RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL INC
10-Ks and 10-Qs
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. __ )
Filed by the Registrant
☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
☐
Check the appropriate box:
| o | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |||||||
| o | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |||||||
| x | Definitive Proxy Statement | |||||||
| o | Definitive Additional Materials | |||||||
| o | Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 | |||||||
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
| x | No fee required | |||||||
| o | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials | |||||||
| o | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 | |||||||
Who We Are
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OUR VISION
Our vision is to be a financial services firm
as unique as the people we serve,
transforming lives, businesses and communities through the power of personal relationships and professional advice.
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OUR MISSION
Our business is people and their financial well-being.
We are committed to helping individuals, corporations and institutions achieve their unique goals, while also developing and supporting successful professionals,
and helping our
communities prosper.
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OUR VALUES
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We put clients first.
If we do what’s right for our clients, the firm will do well and we’ll all benefit.
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We act with integrity.
We put others above self, and what’s right above what’s easy. We believe doing well and doing good aren’t mutually exclusive.
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We value independence.
We respect autonomy, celebrate individuality and welcome diverse perspectives, while encouraging collaboration and innovation.
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We think long term.
We act responsibly, taking a conservative approach that translates into a strong, stable firm for clients, advisors, associates and shareholders.
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Letters from Leadership
January 8, 2024
Dear Fellow Shareholder,
I am pleased to invite you to our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be held virtually, via webcast, on February 22, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Despite the challenging environment this fiscal year, which included a regional banking crisis, heightened volatility, geopolitical turmoil and rapidly rising interest rates, Raymond James achieved record financial results, with annual net revenues of $11.6 billion and net income available to common shareholders of $1.7 billion. This strong performance, driven by record net revenues in the Private Client Group (PCG) and Bank segments, and record pre-tax income in PCG, highlights the resilience of our business model and reinforces the value of our diverse and complementary businesses.
As we previously reported, after 48 years as a director (including 40 as CEO), Tom James shared with us in December his decision to retire from the Board at the end of the annual meeting. I know that I speak for the whole firm when I say how deeply grateful we are for Tom’s tenure and the client-first culture he so thoughtfully and deliberately established. We are thankful that, even after his retirement, he will remain Chairman Emeritus and an active and visible presence in our offices.
We are once again delivering proxy materials to certain shareholders over the Internet. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”) contains instructions on how to access our Proxy Statement, Annual Report and other soliciting materials, and on how to vote. The Notice also contains instructions on how to request paper copies of these materials if you so desire.
During the meeting, we will consider the proposals described in this Proxy Statement, and I will provide updates on our performance and progress on strategic initiatives. Your vote is very important to us. Whether or not you plan to participate in the virtual-only meeting directly, we ask that your shares be represented and voted.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the management of Raymond James, I extend our appreciation for your continued support.
Yours sincerely,
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Paul C. Reilly
Chair and Chief
Executive Officer |
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2024 PROXY STATEMENT
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3
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January 8, 2024
Dear Fellow Shareholder,
On behalf of the Board of Raymond James, I would like to join Chief Executive Officer Paul Reilly in inviting you to our company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Fiscal 2023 has been a year of significant challenges, both in the U.S. and globally. While inflation has eased to some extent, it remains high relative to central bank targets, and the progress achieved has come at the cost of aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Nonetheless, economic growth has defied most expectations by remaining strong through the fiscal fourth quarter ended September 2023. In the world of finance that Raymond James inhabits, we have seen several high-profile failures, from the implosion of cryptocurrency giant FTX early in fiscal 2023, to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March and the rescue of First Republic Bank in May.
Against this difficult backdrop, your company’s record performance is even more impressive — record revenue and earnings per share on both a GAAP and adjusted basis, driven primarily by record results in the Private Client Group. Such strong results speak to the quality not only of our senior management team, so ably led by Paul Reilly (now in his 14th year as CEO), but also of all our advisors and associates. It speaks to the soundness of our strategy and our core principles of client focus, conservatism and integrity. It speaks to our position in the market and the recognition among a growing number of high-quality professionals that Raymond James is the preferred employer and partner in our industry.
I have had the honor to serve as a director since 2014, but this has been my first year as your Lead Independent Director. Fortunately, I serve with nine other highly-talented independent directors and alongside Paul Reilly and Chairman Emeritus Tom James. Together we work diligently to position the company to continue to perform well in a wide variety of market and economic conditions.
Thank you for your investment in Raymond James and your continued confidence in us. I wish you all health and prosperity in the year ahead.
Yours sincerely,
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Jeffrey N. Edwards
Lead Independent Director
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4
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Notice of 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
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Date and Time
Thursday, February 22, 2024, 4:30 p.m. (EST)
Place
The meeting will be a virtual-only meeting, conducted exclusively via webcast at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RJF2024
.
There will not be a physical location for the meeting, so you will not be able to attend the meeting in person. Shareholders will be able to attend, vote, and submit questions (both before, and during a portion of, the meeting) virtually.
Record Date
December 20, 2023 (“Record Date”)
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Agenda
The following proposals will be voted upon:
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Proposal 1:
To elect the eleven (11) director nominees
named in the Proxy Statement |
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Proposal 2:
To hold an advisory vote on our
executive compensation |
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Proposal 3:
To ratify our independent registered public
accounting firm for fiscal 2024 |
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Other:
To act on any other business that may
properly come before the meeting |
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Who Can Vote
Shareholders of record
on the Record Date |
Who Can Attend
All shareholders are invited to attend the Annual Meeting.
To attend the meeting at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RJF2024
, you must enter the control number on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”), proxy card or voting instruction form. The virtual meeting room will open at 4:15 p.m. (EST).
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Date of Mailing
A Notice or the Proxy Statement, a 2023 Annual Report to Shareholders, and a form of proxy are first being sent to shareholders and participants in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan on or about January 8, 2024.
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on February 22, 2024:
The Proxy Statement, the 2023 Annual Report to Shareholders and the form of proxy card are available online
at
www.raymondjames.com/investor-relations/news-and-events/shareholders-meeting.
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Whether or not you are able to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, please complete, sign and return your proxy card by mail, or vote via the Internet or the toll-free telephone number.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Jonathan N. Santelli,
General Counsel and Secretary
January 8, 2024
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2024 PROXY STATEMENT
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5
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Table of Contents
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2023
CEO
Pay Ratio
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6
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Company Highlights
About Raymond James
We are a different kind of financial services firm. At a time when the business of investment advice was about telling, Raymond James started with asking. We asked clients about their needs, their concerns and their long-term goals. And more importantly, we listened, providing truly personalized guidance rooted in people-first service. Over 60 years after our founding, we are a publicly traded, global company with distinct business units that serve clients in all 50 states, Canada, the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Throughout that growth, we’ve remained true to the core values that made it possible – long-term planning, independence, integrity and client-first service.
Our
mission
is to help individuals, corporations and institutions achieve their unique goals, while also developing and supporting successful professionals, and helping our communities prosper.
Our
vision
is to be a financial services firm as unique as the people we serve, transforming lives, businesses and communities through the power of personal relationships and professional advice.
Among the keys to our success, our emphasis on putting the client first is at the core of our corporate values. We also believe in maintaining a conservative, long-term approach in our decision making. We believe this disciplined approach has helped us build a strong, stable financial services firm for clients, advisors, associates and shareholders.
| By the numbers* | |||||||||||||||||
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$1.26
trillion
in total
client assets |
Approximately
8,700
financial advisors
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More than
2x
required total
capital ratio |
143
consecutive
quarters of profitability |
SP 500
and
Fortune 400
company
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Strong issuer and senior long term debt credit ratings:
A-/Stable Outlook
(Fitch),
A3/Stable Outlook
(Moody’s),
A-/Stable Outlook
(SP)
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Diverse and Complementary Businesses**
Total net revenues of $11.6 billion for fiscal year ended
September 30, 2023
Total net revenues of $11.6 billion for fiscal year ended
September 30, 2023
FY 2023
* As of September 30, 2023.
** Chart is intended to show relative contribution of each of the firm’s four core business segments. Amounts do not add up to total net revenues due to “Other” segment and intersegment eliminations not being depicted. “Other” includes the firm’s interest income on certain corporate cash balances, private equity investments and certain other corporate investing activity, and certain corporate overhead costs of RJF that are not allocated to other segments.
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2024 PROXY STATEMENT
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7
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Company Highlights
Growth Initiatives
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Drive organic growth
across core businesses |
Expand investments
in technology |
Maintain disciplined focus on
strategic MA and effective integration |
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2023 Performance Highlights
| in millions, except per share amounts | 2023 | 2022 | % Change | ||||||||
| Net Revenues | $11,619 | $11,003 | 6 | % | |||||||
| Net Income Available to Common Shareholders | $1,733 | $1,505 | 15 | % | |||||||
| Earnings per Common Share (Diluted) | $7.97 | $6.98 | 14 | % | |||||||
| Common Shareholders’ Equity Attributable to RJF | $10,135 | $9,338 | 9 | % | |||||||
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Common Shares Outstanding
(1)
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208.8 | 215.1 | (3) | % | |||||||
| Book Value per Share | $48.54 | $43.41 | 12 | % | |||||||
(1)
Excludes non-vested Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)
All Data as of Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2023
•
Record annual net revenues of $11.62 billion for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 (“fiscal 2023”), an increase of 6% over fiscal 2022
•
Record net revenues in Private Client Group and Bank segments and record pre-tax income in the Private Client Group highlight the resilience of our business model and reinforce the value of our diverse and complementary businesses
•
Record net income available to common shareholders of $1.73 billion, or $7.97 per diluted share; Record adjusted net income available to common shareholders of $1.81 billion
(1)
, or $8.30 per diluted share
(1)
•
Return on common equity (“ROE”) of 17.7% and adjusted return on common equity ("Adjusted ROE") of 18.4%
(1)
, both strong results, particularly given our robust capital position throughout fiscal 2023
•
Returned $1.1 billion to shareholders through common stock dividends and common stock repurchases under the Board's common stock repurchase authorization
•
Maintained strong capital position with a total capital ratio, or total regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets, of 22.8%, well above regulatory requirements
(1)
Adjusted net income available to common shareholders, adjusted earnings per common share (diluted), and Adjusted ROE are each non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to Appendix A for reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures and other important disclosures.
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8
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Company Highlights
ESG Highlights
Through fiscal year 2023, we maintained focus on our people, sustainability, community and governance as we sought to build a more sustainable future for clients, associates, advisors and the communities we serve.
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PEOPLE |
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SUSTAINABILITY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Defined our employee value proposition:
Raymond James is a place “where good people grow.”
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$15 billion+
in equity raised by Raymond James Affordable
Housing Investments since inception in 1986 for
housing finance authorities and housing developers,
including nearly
$1.7 billion
in equity raised in
fiscal year 2023
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| DIVERSITY METRICS* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Percentage of our US-based associates who self-identify as people of color
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Percentage of our global associates who self-identify as woman
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Approximately
78%
of Raymond James financial advisors utilize at least one sustainable investment fund with their clients
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Nearly 14,000 trees planted in recognition of Private Client Group clients who chose to receive paperless correspondence
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*As of September 30, 2023
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COMMUNITY |
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GOVERNANCE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RAYMOND JAMES CARES MONTH | BOARD OF DIRECTORS** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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9,600+
volunteer hours
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250+
charitable organizations supported
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DISASTER AND HUMANITARIAN RELIEF
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$1.05M+
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CA$210k+
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Developed and published a Human Rights Policy
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Raised for disaster relief organizations
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$7.4 million
raised in December 2022 through United Way
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**This information pertains to our non-executive director nominees.
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2024 PROXY STATEMENT
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9
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Proxy Summary
To help you review the proposals to be voted upon at our 2024 Annual Meeting, we have summarized important information in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should carefully read the entire Proxy Statement and our other proxy materials before voting.
| Proposal 1 | |||||||||||
| Election of Directors | |||||||||||
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The Board recommends a vote
FOR
each director nominee.
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See page
16
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Director Nominees
The following provides summary information about each director nominee.
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Director
Since |
Committee Membership
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| Name and Primary Occupation | Independent | Age | AC | RC | CGESG | CT | CPC | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Marlene Debel
Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer and Head of MetLife Insurance Investments, MetLife, Inc. |
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57
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2020 |
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Robert M. Dutkowsky
Retired, Former Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tech Data Corporation |
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69
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2018 |
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Jeffrey N. Edwards
Chief Operating Officer, New Vernon Advisers, LP |
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62
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2014 |
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Benjamin C. Esty
Professor of Business Administration, Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration |
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61
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2014 |
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Art A. Garcia
Retired, Former Chief Financial Officer, Ryder System, Inc. |
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62
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2023
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Anne Gates
Retired, Former President, MGA Entertainment, Inc. |
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64
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2018 |
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Gordon L. Johnson
President, Highway Safety Devices, Inc. |
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66
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2010 |
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Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr.
Retired, Former Chairman, Moody's Corporation |
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66
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2023
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Roderick C. McGeary
Retired, Former Chairman, Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Tegile Systems, Inc. |
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73
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2015 |
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Paul C. Reilly
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Raymond James Financial |
69
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2006 |
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Raj Seshadri
President, Data and Services, Mastercard Incorporated |
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58
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2019 |
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| AC | Audit Committee | ||||
| RC | Risk Committee | ||||
| CGESG |
Corporate Governance and
ESG Committee |
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| CT |
Compensation and Talent
Committee |
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| CPC |
Capital Planning
Committee |
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Chair | ||||
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Member | ||||
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10
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Proxy Summary
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Non-Executive Board Nominees Snapshot
Our non-executive (i.e. non-employee) director nominees have a diversity of experience and a variety of complementary skills, education, qualification and viewpoints that strengthen the Board’s ability to carry out its oversight role.
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63.8
average age
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57-73
age range
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5 years
5-10 years
10 years
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5.6
average years of service
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Non-Executive Board Nominees Skills Matrix
The information below summarizes the range of selected qualifications and experiences that each non-executive director nominee brings to our Board.
| Non-Executive Director Nominee |
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Financial
Industry Experience |
Public Company Chair and/or CEO
Experience |
Financial
Reporting |
Corporate
Governance |
Risk
Management |
Information Technology | |||||||||||||||
| Marlene Debel |
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| Robert M. Dutkowsky |
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| Jeffrey N. Edwards |
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| Benjamin C. Esty |
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| Art A. Garcia |
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| Anne Gates |
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| Gordon L. Johnson |
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| Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr. |
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| Roderick C. McGeary |
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| Raj Seshadri |
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2024 PROXY STATEMENT
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11
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| Proxy Summary | ||||||||
Governance Highlights
| Board Independence and Qualifications |
•
Ten of our current 12 directors, and ten of our 11 director nominees, are non-executive directors who have been deemed independent under Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules
•
All of our Board committees other than the CPC are composed exclusively of independent directors
•
Nominees to our Board may not serve on more than three (3) other public company boards
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| Board Diversity and Refreshment |
•
40% of our non-executive director nominees are people of color
•
30% of our non-executive director nominees are women
•
Non-executive directors are normally expected to serve for no more than 12 years
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| Accountability |
•
Directors are elected for one-year terms
•
Directors must receive a majority vote of our shareholders to be re-elected
•
Special meetings of shareholders may be called by holders of 10% or more of our common shares
•
Our shareholders may act by written consent in lieu of a meeting
•
We do not maintain a shareholder rights plan, or “poison pill”
•
We maintain a Director Code of Conduct applicable to the Board
•
We maintain a robust compensation recoupment (“clawback”) policy applicable to executive officers, with triggers including materially imprudent judgment causing financial or reputational harm, along with a separate Dodd-Frank Clawback Policy in line with NYSE requirements
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| Lead Independent Director |
•
A lead independent director, selected by our non-executive directors, operates pursuant to a separate written charter
•
Duties include presiding over executive sessions, recommending agenda topics, facilitating annual self-evaluation of the Board and its committees, assisting in the performance evaluation of our CEO, and CEO succession planning
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| Board Oversight of Risk Management |
•
Our Board exercises oversight of management’s responsibilities to assess and manage our key risks, including cybersecurity risks
•
The Board has delegated aspects of its oversight responsibility to its principal committees
•
The Board recently split certain of its committees in order to further enhance subject matter oversight in certain focus areas
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Board Practices
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•
Our Board and committees annually review their effectiveness with a questionnaire and confidential one-on-one interviews coordinated by a third-party facilitator or the lead independent director, who reports on results in person to the Board
•
Evaluation includes review of individual director contributions to the Board by each other director
•
The Board continually adjusts its nomination criteria, with the goal that the Board continues to reflect an appropriate mix of skills and experience
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Executive Sessions
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•
Non-executive directors hold executive sessions without management present at least four times per year
•
The lead independent director presides over these executive sessions
•
Each major Board committee generally holds executive sessions at regularly scheduled meetings
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Share Ownership Requirements and Trading Limitations
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•
Robust stock ownership policy requires directors and executive officers to maintain meaningful ownership levels in our stock
•
Policy restricts trading by directors and executive officers and prohibits certain types of transactions, including use of options, short sales, hedging and pledging of our stock
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12
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| Proxy Summary | ||||||||
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Proposal 2
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
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The Board recommends a vote
FOR
this proposal.
|
See page
40
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Overview
We are asking our shareholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (nonbinding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers (“NEOs”) as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our shareholders the opportunity to express their views on our NEOs’ compensation.
The following charts present the mix of compensation elements actually received for 2023 performance by our chief executive officer ("CEO") and our other NEOs (average, excluding retirement plan contributions):
Components of Total Direct Compensation — 2023 Actual
Response to Say-on-Pay Vote
We hold an annual advisory vote by our shareholders on executive compensation. At the 2023 annual shareholders meeting, 92% of the votes cast were in favor of the “Say-on-Pay” proposal. We believe that the 2023 vote approving the Say-on-Pay proposal once again conveyed our shareholders’ strong support of the Compensation and Talent Committee’s decisions and our existing executive compensation programs. Based on this feedback, the committee determined to continue our current compensation practices as described herein.
% of votes in favor of
Say-on-Pay Proposal in 2023
Say-on-Pay Proposal in 2023
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2024 PROXY STATEMENT
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13
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| Proxy Summary | ||||||||
| Type | Pay Element | Purpose | Link to Strategy | ||||||||
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Base Salary |
•
Provides base level of pay
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•
Competitive salaries attract and retain key talent
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Annual Bonus - Cash |
•
Provides competitive incentive opportunity
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•
Rewards executives who achieve strategic and financial goals that are important for creating shareholder value
•
Attracts and retains key talent
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Annual Bonus - Equity (RSUs)
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•
Aligns executives with shareholder interests
•
Time-vesting awards encourage retention by vesting at end of 3-year period (if not otherwise retirement eligible)
•
Performance vesting awards depend on company’s achievement of Adjusted ROE
(1)
and relative total shareholder return (“rTSR”) thresholds, thus further aligning executives with long-term shareholder interests
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•
Time-vesting awards serve as a long-term retention tool
•
Performance-vesting awards encourage executives to focus on key financial metrics where final payout is dependent on company performance and stock price growth
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| Retention Awards - RSUs |
•
Aligns executives with shareholder interests
•
Encourages retention by longer vesting period, generally over a five-year period (if not otherwise retirement eligible)
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•
Serves as a long-term retention tool and further aligns our executives with our shareholders
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| Retirement Plan Contributions |
•
Profit Sharing, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) and Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) align executives with shareholder interests since contributions are based on company financial results. 401(k) Plan facilitates retirement savings.
