Morgan Stanley CEO Pay Falls 32% to $45M as Bank Pay Surges
Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick received total compensation of $45M in 2025, a 32% decline from peers' increases, yet still the second-highest pay behind Goldman Sachs’ David Solomon. Broadly, Wall Street’s biggest banks saw CEO pay surge by up to $45M driven by trading volatility, deal-making gains and regulatory relief.
1. Compensation Overview
Ted Pick, in his second year as Morgan Stanley CEO, earned $45 million in total compensation for 2025, representing a 32% decrease from the previous year’s level but still ranking him second among major bank CEOs behind Goldman Sachs’ David Solomon.
2. Drivers of Pay Surge
Industry-wide, large bank CEOs saw pay increase by up to $45 million as strong stock performance, elevated trading volatility and a surge in investment banking deal volume outpaced any downturns, while deregulation and the lifting of growth restrictions further boosted compensation pools.
3. Outlook for 2026
Bank CEOs, including those at Morgan Stanley, remain optimistic about continued growth in M&A and IPO pipelines for 2026, though they acknowledge potential pauses or recalibrations similar to last April as geopolitical and tariff uncertainties persist.