Goldman Sachs, due to issue fourth-quarter results later this week, is considering delaying bonus payments in the UK until after 6 April, when the top rate of income tax in the country is due to fall to 45 per cent from 50 per cent, according to media reports.

The strategy reported relates to bonuses that were deferred from 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The US-headquartered financial giant recently brought forward payments of deferred stock to executives in the US to 2012, in order to beat tax hikes implemented for top earners in 2013.

The story emerged as US banking groups prepared to issue Q4 and full-year results over the next few days.