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•
Provide competitive benefits package and further align executives with our shareholders
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(1)
Adjusted ROE is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of this measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and other important disclosures.
Our Compensation Practices
| What We Do |
What We Don’t Do
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Pay for performance
Use deferred compensation
Performance-based equity awards
Long vesting periods
“Clawback” policies
Stock ownership guidelines
“Double triggers”
Limited perquisites
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No employment agreements
No dividends on unearned performance-based or unvested U.S. time-based awards
No “gross ups”
No pledging by insiders
No short selling or hedging by insiders
No option re-pricing
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14
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| Proxy Summary | ||||||||
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Proposal 3
Ratify Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
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The Board recommends a vote
FOR
this proposal.
|
See page
74
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The Audit Committee has appointed KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and to audit the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2024. We are asking our shareholders to ratify this decision by the Audit Committee.
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
15
|
||||
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors
|
What is being voted on:
Election to our Board of 11 director nominees.
|
Board recommendation:
After a review of the individual qualifications and experience of each of our director nominees and his or her contributions to our Board, our Board determined unanimously to recommend that shareholders vote “
FOR
” all of our director nominees.
|
||||
Our Directors
The Board currently consists of twelve (12) directors. As previously disclosed, Mr. James informed the company that he would not be standing for re-election to the Board at the Annual Meeting, and the Board has approved resolutions to reduce the number of directors to eleven (11) upon Mr. James’ retirement. The Board has nominated the eleven (11) directors identified below as candidates for election at the Annual Meeting. All nominees are current directors of the company and were unanimously recommended for re-election by the Corporate Governance and ESG Committee (the “CGESG Committee”). The Board continually monitors evolving board refreshment best practices, including those with respect to the average tenure of directors and the mix of both non-executive and executive directors.
Board Non-Executive Nominees - Composition and Skills
Our non-executive director nominees have a diversity of experience and a variety of complementary skills, education, qualification and viewpoints that strengthen the Board’s ability to carry out its oversight role
.
The Board does not consider individual directors to be responsible for particular areas of the Board’s focus or specific categories of issues that may come before it. Rather, the Board seeks to assemble a group of directors that, as a whole, represents a mix of experiences and skills that allows appropriate deliberation on all issues that the Board might be likely to consider. The following information pertains to our non-executive director nominees:
|
|
63.8
average age
|
||||
|
|
57-73
age range
|
||||
5 years
5-10 years
10 years
|
|
5.6
average years of service
|
||||
|
16
|
|
||||
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors
Director Qualifications
The Board believes there are certain minimum qualifications that each director nominee must satisfy in order to be suitable for a position on the Board, including that such nominee:
•
demonstrates high standards of integrity and character
•
may not be on the boards of more than three (3) other public companies
•
offers important perspectives on some aspect of the company’s business, based on experience
•
may not be subject to certain convictions or judgments of courts or regulatory authorities
The table below summarizes the range of selected qualifications and experiences that each non-executive director nominee brings to our Board. The skills included in this table are evaluated against our strategy so that the table can serve as an up-to-date tool for identifying non-executive director nominees who collectively have the complementary experience and skills to guide the company. This summary is not intended to be a complete description of all of the skills and attributes possessed by each director nominee.
Additional information about each Board member’s background, business experience and other matters, as well as a description of how each individual’s experience qualifies him or her to serve as a director, is provided below under the heading
“Director Biographies”
.
| Non-Executive Director Nominee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
Financial
Industry Experience |
Public Company Chair and/or CEO
Experience |
Financial
Reporting |
Corporate
Governance |
Risk
Management |
Information Technology | |||||||||||||||
| Marlene Debel |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Robert M. Dutkowsky |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| Jeffrey N. Edwards |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| Benjamin C. Esty |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Art A. Garcia |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Anne Gates |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| Gordon L. Johnson |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
| Roderick C. McGeary |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| Raj Seshadri |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
17
|
||||
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors
Director Biographies
|
Marlene Debel, 57
Non-Executive Director |
|||||||
|
Director Since:
2020
RJF Committees
•
Risk (Chair since 2023)
•
Audit
•
Capital Planning Committee
|
Other Public Directorships
•
Current:
None
•
Former (past 5 years):
None
|
|||||||
|
Career Highlights
•
MetLife, Inc., a leading global provider of insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management services
▷
Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer and Head of MetLife Insurance Investments (2023 – present)
▷
Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer (2019 – 2023)
▷
Executive Vice President and Head of Retirement Income Solutions (2018 – 2019)
▷
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Business (2016 – 2018)
▷
Executive Vice President and Treasurer (2011 – 2016)
•
Global Head of Liquidity Risk Management and Rating Agency Relations, Bank of America (2009 – 2011)
•
Assistant Treasurer, Merrill Lynch Co., Inc. (2007 – 2008)
|
Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement
•
Foundation Board Member, LaGuardia Community College
•
Former Board Member, Women’s Forum of New York
|
||||
|
Key Experience and Qualifications
•
Finance and risk management experience:
Deep knowledge of finance and more than three decades of experience in financial, strategic and risk management
•
Financial services management and leadership:
Proven business leader who has helped guide organizations through periods of significant growth and change
|
|||||
|
Robert M. Dutkowsky,
69
Non-Executive Director |
|||||||
|
Director Since:
2018
RJF Committees
•
Compensation and Talent (Chair since 2023)
•
Corporate Governance and ESG
|
Other Public Directorships
•
Current:
U.S. Foods Holding Corp. (non-executive chair since January 5, 2023); The Hershey Company
•
Former (past 5 years):
Pitney Bowes (2018 - 2023); Tech Data Corporation (2006 – 2020)
|
|||||||
|
Career Highlights
•
Tech Data Corporation, a multinational IT products and services distribution company
▷
Executive Chairman (2017 – 2020)
▷
Chief Executive Officer (2006 – 2018)
•
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman, Egenera, Inc., a multinational cloud manager and data center infrastructure automation company (2004 – 2006)
•
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, J.D. Edwards Co., Inc., an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software company (2002 –
2004)
•
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, GenRad, Inc., a manufacturer of electronic automatic test equipment and related software (2000 – 2002)
|
Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement
•
Board of Directors, First Tee of Tampa Bay
•
Board of Directors, Moffitt Research Committee
•
Advisory Board, University of South Florida Business School
•
Board of Trustees, University of Tampa
|
||||
|
Key Experience and Qualifications
•
Technology and technology risks:
More than 40 years of experience in the information technology industry, including senior executive positions in sales, marketing and channel distribution with leading manufacturers and software publishers
•
Corporate governance and leadership:
Valuable governance perspectives from substantial senior executive leadership roles and experience as a board member and chair of several public and private companies
|
|||||
|
18
|
|
||||
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors
|
Jeffrey N. Edwards, 62
Non-Executive Director |
|||||||
|
Director Since:
2014
RJF Committees
•
Corporate Governance and ESG
•
Compensation and Talent
•
Capital Planning Committee
|
Other Public Directorships
•
Current:
American Water Works Company, Inc.
•
Former (past 5 years):
None
|
|||||||
|
Career Highlights
•
Chief Operating Officer, New Vernon Advisers, LP, a registered investment advisor (2009 – present)
•
Merrill Lynch Co., Inc., a global financial services company
▷
Vice Chairman (2007 – 2009)
▷
Chief Financial Officer (2005 – 2007)
▷
Head of Investment Banking for the Americas (2004 – 2005)
▷
Head of Global Capital Markets and Financing (2003 – 2005)
▷
Co-head of Global Equities (2001 – 2003)
|
Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement
•
Director, The NASDAQ Stock Market (2004 – 2006)
•
Director, Medusind, Inc., a medical billing company (2012 –
2019)
|
||||
|
Key Experience and Qualifications
•
Financial services industry:
More than two decades of capital markets and corporate finance experience at a global financial services firm
•
Review and preparation of financial statements:
Experience as CFO of large financial services company provides valuable insights to our Board
|
|||||
|
Benjamin C. Esty, 61
Non-Executive Director |
|||||||
|
Director Since:
2014
RJF Committees
•
Risk
•
Compensation and Talent
|
Other Public Directorships
•
Current:
None
•
Former (past 5 years):
None
|
|||||||
|
Career Highlights
•
Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration
▷
Professor of Business Administration teaching corporate finance, corporate strategy and leadership
(1993 – present)
▷
Roy and Elizabeth Simmons Professor of Business Administration (with tenure, 2005 – present)
▷
Head of the Finance Department (2009 – 2014)
▷
Founding faculty Chairman, General Management Program (GMP), a comprehensive leadership program for senior executives
|
Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement
•
Director and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee, Harvard Business Publishing Group, a not-for-profit education company (2018 - 2023)
•
Eaton Vance family of mutual funds
▷
Independent Trustee (2005 – 2013)
▷
Chairman, Portfolio Management Committee (2008 –
2013)
•
Director, Harvard University Employees Credit Union (1995 – 2001)
▷
Member, Finance Committee
•
Finance and Investment Committee, Deaconess Abundant Life Communities, a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community (2017 – present)
•
Member of the Advisory Board, The GEM Group (2021 –
present), a private seller of promotional products
|
||||
|
Key Experience and Qualifications
•
Finance, investment and risk management:
Extensive knowledge of finance and deep experience in the mutual fund / investment management business, including evaluation of fund performance, investment strategies, acquisition analysis, valuation analysis, trading, and risk management
•
Financial services industry:
Provides valuable insight to the company’s investment banking, commercial banking, and asset management businesses, as well as its own financing activities
•
Executive leadership development:
Experience in leadership development assists Board in oversight of management succession
|
|||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
19
|
||||
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors
|
Art A. Garcia, 62
Non-Executive Director
|
|||||||
|
Director Since:
2023
RJF Committees
•
Risk
|
Other Public Directorships
•
Current:
ABM Industries Incorporated; American Electric Power Company, Inc.; Elanco Animal Health Incorporated
•
Former (past 5 years):
None
|
|||||||
|
Career Highlights
•
Ryder System, Inc., a commercial fleet and supply chain management solutions company
▷
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2010 – 2019)
▷
Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (2002 – 2010)
▷
Group Director of Accounting Services (2000 – 2002)
•
Coopers Lybrand LLP (1984 - 1997)
▷
Senior Manager of Business Assurance
|
Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement
•
Certified Public Accountant
|
||||
|
Key Experience and Qualifications
•
Review and preparation of financial statements:
Extensive business, financial, and investor relations experience culminating in the role of chief financial officer
•
Finance management experience:
Accomplished background in corporate finance, accounting, financial management, mergers and acquisitions and supply chain management
•
Risk management experience:
Relevant expertise in risk management, highly regulated industries, corporate safety and strategic development
|
|||||
|
Anne Gates, 64
Non-Executive Director
|
|||||||
|
Director Since:
2018
RJF Committees
•
Corporate Governance and ESG (Chair since 2022)
•
Audit
|
Other Public Directorships
•
Current:
The Kroger Company; Tapestry, Inc. (Chair)
•
Former (past 5 years):
None
|
|||||||
|
Career Highlights
•
President, MGA Entertainment, Inc., a developer, manufacturer and marketer of toy and entertainment products for children (2014 – 2017)
•
The Walt Disney Company, a diversified multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate (1991 – 2012)
▷
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer—Disney Consumer Products (2000 – 2007, 2009 – 2012)
▷
Managing Director—Disney Consumer Products Europe and Emerging Markets (2007 – 2009)
▷
Senior Vice President of Operations, Planning and Analysis (1998 – 2000)
|
Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement
•
Board of Directors, Cynosure (2020 – present)
•
Board of Trustees, University of California, Berkeley Foundation (2016 – present)
•
Board of Directors, Salzburg Global Seminar (2018 –
present)
•
Board of Trustees, PBS SoCal (2014 – present)
•
Board of Trustees, Packard Foundation (2020 – present)
•
Board of Visitors, Columbia University Engineering School (2021 – present)
•
Board of Trustees, Save the Children (2023 – present)
|
||||
|
Key Experience and Qualifications
•
Retail and consumer products insight:
Over 25 years’ experience in retail and consumer products industry
•
International business and growth markets:
Broad business background in finance, marketing, strategy and business development, including growing international businesses
|
|||||
|
20
|
|
||||
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors
|
Gordon L. Johnson, 66
Non-Executive Director
|
|||||||
|
Director Since:
2010
RJF Committees
•
Risk
•
Compensation and Talent
|
Other Public Directorships
•
Current:
None
•
Former (past 5 years):
None
|
|||||||
|
Career Highlights
•
President, Highway Safety Devices, Inc., a full-service specialty contractor (2004 – present)
•
Bank of America Corporation, a multinational investment bank and financial services company
▷
Various managerial and executive positions
▷
(1992 – 2002)
|
Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement
•
Director of TriState Capital Bank (2022 - present)
•
Director of Raymond James Bank (2007 - present)
•
Director, Florida Transportation Builders Association (2007 – 2016)
•
Director, Santa Fe Healthcare (2008 – 2014)
|
||||
|
Key Experience and Qualifications
•
Banking and financial services:
Over 24 years of experience with unaffiliated banks
•
Raymond James Bank insights:
Sixteen years as a director of Raymond James Bank, a significant part of our business
•
Entrepreneurial experience:
Perspective of an entrepreneur and consumer of business-related financial services
|
|||||
|
Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr., 66
Non-Executive Director
|
|||||||
|
Director Since:
2023
RJF Committees
•
Audit
•
Risk
|
Other Public Directorships
•
Current:
John Wiley Sons, Inc.
•
Former (past 5 years):
Moody’s Corporation
|
|||||||
|
Career Highlights
•
Moody’s Corporation, a global integrated risk assessment firm
▷
Non-executive Chairman (2021 – 2023)
▷
Director (2003 – 2023)
▷
President and Chief Executive Officer (2012 – 2020)
▷
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2005 – 2012)
▷
Chief Operating Officer (2004 – 2005)
▷
Chief Executive Officer, Moody’s Investors Service (2007 – 2020)
|
Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement
•
Member, Board of Trustees of Muhlenberg College (2015 -
present)
•
Member, Board of Directors of the Council for Economic Education (2003 - 2005)
•
Member, State Bar of New York, 1984
|
||||
|
Key Experience and Qualifications
•
Finance management experience:
Substantial executive leadership, risk management and business operations experience, including 15 years as a chief executive officer
•
Financial services industry:
Proven professional track record navigating worldwide markets, product strategy initiatives and corporate financial performance
•
Risk management experience:
Pertinent expertise in risk management, regulated industries, corporate governance and strategy
|
|||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
21
|
||||
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors
|
Roderick C. McGeary, 73
Non-Executive Director
|
|||||||
|
Director Since:
2015
RJF Committees
•
Audit (Chair since 2023)
•
Risk
•
Corporate Governance and ESG
|
Other Public Directorships
•
Current:
Cisco Systems, Inc.; PACCAR Inc.
•
Former (past 5 years):
None
|
|||||||
|
Career Highlights
•
Chairman, Tegile Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of flash storage arrays (2010 – 2012)
•
BearingPoint, Inc., a multinational management and technology consulting firm
▷
Chairman (2004 – 2009)
▷
Interim Chief Executive Officer (2004 – 2005)
▷
Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer (1999 – 2000)
•
Chief Executive Officer, Brience, Inc., a provider of software that enables companies to personalize customer experiences through broadband or wireless devices (2000 – 2002)
•
Managing Director, KPMG Consulting LLC, a management consulting firm (April – June 2000)
•
KPMG LLP, the U.S. member of a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax and advisory services
▷
Co-Vice Chairman of Consulting (1997 – 1999)
▷
Audit Partner for various technology clients (1980 – 1988)
|
Other
Professional
Experience
and
Community
Involvement
•
Certified Public Accountant
|
||||
|
Key Experience and Qualifications
•
Review and preparation of financial statements:
Deep accounting and auditing knowledge acquired through many years with a large public accounting firm
•
Leadership and governance:
Decades of board and leadership experience involving multiple industries
•
Technology and technology risks:
Leadership experience with global technology companies
|
|||||
|
|
Paul C. Reilly, 69
Chair and Chief Executive Officer
|
|||||||
|
Director Since:
2006
RJF Committees
•
Capital Planning Committee
|
Other Public Directorships
•
Current:
Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company
•
Former (past 5 years):
None
|
|||||||
|
Career Highlights
•
Raymond James Financial, Inc.
▷
Chair (2017 – present)
▷
Chief Executive Officer (2010 – present)
▷
President (2009 – 2010)
▷
Non-executive Director (2006 – 2009)
▷
Chair, Audit Committee (2008 – 2009)
•
Korn Ferry International, a global organizational consulting firm
▷
Executive Chairman (2007 – 2009)
▷
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (2001 – 2007)
•
Chief Executive Officer, KPMG International, a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax and advisory services (1998 –
2001)
•
National Managing Partner, Financial Services, KPMG LLP (1995 – 1998)
|
Other
Professional
Experience
and
Community
Involvement
•
Member, Board at Large, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA)
•
Member, Board of Directors, American Securities Association
•
Member, Board of Directors, National Leadership Roundtable
•
Former Member, The Florida Council of 100
•
Former Member, Financial Services Roundtable
•
Former Director, United Way Suncoast
•
Cabinet Member and former Chairman, Tampa Heart Walk and Heart Ball for the American Heart Association
•
Member, The University of Notre Dame Business Advisory Council
•
Trustee, House of Prayer Foundation
|
||||
|
Key Experience and Qualifications
•
Strong leader, with prior public company CEO experience:
Prior experience as chief executive officer of two complex, global organizations (one of which was a public company) brings a perspective to the Board beyond the financial services industry
•
Auditing and strategic consulting perspective:
Background as a certified public accountant and financial services consultant
•
Leadership continuity:
Previous service on our Board provides continuity with prior senior management
|
|||||
|
22
|
|
||||
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors
|
Raj Seshadri
, 58
Non-Executive Director |
|||||||
|
Director Since:
2019
RJF Committees
•
Risk
•
Compensation and Talent
|
Other Public Directorships
•
Current:
None
•
Former (past 5 years):
None
|
|||||||
|
Career Highlights
•
Mastercard Incorporated, a global payments and technology company
▷
President, Data and Services (2020 - present)
▷
President, US Issuers (2016 – 2020)
•
BlackRock, Inc., a global asset manager
▷
Managing Director, Head of iShares Wealth Advisory
(2014 – 2015)
▷
Managing Director, Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares (2012 –
2013)
•
Citigroup, Inc., a global financial institution
▷
Managing Director, Head of CitiBusiness for Citibank (2010 – 2012)
▷
Managing Director, Global Head of Strategy (2008 – 2009)
|
Other Professional Experience and Community Involvement
•
Trustee, Mount Holyoke College (2017 – present)
•
Member, Global Board, American India Foundation (2019 –
present)
•
Member, Innovation Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (2021 - 2022)
•
Member, Management Board, Stanford Graduate School of Business (2017 – 2020)
•
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University Graduate School of Business (2012 – 2017)
•
David Rockefeller Fellow (2017 – 2018)
|
||||
|
Key Experience and Qualifications
•
Financial services and technology leadership:
Brings a rare combination of experience from her roles at global brands in marketing, sales, business strategy, asset management, wealth management, payments, software services and business-to-business partnerships
|
|||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
23
|
||||
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors
Election of Directors
Each director is elected by shareholders at our annual meeting for a term of one (1) year (subject to extension until a successor is duly elected and qualified and subject to such director’s earlier resignation or removal). Under our By-laws, unless the election is contested, each director nominee must receive a majority vote to be elected. A “majority vote” means that the number of votes cast in favor of a nominee exceeds the number of votes cast against the nominee. In a contested election, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. A “plurality" vote means that the nominee who receives more votes than any other nominee is elected.
