Deep down, it's likely that Ken Lewis would've liked a small salary for 2009. But he's hardly in a position of strength. So really he had little choice but to agree to the Treasury special pay master Kenneth Feinberg, who demanded that the Bank of America (BAC) CEO receive no salary and no bonus.

He'll also have to pay back the $1 million he has received so far. His salary for the year was to have been $1.5 million. Yes sir, Mr. Feinberg. If only it were so easy at AIG (AIG)!

Of course, Lewis will step down with more up to $120 million in benefits and stock. The last thing he needed was yet another controversy. Does this presage a tough line on pay at Citigroup (C)? Feinberg is expected to make his rulings on the pay packages on Citigroup's 100 most highly compensated employees soon.  

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