PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the 2019 Annual Meeting, all director nominees will be elected for one-year terms.
Except for Mr. Selander, who has declined to stand for reelection, the terms of each director if elected or re-elected, as the case may be, will expire at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. (See the “Board of Directors Information” section of this Proxy Statement for information concerning all nominees.)
The Company’s By-Laws require that directors be elected by the majority of votes cast with respect to such director in uncontested elections (the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director, with abstentions and broker non-votes not counted as cast either “for” or “against”). In a contested election (a situation in which the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected), the standard for election of directors will be a plurality of the shares represented in person or by proxy at any such meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.
Under the Company’s By-Laws, if an incumbent director is not
elected, the director will promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance and
Public Policy Committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors as to whether to accept or reject the
resignation of such incumbent director, or whether other action should be taken. The Board of Directors will act on the
resignation, taking into account the Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee’s recommendation, and publicly
disclose (by a press release, a filing with the SEC or
other broadly disseminated means of communication) its decision
regarding the tendered resignation and the rationale behind the decision within 90 days following certification of the
election results. If such incumbent director’s resignation is not accepted by the Board of Directors, such director
will continue to serve until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected or his or her
earlier resignation or removal. In the case of a vacancy, the Board of Directors may appoint a new director as a replacement,
may leave the vacancy unfilled or may reduce the number of directors on the Board.
Your shares will be voted as you instruct via the voting
procedures described on the Proxy Card or the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, or as you specify on your
Proxy Card(s) if you elect to vote by mail. If unforeseen circumstances (such as death or disability) require the Board
of Directors to substitute another person for any of the director nominees, your shares will be voted for that other
person.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE TO RE-ELECT MR. COLE, MR. ERSEK, MR. GOODMAN, MS. HOLDEN, MR. JOERRES, MR. MENDOZA, MR. MILES, MS. FRAGOS TOWNSEND AND MR. TRUJILLO, AND TO ELECT MS. SUN, EACH TO SERVE UNTIL THE 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OR UNTIL HIS OR HER RESPECTIVE SUCCESSOR IS ELECTED AND QUALIFIED.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
SUMMARY OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
The Board of Directors believes that strong corporate governance is key to long-term stockholder value creation. Over the years, our Board of Directors has responded to evolving governance standards by enhancing our practices to best serve the interests of the Company’s stockholders, including:
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Annual election of directors
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Proxy access
. Our By-Laws
permit qualifying stockholders or groups of qualifying stockholders that have each beneficially owned at least 3% of the
Company’s Common Stock for three years to nominate up to an aggregate of 20% of the members of the Board and have
information and supporting statements regarding those nominees included in the Company’s Proxy Statement.
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Majority vote standard in uncontested elections
. In an uncontested election, each director must be elected by a majority of votes cast, rather than by a plurality.
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Stockholder right to call special meetings (with the stock ownership requirement to call such meetings reduced from 20% to 10% in 2018)
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No stockholder rights plan (“poison pill”)
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No super majority voting provisions in the Company’s
organizational documents
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Independent Board, except our CEO
. Our Board is comprised of all independent directors, except our CEO.
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Independent non-executive chairman
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The Chairman of the Board of Directors is a non-executive independent director.
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Independent Board committees
. Each of the Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committees is made up of independent directors, and all voting members of the Compliance Committee are independent. Each standing committee operates under a written charter that has been approved by the Board.
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Confidential stockholder voting
. The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the vote of any stockholder will not be revealed to anyone other than a non-employee tabulator of votes or an independent election inspector, except under circumstances set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.
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Board Committee authority to retain independent
advisors
. Each Board Committee has the authority to retain independent
advisors.
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Robust codes of conduct
. The Company is committed to operating its business with honesty and integrity and maintaining the highest level of ethical conduct. These absolute values are embodied in our Code of Conduct and require that every customer, employee, agent and member of the public be treated accordingly. The Company Code of Conduct applies to all employees, but the Company’s senior financial officers are also subject to an additional code of ethics, reflecting the Company’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct. In addition, the Board of Directors is subject to a Directors’ Code of Conduct.
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Robust stock ownership guidelines for senior executives and directors
. Robust stock ownership requirements for our senior executives and directors strongly link the interests of management and the Board with those of stockholders.
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Prohibition against pledging and hedging of Company stock by
senior executives and directors
. The Company’s insider trading policy prohibits
the Company’s executive officers and directors from pledging the Company’s securities or engaging in
hedging or short-term speculative trading of the Company’s securities, including, without limitation, short sales
or put or call options involving the Company’s securities. Please see “Compensation of
Directors—Prohibition Against Pledging and Hedging of the Company’s Securities” and “Compensation
Discussion and Analysis—The Western Union Executive Compensation Program—Prohibition Against Pledging and
Hedging of the Company’s Securities,” below.
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Regular stockholder engagement
. The Company regularly seeks to engage with its stockholders to better understand their perspectives.
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You can learn more about our corporate governance by visiting the “Investor Relations, Corporate Governance” portion of the Company’s website,
www.westernunion.com
, or by writing to the attention of: Investor Relations, The Western Union Company, 7001 E. Belleview Avenue, WU-HQ-14, Denver, Colorado 80237.
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INDEPENDENCE OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which contain the standards that the Board of Directors use to determine whether a director is independent. A director is not independent under these categorical standards if:
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The director is, or has been within the last three years, an employee of Western Union, or an immediate family member of the director is, or has been within the last three years, an executive officer of Western Union.
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The director has received, or has an immediate family member who has received, during any 12-month period within the last three years, more than $120,000 in direct compensation from Western Union, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service).
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(i) The director is a current partner or employee of a firm that is Western Union’s internal or external auditor; (ii) the director has an immediate family member who is a current partner of such a firm; (iii) the director has an immediate family member who is a current employee of such a firm and personally works on Western Union’s audit; or (iv) the director or an immediate family member was within the last three years a partner or employee of such firm and personally worked on Western Union’s audit within that time.
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The director or an immediate family member is, or has been within the last three years, employed as an executive officer of another company where any of Western Union’s present executive officers at the same time serves or served on that company’s compensation committee.
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The director is a current employee, or an immediate family member is a current executive officer, of a company that has made payments to, or received payments from, Western Union for property or services in an amount which, in any of the last three fiscal years, exceeded the greater of $1 million or 2% of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues.
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The director is a current employee, or an immediate family member is a current executive officer, of a company which was indebted to Western Union, or to which Western Union was indebted, where the total amount of either company’s indebtedness to the other, in any of the last three fiscal years, exceeded 5% or more of such other company’s total consolidated assets.
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The director or an immediate family member is a current officer,
director, or trustee of a charitable organization where Western Union’s (or an affiliated charitable
foundation’s) annual discretionary charitable contributions to the charitable organization, in any of the last three
fiscal years, exceeded the greater of $1 million or 5% of such charitable organization’s consolidated gross
revenues.
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The Board has reviewed the independence of the current directors under the Company’s categorical standards and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and found Mr. Cole, Mr. Goodman, Ms. Holden, Mr. Joerres, Mr. Mendoza, Mr. Miles, Mr. Selander, Ms. Sun, Ms. Fragos Townsend and Mr. Trujillo to be independent.
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BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AND ROLE IN RISK
OVERSIGHT
The Board has a non-executive Chairman. This position is independent from management. The Chairman sets the agendas for and presides over the Board meetings, as well as meetings of the independent directors. Our CEO is a member of the Board and participates in its meetings. The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate for the Company at this time because it allows for independent oversight of management, increases management accountability, and encourages an objective evaluation of management’s performance relative to compensation.
The Board regularly devotes time during its meetings to review and
discuss the most significant risks facing the Company and management’s process for identifying, prioritizing, and
responding to those risks. During these discussions, the CEO, the General Counsel, the Chief Financial Officer, the
Chief Compliance Officer (the “CCO”), the Chief Technology Officer, the Senior Vice President, Global Business
Risk and the Chief Internal Auditor present management’s process for assessment of risks, a description of the most
significant risks facing the Company, and any mitigating factors, plans, or policies in place to address and monitor those
risks. The Board has also delegated risk oversight authority to its committees.
Consistent with the NYSE listing standards, to which the Company is
subject, the Audit Committee bears responsibility for oversight of the Company’s policies with respect to risk
assessment and risk management and must discuss with management the major risk exposures facing the Company and the steps the
Company has taken to monitor and control such exposures. The Audit Committee is also responsible for assisting Board
oversight of the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, which represent many
of the most significant risks the Company faces. During the Audit
Committee’s discussion of risk, the Company’s CEO, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, CCO, Chief
Technology Officer, Senior Vice President, Global Business Risk, and Chief Internal Auditor present information and
participate in discussions with the Audit Committee regarding risk and risk management. Risks discussed regularly
include those related to global economic and political trends, business and financial performance, legal and
regulatory matters, cybersecurity, data privacy, competition, legislative developments, and other matters.
While the Board committee with primary oversight of risk is the Audit Committee, the Board has delegated to other committees the oversight of risks within their areas of responsibility and expertise. For example, in light of the breadth and number of responsibilities that the Audit Committee must oversee, and the importance of the evaluation and management of risk related to the Company’s compliance programs and policies associated with anti-money laundering (“AML”) laws, including investigations or other matters that may arise in relation to such laws, the Board formed the Compliance Committee in 2013 to assist the Audit Committee and the Board with oversight of those risks. This function was previously performed by the Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee. The Compliance Committee reports regularly on these matters to the Board and Audit Committee and during the Compliance Committee’s meetings, each of the General Counsel and CCO regularly present and participate in discussions. In addition, the Compensation Committee oversees the risks associated with the Company’s compensation practices, including an annual review of the Company’s risk assessment of its compensation policies and practices for its employees and the Company’s succession planning process.
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COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The current members of each Board Committee are indicated in the table below.
Director
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Audit
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Corporate
Governance &
Public Policy
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Compensation
& Benefits
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Compliance
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Martin I. Cole
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Hikmet Ersek
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Richard A. Goodman
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Betsy D. Holden
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Jeffrey A. Joerres
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Roberto G. Mendoza
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Michael A. Miles, Jr.
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Robert W. Selander
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Angela A. Sun
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Frances Fragos Townsend
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Solomon D. Trujillo
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Chairman of the Board
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Committee Chair
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Member
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Non-voting member
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BOARD AND COMMITTEE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
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Each committee operates under a charter approved by the Board. The Company’s Audit Committee Charter, Compensation and Benefits Committee Charter, Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee Charter, Compliance Committee Charter, and Corporate Governance Guidelines are available without charge through the “Investor Relations, Corporate Governance” portion of the Company’s website,
www.westernunion.com
, or by writing to the attention of: Investor Relations, The Western Union Company, 7001 E. Belleview Avenue, WU-HQ-14, Denver, Colorado 80237.
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“During 2018, the Audit Committee continued to oversee financial reporting, internal audit and legal and regulatory matters, with a strong focus on the Company’s controls and culture of compliance. The Committee is continuing to focus on these areas and risk management and mitigation in 2019, with an emphasis on the evolving cybersecurity and data privacy regulatory environment.”
Richard A. Goodman, Committee Chair
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Additional Committee Members:
Martin I. Cole, Betsy D. Holden, Angela A. Sun, and Solomon D. Trujillo
Meetings Held in 2018:
8
Primary Responsibilities:
Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to:
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integrity of the Company’s consolidated financial statements;
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compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;
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independent registered public accounting firm qualifications, independence and compensation; and
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performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm.
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Independence:
Each member of the Audit Committee meets the independence requirements of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and as the Board has determined, has no material relationship with the Company. Each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate, knowledgeable, and qualified to review financial statements. The Board has designated Mr. Goodman as a “financial expert” as defined by Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K.
Service on Other Audit Committees:
No director may serve as a member of the Audit Committee if such director serves on the audit committees of more than two other public companies, unless the Board determines that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of such director to effectively serve on the Audit Committee. Currently, none of the Audit Committee members serve on more than two other public company audit committees.
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Compensation and Benefits Committee
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“In 2018, the Compensation Committee continued to focus on pay-for-performance to set the foundation for the long-term strength and performance of the Company through the Company’s executive compensation program.”
Betsy D. Holden, Committee Chair
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Additional Committee Members:
Richard A. Goodman, Michael A. Miles, Jr., and Robert W. Selander
Meetings Held in 2018:
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Primary Responsibilities:
Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to administer, interpret, and take any actions it deems appropriate in connection with any incentive compensation or equity-based plans of the Company, any salary or other compensation plans for officers and other key employees of the Company, and any employee benefit or fringe benefit plans, programs or policies of the Company. Among other things, the Compensation Committee is responsible for:
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in consultation with senior management, establishing the Company’s general compensation philosophy, and overseeing the development and implementation of compensation and benefits policies;
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reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the CEO and other executive officers, evaluating the performance of the CEO and other executive officers in light thereof, and setting compensation levels and other benefits for the CEO (with the ratification by the independent directors of the Board) and other executive officers based on this evaluation;
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overseeing the Company’s regulatory compliance with respect to compensation matters;
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reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding severance or similar termination agreements with the Company’s CEO or to any person being considered for promotion or hire into the position of CEO;
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approving grants and/or awards of options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other forms of equity-based compensation under the Company’s equity-based plans;
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reviewing with management and preparing an annual report regarding the Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis to be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement and Annual Report;
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in consultation with the CEO, reviewing management succession planning;
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reviewing and recommending to the Board of Directors compensation for non-employee directors; and
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periodically reviewing the overall effectiveness of the Company’s principal strategies related to human capital management, recruiting, retention, career development, and diversity.
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The Compensation Committee has the authority to delegate all or a portion of its duties and responsibilities to a subcommittee and, in some situations, may also delegate its authority and responsibility with respect to certain compensation and benefit plans and programs to one or more employees.
Independence:
Each member of the Compensation Committee meets the definitions of “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act. Each member of the Compensation Committee meets the independence requirements of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE and the Exchange Act, and as the Board has determined, has no material relationship with the Company.
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“The Compliance Committee shares with regulators the goals of protecting consumers and the integrity of the global money transfer network, and remains at the forefront of the Company’s focus on the execution and enhancement of the Company’s compliance policies and procedures.”
Frances Fragos Townsend, Committee Chair
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Additional Committee Members:
Hikmet Ersek (non-voting member), Martin I. Cole, Roberto G. Mendoza, and Solomon D. Trujillo
Meetings Held in 2018:
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Primary Responsibilities:
Pursuant to its charter, the Compliance Committee assists the Audit Committee and the Board in fulfilling the Board’s oversight responsibility for the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Among other things, the Compliance Committee is responsible for reviewing:
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the Company’s compliance programs and policies relating to
AML laws, including establishing procedures to be apprised of material investigations or other material matters that may
arise in relation to such laws; and
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legal, compliance or other regulatory matters that may have a material effect on the Company’s business, financial statements or compliance policies, including material notices to or inquiries received from governmental agencies.
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Independence:
Each voting
member of the Compliance Committee meets the independence requirements of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE and
the Exchange Act, and as the Board has determined, has no material relationship with the Company. The Board may appoint
non-voting members to the Compliance Committee that are not independent from the Company. The Company’s CEO is
currently a non-voting member of the Compliance Committee.
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Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee
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“With a continued focus on board refreshment, the Committee successfully added and on-boarded a new Director to the Board in 2018 and will continue to seek opportunities to enhance the skills, experience, gender and ethnic diversity, and effectiveness of the Board in 2019.”
Robert W. Selander, Committee Chair
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Additional Committee Members:
Roberto G. Mendoza, Michael A. Miles, Jr., and Frances Fragos Townsend
Meetings Held in 2018:
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Primary Responsibilities:
Pursuant to its charter, the Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee is responsible for:
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recommending to the Board of Directors criteria for Board and committee membership;
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considering, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board and the CEO, and recruiting candidates to fill positions on the Board of Directors;
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evaluating current directors for re-nomination to the Board of Directors;
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recommending the director nominees for approval by the Board of Directors and the Company’s stockholders;
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recommending to the Board of Directors appointments to committees of the Board of Directors;
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recommending to the Board of Directors corporate governance guidelines, reviewing the Corporate Governance Guidelines at least annually, and recommending modifications to the Corporate Governance Guidelines to the Board of Directors;
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establishing and implementing self-evaluation procedures for the Board of Directors and its committees;
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reviewing stockholder proposals submitted for inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Statement;
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reviewing the Company’s related persons transaction policy, and as necessary, reviewing specific related person transactions; and
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reviewing and advising the Board of Directors regarding matters of public policy and social responsibility that are relevant to the Company or the industries in which the Company operates.
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Independence:
Each member of the Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee meets the independence requirements of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE and the Exchange Act, and as the Board has determined, has no material relationship with the Company.
