($ in millions)
- Compensation and benefits expenses of $29,216 million in 2025 increased 12% from the prior year, primarily due to an increase in the formulaic payout to Wealth Management advisors and higher discretionary incentive compensation within Institutional Securities, both on higher revenues, and higher salary expenses.
In 2025, as a result of a March workforce management action, we recognized severance costs of $144 million, included in Compensation and benefits expense. The workforce management action was related to performance management and the alignment of our workforce to our business needs, rather than a change in strategy or exit of businesses. The workforce management action occurred across our business segments and geographic regions and impacted approximately 2% of our global workforce at that time. We recorded severance costs of $78 million in the Institutional Securities business segment, $50 million in the Wealth Management business segment, and $16 million in the Investment Management business segment. These costs were incurred across all regions, with the majority in the Americas.
- Non-compensation expenses of $19,126 million in 2025 increased 8% from the prior year, primarily due to higher execution-related expenses and increased technology spend.