Since taking the reins at Morgan Stanley in 2010, CEO James Gorman has guided the firm with a managerial style that boils down to telling people, more or less: You'll get it when you've earned it, "it" being anything from personal space to money to his respect. On the point of compensation, last year he told employees complaining about what they were paid to either open a newspaper and get over themselves or do everyone a favor and quit. Today brings news that this year, he's doubling down on that mandate and daring anyone to make something of it.

Morgan Stanley is deferring 100 percent of the bonuses for high-earning employees, according to three sources familiar with the situation. The deferral applies to all employees, except for financial advisers, who make more than $350,000 annually and whose bonuses are at least $50,000, one of the sources said. The deferred bonuses will be paid out over a three-year period. Employees who make less than $350,000 annually and whose bonuses total less than $50,000 will receive their cash bonuses in February, the source said.

Don't spend it all in one place.

Exclusive: Morgan Stanley to defer bonuses for high earners - sources [Reuters]