Workers can often sell the stock right away and bank a quick profit, though it also can be held and used later to pay for a house, college tuition or retirement.

WSJ: Getting Going: Buying Stock From the Boss

For now Moynihan is clearly banking on cost-saving measures associated with mass layoffs to help convince stock market investors that Bank of America is headed in the right direction and can deal with the current low-interest rate environment, mortgage-related legacy issues and new international banking capital requirements that Moynihan said were the biggest challenges facing his bank.

FORBES: BofA CEO Impresses Investors With $5 Billion Of Cost Cuts