In addition, each director nominee must tender an irrevocable conditional resignation to the company, to be effective only upon (i) the director’s failure to receive the required shareholder vote in an uncontested election, and (ii) Board acceptance of such resignation. If any nominee fails to receive the required vote, the CGESG Committee will recommend that the Board accept the resignation unless it determines that the best interests of the company and its shareholders would not be served by doing so. Absent such determination, the Board will accept the resignation no later than 120 days from the certification of the shareholder vote, subject to maintaining compliance with NYSE or SEC rules. The Board will promptly disclose publicly its decision to accept or reject such resignation and the reasons therefor.
Director Independence
For a director to be considered independent under NYSE rules, the Board must affirmatively determine that the director does not have any “material relationship” with the company, either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company. A material relationship can include commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and family relationships.
The Board has affirmatively determined that the following ten director candidates are independent under NYSE and SEC rules: Marlene Debel, Robert M. Dutkowsky, Jeffrey N. Edwards, Benjamin C. Esty, Art A. Garcia, Anne Gates, Gordon L. Johnson, Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr., Roderick C. McGeary and Raj Seshadri.
Each candidate has indicated that he or she would serve if elected. We do not anticipate that any nominee would be unable to stand for election, but if that were to happen, the Board may reduce the size of the Board, designate a substitute nominee or leave a vacancy unfilled. If a substitute is designated, proxies voting on the original director candidate will be cast for the substituted candidate.
Director Tenure
We believe that non-executive directors (those directors who are not officers or employees of the company) who have longer-term experience with the company have gained a level of familiarity with its operations that enables them to make valuable contributions to Board deliberations. Nevertheless, our Corporate Governance Principles contemplate that directors are normally expected to serve no more than 12 years on the Board. The Board reserves the right, in extraordinary circumstances, to waive this limitation to allow a director—if elected by the shareholders—to serve up to three additional one-year terms. In this connection, the Board has determined that the need for continuity of service of the director who also serves on the boards of Raymond James Bank and TriState Capital Bank, Gordon L. Johnson, constitutes a sufficient basis for waiving the above tenure limitation to permit him to serve a further one-year term.
|
24
|
|
||||
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors
Nominating Process and Succession Planning
The CGESG Committee reviews the experience and qualifications of all potential nominees to the Board. In considering director candidates, the CGESG Committee gathers all information regarding a candidate’s background and qualifications, evaluates his or her mix of skills and qualifications, and determines the contributions that the candidate could be expected to make to the overall functioning of the Board, giving due consideration to the Board’s balance and diversity of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. The CGESG Committee routinely considers diversity as a part of its deliberations, but does not have a formal policy regarding diversity. With respect to current directors, the CGESG Committee annually evaluates the individual’s past participation in, and contributions to, the activities of the Board. The CGESG Committee recommends director nominees to the Board based on its assessment of overall suitability to serve.
Illustrated below is an overview of the process used by the CGESG Committee to identify the desired skills and experience of candidates as well as to evaluate potential candidates for the Board.
| 1 |
Candidate Recommendations
|
|||||||||||||
|
•
From search firms, current and former directors, management and shareholders
|
||||||||||||||
| 2 | Corporate Governance and ESG Committee | |||||||||||||
|
•
Considers skills and the current and future needs of the Board
•
Screens qualifications and considers diversity
•
Reviews independence and potential conflicts
|
•
Interviews potential directors
•
Recommends nominees to the Board
|
|||||||||||||
| 3 | Board of Directors | |||||||||||||
|
•
Evaluates candidates, analyzes independence and other issues, interviews potential directors and selects nominees
|
||||||||||||||
| 4 | Shareholders | |||||||||||||
|
•
Vote on nominees at Annual Meeting
|
||||||||||||||
|
6
|
New Directors
Added in the past five years, bringing fresh perspectives to the Board
|
•
Art A. Garcia
•
Anne Gates
•
Robert M. Dutkowsky
|
•
Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr.
•
Raj Seshadri
•
Marlene Debel
|
||||||||
Nominations by Shareholders
The CGESG Committee will consider candidates recommended for nomination to the Board by shareholders under Florida law and our By-laws. Our By-laws contain advance notice and a number of other requirements applicable to any shareholder nomination, including a description of the information that must be included with any such proposal. The manner in which the committee evaluates candidates recommended by shareholders would be generally the same as for any other candidate. However, the CGESG Committee would also consider information concerning any relationship between a shareholder recommending a candidate and the candidate to determine if the candidate can represent the interests of all shareholders. The committee would not evaluate a candidate recommended by a shareholder unless, among the other requirements of our By-laws, the shareholder’s proposal contained all of the information necessary to conduct an evaluation. For information regarding shareholder proposal deadlines, please see below under “Additional Information — Shareholder Proposals for the 2025 Annual Meeting.”
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
25
|
||||
Corporate Governance
Role of the Board
Raymond James’ business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The role of the Board is to oversee management of the company in its efforts to enhance shareholder value and conduct the company’s business in accordance with its mission statement. In this vein, the Board’s duties include assisting management with assessing long-range strategies for the company and evaluating management performance.
Corporate Governance Principles
The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Principles, which are available in the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at
www.raymondjames.com
(the “company’s website”). This document describes the principles the Board follows with respect to, among other matters, the Board’s:
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| Board Composition | Best Practices | Board Effectiveness | ||||||||||||
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committees
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size and composition
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confidentiality
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director compensation
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communications with shareholders
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leadership structure
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role and duties
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annual performance evaluation
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director responsibilities
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access to officers, employees
and advisors |
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Code of Ethics and Directors’ Code
As part of our ethics and compliance program, our Board has approved:
•
Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (the “Code of Ethics”) which applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller and persons performing similar functions, and
•
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Members of the Board of Directors (“Directors’ Code”) that applies to all members of the Board.
Both the Code of Ethics and the Directors’ Code are posted on our company’s website. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement regarding any amendment to, or waiver of, the Code of Ethics or the Directors’ Code by posting such information on our website. The company also maintains a reporting hotline (888-686-8351), where employees and individuals outside the company can anonymously submit a complaint or concern regarding compliance with applicable laws, rules or regulations, the Code of Ethics, as well as accounting, auditing, ethical or other concerns.
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26
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Corporate Governance
Board Leadership Structure
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Paul C. Reilly
Chair of the Board
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The Board believes it is in the company’s best interests to periodically evaluate its leadership structure and make a determination regarding whether to separate or combine the roles of chair and chief executive officer based on circumstances at the time of its evaluation. By retaining flexibility to adjust the company’s leadership structure, the Board believes that it is best able to provide for appropriate management and leadership of the company and address any circumstances the company may face. Since 2017, our CEO, Mr. Paul Reilly, has also served as Chair of the Board. The Board believes that a combined chair / chief executive officer structure provides the company with a single leader who communicates the firm’s business and strategy to our shareholders, clients, employees, regulators and the public, promoting accountability for the company’s performance. For these reasons, the Board believes that our existing Board leadership structure continues to be the most appropriate one for the company. Nevertheless, the Board may reassess the appropriateness of this structure at any time, including following future changes in Board composition, in management, or in the character of the company’s business and operations.
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Jeffrey N. Edwards
Lead Independent Director
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The Board also believes that independent leadership is important, and it has appointed an independent director, Jeffrey N. Edwards, who succeeded retired director Susan Story as lead director (“Lead Director”) in February 2023. The Board has structured the role of our Lead Director to strike an appropriate balance to the combined Chair and CEO role and to fulfill the important requirements of independent leadership of the Board.
The Board has approved a charter for the Lead Director, which provides that the Lead Director is elected by the independent directors for a renewable term of three years. The charter also sets forth the Lead Director’s specific responsibilities, including to:
•
preside at Board meetings in the absence of the Chair, subject to the By-laws
•
review and approve Board meeting agendas and schedules
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advise on information submitted to the Board
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serve as liaison for communication between non-executive directors and shareholders
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communicate individual performance feedback from Board peer evaluations in private meetings with each director
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preside over executive sessions of non-executive directors
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recommend topics for Board consideration
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serve as a liaison between non-executive directors and the Chair
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with the CGESG Committee, facilitate the Board’s annual evaluation process
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assist the CGESG Committee in conducting its performance evaluation of the CEO, and in CEO succession planning
The Charter of the Lead Director, which is available on the company’s website, provides a more detailed description of the role and responsibilities, qualifications, and the procedures for appointment of, the Lead Director.
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2024 PROXY STATEMENT
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27
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Corporate Governance
Board Committees
The Board has delegated authority to committees to assist in overseeing the management of the company. The members and chair of each committee are appointed and removed by the Board. The committee chairs review and approve agendas for all meetings of their respective committees. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee, the Risk Committee, the CGESG Committee and the Compensation and Talent Committee (the “CT Committee”) are defined in their respective charters, which incorporate the applicable requirements of the SEC and NYSE and are available on the company’s website at
www.raymondjames.com/investor-relations/corporate-governance/charters
.
Reorganization of the Audit and Risk Committee
In order to maintain corporate governance best practices and respond to new regulatory requirements, the Board reviews its corporate governance practices and the charters for its standing committees at least annually. In April of 2023, the Board determined to restructure its Audit and Risk Committee to better address the evolving needs of the company and the evolving regulatory governance landscape. Effective April 10, 2023, the Board split the Audit and Risk Committee into two committees: the Audit Committee and the Risk Committee.
The Board adopted new charters for each of the new committees that set forth a detailed statement of the respective committee’s roles and responsibilities. The Board determined that the new Audit Committee should retain all of the audit-related responsibilities previously exercised by the Audit and Risk Committee, and that the new Risk Committee should retain all of the risk oversight responsibilities previously exercised by the Audit and Risk Committee. Each new committee is comprised solely of directors who have been determined to meet the definition of an “independent director” in accordance with NYSE listing standards.
The Board believes that having separate committees to oversee these areas of focus provides the proper support and resources for these crucial and evolving activities.
The following table identifies the Board’s committees and their respective members, and provides information about meetings during fiscal 2023.
| Director | Audit Committee |
Risk
Committee
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Corporate Governance and ESG Committee | Compensation and Talent Committee | Capital Planning Committee | ||||||||||||
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Marlene Debel
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M | C | — | — | M | ||||||||||||
| Robert M. Dutkowsky | — | — | M | C | — | ||||||||||||
| Jeffrey N. Edwards | — | — | M | M | M | ||||||||||||
| Benjamin C. Esty | — | M | — | M | — | ||||||||||||
| Art A. Garcia | — | M | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Anne Gates | M | — | C | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Gordon L. Johnson | — | M | — | M | — | ||||||||||||
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Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr.
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M | M | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Roderick C. McGeary | C | M | M | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Raj Seshadri | — | M | — | M | — | ||||||||||||
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Thomas A. James
(1)
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— | — | — | — | M | ||||||||||||
| Paul C. Reilly | — | — | — | — | M | ||||||||||||
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Total Committee Meetings
(2)
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9
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7
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4
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6
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4
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(1)
Mr. James is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.
(2)
The total number of committee meetings for each of the two committees formed in April of 2023, the Audit Committee and the Risk Committee, includes meetings of their respective predecessor committee: the Audit and Risk Committee.
M =
Member,
C =
Chair
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28
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Corporate Governance
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Audit Committee
The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Audit Committee is “independent” under NYSE and SEC rules. The Board has further determined that each member of the Audit Committee is “financially literate” and that each of Ms. Debel, Ms. Gates, Mr. McDaniel and Mr. McGeary qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” and has “accounting or related financial management expertise” under applicable NYSE or SEC rules.
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Chair:
Roderick C. McGeary
Members:
Marlene Debel
Anne Gates
Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr.
Number of meetings in
fiscal 2023:
9
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The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include:
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oversight of the independent auditor, including annually reviewing the independent auditor’s report and evaluating its qualifications, performance and independence
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reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor (i) the audited financial statements and related disclosures, (ii) earnings press releases, (iii) critical accounting policies, (iv) internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, (v) use of non-GAAP financial measures, and (vi) any audit issues
•
oversight of the company’s internal audit function; and
•
reviewing reports from the chief compliance officer and general counsel
The Audit Committee charter provides a more detailed description of the role and responsibilities of the committee.
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Risk Committee
The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the Risk Committee is “independent” under NYSE and SEC rules.
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Chair:
Marlene Debel
Members:
Benjamin C. Esty
Art A. Garcia
Gordon L. Johnson
Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr.
Roderick C. McGeary
Raj Seshadri
Number of meetings in
fiscal 2023: 7
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The Risk Committee’s responsibilities include:
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oversight of management’s responsibilities to manage key risks, including the company’s enterprise risk management program
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oversight of the company’s risk governance structure, including approval of enterprise-wide risk policies; and
•
reviewing quarterly reports of the chief risk officer, and oversight of the performance of the chief risk officer and the chief compliance officer
The Risk Committee charter provides a more detailed description of the role and responsibilities of the committee.
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2024 PROXY STATEMENT
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29
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Corporate Governance
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Corporate Governance and ESG Committee
The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the CGESG Committee is “independent” under NYSE and SEC rules.
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Chair:
Anne Gates
Members:
Robert M. Dutkowsky
Jeffery N. Edwards
Roderick C. McGeary
Number of meetings in
fiscal 2023: 4
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The CGESG Committee’s responsibilities include:
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reviewing the qualifications and experience of potential director nominees and recommending them to the Board
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reviewing succession planning for the CEO and other senior management positions
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developing and monitoring compliance with corporate governance policies
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leading the Board and its committees in annual reviews of their performance
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periodically reviewing and assessing our codes of ethics and recommending changes to the Board
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reviewing and approving policies and procedures with respect to related person transactions, and reviewing, approving or disapproving, and ratifying such transactions
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recommending reasonable director compensation to the Board
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exercising sole authority to retain director candidate search firms, including determining their compensation and terms of engagement
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reviewing and overseeing the Company’s strategies, policies and programs with respect to environmental matters and stakeholder engagement efforts
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coordinating the ESG oversight activities of the Board and other Board committees, and
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reviewing and discussing with senior management the content of the Company’s annual corporate responsibility report and other significant disclosures regarding ESG matters.
The CGESG Committee charter provides a more detailed description of the role and responsibilities of this committee.
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Compensation and Talent Committee
The Board has affirmatively determined that each member of the CT Committee is “independent” under NYSE and SEC rules.
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Chair:
Robert M. Dutkowsky
Members:
Jeffrey N. Edwards
Benjamin C. Esty
Gordon L. Johnson
Raj Seshadri
Number of meetings in
fiscal 2023: 6
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The CT Committee’s responsibilities for compensation and talent matters include:
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annually approving senior management compensation structure
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annually setting criteria for compensating the CEO, evaluating his or her performance and determining the amount of his or her compensation
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approving and overseeing the administration of equity-based and other incentive compensation plans
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annually recommending to the Board the amounts of company contributions to employee benefit plans
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overseeing administration of other employee benefit plans
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reviewing and discussing with the CEO the development and succession plans for the CEO, other executive officers, and other senior management positions
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reviewing and discussing with management the company’ strategies and policies related to human capital management and related public disclosures, and
•
reviewing and discussing with management trends in certain employee conduct matters.
The Compensation and Talent Committee charter provides a more detailed description of the role and responsibilities of the committee.
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30
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Corporate Governance
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Capital Planning Committee
The Capital Planning Committee does not have a separate written charter.
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Members:
Marlene Debel
Jeffrey N. Edwards
Thomas A. James
(1)
Paul C. Reilly
Number of meetings in fiscal 2023:
4
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The Capital Planning Committee provides oversight of the firm’s capital and liquidity planning process and decision-making. The committee reviews metrics and tolerances for managing capital and liquidity, oversees capital and liquidity projections and stress tests, and approves (or recommends approval to the full Board, as applicable) certain capital and liquidity actions, such as dividends, share repurchase authorizations, and issuances of debt or equity securities.
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(1)
Mr. James is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During fiscal 2023, the following directors served as members of the Compensation and Talent Committee: Gordon L. Johnson (Chair through February 2023), Jeffrey N. Edwards, Benjamin C. Esty (since April 2023), Robert M. Dutkowsky (Chair since February 2023) and Ms. Raj Seshadri. No member of the Compensation and Talent Committee was an officer or employee of the company or any of its subsidiaries during fiscal 2023, and no member of the Compensation and Talent Committee was formerly an officer of the company or any of its subsidiaries or was a party to any disclosable related person transaction involving the company. During fiscal 2023, none of the executive officers of the company has served on the board of directors or on the compensation committee of any other entity that has or had executive officers serving as a member of the Board of Directors or Compensation and Talent Committee of the company.
Meetings and Attendance
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During fiscal 2023, the Board held four meetings (not including committee meetings). Each director nominated for re-election at the Annual Meeting attended at least 92% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings held by the Board and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he or she served during fiscal 2023. The company’s Executive Committee also attends each regularly-scheduled Board meeting, as the Board believes that this direct exposure facilitates the deepest understanding and alignment of the firm’s strategy and also permits the Board to directly evaluate the performance of each Executive Committee member. It is the policy of the Board that all directors attend the annual meeting of shareholders. All of our directors then in office attended the February 2023 annual meeting of shareholders.
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92%
All director nominees attended at least 92% of meetings held by the Board and its committees
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Executive Sessions
The non-executive directors meet in executive session without management at least four times per year during regularly-scheduled Board meetings. Mr. Jeffrey N. Edwards, our Lead Director, presided at the regular executive sessions of the non-executive directors. In addition, the non-executive directors in each of the Audit Committee, the Risk Committee, the CGESG Committee and the CT Committee generally meet in executive session in conjunction with the regularly scheduled meetings of such committees.
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2024 PROXY STATEMENT
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31
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Corporate Governance
Director Education and Orientation
We believe that ongoing education is important for the ability of our directors to fulfill their duties, and the company supports our Board members in continuing education throughout their service with us. We encourage directors to participate in a variety of external director education programs, and we reimburse directors for the expenses of their attendance. Internal and external specialists also regularly provide the Board with educational sessions on particular topics during our regular Board meetings. These presentations have included sessions covering recent developments in anti-money laundering (AML), anti-bribery/anti-corruption (ABAC), the evolving regulation of bank holding companies (BHC), cybersecurity developments and risks (presented each quarter), and emerging ESG topics.
Newly appointed directors also participate in an orientation program during the early months of their Board service. They receive extensive written materials about the firm’s business segments, strategic plans and financial performance, and they are given online access to an electronic library containing key corporate governance documents and policies. New directors also participate in one-on-one meetings with each executive officer to understand his or her business unit or support area, operations, strategies and opportunities. They also meet with each other director on the Board to learn about Board operations and culture. Finally, each new director meets with the chair of the Board committee or committees to which he or she has been assigned in order to learn about committee responsibilities, competencies and operations.
