Bonuses are expected to rise at a “moderate” pace across Wall Street this year, with senior executives getting up to 10 percent increases, according to a report on Thursday by the compensation consulting firm Johnson Associates.

Trading divisions are likely to be the biggest bonus winners this year, according to the firm’s estimates. Bond traders are expected to see bumps of 10 to 20 percent, while equities traders should see hikes of 5 to 15 percent, Johnson Associates said.

Of eight investment and commercial banks for which Johnson Associates projected 2012 pay, it expects just two to report lower overall bonus pools than the previous year. The firm predicted that bonuses will remain flat for five out of 10 asset management firms it covers, and drop for just one.

Senior executives are likely to get bonuses at least equal to last year’s payout, and up to 10 percent higher than 2011, Johnson Associates said. Those estimates exclude executives whose pay is detailed in proxy filings, because of public pressure to keep a lid on Wall Street pay.

Source: Reuters.com