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Bankers and their bonuses

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  • Bell, Brian
  • Van Reenen, John

Abstract

We analyse the role of financial sector workers in the huge rise of the share of earnings going to those at the very top of the pay distribution in the UK. Rising bankers' bonuses accounted for two-thirds of the increase in the share of the top 1% after 1999. Surprisingly, bankers' share of earnings showed no decline between the peak of the financial boom in 2007 and 2011, three years after the global crisis began. Nor did bankers' relative employment position deteriorate over this period. We discuss proposed policy responses such as transparency, bonus 'clawbacks', numerical bonus targets and tax.

Suggested Citation

  • Bell, Brian & Van Reenen, John, 2014. "Bankers and their bonuses," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 56057, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:56057
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N0 - Economic History - - General
    • F3 - International Economics - - International Finance
    • G3 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance

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