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No cash bonuses at Goldman Sachs | No cash bonuses at Goldman Sachs |
(40 minutes later) | |
US bank Goldman Sachs has said that its 30 top executives will not receive any cash bonuses in 2009. | US bank Goldman Sachs has said that its 30 top executives will not receive any cash bonuses in 2009. |
All bonuses will be in the form of restricted shares, which cannot be sold for five years. | All bonuses will be in the form of restricted shares, which cannot be sold for five years. |
The new policy is aimed at discouraging excessive risk-taking in the wake of the global financial crisis. | The new policy is aimed at discouraging excessive risk-taking in the wake of the global financial crisis. |
Goldman said it believed its compensation policy "incentivises behaviour that is in the public's and our shareholders' best interests". | Goldman said it believed its compensation policy "incentivises behaviour that is in the public's and our shareholders' best interests". |
Shareholders will be able to vote on the policy at the bank's annual meeting next year. | Shareholders will be able to vote on the policy at the bank's annual meeting next year. |
"By subjecting our compensation principles and executive compensation to a shareholder advisory vote, we are further strengthening our dialogue with shareholders on the important issue of compensation," said Goldman chief executive Lloyd Blankfein. | "By subjecting our compensation principles and executive compensation to a shareholder advisory vote, we are further strengthening our dialogue with shareholders on the important issue of compensation," said Goldman chief executive Lloyd Blankfein. |
As for the absence of any cash bonus, well for Goldman's top bods cash was already only about 20% of typical payouts Robert Peston, BBC business editor Read Robert's blog | |
The company will also be able to recapture the shares if employees engage in improper risk-taking. | The company will also be able to recapture the shares if employees engage in improper risk-taking. |
Goldman has come under criticism for setting aside nearly $17bn (£10.5bn) in the first three quarters of 2009 to cover pay and bonuses, despite receiving a $10bn US government bail-out. | Goldman has come under criticism for setting aside nearly $17bn (£10.5bn) in the first three quarters of 2009 to cover pay and bonuses, despite receiving a $10bn US government bail-out. |
The bank has since repaid the government loan. | The bank has since repaid the government loan. |
Goldman shares were down 81 cents at $165.63 in midday trade in New York. | Goldman shares were down 81 cents at $165.63 in midday trade in New York. |
The UK government said that bankers in the UK who receive bonuses over £25,000 this year would be taxed at 50% "regardless of if they are in cash, shares, or any other form". | The UK government said that bankers in the UK who receive bonuses over £25,000 this year would be taxed at 50% "regardless of if they are in cash, shares, or any other form". |