The aftermath of the wreckage on Wall Street may be felt throughout the world, but it has definitely not hit the pocketbooks of those working on Wall Street. Wall Street bonuses totaled $33.2 billion in 2007, down just 2 percent, by the estimates of the New York state comptroller's office. Meanwhile, seven of Wall Street's biggest firms boosted their total compensation and benefits to a combined $122 billion, up 10% since 2006 desipte falling share prices in the company's through which they work! In fact, mortgage-related losses by several of these firms totaled $55 billion and wiped out more than $200 billion in shareholder value. The bonus figures represent the ingrained pay culture on Wall Street that leaves many with little choice to either pay up or lose top talent that can return big bucks in good times... it's a tough choice.