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SUCCESSION PLANNING
The Company’s Board of Directors has developed a governance framework for CEO succession planning that is intended to provide for a talent-rich leadership organization that can drive the Company’s strategic objectives. Under its governance framework, the Board of Directors:
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Reviews succession planning for the CEO on an annual basis. As part of this process, the CEO reviews the annual performance of each member of the management team
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with the Board and the Board engages in a discussion with the CEO and the Chief Human Resources Officer regarding each team member and the team member’s development;
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Maintains a confidential plan to address any unexpected short-term absence of the CEO and identifies candidates who could act as interim CEO in the event of any such unexpected absence; and
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Ideally three to five years before the retirement of the current CEO, manages the succession process and determines the current CEO’s role in that process.
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COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Any stockholder of the Company or other interested party who desires to contact the non-management directors either as a group or individually, or Mr. Ersek in his capacity as a director, may do so by writing to: The Western Union Company, Board of Directors, 7001 E. Belleview Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80237. Communications that are intended specifically for non-management directors should be addressed to the attention
of the Chairperson of the Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee. All communications will be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee unless the communication is specifically addressed to another member of the Board, in which case, the communication will be forwarded to that director.
BOARD ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Although the Company does not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of the Board of Directors at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders, it
encourages directors to attend. All members of the Board of Directors serving at the time attended the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
PRESIDING DIRECTOR OF NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR MEETINGS
The non-management directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is the presiding director at these meetings.
NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS
The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for nominating directors for election by the stockholders and filling any vacancies on the Board that may occur. The Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee is responsible for identifying, screening, and recommending candidates to the Board for Board membership. The Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee does not
have any single method for identifying director candidates but will consider candidates suggested by a wide range of sources, including by any stockholder, director, or officer of the Company. Ms. Sun, who was appointed as a member of the Board in July 2018, was recommended to the Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee by a third-party executive search firm.
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General criteria for the nomination of director candidates include experience, high ethical standards and integrity, skills, diversity, ability to make independent analytical inquiries, understanding of the Company’s business environment, and willingness to devote adequate time to Board duties–all in the context of an assessment of the perceived needs of the Board at that point in time. In exercising its director nomination responsibilities, the Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee considers diversity in gender, ethnicity, geography, background, and cultural viewpoints when considering director nominees, given the global nature of the Company’s business. However, the Board has not adopted a formal policy governing director diversity. The effectiveness of the nomination process is evaluated by the Board each year as part of its annual self-evaluation and by the Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee as it evaluates and identifies director candidates.
Each director is expected to ensure that other existing and planned future commitments do not materially interfere with the member’s service as a Board or Committee member. The Corporate Governance and Public Policy Committee will consider candidates for election to the Board suggested in writing by a stockholder and will make a recommendation to the Board using the same criteria as it does in evaluating candidates submitted by members of the Board of Directors. Any such suggestions should be submitted to the Corporate Secretary, The Western Union Company, 7001 E. Belleview Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80237. If the Company receives such a suggestion, the Company may request additional information from the candidate to assist in its evaluation.
Stockholders may submit nominations for director candidates by giving notice to the Corporate Secretary, The Western Union Company, 7001 E. Belleview Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80237. The requirements for the submission of
such stockholder nominations are set forth in Article II of the Company’s By-Laws, which are available on the “Investor Relations, Corporate Governance” section of the Company’s website,
www.westernunion.com
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COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation and Benefits Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on such review and discussion, the Compensation and Benefits
Compensation and Benefits Committee
Betsy D. Holden (Chairperson)
Richard A. Goodman
Michael A. Miles, Jr.
Robert W. Selander
Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement and its Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Western Union Company provides people and businesses with fast, reliable, and convenient ways to send money and make payments around the world. Western Union offers its services in more than 200 countries and territories. Our business is complex: our regulatory environment is disparate and developing; our consumers are different from those addressed by traditional financial services firms; and our agent and client relationships are numerous and varied.
Managing these complexities is at the center of Western Union’s success, and our leadership must be capable of
supporting our Company’s goals amid this complexity.
The Company’s key strategic priorities for 2018 are set forth in the chart below. The performance goals and objectives under our annual incentive and long-term incentive programs were designed to support these strategic priorities.
Please see our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding our performance.
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See Annex A for a reconciliation of measures that are not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) to the comparable GAAP measure.
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION FRAMEWORK
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The Company’s executive compensation framework includes the following, each of which the Compensation Committee believes reinforces our executive compensation philosophy and objectives:
WHAT WE DO
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Pay-for-performance and at-risk compensation.
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A significant portion of our targeted annual compensation is performance-based and/or subject to forfeiture (“at-risk”),
with emphasis on variable pay to reward short- and long-term performance measured against pre-established objectives
informed by our Company’s strategy. For 2018, performance-based compensation comprised approximately 83% of the
targeted annual compensation for our CEO and, on average, approximately 61% of the targeted annual compensation for
the other NEOs. The remaining components of our NEOs’ 2018 targeted annual compensation consisted of base salary
and service-based RSUs, with the Compensation Committee viewing RSUs as at-risk as their value fluctuates based on
our stock price performance.
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Align compensation with stockholder interests.
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Performance measures for incentive compensation are linked to the overall performance of the Company, and are designed to be aligned with the creation of long-term stockholder value.
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Emphasis on future pay opportunity vs. current pay.
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|
Our long-term incentive awards are equity-based and have multi-year vesting provisions to encourage retention. For 2018, long-term equity compensation comprised approximately 73% of the targeted annual compensation for our CEO and, on average, approximately 60% of the targeted annual compensation for the other NEOs.
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✓
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Mix of performance metrics.
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The Company utilizes a mix of performance metrics that emphasize both absolute performance goals, which provide the primary links between incentive compensation and the Company’s strategic operating plan and financial results, and a relative performance goal, which measures Company performance in comparison to the S&P 500 Index.
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✓
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Stockholder engagement.
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The Compensation Committee chair and members of management seek to engage with stockholders regularly to discuss and understand their perceptions or concerns regarding our executive compensation program.
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✓
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“Clawback” policies.
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The Company may recover incentive compensation paid to an executive officer that was calculated based upon any financial result or performance metric impacted by fraud or misconduct of the executive officer. In addition, the Company’s compliance clawback policy allows the Company to recover incentive compensation paid to an executive officer for conduct that is later determined to have contributed to future compliance failures, subject to applicable laws.
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✓
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Robust stock ownership guidelines.
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We require our executive officers to own a meaningful amount of Company stock to align them with long-term stockholder interests (six-times base salary in the case of our CEO and three-times base salary for our other NEOs).
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✓
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Three-year performance period for PSUs.
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✓
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Outside compensation consultant retained by the Compensation Committee.
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✓
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“Double trigger” severance benefits in the event of a change-in-control.
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✓
|
Maximum payout caps for annual cash incentive compensation and PSUs.
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✓
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Consider compliance in compensation program.
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2019 Proxy Statement
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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WHAT WE DON’T DO
|
✘
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No repricing or buyout of underwater stock options.
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None of our equity plans permit the repricing or buyout of underwater stock options or stock appreciation rights without stockholder approval, except in connection with certain corporate transactions involving the Company.
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✘
|
No change-in-control tax gross ups for individuals promoted or hired after April 2009.
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Mr. Ersek is the only Company employee who remains eligible for excise tax gross-up payments based on Compensation Committee action in 2009.
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✘
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No dividends or dividend equivalents are paid on unvested or unearned PSUs or RSUs.
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✘
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Prohibition against pledging and hedging of Company securities by senior executives and directors.
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
|
Mr. Ersek’s 2018 base salary and long-term incentive award targets remained unchanged from the levels set in 2017, while Mr. Ersek’s 2018 annual incentive award target increased from 150% in 2017 to 170% of his base salary. Following this adjustment, Mr. Ersek’s 2018 compensation continued to be aligned with median compensation for chief executive officers in the 2018 peer group, based on the most recent publicly available information, as compiled by the Compensation Committee’s compensation consultant. For 2018 performance, Mr. Ersek received an annual incentive payout of $1,390,600, reflecting achieved performance of 82% of target, as further described on page 42. In addition, 2018 was the final performance year of the 2016 PSU grants, with the Financial PSUs and TSR PSUs vesting at
78% and 0% of target, respectively.
In 2018, the Compensation Committee modified Mr. Ersek’s long-term incentive allocation in order to further align his equity award mix with market data and the Company’s other NEOs, resulting in a 2018 long-term incentive award mix of 50% F
inancial PSUs, 20% TSR PSUs, 20% stock options and 10% service-based RSUs (as compared to the 2017 allocation of 60% Financial PSUs, 20% TSR PSUs and 20%
stock options). Further information with respect to the 2018 long-term incentive awards can be found on page 44.
Mr. Ersek’s 2018 compensation was weighted significantly toward variable and performance-based incentive pay over fixed pay, and long-term, equity-based pay over annual cash compensation, because the Compensation Committee desired to tie a significant level of Mr. Ersek’s compensation to the performance of the Company. The percentage of compensation delivered in the form of performance-based compensation is higher for Mr. Ersek than compared to the other NEOs because the Compensation Committee believes that the CEO’s leadership is one of the key drivers of the Company’s success, and that a greater percentage of the CEO’s total compensation should be variable as a reflection of the Company’s level of performance. Market data provided by the Compensation Consultant supported this practice as well.
The following chart illustrates this CEO pay philosophy of heavily weighting targeted CEO compensation toward variable, performance-based pay elements.
CEO 2018 TOTAL TARGET DIRECT COMPENSATION
Since a significant portion of Mr. Ersek’s compensation is both performance-based and at-risk, we are providing the following supplemental graph to compare Mr. Ersek’s total
target direct compensation to the compensation “realizable”
by him for each of 2016, 2017 and 2018. For the cumulative period of 2016 to 2018, realizable pay was approximately 35% lower than total target direct compensation for that period.
We believe the “realizable” compensation
and its relationship to total target direct compensation in each of the years and over the three-year cumulative period are reflective of
the Compensation Committee’s emphasis on “pay-for-performance” in that differences between realizable pay and
total target direct compensation, as well as fluctuations year-over-year, are primarily the result of our stock performance and our varying levels of achievement against pre-established performance goals under our Annual Incentive Plan and Long-Term Incentive Plan.
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The Western Union
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
|
CEO TOTAL TARGET
DIRECT COMPENSATION
VERSUS TOTAL REALIZABLE COMPENSATION
(1)
(1)
|
This graph and the total target direct compensation and total realizable compensation reported in this graph provide supplemental information regarding the compensation paid to Mr. Ersek and should not be viewed as a substitute for the 2018 Summary Compensation Table.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Amounts reported in the calculation of total target direct compensation consist of (a) annualized base salary, (b) target annual incentive opportunities for Mr. Ersek with respect to each of the years shown under the Annual Incentive Plan and (c) the target grant values of the long-term incentives granted to Mr. Ersek with respect to each of the years shown under the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
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(3)
|
Amounts reported in the calculation of total realizable compensation consist of (a) annualized base salary, (b) actual annual incentive payments received by Mr. Ersek with respect to each of the years shown under the Annual Incentive Plan, (c) the value realized from the exercise of stock options and for unexercised stock options, the difference between the exercise price and the closing stock price on the last trading day of 2018,
reported in the year granted, (d) the value realized upon vesting of PSUs and the value of unvested PSUs based on the closing stock price on the
last trading day of 2018 and estimated performance as of December 31, 2018, each reported in the year granted, and (e) the value of unvested
RSUs based on the closing stock price on the last trading day of 2018, each reported in the year granted.
|
The Company received approximately 93% support for its
“say on pay” vote at the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. After considering these results, the committee determined that the Company’s executive compensation
philosophy, compensation objectives, and compensation elements continued to be appropriate and did not make any specific changes to the Company’s executive compensation
program in response to the 2018 “say on pay” vote.
Management and the Compensation Committee Chair regularly reach out to stockholders to better understand their views on the Company’s executive compensation program,
the “say on pay” vote and our executive compensation
disclosure. Over the past few years, the committee and management have found these discussions to be very
helpful in their ongoing evaluation of the Company’s executive compensation program, and intend to continue to obtain this feedback in the future. As described above, the Compensation Committee approved changes to the Company’s 2018 executive compensation program based, in part, on feedback previously provided by stockholders.
2019 Proxy Statement
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
|
ESTABLISHING AND EVALUATING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes how the Compensation Committee determined 2018 executive compensation, the elements of our executive compensation program and the compensation of each of our NEOs. The
information provided should be read together with the
information presented in the “Executive Compensation”
section of this Proxy Statement. For 2018, the NEOs were:
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|
|
|
Hikmet Ersek
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Raj Agrawal
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Global Operations
|
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Odilon Almeida
Executive Vice President, President – Global Money Transfer
|
|
Jean Claude Farah
Executive Vice President, President – Global Payments
|
|
Caroline Tsai
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
|
The Compensation Committee has adopted the following compensation objectives and guiding principles to align the Company’s incentive compensation program with the Company’s overall executive compensation philosophy:
Our Executive Compensation Philosophy
The Compensation Committee believes the Company’s executive compensation program should reward actions and behaviors that build a foundation for the long-term strength and performance of the Company, while also rewarding the achievement of short-term performance goals informed by the Company’s strategy.
|
●
Align executive goals and compensation with stockholder interests
●
Attract, retain and motivate outstanding executive talent
●
Pay-for-performance – Hold executives accountable and reward them for achieving financial, strategic and operating goals
|
|
●
Pay-for-Performance: Pay is significantly performance-based and at-risk, with emphasis on variable pay to reward short- and long-term performance measured against pre-established objectives informed by the Company’s strategy.
●
Align Compensation with Stockholder Interests: Link incentive payouts with the overall performance of the Company, including achievement of financial and strategic objectives, as well as individual performance and contributions, to create long-term stockholder value.
●
Stock Ownership Guidelines: Our program requires meaningful stock ownership by our executives to align them with long-term stockholder interests.
●
Emphasis on Future Pay Opportunity vs. Current Pay: Our long-term incentive awards are delivered in the form of equity-based compensation with multi-year vesting provisions to encourage retention.
●
Hire, Retain and Motivate Top Talent: Offer market-competitive compensation which clearly links payouts to actual performance, including rewarding appropriately for superior results, facilitating the hire and retention of high-caliber individuals with the skills, experience and demonstrated performance required for our Company.
●
Principled Programs: Structure our compensation programs considering corporate governance best practices and in a manner that is understandable by our participants and stockholders.
|
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
|
The Board of Directors oversees the goals and objectives of the Company and of the CEO, evaluates succession planning with respect to the CEO and evaluates the CEO’s performance. The Compensation Committee supports the Board by:
●
|
Establishing the Company’s compensation philosophy;
|
|
|
●
|
Overseeing the development and implementation of the Company’s compensation and benefits policies;
|
|
|
●
|
Reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the CEO and other executive officers;
|
●
|
Approving the compensation levels of each of the Executive Vice Presidents; and
|
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|
●
|
Approving the compensation of the CEO, with ratification by the independent directors of the Board.
|
The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities under its
charter are further described in the “Corporate Governance—Committees of the Board of Directors” section of this
Proxy Statement.
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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The CEO, while not a member of the Compensation Committee, attended all of the meetings of the Compensation Committee in 2018 to contribute to and understand the committee’s oversight of, and decisions relating to, executive compensation. The CEO did not attend portions of the meetings relating to his compensation. The Compensation Committee regularly conducts executive sessions without management present.
The Compensation Committee also engages in an ongoing dialog with the CEO and the committee’s compensation consultant in the evaluation and establishment of the elements of our executive compensation program. The committee also received input from the Chief Human Resources Officer in making executive compensation decisions.
During 2018, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”) provided executive and director compensation
consulting services to the Compensation Committee. Prior to the committee retaining Meridian in December 2017 to serve as its independent compensation consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“FW Cook”) served as the committee’s
independent compensation consultant and provided recommendations regarding the composition of the 2018 peer group. For purposes of this CD&A, FW Cook and Meridian are collectively referred to as the Compensation Consultant.
The Compensation Consultant is retained by and reports directly to the Compensation Committee and participates in committee meetings. The Compensation Consultant informs the committee on market trends, as well as regulatory issues and developments and how they may impact the Company’s executive compensation program. The Compensation Consultant also:
●
|
Participates in the design of the executive compensation program to help the committee evaluate the linkage between pay and performance;
|
|
|
●
|
Reviews market data and advises the committee regarding the compensation of the Company’s executive officers;
|
●
|
Reviews and advises the committee regarding director compensation; and
|
|
|
●
|
Performs an annual risk assessment of the Company’s compensation program, as described in the “Executive Compensation—Risk Management and Compensation” section of this Proxy Statement.
|
The Compensation Consultant does not provide any other services to the Company. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of the Compensation Consultant pursuant to the NYSE rules and the Company concluded that the work performed by the Compensation Consultant for the Compensation Committee did not raise any conflict of interest.
