The New York-based bank boosted bonuses for its top Asia employees by nearly 20% on average to make up for meagre bonuses the year before, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing nonpublic information.
Bonuses for top performers in markets such as India and Australia will rise by 30% to 40%, the people said.
Morgan Stanley's revenue from investment banking and capital markets in Asia, excluding Japan, rose about 50% last year to more than $600 million, and its bonus pool increased by about 20%, the people said. By comparison, J.P.Morgan Chase & Co.'s average bonus increase for senior bankers in the region was in the single digits to 10%, two people familiar with the matter said.
Spokesmen for Morgan Stanley and J.P.Morgan Chase & Co declined to comment.