Board Evaluations
Raymond James is committed to providing timely and constructive job performance feedback to all its associates, and the Board believes that the same philosophy should be applicable to directors. The Board is committed to striving for a high degree of effectiveness and efficiency. To achieve these goals, the Board obtains candid feedback from each of the directors and executive officers concerning the Board’s performance and the contributions of individual directors through an annual assessment survey. As required by its charter, the CGESG Committee, with the periodic assistance of a professional third-party facilitator, leads the Board in this review of its performance and the performance of each of the Board’s committees. In accordance with charter requirements, the Lead Director also works with the CGESG Committee and the facilitator to conduct such review.
As part of this process, each director is asked to complete a written questionnaire that poses questions about optimal Board structure and leadership, Board decision processes, strategy, culture, and the effectiveness of each Board committee. Each director is also asked to evaluate each other director on such person’s expertise, skill, competence, conduct and participation. Directors are asked to provide specific examples of strengths and areas of opportunity demonstrated by each other director. In addition, the company’s executive officers are asked to complete a written survey containing open-ended questions related to the Board’s focus on key topics and potential ways the Board could improve its performance. In addition, such officers are asked to provide any feedback they wish to share on the performance of any individual director. Before they are distributed, the questionnaires used in these surveys are annually reviewed and updated by the full Board, under the leadership of the CGESG Committee and Lead Director.
This assessment process is facilitated by the company’s human resources department. The compiled survey results are first shared with the Board’s Chair and the Lead Director, after which they are reviewed and discussed by the full Board during an executive session. The Lead Director then privately communicates the results of each individual director’s performance review to such director. The CGESG Committee and the Board take into account the most recent results of this review process when they annually determine whether to nominate or re-nominate sitting directors for election to the Board at the next annual meeting of shareholders.
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Discussion
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CGESG Committee and facilitator lead Board and other committees in self-evaluation process, providing an annual opportunity to modify questions in questionnaire.
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Questionnaire
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Directors and executive officers complete an annually updated comprehensive questionnaire about Board and director performance.
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Evaluation
Results
•
Human resources shares questionnaire responses with Chair and Lead Director, who, together with facilitator, lead Board in discussion of results.
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Feedback Sharing
•
Lead Director meets privately with individual directors to communicate feedback on directors’ individual performance.
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32
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Corporate Governance
Key Areas of Board Oversight
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
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Board
The Board delegates aspects of its oversight responsibility to each of the Audit Committee, Risk Committee, CT Committee and the CGESG Committee
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Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board to assist it in its oversight of (i) the integrity of the company’s financial reporting, (ii) the independent accountants’ qualifications, independence and performance, (iii) the company’s systems of internal controls, (iv) the performance of the company’s internal audit function, and (v) the company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
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Risk Committee
The Risk Committee is appointed by the Board to assist it in its oversight of (i) management’s responsibility to implement an effective risk management framework reasonably designed to identify, assess and manage the company’s key risks, (ii) the company’s risk governance structure, and (iii) review and approval of the company’s primary risk policies.
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Compensation and Talent Committee
The CT Committee’s risk oversight role is to review management’s evaluation of the relationship between our compensation policies and practices and risks arising for the company, and to take steps to prevent such policies and practices from encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. The CT Committee also takes any action necessary to help the company comply with rules and regulations relating to compensation programs and their relationship to risk management.
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Corporate Governance and ESG Committee
The CGESG Committee is responsible for recommending corporate governance policies and practices to the Board, identifying and reviewing the qualifications and experience of proposed candidates for election, reviewing and making recommendations regarding director compensation, leading the Board in an annual review of its performance, and recommending to the Board director nominees for each committee. The CGESG Committee is also responsible for coordinating oversight of the Company’s strategies, policies and programs with respect to ESG matters.
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2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
33
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Corporate Governance
Cybersecurity Risk Oversight and Governance
Financial information is a perpetually attractive target for criminals, and our clients expect us to protect their information and confidentiality. With oversight by our Board of Directors, we have designed our systems and processes in an attempt to stay ahead of threats with multiple layers of active measures and continuous scrutiny to protect our technology and physical facilities.
Our cybersecurity governance, structures and processes include:
•
Board oversight.
The Board has appointed the Risk Committee to assist it in oversight of the Company’s assessment and management of key risks, including cybersecurity risk. The Risk Committee receives regular presentations and reports from our chief information security officer (CISO) on cybersecurity incidents, risks, trends and strategies. The Risk Committee also reviews and approves enterprise risk tolerance levels, which include “risk appetite” statements and key risk indicators related to cyber risk. In addition, a cybersecurity presentation is delivered to the full Board at least annually, including discussion and evaluation of emerging cyber risks.
•
Preventing, detecting, mitigating, and reporting cybersecurity incidents
.
Raymond James’ cybersecurity strategy takes a
defense-in-depth
approach, with layered controls consisting of both commercial and proprietary technologies that are intended to prevent an adversary from conducting a successful attack. Included in that approach is active system monitoring and alerting, enabling us to promptly and proactively respond to potential malicious or anomalous activity. Our Cyber Threat Center operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and utilizes an incident response playbook - including containment and recovery procedures - based on National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) industry “best practices.” The cybersecurity program is led by our CISO, who reports to the IT Chief Operating Officer, who has 20 years of cybersecurity experience and 25 years in the financial services industry. Additionally, we conduct ongoing internal vulnerability assessments, a variety of periodic risk assessment initiatives, and also engage third parties to conduct penetration tests and adversarial simulated exercises, referred to as “red team” exercises, on a recurring basis. Our cybersecurity professionals work as part of a multidisciplinary team, which includes members of our risk management, regulatory, privacy, finance and legal teams, to assess incidents for reporting.
•
Business continuity, contingency and recovery plans.
We also maintain business continuity plans that include identification of critical functions, third-party suppliers and personnel. Our information technology (IT) department executes several disaster recovery exercises per year in order to test our capabilities and ensure that business recovery needs can be met during a real-world event. Additionally, IT participates in annual crisis management exercises to test our operational responses and assess our preparedness for various scenarios, including cyber incidents. We also participate annually in industry-wide exercises, as well as internal tabletop exercises, to test our response capabilities. In addition, we maintain cyber insurance coverage as an additional layer of protection.
•
Cybersecurity risks are critical to our business strategy
.
We consider cybersecurity risks in our business strategy decisions, including in connection with our acquisition activity. In addition, we seek to continuously enhance our policies, procedures and technologies to adapt to the evolving environment.
•
Vendor cybersecurity risk policies.
Our supplier risk management program includes policies and standards requiring that we perform cybersecurity due diligence reviews on our vendors based on the inherent risk profile of a particular supplier or service provider. We also monitor certain of our principal suppliers and service providers on an ongoing basis by conducting additional periodic reviews.
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34
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Corporate Governance
ESG Oversight
At Raymond James,
corporate responsibility
, which covers all ESG matters, is one way we live out our mission and values, as well as fulfill our vision. Corporate responsibility includes our commitment to:
•
nurturing an inclusive and diverse environment that unleashes the power of perspectives to drive exceptional results
•
giving back to the communities in which we live and work, both through charitable contributions and volunteerism
•
maintaining our long-standing commitment to strong corporate governance, rooted in a conservative approach for long-term stability
•
making sustainable business and operational decisions for the benefit of clients, our firm and our society
When considering
sustainability,
we keep an eye on the big picture and operate our business for the long term. Raymond James believes it is our duty to be good stewards of our resources and help clients build wealth responsibly for the future, which we accomplish through a variety of initiatives, including but not limited to:
•
Creating opportunities that enable clients to explore impact-focused investment products for a balanced consideration of risk and return;
•
Providing direct financing to organizations and municipalities interested in supporting sustainable business and community development;
•
Reducing the environmental impact of our business processes through proactive engagement with suppliers and partners.
These principals are at the core of what drives our people, sustainability, community, and governance best practices, as we work to build a more sustainable future. In other words, corporate responsibility is just another way to describe the way we've always done business. Over the past year, we have continued to invest in areas that align with these principles. This includes:
•
Adding resources to respond to and support associate, advisor and client demands;
•
Investing in the training and education of advisors and associates on evolving topics;
•
Partnering with Risk Management to continue to evaluate emerging exposures; and
•
Evolving governance processes to ensure effective oversight of our businesses.
The following graph sets forth the allocation of oversight responsibilities for corporate responsibility matters by committee:
| Audit | Risk |
Corporate Governance and ESG
|
Compensation and Talent | |||||||||||||||||
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•
Environmental, social and governance financial policies and disclosures
|
•
Overseeing management’s responsibility to implement an effective risk management framework reasonably designed to identify, assess and manage the Company’s key risks (including climate-related risk considerations)
•
Overseeing the company’s risk governance structure, and review and approval of its primary risk policies
|
•
Strategies, policies and programs on environmental matters, including related reporting
•
Strategies, policies and programs on stakeholder engagement efforts, including those related to social justice, community relations and charitable giving
•
Coordinate ESG oversight activities of Board and other Board committees
|
•
Human capital management, including diversity and inclusion, and associate engagement
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|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
35
|
||||
Corporate Governance
Management Succession Planning
The Board believes that effective management succession planning, particularly for the CEO role, is important for the continued success of the company. Among the responsibilities of the CT Committee is the review of succession plans for the CEO and other senior management positions. Consequently, our CEO and chief human resources officer regularly make detailed presentations to the CT Committee and the Board on senior management succession plans and individual development plans for identified successors. This information is compiled through an organization-wide process designed to identify potential successors, evaluate the “readiness” of internal candidates and identify situations where the company may need to consider external talent. The Board discusses the development plans of succession candidates, with an emphasis on the CEO role, and monitors such candidates’ progress. High potential leaders are also given exposure to all Board members through formal presentations and informal events, which provide directors with opportunities to personally assess the candidates’ skills and leadership capabilities.
Engagement with Shareholders
Our directors and management believe that fostering long-term relationships with shareholders and maintaining their trust and goodwill is a top priority for the company. We recognize the benefits that come from robust dialogue with shareholders and other parties. We engage with shareholders throughout the year in order to:
•
ensure that our management and Board understand and address the issues that are important to our shareholders
•
discuss with our shareholders the issues that are important to them, hear their expectations for us and share our views
•
assess emerging issues that may affect our business, inform our decision making, enhance our corporate disclosures and help shape our practices.
| Company Representatives | Key Topics | Company-Led Engagement | ||||||
|
•
Chair and Chief Executive Officer
•
Chief Financial Officer
•
Head of Investor Relations
|
•
Business and Strategy
•
Financial Performance
•
Governance
•
Sustainability
|
•
Dedicated Investor Relations Department.
Our Investor Relations professionals are dedicated to responding to questions from shareholders about the firm; its strategy, performance, and governance; and other issues of investor interest.
•
Quarterly Earnings Conference Calls.
In addition to prepared remarks, our management team participates in a question-and-answer session aimed at allowing shareholders to gain further insight into the firm’s financial condition and results of operations.
•
Regular Investor Conferences and Road Shows.
Management and our Investor Relations team routinely engage with investors at conferences and other forums.
•
Annual Investor Day.
Our senior executives make presentations concerning a wide variety of strategic and financial matters.
•
Annual Survey
.
We solicit feedback from institutional analysts and investors through an annual survey aimed at ensuring the firm understands expectations in terms of strategy, performance, and communications. These results are shared with the Board and Executive Committee.
•
Annual Sell-side Presentation to Board and Executive Committee.
On a rotational basis, a sell-side analyst who covers our firm presents to our Board and Executive Committee an overview of industry trends and important feedback on focus areas from the investor community.
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|
36
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Corporate Governance
Communication with the Lead Director and Non-Executive Directors
Any interested party may communicate with the Lead Director of our Board, or with our non-executive directors as a group, by writing to the following address:
Raymond James Financial, Inc.
880 Carillon Parkway
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716
Attn: Jonathan N. Santelli, General Counsel and Company Secretary
880 Carillon Parkway
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716
Attn: Jonathan N. Santelli, General Counsel and Company Secretary
Communications will be reviewed by our company secretary and distributed to the Lead Director, the Board, or to any of the Board’s committees or individual directors as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances of the communication. In that regard, the Raymond James Board does not receive certain items which are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board.
In addition, the company maintains a Confidential Reporting Hotline (888-686-8351) for its employees or individuals outside the company to report complaints or concerns on an anonymous and confidential basis regarding questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and possible violations of the law or of the company’s Code of Conduct. Further information about the Raymond James Confidential Reporting Hotline is available on the company’s website.
Non-employees may submit any complaint regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors by sending a written communication to the address given below:
Audit Committee
Raymond James Financial, Inc.
880 Carillon Parkway
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716
Attn: General Counsel
Raymond James Financial, Inc.
880 Carillon Parkway
St. Petersburg, Florida 33716
Attn: General Counsel
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
37
|
||||
Director Compensation
Director Compensation Overview
The CGESG Committee annually determines the compensation paid to non-executive directors, and conducts a comparative review against peers at least every two years. We also reimburse each of our non-executive directors for their travel expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board and committee meetings. Directors who are Raymond James employees (Messrs. James and Reilly) do not receive any additional compensation for their service as directors.
|
In determining non-executive director compensation, the committee considers, among other things, the following principles:
•
that the compensation should pay fairly for the work, time commitment and effort required from directors of an organization with the size and scope of business activities of the company, including service on committees,
•
that a component of compensation should be designed to align the directors’ interests with the long-term interests of shareholders, and
•
that director independence may be impaired if director compensation exceeds customary levels
|
||
As a part of its review, the committee has engaged Pay Governance LLC as a third-party consultant to report on comparable non-executive director compensation practices and levels. No executive officer of the company is involved in determining or recommending non-executive director compensation levels.
At their respective August 2023 meetings, the CGESG Committee recommended, and the Board approved, the annual fees for non-executive directors described in the table below, to be effective commencing with the Board and committee meetings in February 2024. All annual cash fees are paid in quarterly installments in arrears for the period of service between regularly scheduled Board meetings. The company does not pay meeting attendance fees.
| Director Fee Type | Description | Amount | |||||||||
| Annual Retainer | Cash retainer | $ | 125,000 | ||||||||
| Shares Fee |
RSU award vesting on 1st anniversary of grant
|
$ | 200,000 | ||||||||
| Lead Director Fee | Supplemental cash fee for Board leadership role | $ | 50,000 | ||||||||
|
Audit Committee Chair Fee
|
Supplemental cash fee for committee leadership role | $ | 40,000 | ||||||||
|
Risk Committee Chair Fee
|
Supplemental cash fee for committee leadership role | $ | 40,000 | ||||||||
| Corporate Governance and ESG Committee Chair Fee | Supplemental cash fee for committee leadership role | $ | 25,000 | ||||||||
| Compensation and Talent Committee Chair Fee | Supplemental cash fee for committee leadership role | $ | 25,000 | ||||||||
|
¢
Annual Retainer
|
¢
Shares Fee
|
||||
|
38
|
|
||||
Director Compensation
We have also entered into indemnification agreements with each of our non-executive (and executive) directors, which provide for indemnification, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to all expenses and claims that a director incurs in connection with any event or occurrence related to the fact that the director was serving as a director, officer, fiduciary, employee, agent or advisor of Raymond James or any of our affiliates. Pursuant to the agreements, directors may also obtain advancement of certain expenses in connection with indemnified claims. A copy of the form of indemnification agreement is exhibit 10.6 to our 2023 Annual Report to Shareholders, as filed with the SEC.
We encourage our directors to attend educational programs that assist them in the performance of their duties, and we reimburse reasonable costs of such attendance where approved in advance by the company.
Director Compensation Table for 2023
The following table sets forth the compensation paid to our non-executive directors for services during fiscal 2023.
|
Name
|
Fees Paid
in Cash (1) |
Stock
Awards (2) |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marlene Debel | $127,500 | $179,941 |
(3)
|
$307,441 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Robert M. Dutkowsky | $132,500 | $179,941 |
(3)
|
$312,441 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jeffrey N. Edwards | $140,000 | $179,941 |
(3)
|
$319,941 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benjamin C. Esty | $157,753 | $179,941 |
(3)
|
$337,694 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Art A. Garcia | $44,495 |
(4)
|
$164,940 |
(5)
|
$209,435 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Anne Gates | $145,000 | $179,941 |
(3)
|
$324,941 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gordon L. Johnson | $262,500 |
(6)
|
$249,815 |
(7)
|
$512,315 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr. | $44,495 |
(4)
|
$164,940 |
(5)
|
$209,435 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Roderick C. McGeary | $127,500 | $179,941 |
(3)
|
$307,441 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raj Seshadri | $120,000 | $179,941 |
(3)
|
$299,941 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Susan N. Story
(8)
|
$80,000 | $— | $80,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
Includes the annual retainer and, as applicable, Lead Director and committee chair fees.
(2)
The amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs granted to our directors who are not named executive officers in fiscal year 2023, computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718,
Stock Compensation,
(“ASC Topic 718”). The grant date fair value for RSUs is measured based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant.
(3)
This award of 1,643 RSUs was granted on February 23, 2023, at a grant date fair value per share of $109.52. This award vests at the next annual meeting.
(4)
The terms of Messrs. Garcia and McDaniel on the Board commenced April 10, 2023.
(5)
The award of 1,846 RSUs was granted on April 10, 2023 at a grant date fair value per share of $89.35. The award vests at the next annual meeting.
(6)
The fees paid in cash to Mr. Johnson include $63,000 paid to him by Raymond James Bank for his service as a director and committee chair and $67,000 paid to him by TriState Capital Bank for his service as a director.
(7)
Includes 1,643 RSUs granted on February 23, 2023, at a grant date fair value per share of $109.52, 319 RSUs awarded to Mr. Johnson on February 23, 2023, at a grant date fair value per share of $109.52 for service as a director of Raymond James Bank, and 319 RSUs granted on February 23, 2023 at a grant date fair value of $109.52 for service as a director for TriState Capital Bank. These awards vest at the next annual meeting.
(8)
Ms. Story did not stand for re-election at the 2023 Annual Shareholders Meeting and her term ended in February 2023.
The aggregate number of share awards outstanding, as of September 30, 2023, for each of our non-executive directors was as follows:
| Name |
Restricted Stock Units
Outstanding (#) |
||||
| Marlene Debel | 1,643 | ||||
| Robert M. Dutkowsky | 1,643 | ||||
| Jeffrey N. Edwards | 1,643 | ||||
| Benjamin C. Esty | 1,643 | ||||
| Art A. Garcia | 1,846 | ||||
| Anne Gates | 1,643 | ||||
| Gordon L. Johnson | 2,281 | ||||
| Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr. | 1,846 | ||||
| Roderick C. McGeary | 1,643 | ||||
| Raj Seshadri | 1,643 | ||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
39
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on
Executive Compensation
Executive Compensation
|
What is being voted on:
An advisory vote to approve the compensation of all of our NEOs. |
Board recommendation:
Our Board unanimously recommends a vote “
FOR
” the resolution approving the executive compensation of our NEOs.
|
||||
We are asking our shareholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of our NEOs as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our shareholders the opportunity to express their views on our NEOs’ compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our NEOs and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement.
Accordingly, we are asking you to vote “
FOR
” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the Company’s shareholders approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and related narrative discussion.”