During 2018, management retained the services of Willis Towers Watson PLC
(“WTW”)
to assist the Company in evaluating the Company’s annual and long-term incentive programs. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of WTW pursuant to the NYSE rules and the Company concluded that WTW’s work did not raise any conflict of interest.
SETTING 2018 COMPENSATION
|
In late 2017, the Compensation Committee, working with the Compensation Consultant and the CEO, engaged in a detailed review of the Company’s executive compensation program to evaluate whether the design and levels of each compensation element were:
●
|
Appropriate to support the Company’s strategic performance objectives;
|
|
|
●
|
Consistent with the philosophy and objectives described under “—
Our Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives” above; and
|
|
|
●
|
Reasonable when compared to market pay practices (see “—Market Comparison” below).
|
The Compensation Committee approved certain design changes to the Company’s executive compensation program in 2018 based on its review of market data and feedback received during the Company’s stockholder engagement efforts. Accordingly, for 2018, the Company’s executive compensation program continued to be significantly weighted towards performance-based compensation and continued to include a diversified mix of long-term incentive awards, but with certain modifications to the structure of the program.
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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For 2018, Annual Incentive Plan awards to executives other than Mr. Ersek continued to be based on an assessment of individual performance relating to personalized objectives, and the committee could increase or decrease the award payout resulting from the achievement of the financial and strategic performance objectives by up to 25%, for a maximum 2018 annual incentive opportunity of 200% of target (an increase from 175% of target in 2017). Mr. Ersek’s Annual Incentive Plan award continued to be based entirely on the achievement of corporate and strategic performance goals, with a maximum 2018 incentive opportunity equal to 175% of target (an increase from 150% of target in 2017). The committee approved the increase in maximum payout levels under the Annual Incentive Plan in order to further align with market data and provide greater payout leverage for over performance.
In order to further align the Company’s long-term incentive program with market data and stockholder interests and to enhance the retentive aspect of the program, in 2018, the committee made several modifications to the 2018 long-
term incentive program. First, the 2018 Financial PSUs are
scheduled to vest based on the achievement of revenue and EBIT goals over a cumulative three-year performance period rather than the prior design of revenue and operating income goals measured on an annual basis over a three-year performance period. This change broadens the metrics used under the Annual Incentive Plan and long-term incentive program and requires sustained performance over a multi-
year performance period to vest in the Financial PSUs. In addition, the committee increased the RSU component with
respect to the NEOs other than Mr. Ersek from 20% to 30%
and added an RSU component to Mr. Ersek’s long-term
incentive award mix, with a weighting of 10%. The committee approved this design in order to strengthen the Company’s ability to retain executive talent, while still maintaining a
variable compensation element as the value of the RSUs
will fluctuate based on our stock price performance. Similar
to the change in maximum payout levels with respect to the Annual Incentive Plan, the committee increased the
maximum payout levels under the PSUs to 200% of target (as compared to 175% of target in 2017) in order to further align with market data and provide greater payout leverage for over performance.
With respect to setting 2018 compensation levels, Mr. Ersek presented to the Compensation Committee his evaluation and recommendation for each of the other NEOs and their respective salary, annual bonus targets, and long-term incentive award targets. Mr. Ersek based his assessments on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual performance and relative contributions to the Company’s success; the performance of the executive’s respective business unit or functional area; retention considerations; market data; compensation history; and internal equity. After consideration and discussion, the Committee reviewed and approved Mr. Ersek’s 2018 recommendations for the NEOs other than himself.
Also in early 2018, Mr. Ersek submitted a self-evaluation to the Compensation Committee. The committee shared Mr. Ersek’s goals for the year and his self-evaluation with the independent members of the Board, who then evaluated Mr. Ersek’s performance in 2017 based on his actual performance versus such goals. In setting Mr. Ersek’s 2018 compensation, the committee considered this evaluation, market data regarding chief executive officer compensation levels provided by the Compensation Consultant, and a tally sheet of Mr. Ersek’s historical and current compensation data. No member of management, including Mr. Ersek, made any recommendations regarding Mr. Ersek’s compensation or participated in the portions of the Compensation Committee meeting or in the meeting of the independent directors of the Board during which Mr. Ersek’s compensation was determined or ratified.
For 2018, the Compensation Committee considered market pay practices when setting executive compensation, but did not target percentile ranks of specific compensation elements or total target direct compensation against the market data. Instead, the committee used market data to assess the overall competitiveness and reasonableness of the Company’s executive compensation program.
While the Compensation Committee considers relevant market pay practices when setting executive compensation, it does not believe it appropriate to establish compensation levels based only on market practices. The Compensation Committee believes that compensation decisions are complex and require a deliberate review of Company
performance and peer compensation levels. The factors that influence the amount of compensation awarded include, but are not limited to:
●
|
Market competition for a particular position;
|
|
|
●
|
Experience and past performance inside or outside the Company;
|
|
|
●
|
Role and responsibilities within the Company;
|
|
|
●
|
Tenure with the Company and associated institutional knowledge;
|
|
|
●
|
Long-term potential with the Company;
|
|
|
●
|
Innovative thinking and leadership;
|
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
|
●
|
Money transfer or financial services industry expertise;
|
|
|
●
|
Personal performance and contributions;
|
|
|
●
|
Succession planning;
|
|
|
●
|
Past and future performance objectives; and
|
|
|
●
|
Value of the position within the Company.
|
As further discussed below, the committee considered market data from both an executive compensation peer group and a general industry compensation survey, but did not assign a specific weight to either data source.
The Compensation Committee believes that the Company’s executive compensation peer group should reflect the markets in which the Company competes for business, executive talent and capital. Accordingly, the Company’s peer group includes companies meeting either of the following criteria:
●
|
Global brands providing virtual products or services; or
|
●
|
Companies involved with payment and/or processing services.
|
The executive compensation peer group used for evaluating 2018 compensation decisions consisted of the companies below. The peer group for 2018 pay decisions was updated to remove Charles Schwab and ADP and add Broadridge Financial Solutions, Euronet Worldwide, FleetCor Technologies, and Navient in order to more closely align the peer group with the Company in terms of revenues, operating income, employees and market capitalization. These changes were first effective with respect to evaluating 2018 executive compensation decisions. The Compensation Consultant compiled compensation information from the peer group based on the publicly filed documents of each member of the peer group. Based on the information below, the Company estimates that it is between the 50th and 75th percentile of the peer group in terms of revenues and employees, between the 25th and 50th percentile of the peer group in terms of operating income, and below the 25th percentile of the peer group in terms of market capitalization.
PEER GROUP
|
|
2017
REVENUES*
(IN MILLIONS)
|
|
2017
OP INCOME*
(IN MILLIONS)
|
|
EMPLOYEES
(AS OF 12/31/2017)
|
|
MARKET CAP
(AS OF 12/31/2017)
(IN MILLIONS)
|
Ameriprise Financial
|
|
$12,075
|
|
$3,125
|
|
13,000
|
|
$25,070
|
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
|
|
$4,292
|
|
$606
|
|
10,000
|
|
$10,557
|
CME Group Inc.
|
|
$3,645
|
|
$2,303
|
|
2,830
|
|
$49,700
|
Comerica Incorporated
|
|
$3,094
|
|
$1,343
|
|
7,834
|
|
$15,098
|
Discover Financial Services
|
|
$7,318
|
|
$3,626
|
|
16,500
|
|
$27,951
|
Euronet Worldwide, Inc.
|
|
$2,252
|
|
$300
|
|
6,600
|
|
$4,439
|
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.
|
|
$9,123
|
|
$1,670
|
|
52,000
|
|
$31,414
|
Fiserv, Inc.
|
|
$5,696
|
|
$1,522
|
|
24,000
|
|
$27,327
|
FleetCor Technologies, Inc.
|
|
$2,250
|
|
$884
|
|
7,890
|
|
$17,234
|
Global Payments Inc.
|
|
$3,975
|
|
$653
|
|
10,000
|
|
$15,952
|
Intuit Inc.
|
|
$5,285
|
|
$1,399
|
|
8,900
|
|
$40,336
|
MoneyGram International, Inc.
|
|
$1,602
|
|
$95
|
|
2,936
|
|
$716
|
Nasdaq, Inc.
|
|
$3,965
|
|
$1,076
|
|
4,069
|
|
$12,771
|
Navient Corporation
|
|
$1,785
|
|
$796
|
|
6,700
|
|
$3,503
|
Northern Trust Corporation
|
|
$5,410
|
|
$1,711
|
|
18,600
|
|
$22,717
|
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
|
|
$13,094
|
|
$1,914
|
|
18,700
|
|
$88,485
|
State Street Corporation
|
|
$11,168
|
|
$3,364
|
|
39,000
|
|
$36,197
|
Total System Services, Inc.
|
|
$4,928
|
|
$734
|
|
11,000
|
|
$14,540
|
Worldpay, Inc.
|
|
$4,026
|
|
$570
|
|
3,661
|
|
$11,955
|
75th Percentile
|
|
$6,507
|
|
$1,813
|
|
17,550
|
|
$29,682
|
50th Percentile
|
|
$4,292
|
|
$1,343
|
|
10,000
|
|
$17,234
|
25th Percentile
|
|
$3,369
|
|
$694
|
|
6,650
|
|
$12,363
|
*
|
All data was compiled by the Compensation Consultant who obtained peer company financial market intelligence from S&P CapitalIQ. The data generally represents revenue and operating income for the most recent four quarters available to the Compensation Consultant at the time the Compensation Consultant compiled the data in January 2018. Operating income may reflect measures not in conformity with GAAP.
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The Western Union Company
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
|
The Compensation Committee also used a general industry compensation survey in evaluating executive pay. Survey data provides a broader perspective on market practices. For the 2018 compensation review, the Compensation Consultant compiled compensation data from a general industry compensation survey provided by Willis Towers Watson (which included data from companies with annual revenues between $3 billion and $6 billion).
Use of Tally Sheets
The Compensation Committee reviews tally sheets that present historical and current compensation data, valuations of future equity vesting, value of option exercises in the past five years, as well as analyses for hypothetical terminations and retirements to allow the Compensation Committee to consider the Company’s obligations under such circumstances. The tally sheets provide additional context for the committee in determining and assessing NEO compensation.
THE WESTERN UNION 2018 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Pay-For-Performance and At-Risk Compensation
The principal components of the Company’s 2018 annual executive compensation program were annual base salary, annual incentive awards, and long-term incentive awards
in the form of PSUs, stock options (for the CEO) and RSUs.
The Compensation Committee designed the 2018 executive compensation program so that performance-based pay
elements (Annual Incentive Plan awards, PSUs and, if
applicable, stock options) would constitute a significant portion of the executive compensation awarded, determined at target levels. The following charts illustrate the mix of the targeted annual compensation for the CEO and the average targeted annual compensation for the other NEOs, and the portion of that compensation that is performance-based and/or at-risk. For purposes of these charts, the percentage of targeted annual compensation was determined based on the annual base salary and target incentive opportunities applicable to the NEO as of December 31, 2018.
CEO 2018 TOTAL TARGET DIRECT COMPENSATION
|
|
NEO 2018 TOTAL TARGET DIRECT COMPENSATION
|
|
Total Target Direct Compensation Versus Total Realizable Pay
Since a significant portion of Mr. Ersek’s compensation is both performance-based and at-risk, we are providing the following supplemental graph to compare Mr. Ersek’s total
target direct compensation to the compensation “realizable”
by him for each of 2016, 2017 and 2018. For the cumulative period of 2016 to 2018, realizable pay was approximately 35% lower than target direct compensation for that period.
We believe the “realizable” compensation
and its relationship to total target direct compensation in each of the years and over the three-year cumulative period are reflective of
the Compensation Committee’s emphasis on “pay-for-performance” in that differences between “realizable” pay
and total target direct compensation, as well as fluctuations year-over-year are primarily the result of our stock performance and our varying levels of achievement against pre-established performance goals under our Annual Incentive Plan and Long-Term Incentive Plan.
2019 Proxy Statement
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39
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
|
CEO TOTAL TARGET
DIRECT COMPENSATION
VERSUS TOTAL REALIZABLE COMPENSATION
(1)
(1)
|
This graph and the total target direct compensation and total realizable compensation reported in this graph provide supplemental information regarding the compensation paid to Mr. Ersek and should not be viewed as a substitute for the 2018 Summary Compensation Table.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Amounts reported in the calculation of total target direct compensation consist of (a) annualized base salary, (b) target annual incentive opportunities granted to Mr. Ersek with respect to each of the years shown under the Annual Incentive Plan and (c) the target grant values of the long-term incentives granted to Mr. Ersek with respect to each of the years shown under the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Amounts reported in the calculation of total realizable compensation consist of (a) annualized base salary, (b) actual annual incentive payments received by Mr. Ersek with respect to each of the years shown under the Annual Incentive Plan, (c) the value realized from the exercise of stock options and for unexercised stock options, the difference between the exercise price and the closing stock price on the last trading day of 2018, each reported in the year granted, (d) the value realized upon vesting of PSUs and the value of unvested PSUs based on the closing stock price on the last trading day of 2018 and estimated performance as of December 31, 2018, each reported in the year granted, and (e) the value of unvested RSUs based on the closing stock price on the last trading day of 2018, each reported in the year granted.
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40
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The Western Union Company
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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ELEMENTS OF 2018 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
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The following table lists the material elements of the Company’s 2018 executive compensation program for the Company’s NEOs. The committee believes that the design of the Company’s executive compensation program focuses on performance-based compensation elements, provides alignment with the Company’s short and long-term financial and strategic priorities through the annual and long-term incentive programs, and provides alignment with stockholder interests.
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Fixed
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At-Risk /
Performance Based
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Base Salary
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Annual Incentive Awards
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PSUs
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Stock Options
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RSUs
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Fixed compensation component payable in cash. Reviewed annually and adjusted when appropriate.
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Variable compensation component payable in cash based on performance against annually established performance objectives.
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PSUs vest based on the
Company’s achievement of financial performance objectives and the Company’s relative TSR performance.
The value of PSUs is
also dependent on our share price over the performance period.
PSUs do not accrue or pay
dividends.
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Non-qualified stock options granted with an exercise price equal to fair market value on the date of grant that expire 10 years after grant and become exercisable in 25% annual increments over a four-year vesting period.
The value of stock options is dependent on our share price over the option term.
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RSUs generally cliff vest
on the third anniversary of the date of grant based on continued service during vesting period.
The value of RSUs is
dependent on our share price over the vesting period.
RSUs do not accrue or pay
dividends.
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Establish a pay foundation at competitive levels to attract and retain talented executives.
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Motivate and reward executives for performance on key financial, strategic and/or individual performance goals over the year.
Hold our executives accountable, with payouts based on actual performance against pre-established and communicated performance goals.
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Align the interests of executives with those of our stockholders by focusing the executives on the Company’s financial and TSR performance over a multi-year period.
Hold our executives accountable, with payouts varying from target based on actual performance against pre-established and communicated performance goals.
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Align interests of the CEO with those of our stockholders by focusing on long-term share price appreciation over the option term.
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Competitive with market practices in order to attract and retain top executive talent.
Align the interests of executives with those of our stockholders by focusing the executives on long-term objectives over a multi-year vesting period, with the value of the award fluctuating based on stock price performance.
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Experience, job scope, responsibilities, market data, internal equity, and individual performance.
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Internal pay equity, market practice, corporate and individual performance.
Participants are eligible to receive a cash payout ranging from 0% to 175% of target based on the achievement of financial and strategic goals.
Payouts for participants other than the CEO are subject to a +/- 25% modifier based on individual performance with respect to personalized objectives, including business unit goals.
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Internal pay equity, market practice and individual performance.
Financial PSUs: Payout
based on revenue and EBIT growth over 2018-2020 performance period.
TSR PSUs: Payout based
on the Company’s TSR performance relative to the S&P 500 Index over 2018-2020 performance period.
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Internal pay equity, market practice and individual performance.
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Internal pay equity, market practice and individual performance.
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*
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See the “Setting 2018 Compensation” section for further information regarding the determination of 2018 compensation levels.
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2019 Proxy Statement
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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Each of Western Union’s 2018 executive compensation program elements is described in further detail below.
Base Salary
Our philosophy is that base salaries should meet the objectives of attracting and retaining the executives needed to lead the business. Base salary is a fixed compensation component payable in cash. In February 2018, Mr. Agrawal and Ms. Tsai received base salary increases of 7% and 13%, respectively, in order to further align their total compensation levels with the market data and to reflect expanded roles within the Company. None of our other NEOs received a salary increase during 2018.
