Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2026-02-15 23:16Core Viewpoint - The compensation for CEOs of major U.S. banks has returned to pre-financial crisis levels, with annual total pay exceeding $40 million, surpassing records set in 2006 and 2021 [1][2]. Group 1: CEO Compensation Trends - The annual total compensation for CEOs of the six largest U.S. banks has reached or exceeded $40 million, marking a significant increase compared to previous years [1][2]. - Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan's compensation rose by 17% year-over-year to $41 million, while Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser's pay increased by 22% to $42 million [1][2]. - Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon's 2025 compensation is set at $47 million, the highest among peers, reflecting a 21% increase [2]. Group 2: Profitability and Performance - The rise in CEO compensation is directly linked to improved industry profitability, with top U.S. financial institutions reporting their largest annual profits since 2021 [3]. - Increased activity in trading, lending, and mergers and acquisitions has contributed to enhanced performance and bonus pools [3]. Group 3: Governance and Retention Strategies - Some pay increases signal governance confidence, such as Citigroup's raise for Jane Fraser, viewed as a vote of trust from the board after years of underperformance [4]. - Goldman Sachs' compensation discussions focus on retention, with significant bonuses aimed at keeping key executives amid competition from private equity investors [4]. - Compensation structures often include stock-based payments, aligning executive interests with those of shareholders [4]. Group 4: Shareholder Sentiment and Cost Concerns - Despite some opposition, CEO compensation plans generally pass shareholder votes without major obstacles [5]. - There is growing scrutiny on costs and compensation, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence, leading to increased questioning of how banks will manage expenses while pursuing revenue growth [5]. - Investors are likely to monitor both the return of high salaries and the emphasis on cost control in upcoming earnings seasons and compensation votes [5].