S. bank chiefs are now all at
$40M+ annual compensation, above prior cycle peaks. BAC raised Brian Moynihan to
$41M (+17%), Citi raised Jane Fraser to
$42M (+22%), and Goldman paid David Solomon
$47M (+21%, highest among peers). This is happening alongside the sector’s strongest annual earnings since 2021 and bonus pools at major banks rising 10%+ on stronger trading/dealmaking.
Tickers:
$GS $BAC $C
Our view is boards are paying like this cycle still has legs — now delivery has to match. If capital-markets momentum stays firm and comp ratios don’t drift higher, bank stocks can keep rerating; if revenue cools while pay inflation stays hot, this flips into a fast de-rate narrative.