Mid-senior manager here in North Texas. Most of the management staff I know, myself included, are trying to do the right thing by our employees. The thing is, a lot of (maybe most) are being purposefully left out of the loop on the many changes occurring. Just like our staff, we are afraid for ourselves and for those that report to us. And, like most everybody else, we are seeing colleagues that work hard and do a great job let go, re-orged out, or effectively demoted.
The suspicion is that many of the changes - not all, but many - are in an effort to get us to quit. I think we can all agree that there is some low hanging fruit that can be plucked, but unfortunately, those individuals seem to stick around. Whether it is because they are paid less than more highly skilled or effective employees demand is up for debate, but I don't think it's out of the question. The focus on cost cutting has gotten excessive.
There are efficiencies to capture, but unfortunately, I think the bank is going to long-term face serious brain drain. Those individuals most experienced and with the most desired skills can and will leave based on a culture of uncertainty, fear, and frustration. After years of stagnant salary increases, laughable bonuses, and fear, why would the most valued employees, who typically have greater mobility anyway, stay?
Eventually all that will be left are those that can't find employment elsewhere or those that are too lazy to try. Rest assured original poster, some of us are doing our best to save our own jobs as well as yours and make things great, but it's certainly a difficult and uphill battle.