Investment bankers are set to take home sizeable bonuses this year on the back of robust equity capital market activity in FY21, which saw record fundraising by way of qualified institutional placements (QIPs), infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs)/real estate investment trusts (REITs), and rights issues.
 
Industry players estimate the average payouts to be in the range of 50-75 per cent of the bankers' annual salaries. For the top performers, the bonuses could be 100-125 per cent.
 
The Covid-19 pandemic impacted the quantum of bonuses paid out last year as banks tried to conserve cash amid the bleak outlook for fundraising.
 
"Last year, the bonuses were cut, held back or deferred owing to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. So, bankers got less than what they deserved. This year will be different," a senior investment banker said on condition of anonymity.
 
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