Almost half (49%) of UK bankers and finance professionals have received a bonus increase this year, according to research from eFinancialCareers.com.

Just 25% said their bonus had been cut, while of those UK bankers and financial professionals who had received an increase, the average bonus payment being received among front office professionals is £84,409, with middle office professionals receiving £31,705, and back office workers £18,895.

James Bennett, managing director EMEA and APAC at eFinancialCareers.com, says: “Retention of key staff is going to be a dominant theme during 2011 as financial institutions tackle the challenge of meeting compensation guidelines set by Regulators and the earnings’ expectations of employees.

“We see this issue being particularly acute amongst younger staff as our data shows that the largest bonuses are typically being paid out to those professionals with 15 years or more experience; less experienced staff have typically received significantly lower bonuses.”