Goldman Sachs raised CEO David Solomon's compensation 26 per cent to US$39 million for last year, according to a filing, and its board lined up an US$80 million stock retention bonus that signals he will stay at the helm for another 5 years. John Waldron, the bank's president and chief operating officer was also awarded a retention bonus of US$80 million in restricted stock that vests in 5 years. He is widely seen as a successor to CEO David Solomon. "The firm is delivering strong performance and the board is determined to maintain our momentum, ensure stability, and keep in place a solid succession plan," said Goldman Sachs spokesman Tony Fratto. "The board is also evolving compensation to enhance the firm's ability to continue to attract and retain the best talent at a time when the competition for Goldman Sachs talent is especially fierce, including from asset managers and other non-banks," he added.