The possible departure of Frank Quattrone, a high-profile technology banker at Credit Suisse First Boston, would ease the burden on the bank's already diminished compensation bill.

Quattrone, who with CSFB is the subject of regulatory investigations into share allocation practices in the primary market and alleged destruction of documents, failed to attend an interview with the US National Association of Securities Dealers, according to press reports from the US. He has already been suspended by CSFB and has been on administrative leave for some time.