Compensation at significant financial institutions is one factor among many that contributed to the financial crisis that began in 2007. Official action to address unsound compensation systems must therefore be embedded in the broader financial regulatory reform program, built around a substantially stronger and more resilient global capital and liquidity framework. Action in all major financial centres must be speedy, determined and coherent. Urgency is particularly important to prevent a return to the compensation practices that contributed to the crisis.

This report responds to the call by the G20 Finance Ministers and Governors to submit to the Pittsburgh Summit detailed specific proposals on corporate governance reforms, global standards on pay structure and greater disclosure and transparency, to strengthen adherence to the FSB Principles for Sound Compensation Practices, issued in April 2009.

The standards set out in this report focus on areas in which especially rapid progress is needed. They do not fully cover all aspects of the FSB Principles but prioritise areas that should be addressed by firms and supervisors to achieve effective global implementation of the Principles. Firms and supervisors should ensure the process of implementation is begun immediately and pursued rigorously in their respective jurisdictions.

Given the commitment to ensure a level playing field, these implementation standards must be rigorously and consistently implemented by significant financial institutions throughout the world.

The FSB will periodically review actions taken by firms and by national authorities to implement the FSB Principles and these standards and assess the extent to which implementation has occurred and has had the intended effects. It will propose additional measures as required no later than March 2010.