When do bonuses become "locked in"

Anyone have any idea at what point bonuses are "locked in" meaning it would be quite the pain in the ass for someone to go back and reduce/increase your bonus amount?

Asking because I am in the midst of potentially making a move internally at my bank and will be top bucket (CB). However, I informed my boss that I was interviewing for a different role internally about 1 month and a week before bonuses hit the bank.  About a week prior to telling him, he informed me that I would be "pleased with the bonus amount requested for me" from the higher-ups. 

While I'd hope they wouldn't screw me over for this, especially because I made it clear I wasn't 100% i'd take the job if offered (depends on the offer specifics), it's obviously possible.  My bank heavily encourages internally movement, but that doesn't necessarily mean my manager can't decide that they're not going to give me say that additional 10-15% of the bonus they were originally going to give me.

Asking people that actually have somewhat of a good idea of this... not interns/college kids purely speculating. 

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