The following table sets forth each NEO’s 2018 base salary level:
EXECUTIVE
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2018 BASE
SALARY ($000)
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Hikmet Ersek
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$1,000.0
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Raj Agrawal
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$630.0
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Odilon Almeida
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$650.0
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Jean Claude Farah
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$500.0
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Caroline Tsai
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$450.0
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Annual Incentive Compensation
Our Annual Incentive Plan is designed to motivate and reward our NEOs for achieving short-term performance
objectives. We believe the program supports our “pay-for-performance” culture.
Target payout opportunities under the Annual Incentive Plan are expressed as a percentage of a participant’s annual base salary. For 2018, the Compensation Committee increased the target bonus opportunities for Mr. Ersek from 150% to 170% of base salary and for Mr. Almeida from 90% to 100% of base salary. None of our other NEOs received an Annual Incentive Plan target increase with respect to 2018.
Potential payouts range from 0% to 175% of target based on the achievement of pre-established financial and strategic goals. Because the committee believes that individual objectives are indicators of the executive’s success in fulfilling the executive’s responsibilities, the total payout under the Annual Incentive Plan for the NEOs other than the CEO is subject to a +/- 25% modifier based on the committee’s assessment versus pre-established individual
performance goals. Payouts for the NEOs (other than the CEO) are capped at 200% of each individual’s target bonus opportunity, with the CEO’s payout capped at 175% of his target bonus opportunity.
The Annual Incentive Plan is based on the achievement of financial and strategic goals weighted at 70% and 30%, respectively. The weighting of the performance measures reflects the desire of the Compensation Committee to tie a significant portion of annual incentive compensation to performance measures that the committee believes are meaningful to and readily accessible by our investors, while at the same time, emphasizing strategic performance objectives focused on the Company’s growth imperatives.
Financial Performance and Goal Setting.
In 2018, Company performance against total revenue and operating income was 75% and 80% of target, respectively. Importantly, the committee required a year-over-year growth rate of 3.5% for total revenue and 5.0% for operating income in order for the NEOs to earn a target payout. Due to the global nature of our business, our goals are set on a constant currency basis in order to focus our executives on the business operations, which we believe is consistent with market practices.
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2017 ACTUAL
RESULTS*
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TARGET GROWTH RATE
FROM 2017 RESULTS
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2018 TARGET*
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2018 ACTUAL
RESULTS*
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ACHIEVEMENT**(%)
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Total Revenue
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$5,524M
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3.5%
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$5,718M
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$5,676M
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75%
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Operating Income
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$1,102M
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5.0%
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$1,157M
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$1,146M
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80%
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Overall Achievement
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77%
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2018 target and actual results shown at constant currency - calculated assuming no changes in the currency exchange rates from 2017 currency exchange rates. In February 2019, the Compensation Committee exercised its discretion to reduce the 2018 total revenue and operating income actual results to account for the impact of certain inflation above budgeted inflation levels. Absent these adjustments, total revenue and operating income would have been $5,702 and $1,154, respectively. For comparative purposes, the 2017 Actual Results for Operating Income are calculated excluding charges incurred pursuant to the Company’s WU Way Program, additional costs relating to the Joint Settlement Agreements, costs associated with a January 4, 2018 consent order, which resolved a matter with the New York Department of financial services (the “NYDFS Consent Order”) relating to facts set forth in the Joint Settlement Agreements, and a 2017 goodwill impairment relating to our Business Solutions reporting unit (the “WUBS Impairment”). The performance grid provided payout opportunities for performance ranging from $5,635M to $5,856M for revenue and $1,130M to $1,185M for operating income.
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**
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In February 2019, the Compensation Committee exercised its discretion to reduce the total revenue and operating income formulaic achievement levels to account for the impact of certain inflation above budgeted inflation levels. Absent these adjustments, total revenue, operating income and the overall attainment levels would have been 90%, 95%, and 92%, respectively. The achievement levels reported in this column reflect the adjusted achievement levels determined by the committee in February 2019
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The Western Union Company
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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When the financial and strategic performance measures were established, and consistent with prior years, the committee determined that the effect of currency fluctuations, acquisitions and divestitures, including related costs, restructuring, and other significant charges not included in the Company’s internal 2018 financial plan should be excluded from the payout calculations to more closely align payouts with the underlying operating performance of the business.
As it had in previous years, the Compensation Committee set the 2018 financial performance goals by establishing a grid based on the Company’s revenue and operating income. These performance measures were used in order to tie annual incentive compensation to measures of the Company’s financial performance that the committee deemed meaningful to and readily accessible by our investors.
The Compensation Committee established the performance goal grid and corresponding payout percentages based upon input from management regarding the Company’s expected performance in the upcoming year. The committee designed the grid to encourage strong, focused performance by our executives. The 2018 performance goal grid provided a payout of 100% of target if the Company achieved its internal operating plan for operating income and revenue (revenue of approximately $5.7 billion and operating income of approximately $1.2 billion, each measured on a constant currency basis), with a maximum initial payout level of 175% of target if revenue and operating income grew by 6.0% and 7.5%, respectively, as compared to 2017 (with such payout further subject to the +/- 25% performance modifier for participants other than Mr. Ersek).
Strategic Performance and Goal Setting
. Participants in the 2018 Annual Incentive Plan had 30% of their award opportunity tied to the achievement of performance objectives based upon the Company’s strategic operating plan, with a focus on the Company’s growth imperatives (as measured by digital money transfer revenue and cross border solutions initiatives,
each weighted 10%) and compliance execution objectives (weighted 10%). Performance levels of the objectives were designed to be achievable, but required the coordinated, cross-functional focus and effort of the executives. Based on the achievement of the strategic performance objectives, the committee certified a payout equal to 93% of each NEO’s target allocated to the strategic performance objectives.
Individual Performance Modifier and Goal Setting
. Other than for Mr. Ersek, each NEO’s payout under the 2018 Annual Incentive Plan was subject to a +/- 25% modifier based on the committee’s assessment of individual and business unit performance. In making its assessment, the committee considered the recommendations of the CEO based on his review of the performance of each NEO against the individual objectives established by the committee at the beginning of the year.
The committee believes the performance objectives established for each NEO are indicators of the executive’s success in fulfilling the executive’s responsibilities to the Company and support the Company’s strategic operating plan. The committee also believes that including an assessment of contributions towards the Company’s
compliance initiatives, the Company’s WU Way program
goals, employee engagement and leadership in each of the NEO’s individual and business unit objectives reinforces these objectives as priorities throughout the organization. The performance levels of the individual and business unit objectives were designed to be achievable, but required strong and consistent performance by the executive.
The following table summarizes key performance indicators for each NEO under the 2018 Annual Incentive Plan, as approved by the Compensation Committee. In addition to the performance goals described below, each of these NEOs was also assessed based on contributions towards compliance
initiatives, the Company’s WU Way program goals, employee
engagement, and leadership.
Executive
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Individual Performance Objectives
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Raj Agrawal
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Earnings per share, operating cash flow and Global Operations customer satisfaction
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Odilon Almeida
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Revenue, controllable profit and repeat customer retention
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Jean Claude Farah
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Revenue, controllable profit and revenue customer retention
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Caroline Tsai
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Compliance priorities, litigation expenditures and priorities, customer service, and innovative thought leadership in support of strategic initiatives
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Compliance Evaluation.
The Company considers evaluation criteria related to compliance in its executive bonus system so that each Company executive is evaluated on what the executive has done to ensure that the executive’s business
or department is in compliance with applicable U.S. laws. A
failing score in compliance, including anti-money laundering and anti-fraud programs, will make the executive ineligible for any bonus for that year. In addition, the 2018 award
agreements under the Annual Incentive Plan included clawback provisions, specifically authorizing the clawback of annual incentive payments due to compliance failures. In early 2019, the Compensation Committee determined that each NEO met the compliance-related evaluation criteria established by the Company and therefore determined that each NEO remained eligible for a bonus with respect to 2018.
2019 Proxy Statement
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43
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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NEO Payouts Under the 2018 Annual Incentive Plan.
The following table sets forth each NEO’s 2018 target award opportunity expressed (i) as a percentage of 2018 base salary and (ii) in dollars and the annual incentive payouts received by each NEO.
EXECUTIVE
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TARGET
BONUS
AS A %
OF BASE
SALARY
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TARGET
AWARD
OPPORTUNITY
($000)
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CORPORATE
OBJECTIVES
PAYOUT
AT 77% OF
TARGET
($000)
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STRATEGIC
OBJECTIVES
PAYOUT
AT 93% OF
TARGET
($000)
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+/- INDIVIDUAL
PERFORMANCE
MODIFIER
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FINAL
BONUS
($000)
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FINAL
BONUS
AS A % OF
TARGET
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Hikmet Ersek
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170%
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$1,700.0
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$916.3
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$474.3
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N/A
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$1,390.6
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82%
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Raj Agrawal
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100%
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$630.0
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$339.6
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$175.8
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3% modifier
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$534.2
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85%
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Odilon Almeida
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100%
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$650.0
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$350.4
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$181.3
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0% modifier
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$531.7
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82%
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Jean Claude Farah
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90%
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$450.0
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$242.6
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$125.6
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-3% modifier
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$354.6
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79%
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Caroline Tsai
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75%
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$337.5
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$181.9
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$94.2
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10% modifier
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$309.8
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92%
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Long-Term Incentive Compensation
The objectives for the long-term incentive awards were to:
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Align the interests of our executives with the interests of our stockholders by focusing on objectives that result in stock price appreciation;
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Increase cross-functional executive focus in the coming
years on key performance metrics through Financial PSUs;
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Amplify executive focus on stockholder returns through TSR PSUs; and
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Retain the services of executives through multi-year vesting provisions.
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The Company’s long-term incentive program allows the Compensation Committee to award various forms of
long-term incentive grants, including stock options, RSUs,
performance-based equity and performance-based cash awards. The Compensation Committee approves all equity grants made to our senior executives, with the equity grants
made to the CEO ratified by the independent directors of the Board. When making regular annual equity grants, the Compensation Committee’s practice is to approve them during the first quarter of each year as part of the annual compensation review. In addition to the factors listed in
the table under “
Elements of 2018 Executive Compensation Program
,” the Compensation Committee also considers
dilution of the Company’s outstanding shares when making equity grants.
2018 Annual Long-Term Incentive Awards.
In early 2018, the Compensation Committee granted the NEOs long-term incentive awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. In approving the 2018 long-term incentive awards, the committee approved increases to the target award values for Messrs. Agrawal and Almeida and Ms. Tsai as compared to 2017, primarily to more closely align their total direct compensation with the median of the market data and, in the case of Ms. Tsai, to reflect her expanded role with respect to compliance within the Company. The following table sets forth the target award value, as of the date of grant, of the 2018 long-term incentive awards received by each NEO:
EXECUTIVE
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TARGET GRANT
VALUE ($000)
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Hikmet Ersek
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$7,000.0
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Raj Agrawal
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$2,400.0
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Odilon Almeida
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$2,000.0
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Jean Claude Farah
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$1,050.0
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Caroline Tsai
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$900.0
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The Western Union Company
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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Once the target grant value is set for each NEO, the grant value is then allocated among PSUs, RSUs and stock options, as
applicable. In 2018, the committee granted the long-term incentive allocation indicated below:
CEO 2018 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARDS
The committee believes that this mix is appropriate because it is designed to align the interests of our NEOs with the interests of our stockholders, drive long-term performance with respect to strategic measures, support retention of our NEOs and align with market practices as reported by the Compensation Consultant.
Financial PSUs
. The 2018 Financial PSU awards will vest if
and only to the extent that specific performance goals for revenue and EBIT are met during the three-year performance period. Prior to 2018, the Compensation Committee utilized revenue and operating income as elements in both the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan and long-term incentive program. When designing the Company’s 2018 executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee evaluated a range of performance metrics for purposes of the Company’s incentive programs and considered input from management and the Compensation Consultant. Based on such review, the Compensation Committee determined that revenue and operating income continue to be viewed as core drivers of the Company’s performance and stockholder value creation and should remain components of the Company’s executive compensation program. However, based on stockholder feedback and a review of market data, the committee modified the 2018 long-term incentive design to replace the operating income performance goal that had been used in prior years with an EBIT performance goal in order to further broaden the performance metrics utilized in the Company’s executive compensation program while continuing to use measures that the committee believes measure strategy execution and long-term value creation.
OTHER NEO 2018 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARDS
In addition, the Compensation Committee continued its historical practice of supplementing the primary performance measures under the Annual Incentive Plan and long-term incentive program with additional performance measures in order to strike an appropriate balance with respect to incentivizing top-line growth, profitability, non-financial business imperatives and stockholder returns over both the short-term and long-term horizons.
Finally, with respect to 2018, the Compensation Committee approved a design change, which measures performance over a three-year cumulative performance period rather than the previous program design of measuring performance with
respect to one-third of the PSUs subject to the grant on an
annual basis during each year of the three-year performance period. This change is intended to further align the Company’s executive compensation program with the long-term interests of the Company’s stockholders as payouts
under the Financial PSUs require sustained performance
over a three-year performance period.
Similar to the Annual Incentive Plan, when the financial performance objectives were established for the Financial PSUs, the committee determined that the effect of currency
fluctuations, acquisitions and divestitures, including related costs, restructuring, and other significant charges not included in the Company’s internal financial plans should be excluded from the payout calculations. Consistent with the Company’s historical practices, under this plan design, the
performance results for the Financial PSUs will be calculated
using the prior year’s currency exchange rates.
2019 Proxy Statement
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45
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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The performance objectives under the 2018 Financial PSUs
are based on a targeted constant currency compound
annual growth rate (“CAGR”) for revenue and EBIT over
the three-year performance period. At the beginning of the performance period, the committee established revenue and EBIT CAGR goals for the performance period, with revenue weighted 70% and EBIT weighted 30%. The committee approved this design in order to provide greater emphasis
on revenue growth. Under the terms of the awards, as much as 200% of the targeted Financial PSUs may be
earned based on the Company’s performance with respect to the revenue and EBIT performance objectives over the three-year performance period. In addition, in order to vest in the award, the award recipient must remain employed through the third anniversary of the grant date (February 2021), except as otherwise provided under the Company’s Executive Severance Policy or the Long-Term Incentive Plan. The PSU performance goals were designed to be challenging but achievable with the coordinated, cross-functional focus and effort of the executives.
The following table sets forth each NEO’s threshold, target and maximum award opportunity with respect to the 2018 Financial PSUs:
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2018 FINANCIAL PSU AWARD OPPORTUNITY
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EXECUTIVE
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THRESHOLD
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TARGET
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MAXIMUM
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Hikmet Ersek
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87,109
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174,217
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348,434
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Raj Agrawal
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29,866
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59,732
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119,464
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Odilon Almeida
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24,889
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49,777
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99,554
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Jean Claude Farah
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13,067
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26,133
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52,266
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Caroline Tsai
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11,200
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22,400
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44,800
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TSR PSUs
. In 2018, the Company continued to grant TSR PSUs to enhance focus on stockholder returns. These TSR PSUs require the Company to achieve 60th percentile relative TSR performance versus the S&P 500 Index over a three-year performance period in order to earn target payout, with 30th percentile relative TSR performance resulting in threshold payout and 90th percentile relative TSR performance resulting in maximum payout.
This portion of the award is also subject to the participant’s continued service through the third anniversary of the grant date (February 2021), except as otherwise provided under the Company’s Executive Severance Policy or the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
The following table sets forth each NEO’s threshold, target and maximum award opportunities with respect to the 2018 TSR PSUs:
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2018 TSR PSU AWARD OPPORTUNITY
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EXECUTIVE
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THRESHOLD
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TARGET
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MAXIMUM
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Hikmet Ersek
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33,082
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66,163
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132,326
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Raj Agrawal
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11,332
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22,663
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45,326
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Odilon Almeida
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9,443
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18,886
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37,772
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Jean Claude Farah
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4,958
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9,916
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19,832
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Caroline Tsai
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4,250
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8,499
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16,998
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Annual RSU Awards.
Service-vesting RSUs are granted to our NEOs to support retention and alignment of our NEOs’ interests with
the interests of our stock
holders. The annual RSU grants vest 100% on the third-anniversary of the grant date, subject to the NEO’s
continued service or as otherwise provided for under the Company’s Executive Severance Policy or the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
The following table sets forth each NEO’s 2018 annual RSU grant:
EXECUTIVE
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ANNUAL RSU GRANT
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Hikmet Ersek
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34,844
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Raj Agrawal
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35,839
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Odilon Almeida
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29,866
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Jean Claude Farah
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15,680
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Caroline Tsai
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13,440
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The Western Union Company
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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Stock Options Awards.
