UBS, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley boost bonus for investment bankers by 20%
Fundraising on the Hong Kong stock exchange reached US$37.22 billion last year, the highest since US$42.97 billion in 2021
Investment bankers in Asia are set for their best payday since 2021, with UBS, Citigroup and Morgan Stanley raising bonuses by an average of 20 per cent, according to people familiar with the lenders’ plans.
The fat cheques follow higher revenues powered by robust initial public offering (IPO) activity, vibrant stock and bond markets, and a steady flow of mergers and acquisitions in 2025.
Representatives for UBS, Citigroup and Morgan Stanley declined to comment when reached by the Post.
“Fundraising on both stock and bond markets was strong in 2025, which boosted investment banks’ revenues and allowed them to increase bonus payments for the investment bankers,” said Robert Lee Wai-wang, a lawmaker and chairman of Hong Kong-based Grand Finance Group.
“The trend is likely to continue in 2026, as there are over 300 companies that are still waiting to list in Hong Kong. Besides IPOs, many companies also issued bonds or used share placements to raise funds to finance their expansion.”