The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the company, the CT Committee or our Board. Our Board and CT Committee value the opinions of our shareholders, and — to the extent that there is any significant vote against the NEO compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement — we will consider our shareholders’ concerns and evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns. Under the Board’s current policy, shareholders are given an opportunity to cast an advisory vote on this topic annually, with the next opportunity occurring in connection with the company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2025.
|
40
|
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Named Executive Officers
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CDA”) section presents a discussion and analysis of the philosophy and objectives of the Compensation and Talent Committee (the "Committee") in designing and implementing compensation programs for our executive officers. We describe the compensation decisions relating to our CEO, chief financial officer (“CFO”), and our next three most highly compensated executive officers (collectively, the “named executive officers” or “NEOs”), who for 2023 were:
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
Paul C. Reilly
Chair and Chief Executive Officer
|
Paul M. Shoukry
Chief Financial Officer
|
James E. Bunn
President — Global Equities and Investment Banking
|
Scott A. Curtis
President — Private Client Group
|
Tashtego S. Elwyn
President and Chief Executive Officer — Raymond James and Associates
|
||||||||||
Compensation-Setting Process
Annual Compensation Framework and Process
| Compensation and Talent Committee |
•
The Committee sets performance priorities at the beginning of each fiscal year to guide its evaluation of company and individual executive officer performance throughout the year. The Committee also stipulates that annual bonuses will be funded from a pool not to exceed 6% of consolidated pre-tax income, with no individual bonus to exceed 3% of such measure.
•
The Committee (in the absence of the CEO) reviews the performance of the CEO and determines the appropriate amounts of his annual bonus and retention RSU grants. In making this determination, the Committee also evaluates the performance of the company in terms of several specific additional measures: net revenues, pre-tax income and adjusted earnings per common share (diluted). In the course of its deliberations, the Committee also discusses these recommendations with the other non-executive directors.
•
To inform its use of discretion in determining compensation, the Committee evaluates both company and individual performance. The Committee does not utilize formulaic financial performance goals or targets, and performance metrics are not assigned any specific weighting for purposes of determining the compensation awarded to the CEO or other NEOs. Since market conditions — and the macroeconomic environment — strongly affect the financial services industry and can change dramatically during the course of a year, the Committee assesses financial performance at the end of the year in light of the most recent facts and circumstances. No single financial or performance metric controls compensation decisions. Rather, such data are used to help the Committee better understand company and individual performance. After evaluating the performance of our CEO and each of our other NEOs for the relevant fiscal year, the Committee applies its discretion to determine the compensation for each.
|
||||
| Chair and CEO |
•
Following completion of a fiscal year, our chair and CEO reviews the performance of the company and evaluates the individual performance of each executive officer, including the NEOs, against previously-determined individual goals. Our CEO then makes recommendations to the Committee as to the respective amounts of annual bonus and retention RSUs to be awarded to each NEO (other than himself).
|
||||
| Compensation Consultants |
•
Provide market data in connection with the Committee’s 2023 compensation determinations for executive officers, including our NEOs.
|
||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
41
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Set Performance Priorities
Will guide evaluation of company and individual executive officer performance throughout the year
|
Reviews Company Performance
Reviews the performance of the company for the fiscal year
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Determine Compensation
The Committee applies its discretion to determine the compensation for each NEO
|
Evaluates Individual Performance
The Committee evaluates each executive officer’s performance against previously-determined individual goals
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Use of Compensation Consultants
In making compensation decisions, the Committee considers numerous factors of company and individual performance, as well as market data regarding compensation levels for comparable industry positions. The Committee does not attempt to rank or assign relative weight to any particular factor, however. The Committee does not rely on any factor as a substitute for its own judgment, but rather applies its independent discretion to consider all factors in their entirety. Although the Committee did not “benchmark” compensation against a peer group, it did engage an outside compensation consultant, Pay Governance LLC, to provide market data in connection with its 2023 compensation determinations for executive officers, including our NEOs. The Committee uses such data as a reference to assist it in maintaining a general awareness of industry compensation standards and trends. The market data does not formulaically determine the Committee’s compensation decisions for any particular executive officer, however. Similarly, the Committee does not target a particular percentile of any peer group with respect to total pay packages or any individual component of pay, but instead uses the percentiles as a reference. In this connection, the Committee considered market data provided by its consultant from the following peer companies:
| Affiliated Managers Group | Franklin Resources Inc. | Northern Trust Corporation | ||||||
| Ameriprise Financial Inc. | Invesco Ltd. | State Street Corporation | ||||||
|
Bank of New York Mellon
|
Jefferies Financial Group Inc.
|
Stifel Financial Corp.
|
||||||
| Charles Schwab Corp. | Lazard Ltd. | T. Rowe Price Group Inc. | ||||||
| Edward Jones | LPL Financial Holdings Inc. | |||||||
Consideration of 2023 “Say-on-Pay” Vote
We hold an annual advisory vote of our shareholders on executive compensation. The following table sets forth the percentage of shares voted in favor of our annual advisory proposals to approve NEO compensation for the fiscal years indicated (the “Say-on-Pay” proposal).
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
|
2020
|
|
2021
|
|
2022
|
|
2023
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
At the 2023 Annual Shareholders Meeting, 92% of the votes cast were in favor of the “Say-on-Pay” proposal. We believe that the 2023 vote approving the Say-on-Pay proposal once again conveyed our shareholders’ strong support of the Committee’s decisions and our existing executive compensation programs. Based on this feedback, the Committee determined to continue our current compensation practices as described herein.
|
42
|
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Fiscal 2023 Company Performance Highlights
Strategic Execution
By remaining focused on our client first strategy of providing outstanding service to our advisors and their clients, the firm generated record results and successfully executed several strategic initiatives in fiscal 2023. In the Private Client Group segment, fiscal 2023 was a strong year for organic client asset growth, driven by strong retention of advisors and financial advisor recruiting. In the Capital Markets segment, activity levels decreased significantly across the industry due to heightened market volatility and economic and geopolitical concerns throughout the fiscal year. The Bank segment experienced strong growth in net interest income driven by the increase in short-term interest rates.
We made meaningful progress deploying capital during the year, and through a combination of common stock dividends and common stock repurchases the firm returned total capital of $1.1 billion to shareholders. The firm also continued to invest in service delivery and enhanced capabilities, while focusing on improving operational efficiencies. Throughout the fiscal year, we remained focused on the long term and continued to invest in our businesses, our people and our technology to help drive growth across the firm. Most importantly, we successfully implemented these strategic initiatives while maintaining our unique, client-focused culture.
Financial Performance
•
Record annual net revenues of $11.62 billion, an increase of 6% over fiscal 2022
•
Record net income available to common shareholders of $1.73 billion, or $7.97 per diluted share; Record adjusted net income available to common shareholders of $1.81 billion
(1)
, or $8.30 per diluted share
(1)
•
ROE of 17.7% and Adjusted ROE of 18.4%
(1)
, both strong results particularly given our robust capital position throughout fiscal 2023
•
Returned $1.1 billion to shareholders through common stock dividends and common stock repurchases
•
Maintained strong capital position, with a total capital ratio of 22.8%, well above regulatory requirements
•
Among the highest in the industry in providing FDIC coverage for clients at 89% of our bank segment deposits, including nearly 97% at Raymond James Bank
•
Strong credit ratings of “A-level” issuer ratings with all three credit agencies: A3 rating by Moody’s, A- rating by Standard Poor’s, and A- by Fitch
•
Balance sheet flexibility associated with diversified funding sources, including PCG domestic clients’ sweep cash, Enhanced Savings Program balances, TriState Capital Bank’s deposit franchise, and other initiatives
Raymond James Financial
Net Revenues ($B)
Raymond James Financial
Pre-tax Income ($B)
Pre-tax Income ($B)
(1)
Adjusted net income available to common shareholders, adjusted earnings per common share (diluted), and Adjusted ROE are non-GAAP measures. Please refer to Appendix A for reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures and other important disclosures.
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
43
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
The firm’s strong performance in fiscal 2023 was driven by record revenues in the Private Client Group and Bank segments and record pre-tax income in the Private Client Group. The results highlight the resilience of our business model and reinforce the value of our diverse and complementary businesses.
•
Private Client Group — Record net revenues of $8.65 billion increased 12%, and record pre-tax income of $1.76 billion increased 71%, compared to fiscal 2022. Record net revenues were driven by the benefit of higher short-term interest rates on Raymond James Bank Deposit Program (“RJBDP”) fees and net interest income. Private Client Group assets under administration ended the fiscal year at $1.20 trillion, increasing 16% compared to September 30, 2022. In addition to higher equity markets, client assets were boosted by strong net inflows, which included robust domestic PCG net new assets of $73 billion, or 7.7% of beginning of period assets, driven by strong financial advisor retention and recruiting results.
•
Capital Markets — Net revenues of $1.21 billion were down 33% compared to the prior year, and the pre-tax loss was $91 million. Macroeconomic uncertainties and significantly higher interest rates throughout the fiscal year reduced investment banking activity levels across the industry. Further, compensation expenses remained elevated despite lower revenues due primarily to growth investments and deferred compensation amortization owing to very strong MA and advisory results in the preceding two years.
•
Asset Management — Net revenues of $885 million decreased 3%, and pre-tax income of $351 million declined 9%, compared to fiscal 2022. Financial assets under management ended the year at $196.4 billion, representing a 13% increase year-over-year, driven by strong net inflows in fee-based accounts in the Private Client Group and net inflows at Raymond James Investment Management, as well as market appreciation over the prior year.
•
Bank Segment — Record net revenues of $2.01 billion increased 86%, while pre-tax income of $371 million decreased 3% compared to fiscal 2022. Despite strong revenue growth driven primarily by higher short-term interest rates and incremental interest income from the acquisition of TriState Capital Bank, pre-tax income declined due to higher RJBDP fees paid to PCG largely related to rising interest rates, along with a higher bank loan loss provision. The Enhanced Savings Program, a new high-yield savings product launched in March 2023, offers clients a competitive rate and robust FDIC insurance for deposits. Balances grew rapidly to $13.6 billion by fiscal year-end, providing an important source of diversified funding to the firm as domestic client cash sweep balances declined throughout the year. Net loans increased 1% to $43.8 billion driven primarily by the growth of loans to PCG clients. Reflecting the higher short-term interest rates and the relatively high concentration of floating assets, the Bank segment’s net interest margin (NIM) increased 89 basis points during the fiscal year to 3.28%. The credit quality of the loan portfolio remained strong, with criticized loans as a percent of total loans held for investment ending the fiscal year at 1.17%, up slightly from 1.14% at September 2022. Bank loan allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans held for investment was 1.07%, and bank loan allowance for credit losses on corporate loans as a percentage of corporate loans held for investment was 2.03%.
Alignment of CEO Compensation with Total Shareholder Return
The following graph shows the total return on $100 invested in the company’s stock on September 30, 2018, compared to the total annual direct compensation of our CEO for each year represented. The graph excludes the December 15, 2022 CEO special one-time equity retention award discussed below. We believe this information demonstrates that our CEO’s total compensation is highly correlated with total shareholder return over these time periods.
Alignment of CEO Compensation with Total Shareholder Return
|
n
|
CEO Total Compensation (in $000s)
(1)
|
|
RJF Total Shareholder Return
|
||||||||
(1)
All years computed in accordance with the table set forth herein in the section on p. 56 entitled “
Annual Direct Compensation for 2023
.”
|
44
|
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Our Compensation Practices
| What We Do | ||||||||
|
|
Pay for performance.
We award annual variable compensation based on the performance of the company and the individual. The great majority of our executive officers’ compensation is variable and not guaranteed.
Use deferred compensation.
Variable compensation for our executive officers also includes a deferred component, in that a portion of annual bonuses (“stock bonus awards”) is delivered in the form of both time-based and performance-based RSUs.
Performance-based equity awards.
The vesting of 60% for our CEO, and 50% for our other NEOs, of the RSUs awarded to our executive officers as stock bonus awards is tied to the achievement of defined Adjusted ROE
(1)
levels over a three-year measurement period (“performance vesting”), subject in certain cases to accelerated vesting upon retirement. Since the grant of the 2021 awards, such vesting is further modified (increased or decreased) by the rTSR of the company compared to a peer group (“rTSR Adjustment”).
Long vesting periods.
Both the time-vesting and performance-vesting portions of our stock bonus awards generally vest on a cliff basis three years after the grant date. Our retention RSU awards generally vest 60% on the 3
rd
anniversary, and 20% on each of the 4
th
and 5
th
anniversaries, of their grant dates, subject in certain cases to accelerated vesting upon retirement. In addition, each award under our Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”), a non-qualified retention plan for highly compensated employees, cliff vests at the end of a five-year period.
“Clawback” policy.
We maintain a robust compensation recoupment policy, together with an NYSE-compliant Dodd-Frank Clawback Policy, which permit the company to recover compensation in the event of a financial restatement, inaccurate performance measures, and serious misconduct or materially imprudent judgment that results in material financial or reputational harm to the company.
Stock ownership guidelines.
We maintain stock ownership requirements for our executive officers, creating a further link between management interests, company performance and shareholder value. All of our NEOs have reached or exceeded the ownership requirements.
“Double triggers.”
Our award agreements for RSUs generally maintain the requirement of “double triggers” on the accelerated vesting of awards in the event of a change in control, meaning that an executive must actually be terminated following the change in control before vesting will be accelerated.
Limited perquisites.
We provide very limited perquisites, each of which provides a demonstrable benefit to the company’s business.
|
|||||||
| What We Don’t Do | ||||||||
No employment agreements.
Our executive officers, including our CEO and other NEOs, are employed by us on an “at will” basis and do not have any special arrangements for severance payments following termination.
No dividends on unearned performance-based or unvested U.S. time-based awards.
We do not pay dividends or dividend equivalents on performance-based awards or on time-based awards to U.S. grantees during the vesting period. Rather, dividends are deferred and paid only based on performance or vesting achieved, with no premiums.
No “gross ups.”
We do not generally provide excise tax “gross ups,” other than in the case of certain relocation expenses, consistent with our relocation policy.
No pledging by insiders.
The company maintains a policy under which our directors and executive officers are prohibited from pledging our common stock.
No short selling or hedging by insiders.
Our directors and executive officers are prohibited from engaging in short sales, transacting in publicly traded or private options and engaging in hedging or monetization transactions with respect to our common stock.
No option re-pricing.
Our equity incentive plans contain certain provisions prohibiting option re-pricing absent approval of our shareholders. We have not granted options to our executive officers as part of their annual compensation since fiscal 2014 in any event.
|
||||||||
(1)
Adjusted ROE is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of this measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and other required disclosures.
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
45
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Objectives of Our Compensation Program
We compete for talent with other large financial services firms throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe, and our ability to sustain or improve our position in this highly competitive environment depends substantially on our ability to continue to attract and retain the most qualified employees. We thus strive to design compensation programs that enable us to attract, motivate and retain high-quality executive officers and ensure that their individual interests are aligned with those of our shareholders. Our pay-for-performance goal is to reward executive officers for the achievement of near-term and long-term strategic and operational goals, while at the same time avoiding excessive risk-taking. We therefore structure our incentive awards to include vesting, deferred payment, and cancellation and clawback provisions that protect the company.
Our executive compensation program emphasizes discretionary variable annual performance compensation and long-term incentive compensation, a portion of which will be received by the executive only upon our attainment of specific financial targets. We award annual grants to reward achievement of the company’s financial and strategic objectives. In addition, a portion of long-term incentive compensation serves shareholders’ interests by conditioning vesting upon future performance that delivers on the company’s long-term business strategy. The Committee believes that delivering equity aligns employees’ interests with those of shareholders and helps motivate executives to achieve financial and strategic goals within the bounds of the company’s risk tolerance levels.
|
46
|
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Principal Elements of Executive Compensation
The Committee utilizes the following mix of compensation elements for executive officers, with total compensation weighted heavily towards variable elements that reward longer-term performance.
| Type | Pay Element | Purpose | Link to Strategy | ||||||||
|
|
Base Salary |
•
Provides base level of pay
|
•
Competitive salaries attract and retain key talent
|
||||||||
|
|
Annual Bonus – Cash |
•
Provides competitive incentive opportunity
|
•
Rewards executives who achieve strategic goals and financial goals that are important for creating shareholder value
•
Attracts and retains key talent
|
||||||||
|
Annual Bonus – Equity (RSUs)
|
•
Aligns executives with shareholder interests
•
Time-vesting awards encourage retention by vesting at end of 3-year period (if not otherwise retirement eligible)
•
Performance vesting awards depend on company’s achievement of Adjusted ROE
(1)
and rTSR thresholds, thus further aligning executives with long-term shareholder interests
|
•
Time-vesting awards serve as a long-term retention tool
•
Performance-vesting awards encourage executives to focus on key financial metrics where final payout is dependent on company performance and stock price growth
|
|||||||||
| Retention Awards – RSUs |
•
Aligns executives with shareholder interests
•
Encourages retention by longer vesting period, generally over five years (if not otherwise retirement eligible)
|
•
Serves as a long-term retention tool and further aligns our executives with our shareholders
|
|||||||||
| Retirement Plan Contributions |
•
Profit Sharing, ESOP and LTIP align executives with shareholder interests since contributions are based on company financial results. 401(k) Plan facilitates retirement savings.
|
•
Provide competitive benefits package and further align executives with our shareholders
|
|||||||||
(1)
Adjusted ROE is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of this measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and other required disclosures.
Base Salaries
Competitive salaries attract and retain key talent. The 2023 base salaries for our NEOs effective January 2023 were:
| Named Executive Officer | 2023 Base Salary | Difference from Previous Year | ||||||
| Paul C. Reilly | $750,000 | 9% | ||||||
| Paul M. Shoukry | $500,000 | 11% | ||||||
| James E. Bunn | $500,000 | 11% | ||||||
| Scott A. Curtis | $500,000 | 11% | ||||||
| Tashtego S. Elwyn | $500,000 | 11% | ||||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
47
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Annual Bonus
With an executive compensation program that is variable in nature, annual bonus determination begins with the evaluation of Raymond James’ overall performance. In addition, each executive officer establishes performance goals at the start of each fiscal year that are evaluated throughout the year. These firm and individual factors are then measured both qualitatively and quantitatively and are ultimately used to determine compensation.
| Performance Factors | Established Goals | ||||
| Financial Achievement |
Generate record results
•
Exceed budgeted net revenues
•
Exceed budgeted pre-tax income
•
Exceed Adjusted ROE targets described in performance RSU discussion
|
||||
| Business Growth |
Continue to support growth
•
Grow market share organically in each core business
•
Develop and execute long-term growth strategies
•
Maintain active corporate development effort
•
Support integration and onboarding of acquisitions
|
||||
| Operating Efficiency |
Balance expense management with high service levels
•
Evaluate and advance progress on strategic expense management initiatives
•
Maintain respective business unit ratio of compensation to net revenues at budgeted levels
|
||||
| General Management |
People management
•
Coach and mentor leaders to continue to have strong leadership succession across all business units
•
Continuously reinforce the firm’s values and culture
•
Continue focus on creating an inclusive workplace where all associates and advisors are valued, respected and included
•
Relentlessly manage risks within the tolerances approved by the Board
•
Maintain strong relationships with all regulators
•
Support execution of the approved ESG strategy and multi-year roadmap
|
||||
Use of Equity Compensation
We deliver a substantial portion of incentive compensation in the form of equity awards — specifically RSUs — a portion of which will vest based on future performance of the company. The Committee believes that delivering equity aligns employee interests with those of shareholders and helps motivate executives to achieve financial and strategic goals within the bounds of the company’s risk tolerance levels. These awards are also subject to cancellation and clawback over a multi-year period.
