NEW YORK, NY December 21, 2007 —This might be one of Wall Street's worst years in a decade. But, that hasn't stopped bonus checks from rising an average of 14%.

Four of the biggest U.S. investment banks will pay out more than $49 billion in compensation this year. Those banks are Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns.

Bonuses are traditionally estimated to represent 60% of the compensation total - or almost $30 billion this year.

This may not sit well with investors who held onto investment bank stocks this year and watched them plunge by up to 45%. Investment houses have been slammed by the credit crisis.

Some executives have agreed to forgo their bonuses this year.