Deutsche Bank paid its management board members their first bonuses in four years in 2018, with Christian Sewing's 7 million euro ($8 million) total pay package making him one of the best paid chief executives in European banking.

Deutsche Bank's politically sensitive pay disclosures, which were revealed in its annual report on Friday, come as it contemplates a merger with Commerzbank, which unions fear could lead to up to 30,000 job cuts.

Sewing, who became CEO in April last year, led Deutsche Bank to its first profit in four years and is heading the talks with Commerzbank. He earned 2.9 million euros for 2017.

Sewing's 2018 pay was higher than the CEOs of several other major European investment banks, including HSBC's CEO John Flint and Barclays boss Jes Staley.

However, the Deutsche Bank CEO received less than his counterpart at Credit Suisse Tidjane Thiam, who got 12.65 million Swiss francs ($12.7 million).

Deutsche Bank's annual report also revealed that its management board received total pay, including bonuses, of 55.7 million euros ($63.4 million) in 2018, up from 29.8 million euros a year earlier.

The overall bonus pool for 2018 was 1.9 billion euros, down 14 percent from 2.3 billion euros a year earlier, partly as a result of a reduction in headcount, Deutsche Bank said.

Bonuses are a sensitive issue in Germany where many politicians and public opinion are critical of high pay and Anglo-Saxon style capitalism.