With respect to Mr. Ersek, stock options are granted to further emphasize the achievement of long-term objectives and encourage long-term value creation as the stock options will have value to Mr. Ersek only if the Company’s stock price appreciates from the date of grant. The stock options vest in 25% annual increments over four years, subject to Mr. Ersek’s continued service or as otherwise provided for under the Company’s Executive Severance Policy or the Long-Term Incentive Plan and have a 10-year term. The committee believes that the Company’s 2018 long-term incentive design supports retention and represents a balanced reflection of stockholder returns and financial performance. For 2018, Mr. Ersek received options representing the right to purchase 383,562 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to the satisfaction of the underlying service-based vesting conditions.
Supplemental RSU Award
.
In December 2018, Ms. Tsai
received a supplemental RSU grant with a
target value of
$250,000. The supplemental RSU grant vests 50% on each of
the first and second anniversaries of the grant date, subject to Ms. Tsai’s continued employment through the applicable vesting date or as otherwise provided for under the Company’s
Executive Severance Policy or the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
The committee approved the supplemental RSU grant
in recognition of Ms. Tsai’s performance and increased responsibilities with respect to oversight of the Company’s compliance programs. Additionally, the committee viewed the
supplemental RSU grant as an important incentive to retain Ms. Tsai in light of Ms. Tsai’s total target direct compensation as compared to the market median.
2016 PSU Award
.
Under the terms of the 2016 PSUs, 2018
represented the final year of the three-year performance
period for the 2016 Financial PSUs and the 2016 TSR PSUs. The 2016 Financial PSUs vested based on the extent to which
the Company’s CAGR for revenue and operating income (each weighted 50%), met certain performance goals based on each performance year’s actual performance as compared to the prior year, as well as a three-year positive CAGR in
both revenue and operating income. The 2016 TSR PSUs
vested based on the Company’s achievement of relative TSR performance versus the S&P 500 Index over a three-year performance period. Based on performance over the three-year performance period, as described further below, the 2016 PSUs vested as follows for each of the participating NEOs:
EXECUTIVE*
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2016 TARGET
FINANCIAL PSUs
(#)
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2016 EARNED
FINANCIAL PSUs
(#)
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2016 TARGET
TSR PSUs
(#)
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2016 EARNED
TSR PSUs
(#)
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Hikmet Ersek
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230,897
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180,100
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84,593
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0
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Raj Agrawal
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54,366
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42,406
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19,892
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0
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Odilon Almeida
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44,482
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34,696
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16,275
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0
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Jean Claude Farah
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27,183
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21,203
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9,946
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0
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*
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Ms. Tsai commenced employment with the Company in 2017 and, accordingly, did not receive 2016 PSU
s.
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The 2016 Financial PSU and 2016 TSR PSU performance objectives and the achievement levels are set forth in the tables below. While the performance periods for the 2016 PSUs concluded as of December 31, 2018, these awards remained subject to service-based vesting conditions until the third anniversary of the grant date (February 2019).Pursuant to the terms of the underlying award agreements and consistent with the adjustment methodology used in prior years, the Compensation Committee excluded from the 2016 Financial PSU payout
calculations charges incurred pursuant to the Joint Settlement Agreements and the NYDFS Consent Order after considering (i) the Department of Justice’s statement of facts which noted that, since at least September 2012, the Company took remedial measures and implemented compliance enhancements to improve its anti-fraud and anti-money laundering programs and that these remedial measures and compliance enhancements were taken at the direction of the CEO, among others, and reflect the executive team’s ongoing commitment to enhancing compliance policies and procedures, (ii) over the past several years, the Company substantially increased overall compliance funding and personnel, and the dollar value of reported
fraud in consumer-to-consumer transactions, compared with the total value of all transactions, dropped significantly, (iii) that the comprehensive improvements by the Company have added more employees with law enforcement and regulatory expertise, strengthened its consumer education and agent training, bolstered its technology-driven controls and changed its governance structure so that its CCO has a direct reporting line to the Compliance Committee of the Board, (iv) the incidence of consumer fraud reports associated with the Company’s money transfers over the past several years has been historically low relative to the total number of consumer-to-consumer money transfer transactions during the same period, and (v) the conduct at issue mainly occurred from 2004 to 2012. In addition, the committee excluded from the payout calculations costs incurred in connection with (i) the 2015 Paymap Settlement Agreement, (ii) the Company’s WU Way program in 2016 and 2017, and (iii) the WUBS Impairment. The committee viewed these costs as significant expenses not indicative of the Company’s day-to-day performance. The WUBS Impairment, which was primarily caused by a decrease in projected future revenue growth rates and EBITDA margins for Business Solutions and the impact of United States tax
2019 Proxy Statement
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47
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
|
reform legislation enacted in December 2017, was a non-
cash item and the impact of the reporting unit’s 2015-2017 performance was already reflected in the Company’s overall results. Absent the exclusion of these items, the overall attainment level would have been slightly higher as a percentage of target than the overall attainment level set forth in the table below.
The committee also reviewed the Company’s clawback policies and considered whether any reductions in the 2016 Financial PSU vesting levels were warranted under such
clawback policies in light of the Joint Settlement Agreements or the NYDFS Consent Order or due to compliance concerns. The committee determined that the clawback policies did not
require a clawback of the vesting levels of the 2016 PSUs.
2016 FINANCIAL PSUs
(PERFORMANCE PERIOD 2016-2018)
|
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
|
|
2016 FINANCIAL PSU PERFORMANCE GOALS
|
|
ACTUAL PERFORMANCE*
|
Targeted annual constant currency growth rate for revenue and operating income, comparing 2016 actual performance against 2015 actual performance (weighting 33-1/3%)
|
|
Revenue growth rate: 3.6%
Operating income growth rate: 4.6%
|
|
Revenue growth
rate = 87% achievement
Operating income growth
rate = 96% achievement
|
Targeted annual constant currency growth rate for revenue and operating income, comparing 2017 actual performance against 2016 actual performance (weighting 33-1/3%)
|
|
Revenue growth rate: 4.8%
Operating income growth rate: 5.7%
|
|
Revenue growth
rate = 76% achievement
Operating income growth
rate = 70% achievement
|
Targeted annual constant currency growth rate for revenue and operating income, comparing 2018 actual performance against 2017 actual performance (weighting 33-1/3%)
|
|
Revenue growth rate: 5.6%
Operating income growth rate: 6.0%
|
|
Revenue growth rate = 70%
achievement
Operating income growth
rate = 67% achievement
|
|
|
|
|
Overall Attainment Level 78%
|
*
|
At constant currency - calculated assuming no changes in the currency exchange rates from the prior year’s currency exchange rates.
|
2016 TSR PSUs
(PERFORMANCE PERIOD 2016-2018)
|
|
|
PERFORMANCE GOALS
|
|
|
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE
|
|
THRESHOLD
|
|
TARGET
|
|
MAXIMUM
|
|
ACTUAL PERFORMANCE
|
TSR relative to S&P 500 Index*
|
|
30
th
percentile
|
|
60
th
percentile
|
|
90
th
percentile
|
|
28
th
percentile
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overall Attainment Level 0%
|
*
|
Relative TSR performance for purposes of the 2016 TSR PSUs was calculated based on the terms of the 2016 PSU award agreement, which requires using a beginning stock price calculated as the average company closing stock price for all trading days during December 2015 and an ending stock price calculated as the average company closing stock price for all trading days during December 2018. In determining the TSR for the companies in the S&P 500 Index, the S&P companies comprising the S&P Index on December 31, 2018 were used.
|
Other Elements of Compensation
To remain competitive with other employers and to attract, retain, and motivate highly talented executives and other employees, we provide the benefits listed in the following table to our
U.S.
-based employees:
BENEFIT OR PERQUISITE
|
|
NAMED
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
|
|
OTHER
OFFICERS
AND KEY
EMPLOYEES
|
|
ALL FULL-TIME
AND REGULAR
PART-TIME
EMPLOYEES
|
401(k) Plan
|
|
✓
|
|
✓
|
|
✓
|
Supplemental Incentive Savings Plan (a nonqualified defined contribution plan)
|
|
✓
|
|
✓
|
|
|
Severance and Change-in-Control Benefits (Double-Trigger)
|
|
✓
|
|
✓
|
|
✓
|
Health and Welfare Benefits
|
|
✓
|
|
✓
|
|
✓
|
Limited Perquisites
|
|
✓
|
|
✓
|
|
|
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The Western Union
Company
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
|
Severance and Change-in-Control Benefits
. The Company has an Executive Severance Policy for our executive officers. The policy helps accomplish the Company’s compensation philosophy of attracting and retaining exemplary talent. The committee believes it appropriate to provide executives with the rewards and protections afforded by the Executive Severance Policy. The policy reduces the need to negotiate individual severance arrangements with departing executives and protects our executives from termination for circumstances not of their doing. The committee also believes the policy promotes management independence and helps retain, stabilize, and focus the executive officers in the event of a change-in-control. In the event of a change-in-control, the policy’s severance benefits are payable only
upon a “double trigger.” This means that severance benefits
are triggered only when an eligible executive is involuntarily terminated (other than for cause, death, or disability), or
terminates his or her own employment voluntarily for “good reason” (including a material reduction in title or position,
reduction in base salary or bonus opportunity or an increase in the executive’s commute to his or her current principal working location of more than 50 miles without consent) within 24 months after the date of a change-in-control. Severance benefits under the policy are conditioned upon the executive executing an agreement and release which includes, among other things, non-competition and non-solicitation restrictive covenants and a release of claims against the Company.
In addition, the Executive Severance Policy prohibits excise tax gross-up payments on change-in-control benefits for those individuals who became executives of the Company after April 2009. Mr. Ersek is the only Company employee who remains eligible for these excise tax gross-up payments because he became an executive of the Company prior to 2009.
As noted below, Mr. Farah is subject to an employment agreement, which is a customary practice for executives
located in Dubai. Under the terms of Mr. Farah’s employment
agreement, he is required to receive three months’ notice of termination of employment or, in lieu of such notice, three months of pay. In addition, Mr. Farah is also eligible for statutory end of service gratuity/severance amounts in accordance with local law. Any amounts due to Mr. Farah under the Executive Severance Policy will be reduced by any end of service gratuity/severance paid under the terms of his employment agreement or as required by local law.
Please see the “Executive Compensation—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control” section
of this Proxy Statement for further information regarding the Executive Severance Policy and the treatment of awards upon qualifying termination events or a change-in-control.
Retirement Savings Plans
. The Company executives on
U.S.
payroll are eligible for retirement benefits through a qualified defined contribution 401(k) plan, the Incentive Savings Plan, and a nonqualified defined contribution plan, the Supplemental Incentive Savings Plan (“SISP”). The SISP provides a
vehicle for additional deferred compensation with matching contributions from the Company. We maintain the Incentive Savings Plan and the SISP to encourage our employees to save some percentage of their cash compensation for their eventual retirement. Mr. Ersek participates in the qualified defined contribution retirement plan made available to eligible employees in Austria. The committee believes that these
types of savings plans are consistent with competitive pay practices, and are an important element in attracting and retaining talent in a competitive market. Please see the 2018 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table in the “Executive Compensation” section of this Proxy Statement for further
information regarding the Company’s retirement savings plans.
Benefits and Perquisites
. The Company’s global benefit philosophy for employees, including executives, is to provide a package of benefits consistent with local practices and competitive within individual markets. While employed with the Company, each of our NEOs participates in the health and welfare benefit plans and fringe benefit programs generally available to all other Company employees in the individual market in which they are located. For example, Mr. Farah resides in Dubai where is it customary to provide certain fringe benefits, including annual housing, education, transportation, health and wellness and technology allowances.
The Company provided its NEOs with limited, yet competitive perquisites and other personal benefits that the Compensation Committee believes are consistent with the Company’s philosophy of attracting and retaining exemplary executive talent and, in some cases, such as the annual physical examination, the Company provides such personal benefits because the committee believes they are in the interests of the Company and its stockholders. The committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to NEOs.
During 2018, the Company hired an outside security provider to perform a comprehensive security assessment with respect to certain Company personnel, including Mr. Ersek. Based on its security assessment, the outside security provider recommended certain home security services continue to be provided to Mr. Ersek and that Mr. Ersek continue to use corporate aircraft for certain business and personal travel. Accordingly, the Company paid for certain security services for Mr. Ersek and corporate aircraft for certain personal travel. Because the Company believes it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to protect Mr. Ersek against possible security threats to him and his family members, the Company requires that Mr. Ersek accept such personal security protection. The Company also believes that the costs of this security are appropriate and necessary. Although the Company does not consider Mr. Ersek’s security
services to be a perquisite or other personal benefit for the reasons described above, the Company has reported the costs related to security services
for Mr. Ersek as well as the costs of corporate aircraft for personal travel in the “2018 All Other Compensation Table.”
Occasionally, Mr. Ersek’s spouse or other guests may accompany him on corporate aircraft when the aircraft is already scheduled for business purposes and can accommodate additional passengers. In those cases, there is no additional aggregate incremental cost to the Company
and, as a result, no amount is reflected in the “2018 All Other Compensation Table.” Also, in connection with the Company’s
sponsorship of certain events and partnerships with various organizations and venues, certain perquisites, including tickets and parking access, are made available to officers and employees of the Company, including Mr. Ersek and the other NEOs. These perquisites have no additional aggregate incremental cost to the Company, and therefore, no amount is
reflected in the “2018 All Other Compensation Table.”
2019 Proxy Statement
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49
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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Please see the “2018 All Other Compensation Table” in the “Executive Compensation” section of this Proxy Statement
for further information regarding benefits and perquisites received by our NEOs in 2018.
Employment Arrangements
. The Company generally executes an offer of employment before an executive joins the Company. This offer describes the basic terms of the executive’s employment, including his or her start date, starting salary, bonus target and long-term incentive award target. The terms of the executive’s employment are based thereafter on sustained good performance rather than contractual terms, and the Company’s policies, such as the Executive Severance Policy, will apply as warranted.
Under certain circumstances, the Compensation Committee
recognizes that special arrangements with respect to an executive’s employment may be necessary or desirable. For example, Mr. Ersek, the Company, and a subsidiary of the Company entered into agreements in November 2009 relating to his 2009 promotion to Chief Operating Officer, which were amended effective September 2010 to reflect his 2010 promotion to President and CEO. Employment contracts are a competitive market practice in Austria where Mr. Ersek resided at the time he assumed his position as Chief Operating Officer and the Compensation Committee believes the terms of his agreements are consistent with those for similarly situated executives in Austria. Additionally, Mr. Farah and a subsidiary of the Company entered into an employment
contract in June 2008 with respect to Mr. Farah’s employment with the Company. Employment contracts are a competitive market practice in Dubai where Mr. Farah resides, and the Compensation Committee believes the terms of his contract are consistent with those for similarly situated executives in Dubai. Please see the “Executive Compensation—Narrative
to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table—Employment Arrangements” section of this Proxy Statement for a description of the material terms of the employment agreements with Messrs. Ersek and Farah.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
To align our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders and to assure that our executives own meaningful levels of Company stock throughout their tenures with the Company, the Compensation Committee established stock ownership guidelines that require each of the NEOs to own Company Common Stock worth
a multiple of base salary. Under the stock ownership
guidelines, the executives must retain, until the required ownership guideline levels have been achieved and thereafter if required to maintain the required ownership levels, at least 50% of after-tax shares resulting from the
vesting of restricted stock and RSUs, including PSUs. The
chart below shows the salary multiple guidelines and the equity holdings that count towards the requirement as of the Record Date. Each NEO has met, or is progressing towards meeting, his or her respective ownership guideline.
EXECUTIVE
|
|
GUIDELINE
|
|
STATUS
|
Hikmet Ersek
|
|
6x salary
|
|
Meets guideline
|
Raj Agrawal
|
|
3x salary
|
|
Meets guideline
|
Odilon Almeida
|
|
3x salary
|
|
Meets guideline
|
Jean Claude Farah
|
|
3x salary
|
|
Meets guideline
|
Caroline Tsai
|
|
3x salary
|
|
Must hold 50% of after-tax shares until guideline is met
|
WHAT COUNTS TOWARD
THE GUIDELINE
|
|
WHAT DOES NOT COUNT
TOWARD THE GUIDELINE
|
✓
Company securities owned personally
|
|
✘
Stock options
|
✓
Shares held in any Company benefit plan
|
|
✘
PSUs
|
✓
After-tax value of service-based restricted stock awards and RSUs
|
|
|
Prohibition Against Pledging and Hedging of the Company’s Securities
The Company’s insider trading policies prohibit the Company’s executive officers and directors from pledging the Company’s securities, and prohibit all Company employees, including executive officers, and directors from engaging in hedging or short-term speculative trading of the Company’s securities, including, without limitation, short sales or put or call options involving the Company’s securities.
