<p>The Sunday Times has reported that Goldman, "at centre of a criminal investigation into its role in financial crisis, paid its London staff USD 5.5 billion (3.6 billion pounds) in salary and bonuses last year".<br /><br />"The payouts equate to an average of USD 1 million each - almost twice as much as the average pay deal across the rest of the group," the publication said.<br /><br />According to the report, the figures were detailed in accounts filed at Companies House. The compensation details come amid rising criticism over exorbitant pay packets for bankers.<br />"Goldman Sachs International, the bank's London arm, employs about 5,500 people. The bank paid USD 600m to cover the Treasury's bonus tax...," the report noted.<br /><br />The Sunday Times said the size of the staff payouts registered in the books has been inflated by the sharp recovery in the bank's share price - which boosted the value of staff share options by USD 1.8 billion.<br /><br />"The accounts also show that Goldman's London employees have been handed new share options worth almost 500 million pounds," it added.<br /><br />Last month, US market regulator Securities and Exchange Commission had filed a lawsuit against Goldman Sachs alleging that the entity caused losses of over USD 1 billion to investors by misrepresenting facts about a financial product tied to sub-prime mortgages.<br />A separate investigation has been launched into the bank by the British regulator Financial Services Authority, the report said.</p>
<p>The Sunday Times has reported that Goldman, "at centre of a criminal investigation into its role in financial crisis, paid its London staff USD 5.5 billion (3.6 billion pounds) in salary and bonuses last year".<br /><br />"The payouts equate to an average of USD 1 million each - almost twice as much as the average pay deal across the rest of the group," the publication said.<br /><br />According to the report, the figures were detailed in accounts filed at Companies House. The compensation details come amid rising criticism over exorbitant pay packets for bankers.<br />"Goldman Sachs International, the bank's London arm, employs about 5,500 people. The bank paid USD 600m to cover the Treasury's bonus tax...," the report noted.<br /><br />The Sunday Times said the size of the staff payouts registered in the books has been inflated by the sharp recovery in the bank's share price - which boosted the value of staff share options by USD 1.8 billion.<br /><br />"The accounts also show that Goldman's London employees have been handed new share options worth almost 500 million pounds," it added.<br /><br />Last month, US market regulator Securities and Exchange Commission had filed a lawsuit against Goldman Sachs alleging that the entity caused losses of over USD 1 billion to investors by misrepresenting facts about a financial product tied to sub-prime mortgages.<br />A separate investigation has been launched into the bank by the British regulator Financial Services Authority, the report said.</p>