Awards to CEO.
The annual bonus for our CEO is delivered 50% in cash and 50% in the form of RSUs. 60% of the portion paid in RSUs will vest on the third anniversary of the grant only if the company attains certain defined average Adjusted ROE
(1)
levels (“performance RSUs” or “PRSUs”). As noted above, commencing with the 2021 grants, the portion of PRSUs that vests will be further subject to modification (increase or decrease) based on the company’s rTSR, as further described herein. The remaining 40% of the portion paid in RSUs will vest on the third anniversary of grant.
Awards to Other Executive Officers.
Where the annual bonus of one of our other executive officers (including NEOs) exceeds $275,000, a variable portion of the amount over $250,000 is similarly delivered in RSUs. The proportion of bonus delivered in RSUs increases with the size of the bonus. Specifically, for each portion of the bonus that falls within the dollar parameters set forth in the following table, the indicated percentage is delivered in RSUs, with the balance delivered in cash:
| Segment of Annual Bonus | Portion in RSUs | Portion in Cash | |||||||||||||||
| $250,000 | – | $500,000 | 10% | 90% | |||||||||||||
| $500,001 | – | $1,000,000 | 15% | 85% | |||||||||||||
| $1,000,001 | – | $2,000,000 | 20% | 80% | |||||||||||||
| $2,000,001 | – | $3,000,000 | 25% | 75% | |||||||||||||
| Above $3,000,000 | 50% | 50% | |||||||||||||||
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Of the RSUs delivered to such other executive officers, 50% are performance RSUs that will vest on the third anniversary of the grant only if the company attains certain defined average Adjusted ROE
(1)
levels. The three-year average Adjusted ROE
(1)
is calculated by adding Adjusted ROE
(1)
for each of the years included in the applicable vesting period and dividing by three. Commencing with the 2021 awards, the amount vesting is further subject to modification (increase or decrease) based on the company’s rTSR, as further described herein. The remaining 50% of these RSUs vests on the third anniversary of grant.
Performance RSU Vesting Based on Adjusted ROE
(1)
with rTSR Adjustment
Historically, the Committee chose Adjusted ROE
(1)
as its core metric to determine performance RSU vesting because it believes it is an appropriate indicator of the return the company is delivering on common shareholders’ equity, since it reflects both bottom-line profitability and the manner in which the company is managing shareholders’ equity to generate such profitability. The Committee determines the appropriate Adjusted ROE
(1)
vesting scale for the grant of each year’s performance RSUs. The performance RSUs will vest — if at all — in an amount that falls between 50% and 150% of the stated target for the award, depending on the company’s average Adjusted ROE
(1)
for the applicable measurement period.
At the time of grant, the Committee may positively or negatively adjust the average Adjusted ROE
(1)
vesting scale for a particular grant year in order to reflect equity, interest rate and credit market conditions, as well as other factors outside the control of the company, and to ensure that vesting of these awards remains a challenge but is reasonably attainable considering our Board’s commitment to maintaining conservative capital levels. The Committee does not adjust the vesting scales after the grant date for our performance RSUs.
Commencing with the 2021 awards, the vesting result determined by average Adjusted ROE
(1)
performance is subject to increase or decrease of up to 20% based on the company’s rTSR ranked on a percentile basis compared to a defined peer group of companies over a three-year measurement period (the “rTSR Adjustment”).
The rTSR peer group consists of companies with which Raymond James competes for talent and shareholder capital, and may be adjusted by the Committee from time to time for a particular grant of PRSUs in accordance with pre-established guidelines. The peer group for the 2023 PRSU awards consists of the companies listed in the section entitled “
Use of Compensation Consultants
.” In order to smooth potential anomalies of spot pricing, rTSR will be calculated based on the 20 trading day average price of the company’s (and each peer company’s) common stock as of the starting and ending of the measurement period, and will assume reinvestment of dividends and other distributions.
The Committee believes that the rTSR Adjustment even further enhances the strong alignment of our long-term executive compensation with the interests of our shareholders. Utilizing Adjusted ROE
(1)
as the primary driver of these rewards allows executives to focus on measures they have direct influence on, while the rTSR Adjustment recognizes factors that affect our industry and peers as a whole, thus providing an enhanced tie to the shareholder investment experience.
Effect of Retirement Eligibility on Equity Awards
We believe that the three- to five-year vesting periods of our time- and performance-based RSU awards help to align our executive officers’ interests with those of our shareholders and also serve as a long-term retention tool. The retentive effect of these awards is limited, however, where the executive officer is or becomes retirement eligible under the terms of an award agreement. These agreements provide that a grantee becomes retirement eligible upon attaining age 55 with ten years of service, or upon reaching age 65. If a retirement eligible grantee were to retire, all of the unvested shares subject to such grantee’s RSU awards would immediately vest, but such shares would be delivered only in accordance with the original vesting schedule set forth in the agreement. Moreover, such delivery would be contingent upon the grantee’s ongoing compliance with the restrictive covenants set forth in the award agreement. Among our NEOs, Mr. Reilly and Mr. Curtis are both currently retirement eligible. For additional information, please see the section entitled “
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control for Fiscal 2023
.”
Vesting of 2020 Performance Awards
The three-year average Adjusted ROE
(1)
performance with respect to the 2020 awards was 18.7%, resulting in vesting of 150% of the target amount, based on the vesting scale in effect for that grant year.
(1)
Adjusted ROE is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of this measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and other required disclosures.
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2024 PROXY STATEMENT
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Grant of 2023 Performance Awards
For grants made in respect of fiscal 2023 performance, the Committee determined the following vesting scale (with results to be interpolated as necessary).
|
Adjusted ROE
(1)
- three-year average
|
RSU Vesting Percentage of the Target Amount | ||||
|
≥20%
|
150% | ||||
|
18%
|
125% | ||||
|
15%
|
100% | ||||
|
12%
|
75% | ||||
|
10%
|
50% | ||||
|
10%
|
0% | ||||
The vesting result determined by three-year average Adjusted ROE
(1)
performance is then subject to modification, increase or decrease, of up to 20%, by the company’s rTSR compared to the peer group, with results to be interpolated between values:
| Company rTSR Percentile Ranking | Adjustment to ROE Result | |||||||
|
≥
|
75
th
%
|
120% | ||||||
|
=
|
50
th
%
|
100% | ||||||
|
≤
|
25
th
%
|
80% | ||||||
(1)
Adjusted ROE is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of this measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and other required disclosures.
Other Benefits
Profit Sharing Plan.
The Profit Sharing Plan is designed to offer associates a means of sharing in the firm’s success on a long-term basis. Each year, Raymond James may contribute a portion of its profits, upon approval by the Board, to each participant’s account based on the individual’s qualified fiscal year compensation and length of service. Contributions to the Profit Sharing Plan are 100% employer-funded.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
The ESOP is designed to provide retirement benefits to our associates through participation in the ownership of the company. Assets of this plan are invested in common stock of Raymond James Financial and are 100% employer-funded. The firm’s discretionary contribution to each participant’s account, upon approval by the Board of Directors, is based on the individual’s qualified fiscal year compensation.
401(k) Plan.
The 401(k) Plan is designed to help associates reach their personal savings objectives, with an opportunity to earn additional contributions from Raymond James through a match. For eligible employees, Raymond James will match 75% of the first $1,000 they contribute to their account, followed by a 25% match of the next $1,000 they contribute.
Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP).
The LTIP is a company-sponsored, unfunded, deferred compensation plan designed to award incentive compensation to a select group of management and/or highly compensated employees and cliff vests at the end of a five-year period. The amount to be contributed is discretionary and shall be determined annually by the Board or its delegate.
Compensation and Risk
The Board, with the assistance of the Committee, has evaluated our compensation policies and practices for all employees. Specifically:
•
At the direction of the Committee, an independent compensation consultant partners with our Enterprise Risk Management and Human Resources functions to conduct an independent assessment of the material incentive compensation plans across the organization every other year.
•
This process begins with an objective evaluation of job functions, assessing the level of risk influence across six specific categories: credit, liquidity, market, operational, legal and compliance and reputational.
•
Incentive plans for job functions that were identified as having the potential to expose the company to the highest level of risk are further reviewed across a consistent framework to identify potential operational plan risks of the incentive design.
•
The incentive design evaluation focuses on key elements of the plan design, including: (i) performance measures, (ii) funding, (iii) performance period and pay mix, (iv) goal setting, (v) leverage and (vi) controls and processes.
•
In alternating years, Human Resources conducts an updating review with a focus on:
•
any material changes to executive and associate incentive plans
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
•
adoption of any new incentive plans or inclusion of new roles therein
•
review of any acquired company compensation plans and roles
The most recent bi-annual review noted that our practices of requiring deferral of a portion of bonus amounts into a mix of time- and — in the case of executive officers — performance-vesting equity awards, our robust share ownership guidelines, our compensation recoupment policy and our prohibition on hedging by executives all serve to further mitigate risk in our compensation plans.
The review concluded that none of the company’s incentive plans were likely to motivate behavior that would result in a material adverse impact to the company. The potential residual risks identified through the process were determined to be effectively mitigated through established risk controls, leadership oversight, and our culture of proactive risk management.
After reviewing an update to the above review, our Board has concluded that our compensation policies in general, and our incentive programs in particular, remain well aligned with the interests of our shareholders and do not create risks that are reasonably likely to result in a material adverse effect on the company.
CEO Special One-Time Equity Retention Award
As disclosed in our Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Shareholders Meeting, in December 2022 the Compensation and Talent Committee approved a grant to Chair and Chief Executive Officer Paul C. Reilly of a special one-time equity retention award, effective December 15, 2022, with a grant date fair value at target of $15 million.
In accordance with the Board’s succession planning process for the CEO, during the vesting period of the award Mr. Reilly will continue to prepare internal candidates from whom the Board may select the Company’s next CEO. During this time Mr. Reilly may also begin a transition to Executive Chair. The award is intended to incentivize Mr. Reilly to continue service with the Company and to execute the Board’s plan for a successful transition of the CEO role.
The Committee determined that granting this special one-time equity retention award was in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and that the amount and terms of the award described herein were appropriate. Among other things, the Committee considered Mr. Reilly’s long track record of strong performance and the importance of his navigating the Company through a smooth CEO transition in accordance with the Board’s succession plan. The Committee also conducted an extensive market analysis with the assistance of the Committee’s independent compensation consultant. The Committee determined that the structure of the award was consistent with the outstanding equity elements of Mr. Reilly’s regular annual compensation and was aligned with the Company’s overall executive equity compensation program. As the award was a special one-time equity retention award, it was not part of Mr. Reilly’s regular annual compensation.
In approving the special one-time equity retention award, the Committee noted that under Mr. Reilly’s leadership the Company had delivered record results and further enhanced its capabilities to serve the most sophisticated financial needs of its advisors and their clients. Specifically, during Mr. Reilly’s 12-year tenure as of the date of grant, the Company had:
•
Grown its market capitalization from $3.2 billion as of September 30, 2010 to $21.3 billion as of September 30, 2022 (a 17% compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”))
•
Increased annual net revenues from $2.9 billion in fiscal 2010 to $11.0 billion in fiscal 2022, a 12% CAGR
•
Increased pre-tax income from $362 million in fiscal 2010 to $2.0 billion in fiscal 2022, a 15% CAGR
•
Achieved a 533% TSR from May 3, 2010 through September 30, 2022 that was more than double the average TSR of the reference peer group of 197% and the TSR of the SP 500 Index
(1)
of 221% during the same period
(2)
•
Deployed capital prudently by completing approximately 20 acquisitions, which strengthened our capabilities to achieve future growth
The special one-time equity retention award consisted of both performance-vesting and time-vesting RSUs under the 2012 Plan and had the following characteristics:
•
Sixty percent (60%) of the award consisted of PRSUs that would vest, if at all, based on the Company’s average Adjusted ROE
(3)
, in accordance with the above scale for awards granted in fiscal year 2023, as further modified by the rTSR Adjustment
•
Forty percent (40%) of the award consisted of time-based RSUs that would vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.
•
The award will vest on December 15, 2025.
(1)
SP 500 index results are market-capitalization weighted.
(2)
Data provided by Pay Governance LLC from Standard Poor’s Capital IQ database. TSR is based on a 20-day trading average beginning and ending adjusted share price for the periods as of May 3, 2010 and September 30, 2022.
(3)
Adjusted ROE is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of this measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and other required disclosures.
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
To enhance its retentive effect, the special one-time equity retention award was made subject to continued service requirements that were more restrictive than those applicable to our standard retention awards. Specifically, the special equity award was subject to forfeiture in its entirety if Mr. Reilly’s service terminates during the vesting period by reason of retirement or voluntary termination without Good Reason.
In addition, with respect to the period prior to a Change in Control or a Corporate Transaction, the definition in the Plan of “Good Reason” was modified for purposes of the award to mean the appointment of Mr. Reilly, within two years of the award’s grant date, to a position other than the Company’s CEO.
This description of the special one-time equity award is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the respective terms of the Forms of Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award and Restricted Stock Unit Agreement with Mr. Reilly, for PRSUs and for time-based RSUs, copies of which were filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 19, 2022, and which are incorporated by reference herein.
2023 Compensation Decisions
At the start of each fiscal year, following recommendation by our chair and CEO, each executive officer establishes key business goals and priorities, and aligns these goals to our Raymond James Core Values: Client First, Integrity, Independence and Long-term Thinking. The key business goals include the following areas of focus: financial achievement, business growth, operational efficiency and general management. The Committee reviews and approves the goals and performance priorities for the CEO, and reviews the goals and priorities for the other executive officers. The Committee does not utilize formulaic financial performance goals or targets, and performance metrics are not assigned any specific weighting for purposes of determining the compensation awarded to the CEO or other NEOs.
With an executive compensation program that is variable in nature, annual bonus determination begins with the evaluation of Raymond James’ overall firm and business unit performance, assessment of key business goals and priorities and individual contribution. These performance factors are measured both qualitatively and quantitatively and are used to determine annual compensation. For determining our chair and chief executive officer Mr. Reilly’s annual bonus, the Committee also evaluates the performance of the company in terms of several specific additional measures: net revenues, pre-tax income and adjusted ROE.
(1)
In November 2023, our chair and chief executive officer, Mr. Reilly, evaluated the performance of the company and the individual performance of each executive officer, including the NEOs, against previously determined individual goals. Mr. Reilly made recommendations to the Committee as to the amounts of annual bonus and retention RSUs to be awarded each executive officer (other than himself). The Committee reviewed and discussed such recommendations, as well as market data provided by its compensation consultant. The Committee evaluated the performance of Mr. Reilly and each of our other NEOs in light of all the above information. It then reviewed such information with the other non-executive directors, who engaged with the Committee in a thorough evaluation of the performance of Mr. Reilly and our other NEOs. Following such evaluations, the Committee approved the compensation described below.
Individual Performance for 2023
Set forth below is a summary of the material accomplishments of each NEO and other important factors relevant to fiscal 2023, grouped by the areas of focus determined by the Committee at the beginning of the fiscal year, which the Committee considered in exercising its discretion to award compensation for 2023.
After considering the fiscal 2023 performance of the company and the individual performance factors associated with the specific areas of focus outlined below, the Committee awarded each named executive officer the bonus and other compensation in the amounts indicated.
(1)
Adjusted ROE is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of this measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and other required disclosures.
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
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Paul C. Reilly
Chair and CEO
|
||||||||||||||
|
2023 Contributions
|
||||||||||||||
|
Financial Achievement
|
||||||||||||||
|
Primary Performance Measures
|
FY 2023 Result
|
Change from FY2022
|
||||||||||||
|
Net revenues
|
$11.62B | 6% | ||||||||||||
|
Pre-tax income
|
$2.28B | 13% | ||||||||||||
|
Adjusted ROE
(1)
|
18.4% | 0.20% | ||||||||||||
|
Business Growth
Achieved record net revenues and earnings per diluted share in the face of uncertain market, economic and geopolitical conditions:
•
Adjusted earnings per common share (diluted)
(1)
$8.30 increased 11% over fiscal 2022
•
Raymond James Bank Deposit Program fees from third-party banks drove record net revenues in fiscal 2023
•
Anticipated and proactively responded to the cash sorting activity by leading the effort to create an Enhanced Savings Program, raising approximately $14 billion since its March 2023 launch
•
The ratio of the firm’s total capital to risk-weighted assets ended the year at 22.8%, and the tier 1 leverage ratio of 11.9% remained well above both management’s target and the regulatory requirement to be considered “well capitalized” of 10% and 5%, respectively
•
PCG assets under administration of $1.2 trillion increased 16% over September 2022
•
Private Client Group assets in fee-based accounts of $683 billion increased 17% over September 2022
•
Net increase of 31 financial advisors during fiscal 2023 to 8,712 total financial advisors, which includes the impact of the departure of approximately 60 advisors associated with a single relationship within the firm’s independent contractor division whose affiliation ended during the fiscal third quarter of 2023
•
Recruited financial advisors to the domestic independent contractor and employee affiliation options with approximately $250 million of trailing 12-month production
Operating Efficiency
•
Maintained total compensation ratio of 62.8%, 5.7% lower than fiscal 2022
•
Provided disciplined management of expenses during a challenging year for legal and regulatory expenses, a continuing rise in labor costs, and inflation impact on other expense categories, delivering a pre-tax margin of 19.6% during the fiscal year (adjusted pre-tax margin of 20.5%
(1)
)
•
Delivered on commitment to advisors and clients to maintain exceptional service, including operations and technology service levels
General Management
•
Maintained strong relationships with key industry regulators and led the firm through a year of significant regulatory change
•
Provided effective leadership, resulting in solid associate engagement and a significant positive change in associate retention after a year of significant labor market turmoil
•
Ensured the firm stayed focused and made solid progress on our commitments to having a diverse and inclusive organization
•
Led significant progress on the firm’s ESG strategy
•
Provided strong coaching and development guidance to support executive succession
Compensation:
The Committee approved an annual bonus for 2023 of $18,500,000
|
||||||||||||||
Compensation Mix
(1)
Adjusted ROE, adjusted earnings per common share (diluted), and adjusted pre-tax margin are non-GAAP measures. Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures and other required disclosures.