Clawback Policies
The Board adopted a clawback policy in 2009. Under the
policy, the Company may, in the Board’s discretion and subject to applicable law, recover incentive compensation paid to an executive officer of the Company (defined as an individual subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, at the time the incentive compensation was received by or paid to the officer) if the compensation resulted from any financial result or performance metric impacted by the executive officer’s misconduct or fraud. The Board is monitoring this
policy to ensure that it is consistent with applicable laws, including any requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”).
In 2017, the Board adopted a compliance clawback policy that allows the Company, in the Board’s discretion and subject
to applicable laws, to “claw back” incentive compensation to
covered executives (defined as a person serving or who served as the Company’s CCO at the time of the conduct and any other person serving or who served at the time of the conduct as an officer of the Company subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act) for conduct occurring after January 19, 2017 that is later determined to have contributed to material compliance failures resulting in a failure to comply
with applicable laws or regulations. Under this policy, if the Board determines that incentive compensation is subject to the compliance clawback policy, the Company, subject to the direction of the Board, has broad discretion to effect recovery of such amounts, including requiring a cash payment, canceling outstanding or deferred awards, reducing future compensation or other appropriate means.
50
|
|
|
The Western Union
Company
|
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table contains compensation information for our NEOs for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and, to the extent required under the SEC executive compensation disclosure rules, the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
2018 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
NAME AND PRINCIPAL
POSITION
|
|
YEAR
|
|
SALARY
($000)
(1)
|
|
BONUS
($000)
|
|
STOCK
AWARDS
($000)
(2)
|
|
OPTION
AWARDS
($000)
(2)
|
|
NON-EQUITY
INCENTIVE
PLAN
COMPENSATION
($000)
(3)
|
|
CHANGE IN
PENSION VALUE
AND NON-
QUALIFIED
DEFERRED
COMPENSATION
EARNINGS
($000)
|
|
ALL OTHER
COMPENSATION
($000)
(4)
|
|
TOTAL
($000)
|
Hikmet Ersek
(5)
President and
Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
2018
|
|
1,000.0
|
|
—
|
|
5,148.5
|
|
1,400.0
|
|
1,390.6
|
|
—
|
|
236.2
|
|
9,175.3
|
|
2017
|
|
1,000.0
|
|
—
|
|
5,181.9
|
|
1,400.0
|
|
1,731.0
|
|
—
|
|
413.5
|
|
9,726.4
|
|
2016
|
|
1,000.0
|
|
—
|
|
5,179.8
|
|
1,400.0
|
|
1,392.0
|
|
—
|
|
313.7
|
|
9,285.5
|
Raj Agrawal
EVP, Chief Financial
Officer and Global
Operations
|
|
2018
|
|
630.0
|
|
—
|
|
2,193.6
|
|
—
|
|
534.2
|
|
—
|
|
73.7
|
|
3,431.5
|
|
2017
|
|
590.0
|
|
—
|
|
1,839.3
|
|
—
|
|
769.4
|
|
—
|
|
53.8
|
|
3,252.5
|
|
2016
|
|
566.5
|
|
—
|
|
1,518.1
|
|
—
|
|
554.0
|
|
—
|
|
524.7
|
|
3,163.3
|
Odilon Almeida
EVP, President —
Global Money
Transfer
|
|
2018
|
|
650.0
|
|
—
|
|
1,828.0
|
|
—
|
|
531.7
|
|
—
|
|
57.3
|
|
3,067.0
|
|
2017
|
|
650.0
|
|
—
|
|
1,655.3
|
|
—
|
|
704.3
|
|
—
|
|
51.9
|
|
3,061.5
|
|
2016
|
|
612.0
|
|
—
|
|
1,242.1
|
|
—
|
|
566.2
|
|
—
|
|
53.8
|
|
2,474.1
|
Jean Claude Farah
(6)
EVP, President –
Global Payments
|
|
2018
|
|
500.0
|
|
—
|
|
959.7
|
|
—
|
|
354.6
|
|
—
|
|
176.3
|
|
1,990.6
|
|
2017
|
|
500.0
|
|
—
|
|
965.6
|
|
—
|
|
519.3
|
|
—
|
|
179.8
|
|
2,164.7
|
|
2016
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
Caroline Tsai
EVP, General
Counsel and
Corporate Secretary
|
|
2018
|
|
450.0
|
|
—
|
|
1,057.6
|
|
—
|
|
309.8
|
|
—
|
|
129.3
|
|
1,946.7
|
|
2017
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
2016
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
Footnotes:
(1)
|
Except with respect to salary adjustments in connection with promotions, salary adjustments are effective as of March of each reporting year.
|
|
|
(2)
|
The amounts reported in these columns for 2018 represent equity grants to the NEOs under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. The amounts reported in these columns are valued based on the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The amounts included in the Stock Awards column for the PSUs granted during 2018 are calculated based on the probable satisfaction of the performance conditions for such awards as of the date of grant. Assuming the highest level of performance is achieved for the 2018 Financial PSUs, the maximum value of the 2018 Financial PSUs would be as follows: Mr. Ersek - $6,247.4; Mr. Agrawal - $2,142.0; Mr. Almeida - $1,785.0; Mr. Farah - $937.1; and Ms. Tsai - $803.3. Under FASB ASC Topic 718, the vesting condition related to the TSR PSUs is considered a market condition and not a performance condition. Accordingly, there is no grant date fair value below or in excess of the amount reflected in the table above for the NEOs that could be calculated and disclosed based on achievement of the underlying market condition. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, for a discussion on the relevant assumptions used in calculating the amounts reported for the applicable year.
|
|
|
(3)
|
For 2018, the amounts reflect the actual cash bonus received under the Annual Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Amounts included in this column for 2018 are set forth by category in the 2018 All Other Compensation Table below.
|
2019 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
51
|
Table of Contents
(5)
|
For 2018, Mr. Ersek’s salary is denominated in U.S. dollars but is paid to or on behalf of Mr. Ersek in euros, based on a conversion rate determined prior to payment each quarter. Contributions made to the Austrian retirement plan on behalf of Mr. Ersek are denominated in euros and converted to U.S. dollars for disclosure in the proxy. The conversion rates of .851209, .811688, .862143 and .860585 were applied for quarters one, two, three and four, respectively.
|
|
|
(6)
|
For 2018, Mr. Farah’s salary is denominated in U.S. dollars but is paid to or on behalf of Mr. Farah in Emirati dirham, based on a conversion rate that was determined for 2018 and each calendar quarter. The conversion rates of .272258312, .272256192, .272249218, and .272253167 were applied for quarters one, two, three, and four, respectively. Contributions made to the CFE retirement fund on behalf of Mr. Farah are denominated in euros and converted to U.S. dollars for disclosure in the proxy. The conversion rates .851209, .811688, .862143 and .860585 were applied for quarters one, two, three and four, respectively.
|
2018 ALL OTHER COMPENSATION TABLE
NAME
|
|
PERQUISITES
& OTHER
PERSONAL
BENEFITS
($000)
(1)
|
|
TAX
REIMBURSEMENTS
($000)
|
|
COMPANY
CONTRIBUTIONS
TO DEFINED
CONTRIBUTION
PLANS
($000)
(2)
|
|
INSURANCE
PREMIUMS
($000)
|
|
TOTAL
($000)
|
Hikmet Ersek
|
|
139.7
|
|
—
|
|
74.6
|
|
21.9
|
|
236.2
|
Raj Agrawal
|
|
15.4
|
|
1.0
|
|
55.8
|
|
1.5
|
|
73.7
|
Odilon Almeida
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
54.2
|
|
3.1
|
|
57.3
|
Jean Claude Farah
|
|
149.9
|
|
—
|
|
8.2
|
|
18.2
|
|
176.3
|
Caroline Tsai
|
|
80.7
|
|
30.3
(3)
|
|
17.7
|
|
0.6
|
|
129.3
|
Footnotes:
(1)
|
Amounts shown in this column for Mr. Ersek include the incremental cost or valuation of personal jet usage ($128,570), car service/allowances, and executive security costs. Following a comprehensive security assessment conducted by an independent security firm, the Board of Directors advised Mr. Ersek to utilize the Company’s leased aircraft for personal travel at the Company’s expense. Those personal travel expenses reported in this column were valued on the basis of the aggregate incremental cost to the Company and represent the amount accrued for payment or paid directly to the third-party vendor from which the Company leases corporate aircraft. For Mr. Agrawal, the amounts in this column include costs related to health and wellness. For Ms. Tsai, the amounts in this column include relocation expenses in the amount of $75,911 and sporting event tickets. These relocation expenses were valued based on the aggregate incremental cost to the Company and represents the amount accrued for payment or paid to the service provider or the NEO, as applicable. For Mr. Farah, the amounts in this column include housing ($108,902), education, health and wellness and transportation allowances, and annual plane tickets to Mr. Farah’s home country for Mr. Farah and his dependents.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Amounts shown in this column represent (i) contributions made by the Company on behalf of each of the NEOs, except for Messrs. Ersek and Farah, to the Company’s Incentive Savings Plan and/or the Supplemental Incentive Savings Plan, (ii) contributions made by the Company on behalf of Mr. Ersek to the Company’s defined contribution plan in Austria, the Victoria Volksbanken Pensionskassen AG, and (iii) contributions made by the Company on behalf of Mr. Farah to the Company’s retirement plan for employees located in Dubai, the CFE retirement fund.
|
|
|
(3)
|
This amount represents a tax gross-up for Ms. Tsai for relocation expenses. This benefit is generally available to employees if they relocate as part of the Company’s relocation and immigration programs.
|
52
|
|
|
The Western Union
Company
|
Table of Contents
The following table summarizes awards made to our NEOs in 2018.
2018 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
ESTIMATED
POSSIBLE
PAYOUTS UNDER
NON-EQUITY
INCENTIVE PLAN
AWARDS
(1)
|
|
ESTIMATED FUTURE
PAYOUTS UNDER EQUITY
INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS
|
|
ALL OTHER
STOCK
AWARDS:
NUMBER
OF SHARES
OF STOCK
OR UNITS
(#)
(2)
|
|
ALL OTHER
OPTION
AWARDS:
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
OPTIONS
(#)
(3)
|
|
EXERCISE
OR BASE
PRICE OF
OPTION
AWARDS
($/Sh)
|
|
GRANT
DATE
FAIR
VALUE
OF
STOCK
AND
OPTION
AWARDS
($000)
(4)
|
NAME
|
|
GRANT
DATE
|
|
APPROVAL
DATE
|
|
TARGET
($000)
|
|
MAXIMUM
($000)
|
|
THRESHOLD
(#)
|
|
TARGET
(#)
|
|
MAXIMUM
(#)
|
|
Hikmet
Ersek
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,700.0
|
|
2,975.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2/22/18
|
|
2/22/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
87,109
(5)
|
|
174,217
(5)
|
|
348,434
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,123.7
|
|
2/22/18
|
|
2/22/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,082
(6)
|
|
66,163
(6)
|
|
132,326
(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,400.0
|
|
2/22/18
|
|
2/22/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,844
|
|
|
|
|
|
624.8
|
|
2/22/18
|
|
2/22/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
383,562
|
|
$20.09
|
|
1,400.0
|
Raj Agrawal
|
|
|
|
|
|
630.0
|
|
1,260.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,866
(5)
|
|
59,732
(5)
|
|
119,464
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,071.0
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,332
(6)
|
|
22,663
(6)
|
|
45,326
(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
480.0
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,839
|
|
|
|
|
|
642.6
|
Odilon
Almeida
|
|
|
|
|
|
650.0
|
|
1,300.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,889
(5)
|
|
49,777
(5)
|
|
99,554
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
892.5
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,443
(6)
|
|
18,886
(6)
|
|
37,772
(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
400.0
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,866
|
|
|
|
|
|
535.5
|
Jean Claude
Farah
|
|
|
|
|
|
450.0
|
|
900.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,067
(5)
|
|
26,133
(5)
|
|
52,266
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
468.6
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,958
(6)
|
|
9,916
(6)
|
|
19,832
(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
210.0
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,680
|
|
|
|
|
|
281.1
|
Caroline
Tsai
|
|
|
|
|
|
337.5
|
|
675.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,200
(5)
|
|
22,400
(5)
|
|
44,800
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
401.6
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,250
(6)
|
|
8,499
(6)
|
|
16,998
(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
180.0
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
2/21/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,440
|
|
|
|
|
|
241.0
|
|
12/5/18
|
|
12/5/18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,617
|
|
|
|
|
|
235.0
|
Footnotes:
|
|
|
(1)
|
These amounts consist of the target and maximum cash award levels set in 2018 under the Annual Incentive Plan. The amount actually paid to each NEO is included in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column in the 2018 Summary Compensation Table. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for further information regarding the Annual Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
(2)
|
These amounts represent RSUs granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan to the NEOs. The RSUs vest 100% on February 21, 2021 (or, in the case of Mr. Ersek, February 22, 2021), provided that the executive is still employed by the Company on the vesting date or as otherwise provided for pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or award agreements under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for further information regarding these RSU grants.
|
|
|
(3)
|
This amount represents stock options granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan to Mr. Ersek. These options vest in 25% increments on each of the first through fourth year anniversaries of the date of grant; provided that Mr. Ersek is still employed by the Company on the applicable vesting date or as otherwise provided for pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or award agreements under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for further information regarding this award.
|
|
|
(4)
|
The amounts shown in this column are valued based on the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and, in the case of the PSUs, are based upon the probable outcome of the applicable performance conditions. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating the amounts.
|
2019 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
53
|
Table of Contents
(5)
|
These amounts represent the threshold, target and maximum Financial PSUs granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. For actively employed executives, these Financial PSUs are scheduled to vest on February 21, 2021 (or, in the case of Mr. Ersek, February 22, 2021), subject to the achievement of threshold revenue and EBIT performance goals over a three-year performance period. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for further information regarding this award.
|
|
|
(6)
|
These amounts represent the threshold, target and maximum TSR PSUs granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. For actively employed executives, these TSR PSUs are scheduled to vest on February 21, 2021 (or, in the case of Mr. Ersek, February 22, 2021) based on the Company’s relative TSR performance versus the S&P 500 Index over a three-year performance period. Please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for further information regarding this award.
|
NARRATIVE TO SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE
As noted in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Company generally executes an offer of employment prior to the time an executive joins the Company which describes the basic terms of the executive’s employment, including his or her start date, starting salary, bonus target, and long-term incentive award target. The terms of the executive’s employment are based thereafter on sustained good performance rather than contractual terms, and the Company’s policies, such as the Executive Severance Policy, will determine the benefits to be received by senior executives, including our NEOs, upon termination of employment from the Company. Please see the “—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control” section for a description of the policy.
As noted in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, under certain circumstances, the Compensation Committee recognizes that special arrangements with respect to an executive’s employment may be necessary or desirable. Accordingly, during 2018, Messrs. Ersek and Farah were party to employment agreements, which reflects competitive practices in the employment locations of Messrs. Ersek and Farah at the time the agreements became effective. The terms of Messrs. Ersek and Farah’s employment agreements provide for (i) eligibility to participate in an annual incentive program and Long-Term Incentive Plan and (ii) eligibility to participate in retirement, health, and welfare benefit programs on the same basis as similarly situated employees in Austria and Dubai, respectively. Messrs. Ersek and Farah’s employment agreements also include non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality provisions.
In 2018, the Compensation Committee granted long-term incentive awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan consisting of (i) 50% Financial PSUs (vesting based on both revenue and EBIT growth goals), 20% TSR PSUs, 20% stock options, and 10% service-based RSUs for Mr. Ersek, and (ii) 50% Financial PSUs (vesting based on both revenue and EBIT growth goals), 20% TSR PSUs, and 30% service-based RSUs for the other NEOs. Please see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement for further information regarding the 2018 long-term incentive awards, including the performance metrics applicable to the 2018 PSUs.
At its February 2018 meeting, the Compensation Committee established performance objectives to be considered under the Annual Incentive Plan for the 2018 plan year. As discussed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement, participants are eligible to receive a cash payout ranging from 0% to 175% of target based on the achievement of pre-established corporate financial and strategic goals. The total payout under the Annual Incentive Plan for the NEOs other than Mr. Ersek is subject to a +/- 25% modifier based on the committee’s assessment of individual performance with respect to personalized objectives, including business unit goals. Please see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement for more information regarding the annual incentive awards, including the performance metrics applicable to such awards.
