What FINRA's top execs earn

Last year was a solid one for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority — and the top execs’ pay packages weren’t too shabby, either.

Executives at FINRA earn significantly higher salaries than those at the Securities and Exchange Commission. “The folks at FINRA seem to be living large while constantly professing they need more money,” says Los Angeles attorney Patrick Burns. “SEC staff and executives seem to do just fine with the government salaries and benefits they get, so I question why FINRA’s compensation can’t be brought in line with them. If you were to ask industry people who does a better job regulating, I think most knowledgeable people would tell you it’s the SEC.”

FINRA recently said in its annual report that revenues increased 2.5% over 2012. Expenses remained relatively flat year over year, despite major expenditures, including $19.5 million in severance payments and $12.7 million in additional service credits to participants in the Voluntary Retirement Program.

Given the better-than-expected financial performance, FINRA says its board approved a one-time discretionary rebate of $20 million, which was distributed to active member firms at the end of last year. All firms in good standing received a $1,200 rebate to offset their minimum gross income assessment fee.

As for those pay packages, read on to see what eight of the top execs at FINRA brought in last year. Total compensation includes base pay, incentive pay, deferred compensation and other benefits.

See also: CEO compensation: The sky is the limit

8. Linda Fienberg, President, Dispute Resolution

Total compensation in 2013: $921,032

Total compensation in 2012: $958,973

Year-to-year change: -3.9%

7. Robert Colby, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer (pictured)

Total compensation in 2013: $948,420

Total compensation in 2012: $297,058

Year-to-year change: +219%

6. Steven Joachim, EVP, Transparency Services (pictured)

Total compensation in 2013: $955,506

Total compensation in 2012: $2,461,054

Year-to-year change: -61%