Johnson Associates predicts flat to slightly higher 2026 Wall Street bonuses
Updated
Updated · Barron's · May 7
Johnson Associates predicts flat to slightly higher 2026 Wall Street bonuses
10 articles · Updated · Barron's · May 7
Advisory and equity underwriting staff at banks could get 10% to 20% rises, while some private credit employees may see bonuses fall 2.5% to 7.5%.
The firm said solid first-quarter results and resilient US markets have kept deal pipelines strong despite the Iran war, Strait of Hormuz tensions, and higher oil and materials costs.
Johnson Associates said AI is already reshaping hiring and pay, with fewer entry- and mid-level roles, more outsourcing, and premium compensation for workers in AI-linked jobs.
As AI automates finance, what skills now separate the highest-paid employees from those facing job cuts?
With a resilient US economy, why is the Iran war the main factor preventing a Wall Street bonus boom in 2026?
Private credit's AI-driven slump is here. Which financial sector is next to face a similar high-tech reckoning?