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2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
53
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
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Paul M. Shoukry
CFO
|
|||||
|
2023 Contributions
Financial Achievement
Supported the company in achieving strong results, including:
•
Record net revenue of $11.62 billion, up 6% over fiscal 2022
•
Record pre-tax income of $2.28 billion, up 13% over fiscal 2022
•
Return on common equity of 17.7% and adjusted ROE
(1)
of 18.4% for the fiscal year
Business Growth
•
Led the post-acquisition onboarding of TriState Capital, with strong financial results
•
Partnered with leadership of PCG and Bank segments to implement the Enhanced Saving Program that raised approximately $14 billion since its March 2023 launch
Operating Efficiency
•
Successfully led the firm’s expense management initiatives (compensation and non-compensation)
•
Provided disciplined management of financial risk targets
General Management
•
Led discussions with major credit rating agencies, resulting in SP upgrade of our issuer and senior long-term debt ratings to A-; Fitch reaffirmation of A- rating and a stable outlook in March 2023
•
Provided effective leadership of a team that renewed and expanded the firm’s five-year revolving credit agreement, with enhanced terms
•
Delivered robust leadership of the firm’s ESG strategy and initiatives
•
Assumed executive leadership of the Bank segment, which includes Raymond James Bank and TriState Capital Bank, each of which is separately managed
Compensation:
The Committee approved an annual bonus for 2023 of $4,700,000
|
|||||
Compensation Mix
|
James E. Bunn
President of Global Equities and Investment Banking
|
|||||
|
2023 Contributions
Financial Achievement
•
Provided effective leadership of Global Equities and Investment Banking (“GEIB”) business unit, included in our Capital Markets segment, through an extremely challenging market environment
Business Growth
•
Continued to make strategic additions to the GEIB team by hiring several managing directors to augment the business and enhance its market position
•
Achieved good first year progress with new private placement product
•
Led the integration of the financial sponsor coverage group into the industry groups
•
Led cross-organizational team to identify and prepare for launch of new product offering
•
Established a new strategic business unit focusing on business development
Operating Efficiency
•
Ensured disciplined management of expense initiatives, while investing for growth
General Management
•
Led GEIB efforts to recruit a strong and diverse analyst program (full-time and interns)
•
Led proactive retention efforts, resulting in minimal regrettable attrition of top producing investment bankers
Compensation:
The Committee approved an annual bonus for 2023 of $2,000,000
|
|||||
Compensation Mix
(1)
Adjusted ROE is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of this measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and other required disclosures.
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Scott A. Curtis
President of Private Client Group
|
|||||
|
2023 Contributions
Financial Achievement
•
Record PCG annual net revenues of $8.65 billion and record PCG annual pre-tax income of $1.76 billion, up 12% and 71%, respectively, over fiscal 2022
Business Growth
•
PCG assets under administration of $1.2 trillion, increased 16% over September 2022
•
Recruited financial advisors to the domestic independent contractor and employee affiliation options with approximately $250 million of trailing 12-month production
•
Domestic PCG net new assets of approximately $73 billion during fiscal 2023, representing growth of 7.7% over domestic PCG assets as of the beginning of the fiscal year
•
Strategic leadership driving strong results in the RIA and Custodial Services (RCS) channel
Operating Efficiency
•
Exercised effective leadership of initiatives to increase digital tool utilization to enhance PCG
’
s service delivery model
•
Maintained competitive domestic PCG compensation ratio and disciplined management of expenses
General Management
•
Provided vigorous leadership of PCG initiatives
Compensation:
The Committee approved an annual bonus for 2023 of $4,300,000
|
|||||
Compensation Mix
|
Tashtego S. Elwyn
President and Chief Executive Officer of Raymond James and Associates
|
|||||
|
2023 Contributions
Financial Achievement
•
Achieved strong net revenues and pre-tax income for the PCG domestic employee affiliation option
Business Growth
•
Achieved growth of assets under administration and net new assets through strong advisor retention and recruitment
•
Delivered strategic leadership for the strong results of the RCS channel
Operating Efficiency
•
Provided disciplined management of expense initiatives
General Management
•
Assumed leadership of the RCS channel within the PCG segment
•
Delivered strong governance contributions as a member of multiple domestic and international subsidiary boards of directors
•
Continued to serve as executive sponsor of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council
Compensation:
The Committee approved an annual bonus for 2023 of $4,000,000
|
|||||
Compensation Mix
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Annual Direct Compensation for 2023
After assessing the company’s financial and strategic performance for fiscal 2023 and evaluating the individual performance of our NEOs, the Committee exercised its discretion to award annual direct compensation for 2023 as set forth in the following table.
The presentation in this Annual Direct Compensation Table differs from the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) on page 58 required by SEC rules, and is not a substitute for the SCT. There are two main differences:
•
We grant annual bonuses (cash and equity components) after our fiscal year has ended. Equity awards granted in fiscal 2024 to reward fiscal 2023 performance are therefore shown as 2023 compensation in this Annual Direct Compensation Table. The SCT, however, reports equity awards in the year they are granted, irrespective of the year they were earned. This results in a one-year lag between the time equity awards are granted and when they are reported in the SCT.
•
The SCT contains a column reporting “All Other Compensation,” which amounts are not part of the Committee’s compensation determinations and are thus not shown in this Annual Direct Compensation Table.
| Incentive Compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name and Principal Position | Salary | Cash Bonus |
Time Vesting
Stock Bonus Awards (1)(2) |
Performance
Vesting Stock Bonus Awards (1)(2)(3) |
Time Vesting
Stock Retention
Awards
(2)(4)(5)
|
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Paul C. Reilly
Chair and Chief Executive Officer |
$750,000 | $9,250,100 | $3,699,955 | $5,549,988 | (6) | $1,299,957 | $20,550,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Paul M. Shoukry
Chief Financial Officer |
$500,000 | $3,300,058 | $699,985 | $699,985 | (6) | $599,972 | $5,800,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
James E. Bunn
President, Global Equities and Investment Banking |
$500,000 | $1,700,097 | $150,021 | $149,910 | (6) | $599,972 | $3,100,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Scott A. Curtis
President, Private Client Group |
$500,000 | $3,100,084 | $599,972 | $599,972 |
(6)
|
$599,972 | $5,400,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Tashtego S. Elwyn
President and Chief Executive Officer Raymond James and Associates |
$500,000 | $2,950,105 | $525,017 | $524,906 | (6) | $599,972 | $5,100,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
Other than with respect to Mr. Reilly’s bonus, represents the applicable portion of any annual bonus that exceeds $275,000 for each NEO that is delivered in the form of RSUs. The proportion delivered in RSUs varies with the size of the annual bonus according to the formula presented on page 48 hereof. Of Mr. Reilly’s total bonus, 50% was delivered in cash and 50% in RSUs. Of Mr. Reilly’s RSUs, 40% were subject to time-vesting and 60% were subject to performance vesting. Each RSU vests, if at all, on the third anniversary of the grant date.
(2)
Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive (i) one share of common stock and (ii) non-preferential dividend equivalents equal to the sum of any dividends on the shares of common stock underlying the RSU that were actually paid during the vesting period.
(3)
Represents the aggregate grant date value of RSUs delivered as annual bonus, computed as described in footnote (1) to this table. RSUs reported in this column vest, if at all, contingent upon the company achieving certain defined Adjusted ROE
(7)
levels over a three-year measurement period, in accordance with the formula presented in footnote (15) to the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End for 2023 table, subject to increase or decrease by up to 20% depending on the rTSR Adjustment. See “Use of Equity Compensation” and footnote (7) below.
(4)
Stock retention awards delivered in the form of RSUs. The RSUs vest 60% on the third, and 20% on each of the fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant date.
(5)
Excludes the special one-time equity retention award to Mr. Reilly, effective December 15, 2022, with a grant date fair value at target of $15 million. Of this award (i) 60% consisted of PRSUs that will vest, if at all, based on the company's average Adjusted ROE, as further modified by the rTSR Adjustment, over the three-year measurement period, and (ii) 40% consisted of time-based RSUs. The award will vest on December 15, 2025. Please see the section herein entitled “
CEO Special One-Time Equity Retention Award
” for additional details.
(6)
RSUs granted in fiscal year 2024 vest contingent upon the company achieving average Adjusted ROE
(7)
over a vesting period consisting of fiscal years 2024 - 2026, as explained in footnote (3) above, subject to the rTSR Adjustment. The following amounts represent the maximum value at the grant date of the RSUs granted in fiscal year 2024 for fiscal year 2023 performance: Mr. Reilly $9,989,978 Mr. Shoukry $1,259,974, Mr. Bunn $269,838, Mr. Curtis $1,079,949, and Mr. Elwyn $944,831 .
(7)
Adjusted ROE is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of this measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and other required disclosures.
|
56
|
|
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Components of Total Direct Compensation
The following charts present the mix of compensation elements actually received for 2023 performance by our CEO and our other named executive officers (average) (excluding retirement plan contributions):
Components of Total Direct Compensation — 2023 Actual
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
57
|
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2023
The following table sets forth information about compensation earned by our named executive officers during fiscal 2021, 2022 and 2023 in accordance with SEC rules. The information presented below may be different from compensation information presented in this Proxy Statement in the table “Annual Direct Compensation for 2023,” since that table sets forth compensation decisions made with respect to the indicated fiscal year, regardless of when the compensation was actually paid or granted. For a more detailed explanation of the differences between the presentation in that table and the table below, please see the note on page 56.
| Name | Year | Salary |
Bonus
(1)
|
Stock Awards |
(2)
|
All Other
Compensation (3)(4) |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Paul C. Reilly
Chair and CEO |
2023 | $750,000 | $9,250,100 | $24,805,953 |
(5)
|
$106,903 | $34,912,956 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $687,500 | $8,506,292 | $8,399,938 | $32,764 | $17,626,494 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $500,000 | $7,100,062 | $5,930,786 | $125,361 | $13,656,209 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Paul M. Shoukry
Chief Financial Officer |
2023 | $500,000 | $3,300,058 | $2,799,788 |
(6)
|
$69,754 | $6,669,600 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $450,000 | $3,100,211 | $1,949,871 | $26,953 | $5,527,035 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $300,000 | $2,750,129 | $693,455 | $75,229 | $3,818,813 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
James E. Bunn
President, Global Equities and Investment Banking |
2023 | $500,000 | $1,700,097 | $3,899,832 |
(7)
|
$202,306 | $6,302,235 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $450,000 | $4,200,168 | $4,999,857 | ($119,987) | $9,530,038 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $300,000 | $4,700,143 | $1,348,456 | $242,365 | $6,590,964 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Scott A. Curtis
President, Private Client Group |
2023 | $500,000 | $3,100,084 | $6,649,884 |
(8)
|
$142,364 | $10,392,332 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $450,000 | $2,950,116 | $1,199,920 | $18,109 | $4,618,145 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Tashtego S. Elwyn
President and Chief Executive Officer Raymond James Associates |
2023 | $500,000 | $2,950,105 | $6,524,826 |
(9)
|
$252,957 | $10,227,888 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $450,000 | $2,825,174 | $1,174,856 | $170,512 | $4,620,542 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
The amounts disclosed in the Bonus column represent the annual cash bonus, as described in the CDA, awarded to the NEOs.
(2)
The amounts shown in the Stock Awards column represent the grant date fair value of equity awards granted to the NEOs in the fiscal year shown. For a description of the assumptions used in calculating the fair value of equity awards under ASC Topic 718, see Note 2 to our financial statements in our Form 10-K report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. For more information, see the Grants of Plan Based Awards for Fiscal 2023 table below.
(3)
See the All Other Compensation table below for a breakdown of these amounts.
(4)
The amounts shown in this column correct disclosures included in our prior proxy statements in the All Other Compensation column for 2022 and 2021, to exclude the value of dividends equivalents earned on stock awards in those years, as the value of the dividend equivalents is included in the amounts reported in the Stock Awards column of this table, computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, for all years presented.
(5)
Includes 97,047 RSUs that vest over time and 127,890 RSUs that are performance vesting awards. The maximum value at the grant date of the performance vesting RSUs for Mr. Reilly is $25,386,676. These amounts include the special one-time equity retention award to Mr. Reilly, effective December 15, 2022, with a grant date fair value at target of $15 million, which is further described above in the section entitled "CEO Special One-Time Equity Retention Award."
(6)
Includes 19,948 RSUs that vest over time and 5,440 RSUs that are performance vesting awards. The maximum value at the grant date of the performance vesting RSUs for Mr. Shoukry is $1,079,862.
(7)
Includes 24,935 RSUs that vest over time and 10,428 RSUs that are performance vesting awards. The maximum value at the grant date of the performance vesting RSUs for Mr. Bunn is $2,069,956.
(8)
Includes 55,540 RSUs that vest over time and 4,760 RSUs that are performance vesting awards. The maximum value at the grant date of the performance vesting RSUs for Mr. Curtis is $944,879.
(9)
Includes 54,973 RSUs that vest over time and 4,193 RSUs that are performance vesting awards. The maximum value at the grant date of the performance vesting RSUs for Mr. Elwyn is $832,283.
|
58
|
|
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
All Other Compensation Table for Fiscal 2023
The following table sets forth more detailed information concerning the items included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table above.
| Name |
Employee
Stock Ownership Plan Contribution |
Profit Sharing
Contribution (1) |
401(k)
Company Match |
Deferred
Compensation Plan Contribution (2) |
Deferred
Compensation Plan Gain (2) |
Commissions |
Perquisites
(3)
|
Total All Other
Compensation |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul C. Reilly | $5,338 | $14,468 | $1,000 | $33,000 | $23,911 | $— | $29,186 | (4) | $106,903 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul M. Shoukry | $5,338 | $14,401 | $1,000 | $33,000 | $16,015 | $— | $— | $69,754 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| James E. Bunn | $5,338 | $14,867 | $1,000 | $33,000 | $127,943 | $— | $20,158 | (5) | $202,306 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scott A. Curtis | $5,338 | $14,934 | $1,000 | $33,000 | $56,369 | $2,997 | $28,726 | (6) | $142,364 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tashtego S. Elwyn | $5,338 | $15,533 | $1,000 | $33,000 | $23,911 | $153,446 | $20,729 | (7) | $252,957 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
The employer-funded profit sharing contribution is based on the length of service and fiscal-year compensation, capped at the IRS annual compensation limit.
(2)
See Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2023 table for more information.
(3)
Consists of company-paid commercial airfare, meal, ground transportation and event-related expenses for spouse or guest in connection with company-sponsored off-site business meetings for the executive officer and spouse or guest. The aggregate incremental cost of commercial airfare was determined based on the actual cost of tickets paid by the company to the airlines.
(4)
Includes $20,152 in commercial airfare costs.
(5)
Includes $15,623 in commercial airfare costs.
(6)
Includes $18,389 in commercial airfare costs.
(7)
Includes $10,643 in commercial airfare costs.
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
59
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Grants of Plan Based Awards for Fiscal 2023
The following table contains information concerning plan-based awards granted to each of the NEOs during fiscal 2023.
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards (1)(2) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Grant Date |
Threshold
(3)
|
Target
(4)
|
Maximum
(5)
|
All Other Stock
Awards: Number of Units (2) |
Grant Date Fair
Value of Stock Awards ($) (6) |
|||||||||||||||||
| Paul C. Reilly | 12/15/2022 | 18,512 | 46,280 | 83,304 | $5,103,758 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 32,644 | 81,610 | 146,898 | $8,999,951 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 30,853 | (7) | $3,402,469 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 11,788 | (8) | $1,299,981 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 54,406 | (9) | $5,999,894 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul M. Shoukry | 12/15/2022 | 2,176 | 5,440 | 9,792 | $599,923 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 5,441 | (7) | $600,033 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 5,440 | (8) | $599,923 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 9,067 | (8) | $999,909 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| James E. Bunn | 12/15/2022 | 4,171 | 10,428 | 18,770 | $1,150,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 10,428 | (7) | $1,150,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 5,440 | (8) | $599,923 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 9,067 | (8) | $999,909 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Scott A. Curtis | 12/15/2022 | 1,904 | 4,760 | 8,568 | $524,933 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 4,761 | (7) | $525,043 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 5,440 | (8) | $599,923 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 45,339 | (8) | $4,999,985 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tashtego S. Elwyn | 12/15/2022 | 1,677 | 4,193 | 7,547 | $462,404 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 4,194 | (7) | $462,514 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 5,440 | (8) | $599,923 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/2022 | 45,339 | (8) | $4,999,985 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
The “Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards” columns represent the minimum, target and maximum number of shares that could be received by each listed officer upon the vesting of RSUs, excluding dividend equivalents. RSUs vest based on the company’s three-year average Adjusted ROE
(10)
for fiscal years 2023, 2024 and 2025, as well as the company’s rTSR Percentile Ranking.
See footnote (15) to the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End for 2023 table herein for more information.
(2)
Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive (i) one share of common stock and (ii) non-preferential dividend equivalents equal to the sum of any dividends on the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs that were actually paid during the vesting period.
(3)
Threshold is 40% of awarded RSUs if the three-year average Adjusted ROE
(10)
is at least equal to 10% and the company’s rTSR percentile is less than or equal to 25.
(4)
Target is 100% of awarded RSUs if the three-year average Adjusted ROE
(10)
is equal to 15% and the company’s rTSR percentile equals to 50.
(5)
Maximum is 180% of awarded RSUs if the three-year average Adjusted ROE
(10)
is 20% or more and the company’s rTSR percentile is more than or equal to 75.
(6)
Reflects the grant date fair value of each equity award computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. For a description of the assumptions used in calculating the fair value of equity awards under ASC Topic 718, see Note 2 of our financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.
(7)
We deliver a portion of the annual bonus awarded to highly compensated employees in the form of RSUs (see the CDA for more information). These RSUs vest approximately three years from the date of grant.
(8)
We grant stock retention awards in the form of RSUs. These RSUs vest 60% on the third, and 20% on each of the fourth and fifth, anniversaries of the grant date.
(9)
We grant stock retention awards in the form of RSUs. These RSUs vest 100% on the third anniversary of the grant date.
(10)
Adjusted ROE is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of this measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and other required disclosures.
|
60
|
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End for 2023
The following table contains information as of September 30, 2023, about the outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers.
| Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name |
Number of
Units of Stock That Have Not Vested |
Market Value of
Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (1) |
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested (2) |
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards: Market Value of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested (1) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul C. Reilly | 3,750 |
(3)
|
$376,613 | 69,375 |
(5)
|
$6,967,331 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 30,833 |
(4)
|
$3,096,558 | 79,544 |
(8)
|
$7,988,604 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 7,500 |
(6)
|
$753,225 | 230,202 |
(11)
|
$23,119,187 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 29,460 |
(7)
|
$2,958,668 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19,500 |
(9)
|
$1,958,385 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 85,259 |
(10)
|
$8,562,561 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13,697 |
(12)
|
$1,375,590 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11,788 |
(13)
|
$1,183,869 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul M. Shoukry | 900 |
(3)
|
$90,387 | 2,705 |
(5)
|
$271,663 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,805 |
(4)
|
$181,276 | 7,934 |
(8)
|
$796,812 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,000 |
(6)
|
$301,290 | 9,792 |
(11)
|
$983,411 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,800 |
(14)
|
$180,774 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4,409 |
(7)
|
$442,796 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7,500 |
(9)
|
$753,225 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5,441 |
(10)
|
$546,440 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11,589 |
(12)
|
$1,163,883 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14,507 |
(13)
|
$1,456,938 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| James E. Bunn | 1,500 |
(3)
|
$150,645 | 10,763 |
(5)
|
$1,080,928 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 7,176 |
(4)
|
$720,686 | 26,140 |
(8)
|
$2,625,240 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,000 |
(6)
|
$301,290 | 18,770 |
(11)
|
$1,885,071 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 14,523 |
(7)
|
$1,458,545 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7,500 |
(9)
|
$753,225 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10,428 |
(10)
|
$1,047,284 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23,179 |
(12)
|
$2,327,867 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14,507 |
(13)
|
$1,456,938 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scott A. Curtis | 1,500 |
(3)
|
$150,645 | 4,613 |
(5)
|
$463,284 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,075 |
(4)
|
$308,822 | 5,602 |
(8)
|
$562,609 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,000 |
(6)
|
$301,290 | 8,568 |
(11)
|
$860,484 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,112 |
(7)
|
$312,538 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7,500 |
(9)
|
$753,225 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4,761 |
(10)
|
$478,147 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6,321 |
(12)
|
$634,818 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50,779 |
(13)
|
$5,099,735 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
61
|
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
| Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name |
Number of
Units of Stock That Have Not Vested |
Market Value of
Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (1) |
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested (2) |
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards: Market Value of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested (1) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tashtego S. Elwyn | 1,500 |
(3)
|
$150,645 | 4,152 |
(5)
|
$416,985 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,768 |
(4)
|
$277,990 | 5,368 |
(8)
|
$539,108 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3,000 |
(6)
|
$301,290 | 7,547 |
(11)
|
$757,945 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,982 |
(7)
|
$299,482 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7,500 |
(9)
|
$753,225 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4,194 |
(10)
|
$421,203 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6,321 |
(12)
|
$634,818 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50,779 |
(13)
|
$ | 5,099,735 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
The market value of stock awards is based on the closing market price of our common stock on the NYSE on September 30, 2023, which was $100.43.