54
|
|
|
The Western Union Company
|
Table of Contents
SALARY AND BONUS IN PROPORTION TO TOTAL COMPENSATION
|
As noted in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement, the Compensation Committee heavily weighted total direct compensation toward performance-based elements, which include annual incentive compensation and PSUs and stock options, in order to hold executives accountable and reward them for the results of the Company. Our Compensation Committee structured the compensation program to give our NEOs substantial alignment with stockholders, while also permitting the committee to incentivize the NEOs to
pursue performance that it believes increases stockholder value. Please see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement for a description of the objectives of our compensation program and overall compensation philosophy.
The following table provides information regarding outstanding option awards and unvested stock awards held by each of the NEOs on December 31, 2018.
2018 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END TABLE
|
|
OPTION AWARDS
|
|
|
STOCK AWARDS
|
NAME
|
|
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
UNEXERCISED
OPTIONS (#)
EXERCISABLE
|
|
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
UNEXERCISED
OPTIONS (#)
UNEXERCISABLE
|
|
OPTION
EXERCISE
PRICE ($)
|
|
OPTION
EXPIRATION
DATE
|
|
|
NUMBER OF
SHARES OR
UNITS OF
STOCK THAT
HAVE NOT
VESTED (#)
|
|
MARKET
VALUE OF
SHARES
OR UNITS
OF STOCK
THAT HAVE
NOT VESTED
($000)
(1)
|
|
EQUITY
INCENTIVE
PLAN
AWARDS:
NUMBER OF
UNEARNED
SHARES,
UNITS OR
OTHER
RIGHTS
THAT
HAVE NOT
VESTED (#)
|
|
EQUITY
INCENTIVE
PLAN
AWARDS:
MARKET
OR PAYOUT
VALUE OF
UNEARNED
SHARES,
UNITS OR
OTHER
RIGHTS
THAT
HAVE NOT
VESTED
($000)
(1)
|
Hikmet Ersek
|
|
—
|
|
383,562
(5)
|
|
20.09
|
|
2/22/2028
|
|
|
34,844
(6)
|
|
594.4
|
|
210,106
(11)
|
|
3,584.4
|
|
|
103,550
|
|
310,652
(4)
|
|
19.99
|
|
2/22/2027
|
|
|
180,100
(13)
|
|
3,072.5
|
|
53,764
(12)
|
|
917.2
|
|
|
211,480
|
|
211,481
(3)
|
|
18.19
|
|
2/19/2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
174,217
(9)
|
|
2,972.1
|
|
|
252,101
|
|
84,034
(2)
|
|
19.27
|
|
2/19/2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
66,163
(10)
|
|
1,128.7
|
|
|
303,798
|
|
|
|
15.99
|
|
2/20/2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
625,000
|
|
|
|
14.00
|
|
2/20/2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
400,810
|
|
|
|
17.86
|
|
2/23/2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
233,859
|
|
|
|
21.00
|
|
2/24/2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
230,628
|
|
|
|
17.45
|
|
9/1/2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
212,508
|
|
|
|
16.00
|
|
2/24/2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
55
|
Table of Contents
|
|
OPTION AWARDS
|
|
|
STOCK AWARDS
|
NAME
|
|
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
UNEXERCISED
OPTIONS (#)
EXERCISABLE
|
|
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
UNEXERCISED
OPTIONS (#)
UNEXERCISABLE
|
|
OPTION
EXERCISE
PRICE ($)
|
|
OPTION
EXPIRATION
DATE
|
|
|
NUMBER OF
SHARES OR
UNITS OF
STOCK THAT
HAVE NOT
VESTED (#)
|
|
MARKET
VALUE OF
SHARES
OR UNITS
OF STOCK
THAT HAVE
NOT VESTED
($000)
(1)
|
|
EQUITY
INCENTIVE
PLAN
AWARDS:
NUMBER OF
UNEARNED
SHARES,
UNITS OR
OTHER
RIGHTS
THAT
HAVE NOT
VESTED (#)
|
|
EQUITY
INCENTIVE
PLAN
AWARDS:
MARKET
OR PAYOUT
VALUE OF
UNEARNED
SHARES,
UNITS OR
OTHER
RIGHTS
THAT
HAVE NOT
VESTED
($000)
(1)
|
Raj Agrawal
|
|
63,025
|
|
21,009
(2)
|
|
19.27
|
|
2/19/2025
|
|
|
18,122
(8)
|
|
309.2
|
|
60,576
(11)
|
|
1,033.4
|
|
|
65,823
|
|
|
|
15.99
|
|
2/20/2024
|
|
|
20,192
(7)
|
|
344.5
|
|
15,937
(12)
|
|
271.9
|
|
|
134,063
|
|
|
|
14.00
|
|
2/20/2023
|
|
|
35,839
(6)
|
|
611.4
|
|
59,732
(9)
|
|
1,019.0
|
|
|
86,843
|
|
|
|
17.86
|
|
2/23/2022
|
|
|
42,406
(13)
|
|
723.4
|
|
22,663
(10)
|
|
386.6
|
|
|
24,796
|
|
|
|
16.49
|
|
9/15/2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,895
|
|
|
|
21.00
|
|
2/24/2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,553
|
|
|
|
16.00
|
|
2/24/2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,950
|
|
|
|
11.86
|
|
2/17/2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Odilon
Almeida
|
|
50,420
|
|
16,807
(2)
|
|
19.27
|
|
2/19/2025
|
|
|
14,828
(8)
|
|
253.0
|
|
54,518
(11)
|
|
930.1
|
|
60,760
|
|
|
|
15.99
|
|
2/20/2024
|
|
|
18,173
(7)
|
|
310.0
|
|
14,343
(12)
|
|
244.7
|
|
16,701
|
|
|
|
17.86
|
|
2/23/2022
|
|
|
29,866
(6)
|
|
509.5
|
|
49,777
(9)
|
|
849.2
|
|
10,560
|
|
|
|
21.00
|
|
2/24/2021
|
|
|
34,696
(13)
|
|
591.9
|
|
18,886
(10)
|
|
322.2
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
16.00
|
|
2/24/2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jean Claude
Farah
|
|
33,613
|
|
11,205
(2)
|
|
19.27
|
|
2/19/2025
|
|
|
9,061
(8)
|
|
154.6
|
|
31,803
(11)
|
|
542.6
|
|
10,127
|
|
|
|
15.99
|
|
2/20/2024
|
|
|
10,601
(7)
|
|
180.9
|
|
8,367
(12)
|
|
142.7
|
|
33,401
|
|
|
|
17.86
|
|
2/23/2022
|
|
|
15,680
(6)
|
|
267.5
|
|
26,133
(9)
|
|
445.8
|
|
28,157
|
|
|
|
21.00
|
|
2/24/2021
|
|
|
21,203
(13)
|
|
361.7
|
|
9,916
(10)
|
|
169.2
|
Caroline Tsai
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,746
(14)
|
|
234.5
|
|
22,400
(9)
|
|
382.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,440
(6)
|
|
229.3
|
|
8,499
(10)
|
|
145.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,617
(15)
|
|
232.3
|
|
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
The Western Union Company
|
Table of Contents
Footnotes:
|
|
|
(1)
|
The market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested reflects the closing stock price of $17.06 per share on December 31, 2018.
|
|
|
(2)
|
These options vested on February 19, 2019.
|
|
|
(3)
|
These options were awarded on February 19, 2016, and vest in 25% increments on each of the first through fourth year anniversaries of the date of grant; provided that the executive is still employed by the Company on the applicable vesting date or as otherwise provided for pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or Long-Term Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
(4)
|
These options were awarded on February 22, 2017, and vest in 25% increments on each of the first through fourth year anniversaries of the date of grant; provided that the executive is still employed by the Company on the applicable vesting date or as otherwise provided for pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or Long-Term Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
(5)
|
These options were awarded on February 22, 2018, and vest in 25% increments on each of the first through fourth year anniversaries of the date of grant; provided that the executive is still employed by the Company on the applicable vesting date or as otherwise provided for pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or Long-Term Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Represents RSUs that are scheduled to vest on February 21, 2021 (or, in the case of Mr. Ersek, February 22, 2021); provided that the executive is still employed by the Company on the vesting date or as otherwise provided for pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or Long-Term Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
(7)
|
Represents RSUs that are scheduled to vest on February 21, 2020; provided that the executive is still employed by the Company on the vesting date or as otherwise provided for pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or Long-Term Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
(8)
|
Represents RSUs that vested on February 28, 2019.
|
|
|
(9)
|
Represents PSUs that are scheduled to vest on February 21, 2021 (or, in the case of Mr. Ersek, February 22, 2021) based on the Company’s revenue and EBIT performance over the 2018–2020 performance period; provided that the executive is still employed by the Company on the vesting date or as otherwise provided for pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or Long-Term Incentive Plan. In accordance with the SEC executive compensation disclosure rules, the amounts reported are based on achieving the target performance goals.
|
|
|
(10)
|
Represents PSUs that are scheduled to vest on February 21, 2021 (or, in the case of Mr. Ersek, February 22, 2021) based on the Company’s TSR performance relative to the S&P 500 Index over the 2018–2020 performance period; provided that the executive is still employed by the Company on the vesting date or as otherwise provided for pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or Long-Term Incentive Plan. In accordance with the SEC executive compensation disclosure rules, the amounts reported are based on achieving the target performance goals.
|
|
|
(11)
|
Represents PSUs that are scheduled to vest on February 21, 2020 (or, in the case of Mr. Ersek, February 22, 2020) based on the Company’s revenue and operating income performance during 2017, 2018 and 2019; provided that the executive is still employed by the Company on the vesting date or as otherwise provided for pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or Long-Term Incentive Plan. In accordance with the SEC executive compensation disclosure rules, the amounts reported are based on achieving the target performance goals.
|
|
|
(12)
|
Represents PSUs that are scheduled to vest on February 21, 2020 (or, in the case of Mr. Ersek, February 22, 2020) based on the Company’s TSR performance relative to the S&P 500 Index over the 2017–2019 performance period; provided that the executive is still employed by the Company on the vesting date or as otherwise provided for pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or Long-Term Incentive Plan. In accordance with the SEC executive compensation disclosure rules, the amounts reported are based on achieving the threshold performance goals.
|
|
|
(13)
|
Represents PSUs that vested on February 18, 2019 (or, in the case of Mr. Ersek, February 19, 2019) based on the Company’s revenue and operating income performance during 2016, 2017 and 2018.
|
|
|
(14)
|
Represents RSUs that were awarded on December 6, 2017, which vest in one-third increments on each of the first through third year anniversaries of the date of grant; provided that the executive is still employed by the Company on the applicable vesting date or as otherwise provided for pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or Long-Term Incentive Plan.
|
|
|
(15)
|
Represents RSUs that were awarded on December 5, 2018, which vest in 50% increments on each of the first and second year anniversaries of the date of grant; provided that the executive is still employed by the Company on the applicable vesting date or as otherwise provided pursuant to the Executive Severance Policy or Long-Term Incentive Plan.
|
2019 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
57
|
Table of Contents
The following table provides information concerning the exercise of stock options and vesting of stock awards during 2018 for each of the NEOs.
2018 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE
|
|
OPTION AWARDS
|
|
STOCK AWARDS
|
NAME
|
|
NUMBER OF
SHARES
ACQUIRED ON
EXERCISE
(#)
|
|
VALUE
REALIZED
ON EXERCISE
($)
|
|
NUMBER OF
SHARES
ACQUIRED ON
VESTING
(#)
|
|
VALUE
REALIZED
ON VESTING
($)
|
Hikmet Ersek
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
212,543
|
|
4,306,121
|
Raj Agrawal
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
60,371
|
|
1,223,840
|
Odilon Almeida
|
|
58,008
|
|
406,056
|
|
49,451
|
|
994,659
|
Jean Claude Farah
|
|
43,271
|
|
264,076
|
|
32,968
|
|
663,120
|
Caroline Tsai
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
6,873
|
|
127,082
|
The following table provides information regarding compensation that has been deferred by our NEOs pursuant to the terms of our Supplemental Incentive Savings Plan.
2018 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE
NAME
|
|
EXECUTIVE
CONTRIBUTIONS
IN LAST FY
($000)
(1)
|
|
REGISTRANT
CONTRIBUTIONS
IN LAST FY
($000)
(2)
|
|
AGGREGATE
EARNINGS
IN LAST FY
($000)
|
|
AGGREGATE
WITHDRAWALS/
DISTRIBUTIONS
($000)
|
|
AGGREGATE
BALANCE
AT LAST
FYE
($000)
(3)
|
Hikmet Ersek
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
Raj Agrawal
|
|
69.6
|
|
44.7
|
|
(49.0)
|
|
—
|
|
972.7
|
Odilon Almeida
|
|
67.7
|
|
43.2
|
|
(34.4)
|
|
—
|
|
629.8
|
Jean Claude Farah
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
Caroline Tsai
|
|
22.1
|
|
6.7
|
|
(3.7)
|
|
—
|
|
57.3
|
Footnotes:
(1)
|
These amounts represent deferrals of the NEO’s salary and compensation received under the Annual Incentive Plan and are included in the “Salary” and “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” columns in the 2018 Summary Compensation Table.
|
|
|
(2)
|
These amounts are included in the “All Other Compensation” column in the 2018 Summary Compensation Table.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Amounts in this column include the following amounts that were previously reported in the Summary Compensation Table as compensation for 2017 and 2016 (in $000s): Mr. Agrawal–$186.5 and Mr. Almeida–$201.3.
|
58
|
|
|
The Western Union Company
|
Table of Contents
We maintain a defined contribution retirement plan (the
“Incentive Savings Plan” or “ISP”) for our employees on United States payroll, including each of our NEOs other than Messrs. Ersek and Farah. The ISP is structured with the intention of qualifying under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the ISP, participants are permitted to make contributions up to the maximum allowable amount under the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, we make matching contributions equal to 100% of the first 3% of eligible compensation contributed by participants and 50% of the next 2% of eligible compensation contributed by participants. For 2018, each participating NEO was eligible
to receive a Company contribution equal to 4% of his or her eligible compensation. During 2018, Mr. Ersek participated in the qualified retirement savings plan made available to eligible employees in Austria. During 2018, Mr. Farah participated in the Caisse des Français de l’Etranger (the “CFE Retirement Fund”), which provides for continued coverage under the French State Social Security System for French citizens who work outside of France. On behalf of the employee, the CFE Retirement Fund contributes to the National Retirement Insurance Fund (“CNAV”) allowing the employee to receive pension benefits from the CNAV upon retirement.
SUPPLEMENTAL INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
|
We maintain a nonqualified supplemental incentive savings
plan (the “SISP”) for certain of our employees on U.S. payroll, including each of our NEOs other than Messrs. Ersek and Farah. Under the SISP, participants may defer up to 80% of their salaries, including commissions and incentive compensation (other than annual bonuses), and may make a separate election to defer up to 80% of any annual bonuses and up to 100% of any performance-based cash awards they may earn. The SISP also provides participants the opportunity to receive credits for matching contributions equal to the difference between the matching contributions that a participant could receive under the ISP but for the contribution and compensation limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, and the matching contributions allowable to the participant under the ISP. Participants are generally permitted to choose from among the mutual funds available for investment under the ISP for purposes
of determining the imputed earnings, gains, and losses applicable to their SISP accounts. The SISP is unfunded. Participants may specify the timing of the payment of their accounts by choosing either a specified payment date or electing payment upon separation from service (or a date up to five years following separation from service), and in either case may elect to receive their accounts in a lump sum or in annual or quarterly installments over a period of up to ten
years. With respect to each year’s contributions and imputed
earnings, the participant may make a separate distribution election. Subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, applicable Internal Revenue Service guidance, and the terms of the SISP, participants may receive an early payment in the event of a severe financial hardship and may make an election to delay the timing of their scheduled payment by a minimum of five years.
