Skip to main content
long breezeway of arches in golden light

Research Report | Apr 2020

Quick Polls: Banking Edition

This report presents data on the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on compensation practices in the banking and credit union industry.

Our Quick Poll survey series provides organizations with information on emerging topics and is designed to provide context for discussion and decision-making around pay, governance, and employment issues. This report examines two quick polls on the coronavirus using a subset of participants from the banking industry (banks and credit unions). The surveys included:

  • Will Coronavirus Affect Executive Base Salary? (open from 3/24/2020 to 3/27/2020) reflects responses from 389 participants including the subset banking institutions—69 in total
  • How Coronavirus is Affecting Broad-Based Pay and Benefits (open from 4/2/2020 to 4/6/2020) reflects responses from 369 participants including the subset banking institutions—56 in total.

As an “essential” business, banks are staying open to meet the needs of customers through existing business operations and new lending through programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Financial institutions have risen to the challenge by dramatically changing business operations including drive-through-only retail banking and equipping employees to work at home for the first time.

The polls show that the banking industry has been more conservative in its pay actions relative to other industries. Financial institutions are primarily staying the course with executive and broad-based pay but plan to evaluate options as this crisis continues.

At Pearl Meyer, we work with boards and organizations to design and implement compensation and leadership strategies that build great management teams.
Find out how we can help you.
Get in touch with us