German exchange operator Deutsche Börse's chief executive was paid €2.47m in total compensation last year, less than a third of similarly-senior German executives, but pay for its full management board remained broadly in line with the previous year ahead of cost cuts the exchange said will now help it grow.

Chief executive Reto Francioni earned €2.47m in total compensation for 2009, down from €3.56m for 2008. By comparison, top executive earners in Germany such as Deutsche Bank chief Josef Ackermann earned a total of €9.55m for 2009, reports Dow Jones Newswires.