Investment bank Goldman Sachs could become one of the world’s biggest donors to charity, as it considers ways of deflecting expected criticism of predicted large staff bonus payments, according to Professional Fundraising.

Goldman Sachs is said to be considering making a donation in the region of $1 billion when it pays out bonuses this year. Pay and bonuses for the banking giant’s staff is expected to be worth around $22 billion – a record for the company, the publication said.

The proposal, still being debated internally, the publication said, giving as its source as the blog, The Business Insider. The move  could entail either Goldman Sachs donating between 10 to 15 per cent of its bonus pool to charities or developing a system whereby staff are encouraged to donate 15 per cent of their personal bonus to the Goldman Sachs charitable foundation.