Minister in plea to banks over bonus payments

A Treasury minister warned banks to restore their reputation by reforming the way they pay bonuses.

Addressing the British Bankers' Association last night, Financial Secretary Mark Hoban issued a pointed reminder that the forthcoming bonus season would be taking place at a time of pay restraint across the rest of the economy.

He confirmed that the Government was still looking at the options for levying a financial activities tax on the banks' remuneration and profits.

But he appealed to the bankers to take the lead to show the public that they were capable of reform themselves following their bail-out by the taxpayer in the wake of the global financial crisis.

"A key way of regaining public trust will be by reforming the system of remuneration," he said.

"We have the opportunity to send a clear message to the public that the banking system now operates in a way that is fair and stable and no longer rewards employees based on short-term performance whilst leaving investors and taxpayers exposed to the long-term risks.

"It is better for the industry to lead these changes."

He said that both the public and private sectors had had to show "significant pay restraint" since the recession.

"I don't need to tell you that the next bonus round will be conducted against a background of continued pressure in the private sector," he said.

"And by visibly reforming the way they operate, banks can show that they exist to serve the whole economy, not just their own interests.

"By grasping the opportunity of reform, the banking sector can start a new chapter, one based on the principles of transparency, resilience and stability."

BBA chief executive Angela Knight said the question of how banking regulation was addressed was "well under way", with the UK "leading the way".

Though she said there were still changes which needed to be made, she told GMTV: "A very big section is all about the economy because those countries that didn't spend too much before the recession hit are those countries which are coming out of recession quicker.

"If we presume that everything is about the banking industry then we will not get the next step right. Fiscal and monetary policy changes do have to be made."

And she insisted "new changes" needed to take place on a global level.

"We have said that, as the industry is international, therefore these things should be introduced internationally so that business doesn't shift from one country to another," she said.

Accepting that bankers had an "image problem", she insisted the bonus question was "for the few" who "can work anywhere in the world" and who have their standards set internationally.

"There's not a lot any of us can do if other countries have a different view on pay," she said. "We, in the UK, are absolutely at the table for change."