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR
CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE POLICY
|
We maintain the Executive Severance Policy for the payment
of certain benefits to senior executives, including our NEOs, upon termination of employment from the Company and upon a change-in-control of the Company. Under the Executive Severance Policy, an eligible executive will become eligible for benefits if (i) prior to a change-in-control, he or she is involuntarily terminated by the Company other than on account of death or disability or for cause, or (ii) after a
change-in-control, he or she is involuntarily terminated by the Company other than on account of death or disability or for cause, or he or she terminates employment voluntarily for “good reason” (which may arise from a material reduction in title or position, reduction in base salary or bonus opportunity or an increase in the executive’s commute to his or her current principal working location of more than 50
2019 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
59
|
Table of Contents
miles without consent) within 24 months after the date of the change-in-control. Under the Executive Severance Policy, a change-in-control is generally defined to include:
●
|
The acquisition by a person or entity of 35% or more of either the outstanding shares of the Company or the combined voting power of such shares, with certain exceptions;
|
|
|
●
|
An unapproved change in a majority of the Board members within a 24-month period; and
|
|
|
●
|
Certain corporate restructurings, including certain mergers, dissolution and liquidation.
|
The Executive Severance Policy provided for the following severance and change-in-control benefits as of December 31, 2018:
●
|
Effective for senior executives hired before February 24, 2011, a severance payment equal to the senior executive’s base pay plus target bonus for the year in which the termination occurs (the “base severance pay”), multiplied by 1.5 (multiplied by two in the case of the CEO and in the case of all senior executives who terminate for an eligible reason within 24 months following a change-in-control). Effective for senior executives hired on and after February 24, 2011, a senior executive employed by the Company for 12 months or less would be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to the base severance pay and, for every month employed in excess of 12 months, an additional severance payment equal to a pro rata portion of the base severance pay, up to a maximum severance payment equal to the senior executive’s base severance pay, multiplied by 1.5 (multiplied by two in the case of all senior executives who terminate for an eligible reason within 24 months following a change-in-control).
|
|
|
●
|
A cash payment equal to the lesser of (i) the senior executive’s prorated target bonus under the Annual Incentive Plan for the year in which the termination occurs and (ii) the maximum bonus which could have been paid to the senior executive under the Annual Incentive Plan for the year in which the termination occurs, based on actual Company performance during such year. No bonus will be payable unless the Compensation Committee certifies that the performance goals under the Annual Incentive Plan have been achieved for the year in which the termination occurs (except for eligible terminations following a change-in-control).
|
|
|
●
|
A lump sum payment equal to the difference between active employee health care premiums and continuation coverage premiums for 18 months of coverage.
|
|
|
●
|
At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, outplacement benefits may be provided to the executive.
|
|
|
●
|
All awards made pursuant to our Long-Term Incentive Plan, including those that are performance-based, generally will become fully vested and exercisable if a senior executive is involuntarily terminated without cause or, within
|
|
24 months following a change-in-control, terminates employment for good reason. In such event, the right to exercise stock options will continue for 24 months (36 months in the case of the CEO) after the senior executive’s termination (but not beyond the applicable expiration date for the stock options).
|
|
|
●
|
If a senior executive is involuntarily terminated without cause and no change-in-control has occurred, awards granted pursuant to our Long-Term Incentive Plan generally will vest on a prorated basis based on the period served during the vesting period, and stock options will remain exercisable until the end of severance period under the Executive Severance Policy, but not beyond the applicable expiration date for the stock options.
|
|
|
●
|
With respect to all executives other than the CEO, any benefits triggered by a change-in-control are subject to an automatic reduction to avoid the imposition of excise taxes under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code in the event such reduction would result in a better after-tax result for the executive.
|
|
|
●
|
For individuals who were senior executives on or before April 30, 2009 (only our CEO), if benefits payable after a change-in-control exceed 110% of the maximum amount of such benefits that would not be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, an additional cash payment in an amount that, after payment of all taxes on such benefits (and on such amount), provides the senior executive with the amount necessary to pay such tax. If the benefits so payable do not exceed such 110% threshold, the amount thereof will be reduced to the maximum amount not subject to such excise tax. Mr. Ersek is the only Company employee who remains eligible for excise tax gross-up payments.
|
The provision of severance benefits under the Executive Severance Policy is conditioned upon the executive executing an agreement and release which includes, among other things, non-competition and non-solicitation restrictive covenants, as well as a release of claims against the Company. These restrictive covenants vary in duration, but generally do not exceed two years.
As noted earlier, Mr. Farah is subject to an employment agreement, which is a customary practice for executives located in Dubai. Under the terms of Mr. Farah’s employment agreement, he is required to receive three months’ notice of termination of employment or, in lieu of such notice, three months of pay. In addition, Mr. Farah is also eligible for statutory end of service gratuity/severance amounts in accordance with local law. Any amounts due to Mr. Farah under the Executive Severance Policy will be reduced by any end of service gratuity/severance paid under the terms of his employment agreement or as required by local law.
We have quantified the potential payments to each NEO upon
termination under various termination circumstances in the tables set forth below. These tables assume that the covered termination took place on December 31, 2018.
60
|
|
|
The Western Union Company
|
Table of Contents
PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROL TABLES
TERMINATION FOLLOWING A CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
NAME
|
|
SEVERANCE
($000)
(2)
|
|
WELFARE
BENEFITS
($000)
(3)
|
|
STOCK
OPTIONS
($000)
|
|
PSUs
($000)
|
|
RSUs
($000)
|
|
GROSS-UP
($000)
(4)
|
|
TOTAL
($000)
|
Hikmet Ersek
|
|
7,100.0
|
|
33.6
|
|
—
|
|
12,592.2
|
|
594.4
|
|
7,902.1
|
|
28,222.3
|
Raj Agrawal
|
|
3,150.0
|
|
23.4
|
|
—
|
|
3,706.3
|
|
1,265.0
|
|
—
|
|
8,144.7
|
Odilon Almeida
|
|
3,250.0
|
|
23.2
|
|
—
|
|
3,182.8
|
|
1,072.5
|
|
—
|
|
7,528.5
|
Jean Claude Farah
|
|
2,350.0
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
1,804.8
|
|
602.9
|
|
—
|
|
4,757.7
|
Caroline Tsai
|
|
1,440.0
|
|
23.4
|
|
—
|
|
527.1
|
|
696.1
|
|
—
|
|
2,686.6
|
INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION OTHER THAN FOR DEATH, DISABILITY, OR CAUSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
(5)
|
|
|
NAME
|
|
SEVERANCE
($000)
(2)
|
|
WELFARE
BENEFITS
($000)
(3)
|
|
STOCK
OPTIONS
($000)
|
|
PSUs
($000)
|
|
RSUs
($000)
|
|
TOTAL
($000)
|
Hikmet Ersek
|
|
7,100.0
|
|
33.6
|
|
—
|
|
6,282.6
|
|
—
|
|
13,416.2
|
Raj Agrawal
|
|
2,520.0
|
|
23.4
|
|
—
|
|
1,667.7
|
|
508.6
|
|
4,719.7
|
Odilon Almeida
|
|
2,600.0
|
|
23.2
|
|
—
|
|
1,444.4
|
|
433.6
|
|
4,501.2
|
Jean Claude Farah
|
|
1,875.0
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
858.3
|
|
259.6
|
|
2,992.9
|
Caroline Tsai
|
|
1,188.0
|
|
23.4
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
7.9
|
|
1,219.3
|
DEATH OR DISABILITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
(5)
|
|
|
NAME
|
|
SEVERANCE
($000)
|
|
WELFARE
BENEFITS
($000)
|
|
STOCK
OPTIONS
($000)
|
|
PSUs
($000)
|
|
RSUs
($000)
|
|
TOTAL
($000)
|
Hikmet Ersek
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
12,592.2
|
|
594.4
|
|
13,186.6
|
Raj Agrawal
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3,706.3
|
|
1,265.0
|
|
4,971.3
|
Odilon Almeida
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3,182.8
|
|
1,072.5
|
|
4,255.3
|
Jean Claude Farah
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
1,804.8
|
|
602.9
|
|
2,407.7
|
Caroline Tsai
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
527.1
|
|
696.1
|
|
1,223.2
|
RETIREMENT
(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
(5)
|
|
|
NAME
|
|
SEVERANCE
($000)
|
|
WELFARE
BENEFITS
($000)
|
|
STOCK
OPTIONS
($000)
|
|
PSUs
($000)
|
|
RSUs
($000)
|
|
TOTAL
($000)
|
Hikmet Ersek
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
7,450.1
|
|
169.2
|
|
7,619.3
|
Odilon Almeida
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
1,778.9
|
|
579.2
|
|
2,358.1
|
Footnotes:
(1)
|
Under the Executive Severance Policy, following a change-in-control, an eligible executive will become entitled to severance benefits if he or she is involuntarily terminated by the Company other than on account of death or disability or for cause, or he or she terminates employment voluntarily for good reason within 24 months after the date of the change-in-control.
|
____________________
2019 Proxy Statement
|
|
|
61
|
Table of Contents
(2)
|
In accordance with the Executive Severance Policy, amounts in this column represent severance payments equal to the NEO’s target bonus for 2018 plus 1.5 times (two times in the case of the CEO and in the case of all senior executives who terminate for an eligible reason within 24 months following a change-in-control) the sum of the NEO’s base salary and target bonus, with the exception of Ms. Tsai, who commenced employment after February 24, 2011 and has been with the Company for less than two years as of December 31, 2018. Due to this fact, in accordance with the Executive Severance Policy in effect on December 31, 2018, the amount for Ms. Tsai represents (i) payments equal to 1.4 times the sum of her base salary and target bonus for the current year in the case of a termination following a change in control, and (ii) 1.08 times the sum of her base salary and target bonus for the current year in the case of an involuntary termination not in connection with a change in control.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Amounts in this column represent a lump sum cash payment equal to the product of (i) the difference in cost between the NEO’s actual health premiums and COBRA health premiums (if applicable) as of December 31, 2018 and (ii) 18, the number of months of continuing COBRA coverage.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Amounts in this column reflect tax gross-up calculations assuming a blended effective tax rate of approximately 44% and a 20% excise tax incurred on excess parachute payments, as calculated in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Sections 280G and 4999. The equity is valued using a closing stock price of $17.06 per share on December 31, 2018. As noted above, the Executive Severance Policy prohibits the Company from providing change-in-control tax gross-ups to individuals promoted or hired after April 2009. Accordingly, Mr. Ersek is the only Company employee who remains eligible for excise tax gross-up payments.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Amounts in these columns reflect the long-term incentive awards to be received upon a termination or a change-in-control calculated in accordance with the Executive Severance Policy and the Long-Term Incentive Plan. In the case of stock grants, the equity value represents the value of the shares determined by multiplying the closing stock price of $17.06 per share on December 31, 2018 by the number of unvested RSUs or, in the case of PSUs, by the number of shares to be awarded based on target achievement. In the case of option awards, the equity value was determined by multiplying (i) the spread between the exercise price and the closing stock price of $17.06 per share on December 31, 2018 and (ii) the number of unvested option shares that would vest following a qualifying termination or termination due to death or disability. The calculation with respect to unvested long-term incentive awards reflects the following additional assumptions under the Executive Severance Policy and the Long-Term Incentive Plan:
|
EVENT
|
|
STOCK OPTIONS
|
|
RSUs
|
|
PSUs
|
Change-in-control and qualifying termination within subsequent 24-month period
|
|
Accelerate
|
|
Accelerate
|
|
Accelerated vesting and award is payable to the extent earned based on actual performance results
|
Change-in-control (without termination of employment)
|
|
Vesting continues under normal terms
|
|
Vesting continues under normal terms
|
|
Vesting continues under normal terms
|
Involuntary termination without cause (outside the 24-month period following a change-in-control)
|
|
Prorated vesting by grant based on period served during vesting period
|
|
Prorated vesting by grant based on period served during vesting period; if termination occurs prior to the one-year anniversary of the grant date, the awards are forfeited
|
|
Prorated vesting by grant based on actual performance results and period served during vesting period; if termination occurs prior to the one-year anniversary of the grant date, the awards are forfeited
|
Death or disability
|
|
Accelerate
|
|
Accelerate
|
|
Accelerated vesting and award is payable to the extent earned based on actual performance results
|
Retirement
|
|
Effective for grants on January 31, 2011 and later, prorated vesting by grant based on period served during vesting period, with an exercise period equal to the earlier of (i) two years post-termination (three years, in the case of the CEO if termination is a severance-eligible event) and (ii) the expiration date
Grants made prior to January 31, 2011 may be exercised until four years after the termination date or, if earlier, until the expiration date.
|
|
Prorated vesting by grant based on period served during vesting period
|
|
Prorated vesting by grant based on actual performance results and period served during vesting period
|
(6)
|
Messrs. Ersek and Almeida are the only NEOs eligible for retirement as of December 31, 2018, as defined under the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
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RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMPENSATION
Appropriately incentivizing behaviors which foster the best interests of the Company and its stockholders is an essential part of the compensation-setting process. The Company believes that risk-taking is necessary for continued innovation and growth, but that risks should be encouraged within parameters that are appropriate for the long-term health and sustainability of the business. As part of its compensation setting process, the Company evaluates the merits of its compensation programs through a comprehensive review of its compensation policies and programs to determine whether they encourage unnecessary or inappropriate risk-taking by the Company’s executives and employees below the executive level. Based on this review, the Company has concluded that the risks arising from its compensation programs are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Management and the Compensation Consultant review the Company’s compensation programs, including the broad-based employee programs and the programs tied to the performance of individual business units. The team maps the level of “enterprise” risk for each business area, as established through the Company’s enterprise risk management oversight process, with the level of compensation risk for the associated incentive programs. In developing the risk assessment, the team reviews the compensation programs within each business area for:
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The mix of fixed versus variable pay;
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The performance metrics to which pay is tied;
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Whether the pay opportunity is capped;
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The timing of payout;
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Whether “clawback” adjustments are permitted;
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The use of equity awards; and
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Whether stock ownership guidelines apply.
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Annual incentive awards and long-term incentive awards granted to executives are tied primarily to corporate performance goals, including revenue and operating income growth, and strategic performance objectives. The Compensation Committee believes that these metrics encourage performance that supports the business as a whole. The executive annual incentive awards include a maximum payout opportunity equal to 175% of target, subject to a +/-25% individual performance-based modifier for NEOs other than Mr. Ersek. Our executives are also expected to meet share ownership guidelines in order to align the executives’ interests with those of our stockholders. Further, the Company’s clawback policy permits the Company to recover incentive compensation paid to an executive officer if the compensation resulted from any financial result or metric impacted by the executive officer’s misconduct or fraud. This policy helps to discourage inappropriate risks, as executives will be held accountable for misconduct which is harmful to the Company’s financial and reputational health. In addition, the Company’s compliance clawback policy and specific clawback provisions in its annual and long-term incentive award agreements allow the Company to “claw back” executive bonuses if the executive engages in conduct that is later determined to have contributed to future compliance failures, subject to applicable law.
2019 Proxy Statement
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CEO PAY RATIO
As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act, we are providing the following disclosure about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our employees to the annual total compensation of Mr. Ersek, our CEO. To understand this disclosure, we think it is important to give context to our
operations. As noted above, The Western Union Company
provides people and businesses with fast, reliable, and convenient ways to send money and make payments around the world. As a global organization, approximately 80% of our employees are located outside of the United States, with our employees located in a total of 57
countries. We strive to
create a competitive global compensation program in terms of both the position and the geographic location in which the employee is located. As a result, our compensation program varies amongst each local market, in order to allow us to provide a competitive total rewards package.
Ratio
For 2018,
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The median of the annual total compensation of all of our employees, other than Mr. Ersek, was $29,942.
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Mr. Ersek’s annual total compensation, as reported in the Total column of the 2018 Summary Compensation Table, was $9,175.3 thousand.
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Based on this information, the ratio of the annual total compensation of Mr. Ersek to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees is estimated to be 306 to 1.
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Identification of Median Employee
The median employee used for purposes of disclosing the Company’s 2017 pay ratio experienced a change in employment circumstances during 2018. As a result of such change in employment circumstances, we have concluded that it is no longer appropriate to use the 2017 median employee, as we believe using such employee would result in a significant change to our pay ratio disclosure. As permitted under the SEC executive compensation disclosure rules, we elected to run a full analysis to reidentify a new median employee.
W
e selected November 1, 2018 as the date on which to determine our 2018 median employee. As of that date, we had approximately 12,000 employees. For purposes of identifying the median employee, we considered the aggregate of the following compensation elements for each of our employees, as compiled from the Company’s payroll records:
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Base Salary
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Target Annual Bonus
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Actual Equity Awards
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Target Commissions
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We selected the above compensation elements as
they represent the Company’s principal broad-based compensation elements. In addition, we measured compensation for purposes of determining the median employee using the 12-month period ending December 31, 2018.
Using this methodology, we determined that our median employee was a full-time, salaried employee working in Eastern Europe. For purposes of this disclosure, we converted such employee’s compensation from the employee’s local currency to U.S. dollars using an exchange rate as of December 31, 2018. In determining the annual total compensation of the 2018 median employee, we calculated such employee’s 2018 compensation in accordance with Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K as required pursuant to SEC executive compensation disclosure rules. This calculation is the same calculation used to determine total compensation for purposes of the 2018 Summary Compensation Table with respect to each of the NEOs.
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