WASHINGTON — The Securities and Exchange Commission said it has made it easier to find out what executives at some of the nation's largest companies, including some of the credit union industry's competitors and third party vendors, earn in salaries, bonuses, stocks and options.

The SEC launched its Executive Compensation Reader (http://www.sec.gov/xbrl) late last week. The online tool enables investors to compare what 500 of the largest American companies are paying their top executives. Investors can quickly glimpse the total annual pay as well as dollar amounts for salary, bonus, stock, options and company perks.

For instance, Bank of America Chairman, President and CEO Kenneth Lewis earned nearly $28 million in 2006 while Washington Mutual Chairman and CEO Kerry Killinger earned $14 million that same year. Executive compensation at non-depository credit institutions such as American Express and First Data is listed as is annual salaries for executives at insurance carriers, investment firms and brokers and dealers.