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Badly-performing bankers may have to repay bonuses seven years on | Badly-performing bankers may have to repay bonuses seven years on |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Bank of England has unveiled plans that mean badly-performing bankers may have to pay back bonuses up to seven years after being awarded them. | The Bank of England has unveiled plans that mean badly-performing bankers may have to pay back bonuses up to seven years after being awarded them. |
Even if bonuses paid in shares have been cashed and spent, bankers could be asked to pay the money back. | Even if bonuses paid in shares have been cashed and spent, bankers could be asked to pay the money back. |
Bankers that are found guilty of "causing a bank to fail" can already be sent to jail, or given unlimited fines. | Bankers that are found guilty of "causing a bank to fail" can already be sent to jail, or given unlimited fines. |
The banking industry said the new rules could put UK banks at a disadvantage compared with banks elsewhere. | The banking industry said the new rules could put UK banks at a disadvantage compared with banks elsewhere. |
Many bankers receive a substantial chunk of their pay in the form of an annual bonus, which can be up to double their basic salary. | Many bankers receive a substantial chunk of their pay in the form of an annual bonus, which can be up to double their basic salary. |
Under current rules, that bonus is usually deferred for a period of three to five years, during which time it can be clawed back if appropriate. | Under current rules, that bonus is usually deferred for a period of three to five years, during which time it can be clawed back if appropriate. |
But misconduct such as rigging interest rates or reckless risk-taking can take longer to emerge, so under the new policy, bonuses may be clawed back up to seven years later. | But misconduct such as rigging interest rates or reckless risk-taking can take longer to emerge, so under the new policy, bonuses may be clawed back up to seven years later. |
The Bank also published new rules for senior managers in the industry. | The Bank also published new rules for senior managers in the industry. |
There is already a new criminal offence for such managers, of taking a "reckless decision" which causes a financial institution to fail. | There is already a new criminal offence for such managers, of taking a "reckless decision" which causes a financial institution to fail. |
To be found guilty, senior managers have to be aware at the time that their actions might cause the bank or building society to collapse. | To be found guilty, senior managers have to be aware at the time that their actions might cause the bank or building society to collapse. |
If convicted, they can face up to seven years in jail. | If convicted, they can face up to seven years in jail. |
'Responsibility' | 'Responsibility' |
"Holding individuals to account is a key component of our job as regulators of banks," said Andrew Bailey, the Bank's deputy governor for prudential regulation. | "Holding individuals to account is a key component of our job as regulators of banks," said Andrew Bailey, the Bank's deputy governor for prudential regulation. |
"The combination of clearer individual responsibilities and enhanced risk management incentives will encourage individuals in banks to take greater responsibility for their actions," he said. | "The combination of clearer individual responsibilities and enhanced risk management incentives will encourage individuals in banks to take greater responsibility for their actions," he said. |
The move comes days after Lloyds Banking Group was fined £218m. | The move comes days after Lloyds Banking Group was fined £218m. |
The company was condemned for "serious misconduct" over certain key interest rates set in London. | The company was condemned for "serious misconduct" over certain key interest rates set in London. |
The British Bankers' Association (BBA) said the rules would put the UK at a competitive disadvantage. | |
"We now have the toughest regime in banking pay of any global financial centre," said Anthony Browne from the BBA, | |
"Bankers are paid less here [in London] than in New York, Singapore or Hong Kong and ultimately this could have an impact on the competitiveness of London as a financial centre and the jobs and tax paid here." | |
'Conduct issues' | 'Conduct issues' |
However Antony Jenkins, chief executive of Barclays, is supportive of the plans. | However Antony Jenkins, chief executive of Barclays, is supportive of the plans. |
"I believe that banks have to regulate themselves and that's why culture is so important, so that banks do the right business in the right way," he said. | "I believe that banks have to regulate themselves and that's why culture is so important, so that banks do the right business in the right way," he said. |
"I would say that in principle, I support the idea that where there is wrongdoing, there should be appropriate punishment. | "I would say that in principle, I support the idea that where there is wrongdoing, there should be appropriate punishment. |
"If that's criminal wrongdoing, it should be criminal, if it's recklessness, that should be punished also, so I'm not against the concept of clawback," he continued. | "If that's criminal wrongdoing, it should be criminal, if it's recklessness, that should be punished also, so I'm not against the concept of clawback," he continued. |
The Bank of England warned in March that bankers might have to return their bonuses up to six years after receiving them. | The Bank of England warned in March that bankers might have to return their bonuses up to six years after receiving them. |
Speaking earlier in the year, Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, told the BBC's Andrew Marr that bank bonuses should be deferred for a "very long time" to ensure bad practice was not rewarded. | Speaking earlier in the year, Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, told the BBC's Andrew Marr that bank bonuses should be deferred for a "very long time" to ensure bad practice was not rewarded. |
The new rules on bonus payments will come in on 1 January 2015, in time for next year's round of bonus payments in the City. | The new rules on bonus payments will come in on 1 January 2015, in time for next year's round of bonus payments in the City. |
Do you work in finance? If so, what are your thoughts on the move? You can send us your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "bank bonuses". | Do you work in finance? If so, what are your thoughts on the move? You can send us your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "bank bonuses". |