Up to 90% of bonuses may be withheld at Deutsche Bank
As many as 90% of banker and trader bonuses may be withheld at Deutsche Bank this year, according to sources, with the 10% who are expected to receive a bonus for 2016 probably getting the payments spread out over five years. The German lender has been looking at different ways of paying bonuses in cash as it attempts to build capital buffers and increase investors confidence. Deutsche Bank has declined to comment.

Deutsche Bank, the former Wall Street powerhouse, may hold back on giving out bonuses to as many as 90 percent of bankers and traders, The Post has learned.

Only the top 10 percent of revenue generators may get a bonus for 2016 — and even then it will be paid out over the next five years, according to a source briefed on internal discussions.

The bonus plans are still in discussion, another source cautioned, and could still change in the coming weeks.

Deutsche was hit hard last month when it settled a mortgage bond probe with the Justice Department for $7.2 billion — which was only about half of what the government initially wanted.

While reports have suggested that the settlement could affect the bank’s ability to pay bonuses, it couldn’t be confirmed if the bank had used incentive compensation for the settlement.

This wouldn’t be the first time that John Cryan, Deutsche’s CEO, has cut bonuses since taking over in 2014.

Last year, the bank cut the bonus pool by 11 percent and delayed paying its employees until March.

A bank spokeswoman declined to comment.