Bonus round

Strange times. Strange times, indeed.

In an eFinancialCareers.com survey of 900 Wall Streeters who were still employed, and who had already heard about their bonus, an eye-opening 79 percent reported that they received one. That well surpassed the 66 percent who told the website in October that they were expecting a bonus.

What's more, 46 percent of the respondents claimed to have gotten more than they did for 2007, whereas only 36 percent had anticipated that outcome.

However, illogically, or perhaps tellingly, only 26 percent reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their bonuses, with almost twice as many (46 percent) expressing dissatisfaction. Compensation observers, both within and outside of eFinancialCareers, shook their heads in wonder.

Welfare reform, anyone?