In 2010, 135 billion USD in compensation was paid out to those jolly bankers. That amount is expected to increase to 156 BILLION dollars for the hard work they performed in 2011. Perhaps that bonus number will change, since the mortgage settlement thing.
Wait. What was the amount of that mortgage settlement again? Let me google that one, because with all these numbers, I'm confused. So... oh yes there it is:
25 billion for what BBC characterizes as improper foreclosure practices. I kid you not.
Not to mention, that's not all 25bn in cash leaving the banks.
cross posted at writing in the rAw