ann graham, jd, mba professor of law director, business law institute hamline university school of...
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Ann Graham, JD, MBAProfessor of LawDirector, Business Law InstituteHamline University School of LawBanking Law Prof Blog: http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/banking/
Executive Compensation
Clawbacks
Executive Compensation Clawbacks
Public Outrage: Make the Bad Guys Give the Money Back!!!
Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) § 304 (2002)
Sarbanes-Oxley § 304 CEOs and CFOs of Public Companies Bonus, Incentive/Equity based compensation, Stock Sale
profits 12 Months following incorrect public disclosure or SEC
filing Due to Material Non-compliance with financial reporting Due to Company’s Misconduct Only SEC can bring action
SEC initially used for “personal involvement”Moving to “no-fault” casesSEC v. Jenkins – Settlement 11/15/2011 ($2.8M of
$4M) Maynard L. Jenkins – former CEO of CSK Auto
Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) Clawbacks
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (10/3/08) – (“EESA”)– Establishes TARP
Requires Financial Institutions receiving TARP funds to establish clawback standards
Trigger: Bonus or incentive compensation paid is based on statements of earnings, gains, or “other criteria” that are later proven “materially inaccurate”
NOTE: Misconduct not required, Restatement not required
Senior Executive Officers: CEO, CFO, next 3 most highly compensated execs
Compensation recovered: Bonuses & Incentive Compensation
TARP Clawbacks
Big Banks repaid TARP funds, avoided clawbacks & executive compensation caps
Smaller Banks repaid Capital Purchase Plan (CPP) funds from other government programs
GAO Report (3/8/2012) - http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-301
Other Bank Bailout statutes & regs have different standards:
1. TARP Press Release – Guidance (2/4/09)2. Capital Purchase Program (CPP) – Guidance3. American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009
(2/17/09)
TARP/ARRA Clawbacks
Institutions receiving TARP funds5 SEOS and next 20 most highly-
compensatedBased on statements of earnings, revenues,
gains, or other criteria that are materially inaccurate
Note: Misconduct not requiredAccounting Restatement not requiredDuration: Clawback requirement applicable
during period financial assistance remains outstanding
FDIC Clawback Regulations
Senior Executives & Directors – substantially responsible for the failure of an insured institution
Recover: Any compensation received during the 2-year period prior to FDIC’s appointment as Receiver
In the case of FraudAuthority: § 203(b) of Dodd-FrankFDIC: “Compensation” is salary, bonuses,
incentives, benefits, severance pay, deferred compensation, golden parachute & all other compensatory items
ISSUE: D&O Insurance Rider
Executive Compensation Clawbacks
Dodd-Frank Act – July 21, 2010 - § 954SECNational Securities Exchanges – Listing standards
must require LISTED COMPANIES to adopt a Compensation Recovery Policy:
Adoption of Mandatory Recoupment Policies: Any current or former Exec Officer Any incentive-based compensation, including stock options Three-year period preceding date Accounting Restatement is
required is based on erroneous data – No executive wrongdoing required
Clawback amount: Excess paid on basis of Restatement
Disclosure of Clawback Policy for incentive-based compensation paid out based on erroneous financial information reported under the Securities Laws
SEC Timeline & Open Questions
July – December 2012Consequence for company: Possible delistingWhen does triggering period commence?
Decision to file restatement or when it occursDefinition of “Executive Officer”Definition of “Incentive-Based Compensation”Clawback based on award or payment of
compensation?
CLAWBACK POLICIES
“Bad Boy” Provisions in Employment Contracts Disclosure of confidential information Violation of company rules & policies Engaging in “detrimental conduct”
State “Wage & Hour” Law IssuesTax Treatment of Clawbacks
Income to Employee in Year of Actual or Constructive Receipt
Employee takes a Loss Deduction in Year of Clawback Employer takes Deduction in Year of Payment Employer Income for Year of Repayment
Drafting Clawback Policies
StatuteCompany Purpose: SH, EE, Public PerceptionDraft NarrowlyCovered EmployeesDefine Compensation TriggerReachbackDiscretion?Who Administers?Is It Enforceable?Get consent of affected executives in writing up frontBest Practice for Private Company?