Former Deutsche Bank Trader Loses Lawsuit Over $3.4 Million Bonus Claim

Former Deutsche Bank trader Shikha Gupta lost her London lawsuit seeking over $3.4 million in unpaid bonuses. Gupta, who worked until 2017 in the bank's non-core unit, claimed she was promised a substantial bonus for her exceptional work. However, the court ruled no formal guarantee was made and that bonuses were unaffordable.

Shikha Gupta, a former trader at Deutsche Bank, lost her legal battle in a London court for a $3.4 million bonus she claimed was owed to her. Gupta, employed until 2017, was part of the bank's non-core unit designed to streamline operations post-2008 financial crisis.

Gupta argued she played a crucial role in helping the bank dispose of billions in assets and meet a $7.2 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2016. Despite her exceptional performance, she received only 21,250 pounds as a team reward for 2016, instead of a promised individual bonus.

The High Court, however, dismissed Gupta's claims, with Judge Catherine Howells noting that no formal guarantee of a bonus was provided and the bank was justified in deeming the payout unaffordable. A Deutsche Bank spokesperson welcomed the decision, while Gupta's lawyers did not comment.

(With inputs from agencies.)