'Should bankers' bonuses be stopped?' poll discussion

sabretoothtigger

Thirty of Goldman Sachs' highest-paid bankers will not receive a cash bonus this year as the embattled investment bank attempts to fall into line with public and political opinion. The bank's 30-strong management committee, led by chief executive Lloyd Blankfein who was paid $68.5m (£42m) in cash and shares in 2007, will instead receive their bonuses in shares which cannot be sold for five years. The group includes Goldman's highest paid bankers in London, including vice- chairman Michael Sherwood, the Telegraph reports.

Seems pretty simple to me, large cash withdrawals from the bank even if earnt shouldnt be cashable for 5 or 10 years as it helps them to have an interest in the companies welfare beyond the end of the year

DCodd

Can someone explain how the bail outs were completed?

Did the Government "lend" the money to the Banks i.e. as a prefered creditor or did it buy some of the Banks own retained shares? If it was the share route, what type of shares were bought "Oridinary" or "Preference"?