Playing for Pay: How Did Big Financial CEOs Stack Up in 2011?

Lloyd Blankfein, Goldman Sachs

2011 Compensation: ~$16.1 million

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) CEO Lloyd Blankfein is the virtual poster child for executive excess, and his company constantly is lampooned as the “vampire squid” of finance. Blankfein’s nearly $16 million pay package isn’t insubstantial, so investors might want to take another look on the next go-around. Goldman’s 0.48% return on assets and 3.65% return on equity were decent enough, but GS shares spiraled downward to the tune of 46% last year.