Wall Street bonuses jumped 17 percent last year

I find it somewhat difficult to judge the structure of these large financial institutions and their compensation methods because what people tend to forget is that the bonuses these top paying executives earn, as ludicrous and extravagant an amount as they are, are promised to them contractually and thus they are receiving what they are owed for having returned their company to profitability. I understand the social stigma and dissatisfaction associated with these compensations however the amount rose compared to 2008 because the economy was still in the middle of the recession during that time. I take this news to be more encouraging rather than upsetting because it shows that the large financial institutions are regaining stability and profitability. Unfortunately this is only a reminder to the public that financial institutions are designed to earn maximum profit, not to ensure the stability or protect the state of the economy as a whole.