Banker Bonuses Boost London Moving & Storage Market

Recently, the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority have relaxed long-held rules regarding banker bonuses. While that may seem an issue of little concern beyond the finance sector, it is manifesting in a very different way in the moving vans and storage lockers of London's richest neighborhoods. As more bankers cash out, cash up, and store luxury goods, there is quietly increased demand for high-end moving and self-storage services across the city. For luxury movers, this is not only good news, but also a welcome change that is shifting the market tone and I Like To Move It Move It is here to serve.

What changed, and why it matters

On October 15th, 2025, the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), in conjunction with the FCA, detailed significant changes to the senior banker pay-deferral regulations. Below are the main updates:

• The deferral period for bonuses for senior bankers will be shortened from 8 years to 4 years.
• Bonuses will vest pro rata beginning in year 1instead of only starting from year 3.
• The threshold for deferral will be increased: only 60% of bonuses earned beyond £650k will be subject to deferral, instead of the entire amount.
• Regulators confirmed that despite the changes, risk safeguards are still in place and that the motivations for change are competitiveness and flexibility for senior banker bonuses.

All of these changes mean that a large number of bankers will now have earlier bonus payments (or larger payments at the start) this year and then next, releasing liquidity and spending. The changes also suggest a shift from post-crisis strictness to restoring competition and flexibility for the UK’s financial services.

How this affects spending behaviour

With large cash bonuses being paid out sooner, “City bonus season” has taken on a different hue. Instead of flashy cars or watches, we are seeing much more thoughtful applications: upgrades to homes, moving addresses to larger or more prestigious locations, major renovations, and, importantly for moving and storage by the box businesses, decluttering, storing valuables, and finding space.

As one industry commentator observed:

“Quicker payouts don’t just mean quicker tax receipts for the Treasury; it allows that spending power to be directed quickly into the real economy.”

In other words, the money is falling into the hands of high-earning professionals quicker, and when you have liquidity, lifestyle choices and property choices tend to follow. This means more moves, more storage, and more custom services.

For moving & storage specialists: a golden window

This is a clear opportunity for premium moving & storage market businesses servicing the City of London.

Here’s how we at I Like To Move It Move It see it unfolding:

1. Upscale & relocate: A professional who receives a bonus will move into a bigger house or perhaps small storage units in a more desirable area, such as self-storage in Chelsea, self-storage in Knightsbridge, or self-storage in St John’s Wood.
2. Reconfigure without the hassle: Client invests the bonus into a luxury refit and moves their belongings into premium self-storage, we collect them, store them, dispose of uneconomical items, and deliver everything back when the job is completed.
3. Secure self-storage as an investment: Given London’s astonishing property prices, moving to a larger space is prohibitively expensive to the point of being impractical. Instead, another strategy would be to store belongings to maximize space; self storage becomes a form of ‘renting’ space rather than paying more for a mortgage or rent.
4. Time-poor clients need convenience: Most professionals who earn bonuses are travelling a lot, or busy executives constantly having to move between offices. A door-to-door logistic and storage model (pick up → store → return your belongings on demand) becomes more appealing.

According to Ray Velmi, the founder of the business: "There has been a marked increase in City professionals buying bigger homes, renewing existing properties, or just simplifying the excess in their homes, using some or all of their bonus!"

He adds: "For bankers and executives, time is money. Our service saves hours of driving to storage units or arranging shipping for new items. Convenience, security, and value - all in one service!"

Real data & trend signals

Market data verifies the broader bonus growth: In 2024, NatWest Group grew average bonuses by 27%. The removal of caps on bonuses (e.g., Barclays Plc in 2024) increased payouts. With the deferral period reduced from seven years to four years, more of the bonus pool is available for near-term spending, thereby increasing its impact on housing, vehicles, and services.

Why storage is the “smart spend” this bonus season

You may be wondering, why would you invest into storage versus something fancy? There are a few reasons:

• Cost-effectiveness: If you’re upgrading your home, it may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in mortgage or rent. Storage costs are much lower with more flexibility.
• Flexible lifestyle: With door-to-door service, our clients can declutter seasonally (such as their art collection, wardrobes, travel gear) and retrieve their items as needed, which is beneficial for professionals who travel often.
• Reducing friction: Moving and renovations can be stressful experiences, and the logistics of moving can increase that stress. A trusted moving firm handles the logistics of moving, which can give the client the ability to focus on work or family.
• A premium service expectation: Clients earning high incomes expect service that is seamless and boutique: discreet, insured, secure, and responsive.

If you are trying to determine how much room you need for storage, have a look at our storage space calculator. If you are planning a move, check out our moving checklist!

How to act if you’re a banker or bonus‑earner

If you received a bonus or expect to receive one soon, here's a road map:

1. Review your living arrangements. Are you going to make improvements to where you live or move somewhere else?
2. Think about utilization value, use at least part of the bonus to place into storage, but stay in the current living situation.
3. Use a service for professionals, check out our office removals and/or self-storage in London webpages.
4. Use the box storage as a flexible short-term option.
5. Reference information from our most recent move & storage blog posts to assist your decision-making process.

Final word

With regulatory changes allowing for more bonus cash this year, the luxury moving and storage sector in London is on the rise. Bonus‑earners are now viewing moving and storage as part of their wealth management and lifestyle strategy, rather than simply a necessity.

At I Like To Move It Move It, we’re observing the momentum; the briefcase isn't just opening for the end-of-season payouts, it's also triggering movements, upgrades, and premium storage take-up.

If you have just received your bonus, perhaps it’s time to think about investing in space rather than stress.

📞 Contact us: +44 207 101 4159 | Visit www.iliketomoveitmoveit.co.uk