Wall Street firms and banks are not increasing the bonuses they give to their top executives, despite, in some cases, record profits. The change is seen as a response to bad market conditions and lower profits, as well as negative public sentiment towards financial institutions. Many bankers and traders will also see their bonuses decline or disappear this year, as companies deal with lower profits.
See "Bonuses Pinched for Bank CEOs", Dan Fitzpatick, Aaron Lucchetti and David Benoit, The Wall Street Journal, January 22, 2012