Stimulus Slashes Bank Bonuses

Obama, after pledge to be above the noise, falls prey to it instead

(NEWSER) - Sure, bankers make too much money, but President Obama’s ceiling “is just a misguided attempt to quiet the peanut gallery,” writes Megan Barnett in Portfolio. The $500,000-per-year executive cap will discourage banks from taking needed government cash, and drive away top talent. “Money is what motivates people to come to Wall Street,” she writes. “It’s not a public-service job, nor should it pay like one.” More»

(NEWSER) - All the hubbub around AIG and its bonuses is “a complete farce,” Larry Kudlow writes in the National Review. No one should be surprised that those in charge have “completely bungled” the situation. “The government shouldn’t run anything, because it cannot run anything,” Kudlow writes. And the Obama administration was “undoubtedly informed” about the bonuses months ago. More»

Stimulus cuts are too strict, will actually hurt economy, say experts

(NEWSER) - An 11th-hour limit on Wall Street bonuses in the stimulus bill could ultimately hurt the economy, experts say. In a surprise move, they curb not only senior executives’ pay but also traders, investment bankers, and others, the Los Angeles Times reports. “This will make it difficult to attract and retain top salespeople, the lifeblood of any company,” said a DC financial advocate. More»

Pay to be capped at $500,000, bonuses canceled

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration plans to announce sharp new limits today on how much executives of bailed-out companies can make, the New York Times reports. The rules, still being hammered out, would cap the pay of top executives at $500,000 and bar them from receiving any bonuses apart from normal stock dividends. More»

Reining in pay is good politics, good economics: Krugman

(NEWSER) - Just as the recession wanes and the financial system shows signs of the health, banks are returning to their worst habits, says Paul Krugman. Not only are paychecks soaring to pre-Lehman levels, but the financial sector is using its muscle to block "even the most minimal reforms." While the Fed knows what needs to be done most—"change the industry’s incentives—which means, in particular, changing the way bankers are paid"—President Obama is showing a disturbing lack of backbone, writes the New York Times columnist. More»