(2)
The number of units reported assumes that the award received by each NEO upon vesting is based upon achieving a three-year average Adjusted ROE and rTSR Percentile Ranking based on the thresholds disclosed in footnote (15) to this table. Adjusted ROE is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to Appendix A for a reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP measures for fiscal years 2021, 2022 and 2023.
(3)
The RSU award was granted on November 29, 2018 and vests 60% in three years, 20% in four years and 20% in five years from grant date.
(4)
The RSU award was granted on December 15, 2020 and cliff vests in three years from grant date.
(5)
The RSU award was granted on December 15, 2020 and vests in three years from that date based on the Company’s three-year adjusted average after-tax return on equity for fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023. Represents the maximum of 150 percent of awarded RSUs.
(6)
The RSU award was granted on November 22, 2019 and vests 60% in three years, 20% in four years and 20% in five years from grant date.
(7)
The RSU award was granted on December 15, 2021 and cliff vests in three years from grant date.
(8)
The RSU award was granted on December 15, 2021 and vests in three years from that date based on the Company’s three-year average Adjusted ROE for fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024, as well as the company’s rTSR Percentile Ranking. Represents the maximum of 150 percent of awarded RSUs given the three-year average Adjusted ROE for fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024, as well as the maximum 120 percent rTSR Percentile Ranking.
(9)
The RSU award was granted on December 03, 2020 and vests 60% in three years, 20% in four years and 20% in five years from grant date.
(10)
The RSU award was granted on December 15, 2022 and cliff vests in three years from grant date.
(11)
The RSU award was granted on December 15, 2022 and vests in three years from that date based on the Company’s three-year average Adjusted ROE for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025, as well as the company’s rTSR Percentile Ranking. Represents the maximum of 150 percent of awarded RSUs given the three-year average Adjusted ROE for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025, as well as the maximum 120 percent rTSR Percentile Ranking.
(12)
The RSU award was granted on December 02, 2021 and vests 60% in three years, 20% in four years and 20% in five years from grant date.
(13)
The RSU award was granted on December 15, 2022 and vests 60% in three years, 20% in four years and 20% in five years from grant date.
(14)
The RSU award was granted on December 12, 2019 and vests 60% in three years, 20% in four years and 20% in five years from grant date.
(15)
Certain RSU’s Granted since 2018 vest on the 3rd anniversary of the grant only if the company attains certain three-year average Adjusted ROE levels. The vesting formulas are as follows, with results to be interpolated:
Awards Granted in Fiscal Year 2023
| Adjusted ROE - three-year average |
RSU Vesting
Percentage |
||||
| ≥20% | 150 | % | |||
| 18% | 125 | % | |||
| 15% | 100 | % | |||
| 12% | 75 | % | |||
| 10% | 50 | % | |||
| 10% | 0 | % | |||
| Company rTSR Percentile Ranking |
Adjustment to
ROE Result |
||||
|
≥ 75
th
%
|
120 | % | |||
|
= 50
th
%
|
100 | % | |||
|
25
th
%
|
80 | % | |||
|
62
|
|
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Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Awards Granted in Fiscal Year 2022
| Adjusted ROE - three-year average |
RSU Vesting
Percentage |
||||
| ≥17% | 150 | % | |||
| 15% | 125 | % | |||
| 13% | 100 | % | |||
| 11% | 75 | % | |||
| 9% | 50 | % | |||
| 9% | 0 | % | |||
| Company rTSR Percentile Ranking |
Adjustment to
ROE Result |
||||
|
≥ 75
th
%
|
120 | % | |||
|
= 50
th
%
|
100 | % | |||
|
25
th
%
|
80 | % | |||
Awards Granted in Fiscal Year 2021
| Adjusted ROE - three-year average |
RSU Vesting
Percentage |
||||
| ≥17% | 150 | % | |||
| 14% | 125 | % | |||
| 12% | 100 | % | |||
| 8% | 75 | % | |||
| 5% | 50 | % | |||
| 5% | 0 | % | |||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
63
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Stock Vested for Fiscal 2023
The following table provides information about RSU awards held by our NEOs that vested in fiscal 2023.
| Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Name |
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting |
Value Realized
on Vesting (1) |
||||||||||||||||||
| Paul C. Reilly | 133,603 |
(2)
|
$14,657,226 |
(3)
|
||||||||||||||||
| Paul M. Shoukry | 9,938 |
(4)
|
$1,184,813 |
(5)
|
||||||||||||||||
| James E. Bunn | 31,246 |
(6)
|
$3,487,149 |
(7)
|
||||||||||||||||
| Scott A. Curtis | 15,829 |
(8)
|
$1,807,544 |
(9)
|
||||||||||||||||
| Tashtego S. Elwyn | 14,638 |
(10)
|
$1,678,375 |
(11)
|
||||||||||||||||
(1)
The value of the shares on each respective vesting date using the closing market price for our common stock.
(2)
After disposition of a portion of the shares subject to award back to the company to cover taxes, the net number of shares issued was 85,498.
(3)
11,250 shares vested on November 22, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $123.52. 3,750 shares vested on November 29, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $115.37. 3,750 shares vested on November 30, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $116.90. 38,736 shares vested on December 13, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $111.52. 76,117 shares vested on January 03, 2023 when the closing price of our common stock was $106.11.
(4)
After disposition of a portion of the shares subject to award back to the company to cover taxes, the net number of shares issued was 6,974.
(5)
900 shares vested on November 22, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $123.52. 4,500 shares vested on November 22, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $123.52. 900 shares vested on November 29, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $115.37. 2,700 shares vested on December 12, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $114.58. 938 shares vested on December 13, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $111.52.
(6)
After disposition of a portion of the shares subject to award back to the company to cover taxes, the net number of shares issued was 20,290.
(7)
4,500 shares vested on November 22, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $123.52. 1,500 shares vested on November 29, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $115.37. 900 shares vested on November 30, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $116.90. 1,500 shares vested on November 30, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $116.90. 9,890 shares vested on December 13, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $111.52. 12,956 shares vested on January 03, 2023 when the closing price of our common stock was $106.11.
(8)
After disposition of a portion of the shares subject to award back to the company to cover taxes, the net number of shares issued was 11,209.
(9)
4,500 shares vested on November 22, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $123.52. 1,500 shares vested on November 29, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $115.37. 1,500 shares vested on November 30, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $116.90. 3,606 shares vested on December 13, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $111.52. 4,723 shares vested on January 03, 2023 when the closing price of our common stock was $106.11.
(10)
After disposition of a portion of the shares subject to award back to the company to cover taxes, the net number of shares issued was 10,059.
(11)
4,500 shares vested on November 22, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $123.52. 1,500 shares vested on November 29, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $115.37. 1,500 shares vested on November 30, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $116.90. 3,090 shares vested on December 13, 2022 when the closing price of our common stock was $111.52. 4,048 shares vested on January 03, 2023 when the closing price of our common stock was $106.11.
|
64
|
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2023
The following table provides information regarding our deferred compensation plans for our NEOs, which include the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and the Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan (“VDCP”).
| Name |
Executive
Contributions in Last Fiscal Year |
Registrant
Contributions in Last Fiscal Year (2)(3) |
Aggregate
Earnings (Losses) in Last Fiscal Year |
Aggregate
Withdrawals/ Distributions |
Aggregate
Balance at Last Fiscal Year End (2023) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul C. Reilly | $212,265 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTIP | $33,000 | $23,911 | $50,415 | $212,265 |
(4)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul M. Shoukry | $162,389 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTIP | $33,000 | $16,015 | $11,028 | $162,389 |
(4)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| James E. Bunn | $1,092,342 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTIP | $33,000 | $68,706 | $ | — | $621,521 |
(4)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VDCP | $75,000 |
(1)
|
$59,238 | $ | — | $470,821 |
(5)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scott A. Curtis | $515,211 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTIP | $33,000 | $56,369 | $ | — | $515,211 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tashtego S. Elwyn | $212,265 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTIP | $33,000 | $23,911 | $50,415 | $212,265 |
(4)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)
The amounts presented are included in the Salary column of the Summary Compensation Table and represents salary deferred in January 2023 through September 2023.
(2)
The amounts presented in these columns are included in the All Other Compensation table located below the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table.
(3)
Represents amounts earned with respect to the 2023 fiscal year but contributed in December 2023.
(4)
The amounts presented include previously and currently reported compensation with respect to LTIP contributions made by us. The following amounts represent vested balances at September 30, 2023: Mr. Reilly $59,887, Mr. Shoukry $22,209, Mr. Bunn $469,142, Mr. Curtis $362,833 and Mr. Elwyn $59,887.
(5)
The amount presented includes currently reported compensation with respect to VDCP contributions made by Mr. Bunn. The entire balance is vested as of September 30, 2023.
Long Term Incentive Plan.
Our LTIP, originally adopted effective October 1, 2000, is a deferred compensation plan benefiting key management and other highly compensated employees. Under the LTIP, we determine each year which employees will be participants for that plan year and then establish an account for such year for each participant. Although we can elect to use other allocation formulas, historically, the allocations under the LTIP have been made based upon the individual participant’s level of compensation above a minimum, and not in excess of a maximum (for fiscal 2023, these amounts were $305,000 and $905,000, respectively). The Committee or its designee then determines the percentage, if any, by which that compensation is multiplied to determine the contribution credited to each participant’s account for the particular plan year. Each account is thereafter credited (or debited), based upon the allocable share of the return that would have been earned (including any negative return) had all accounts been invested in a group of unaffiliated mutual funds and managed accounts. Senior management selects those mutual funds and managed accounts, pursuant to authority delegated by the Committee. Annual allocations and their deemed earnings vest after five years, subject to earlier vesting in the case of death, disability and retirement. We pay the vested account balance in a cash lump sum after five years of credited service, subject to earlier payment in the case of death or disability, and subject to certain deferral rights that must be exercised at least 12 months in advance of the account balance vesting. Because the account balances are unfunded, they represent unsecured claims against the company.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan.
The VDCP was established effective January 1, 2013, to provide a voluntary, pre-tax capital accumulation opportunity for a select group of highly compensated employees and independent contractors to defer compensation. The VDCP allows participants with annual calendar year compensation of $300,000 or more to defer up to 75% of base salary, bonuses and commissions, subject to certain minimums and maximums, and permits the company to make contributions at any time in its sole discretion. Balances of participants are deemed to be invested, at the election of the participant, in funds selected by the participant from a list chosen by the committee that administers the plan. Each year participants may elect to have that year’s deferrals distributed as a scheduled in-service withdrawal or upon retirement. All plan balances (deferrals, company contributions and earnings thereon) are unsecured liabilities of the company. (The Amended Restated VDCP was filed as exhibit 10.12 to the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on November 21, 2018.)
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
65
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control for Fiscal 2023
Except as described below and on pages 51-52 herein with respect to the CEO special one-time equity retention award, none of the NEOs is a party to any agreement or arrangement with us providing for payments in connection with any termination, including resignation, severance or retirement, a change in such officer’s responsibilities, or a change in control of the company. The following tables summarize the estimated payments to be made under each agreement, plan or arrangement in effect as of September 30, 2023, which provides for payments to an NEO at, following or in connection with a termination of employment or a change in control. However, in accordance with SEC regulations, we do not report any amount to be provided to an NEO under any arrangement that does not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of our NEOs and that is available generally to all salaried employees. In accordance with SEC regulations, this analysis assumes that the NEOs’ date of termination is September 30, 2023, and the price per share of our common stock on the date of termination is the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE as of that date, which was $100.43.
Paul C. Reilly
|
Benefit and Payments
Upon Termination |
Voluntary
Termination without Good Reason ($) |
Termination by
Executive for Good Reason or Involuntary Termination by the Company without Cause ($) |
Involuntary
Termination for Cause ($) |
Retirement
($)
|
Death or
Disability ($) |
Change
in Control ($) |
Qualified
Termination Following Change in Control ($) |
||||||||||||||||
| Salary Continuation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Annual Cash Bonus | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Severance Payment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Share Awards | $28,532,364 | $42,192,451 | — | $28,532,364 | $42,192,451 | — | $42,192,451 | ||||||||||||||||
| Stock Options | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Welfare Benefits | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Paul M. Shoukry
|
Benefit and Payments
Upon Termination |
Voluntary
Termination without Good Reason ($) |
Termination by
Executive for Good Reason or Involuntary Termination by the Company without Cause ($) |
Involuntary
Termination for Cause ($) |
Retirement
($) |
Death or
Disability ($) |
Change
in Control ($) |
Qualified
Termination Following Change in Control ($) |
||||||||||||||||
| Salary Continuation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Annual Cash Bonus | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Severance Payment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Share Awards | — | $2,340,622 | — | — | $6,287,119 | — | $6,287,119 | ||||||||||||||||
| Stock Options | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Welfare Benefits | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
|
66
|
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
James E. Bunn
|
Benefit and Payments
Upon Termination |
Voluntary
Termination without Good Reason ($) |
Termination by
Executive for Good Reason or Involuntary Termination by the Company without Cause ($) |
Involuntary
Termination for Cause ($) |
Retirement
($) |
Death or
Disability ($) |
Change
in Control ($) |
Qualified
Termination Following Change in Control ($) |
||||||||||||||||
| Salary Continuation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Annual Cash Bonus | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Severance Payment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Share Awards | — | $6,452,828 | — | — | $11,442,793 | — | $11,442,793 | ||||||||||||||||
| Stock Options | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Welfare Benefits | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Scott A. Curtis
|
Benefit and Payments
Upon Termination |
Voluntary
Termination without Good Reason ($) |
Termination by
Executive for Good Reason or Involuntary Termination by the Company without Cause ($) |
Involuntary
Termination for Cause ($) |
Retirement
($) |
Death or
Disability ($) |
Change
in Control ($) |
Qualified
Termination Following Change in Control ($) |
||||||||||||||||
| Salary Continuation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Annual Cash Bonus | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Severance Payment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Share Awards | $4,585,232 | $9,138,628 | — | $4,585,232 | $9,138,628 | — | $9,138,628 | ||||||||||||||||
| Stock Options | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Welfare Benefits | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Tashtego S. Elwyn
|
Benefit and Payments
Upon Termination |
Voluntary
Termination without Good Reason ($) |
Termination by
Executive for Good Reason or Involuntary Termination by the Company without Cause ($) |
Involuntary
Termination for Cause ($) |
Retirement
($) |
Death or
Disability ($) |
Change
in Control ($) |
Qualified
Termination Following Change in Control ($) |
||||||||||||||||
| Salary Continuation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Annual Cash Bonus | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Severance Payment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Share Awards | — | $6,550,647 | — | — | $8,936,964 | — | $8,936,964 | ||||||||||||||||
| Stock Options | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Welfare Benefits | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
67
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
2023 CEO Pay Ratio
Set forth below is a reasonable estimate of the ratio of annual total compensation of Paul C. Reilly, our CEO, to the annual total compensation of our median employee, calculated in accordance with SEC rules. Since these rules allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their own individual circumstances, the ratio reported by us may not be comparable to the ratios reported by other companies.
As permitted by SEC rules, we are using the same median employee determined in accordance with the procedures described in our Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, because there were no significant changes to our employee population, changes to our compensation programs, or changes to the median employee’s circumstances that could reasonably be expected to have the effect of significantly altering our pay ratio disclosure.
For fiscal 2023, we estimated the ratio of such median employee’s annual total compensation to that of the CEO in accordance with SEC rules for the Summary Compensation Table, as follows:
•
the median of the annual total compensation of all employees (other than the CEO) was $126,100;
•
the annual total compensation of the CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table, was $34,912,956; and
•
the ratio of the annual total compensation of the CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was 277 to 1.
Pay versus Performance
As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship between compensation actually paid (sometimes referred to herein as “CAP”) to our NEOs and certain financial performance metrics of the Company using a methodology that has been prescribed by the SEC. The amounts reported in this table are not additional amounts received by our chief executive officer (here sometimes referred to as the principal executive officer, or “PEO”) and non-PEO NEOs to the amounts reported in the SCT. The calculations and analysis below do not necessarily reflect the company’s approach to aligning executive compensation with performance, and the Compensation and Talent Committee did not consider the pay versus performance disclosure below when making its incentive compensation decisions. For further information concerning the company’s variable pay-for-performance philosophy and how the company aligns executive compensation with the company’s performance, refer to “Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
| Fiscal Year |
Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO
(1)
|
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO
(1)(2)
|
Average Summary Compensation Table Total for non-PEO NEOs
(1)
|
Average Compensation Actually Paid to non-PEO NEOs
(1)(2)
|
Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On: |
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders
($ millions) |
Company-Selected Metric: Pre-Tax Income ($ millions)
(4)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| Total Shareholder Return |
Peer Group Total Shareholder Return
(3)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) | (h) | (i) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 |
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 |
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 |
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||||||||||||
(1)
The dollar amounts reported in columns (b) and (d) are the amounts of total compensation reported for Mr. Reilly (our Chief Executive Officer) and the average for our NEOs excluding Mr. Reilly, respectively, for each corresponding year in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table. Refer to “Executive Compensation – Executive Compensation Tables – Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2023.”
Mr. Reilly
served as our PEO for the full fiscal year in 2023, 2022, and 2021. Our non-PEO NEOs included: (a) for fiscal year 2023 and 2022, Messrs. Shoukry, Bunn, Curtis, and Elwyn; and (b) for fiscal year 2021, Messrs. Shoukry, Bunn, John C. Carson, Jr., and Ms. Bella Loykhter Allaire.
(2)
The dollar amounts reported in columns (c) and (e) represent the amount of CAP to Mr. Reilly, and the average CAP to our NEOs excluding Mr. Reilly, respectively, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The fair value of equity awards was determined using methodologies and assumptions developed in a manner substantively consistent with those used to determine the grant date fair value of such awards. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to Mr. Reilly or the rest of our NEOs as a group during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the adjustments set forth in the sections below entitled “PEO SCT Total to CAP Reconciliation” and “Non-PEO NEO Average SCT Total to Average CAP Reconciliation” were made to total compensation for each year to determine the CAP for Mr. Reilly and the average for our NEOs excluding Mr. Reilly, respectively.
(3)
The Peer Group for which Total Shareholder Return is provided in column (g) is the Dow Jones U.S. Investment Services index.
(4)
While the company uses numerous financial and non-financial performance measures for the purpose of evaluating performance for the company’s compensation programs, the company has determined that
Pre-Tax Income
is the financial performance measure that, in the company’s assessment, represents the most important performance measure (that is not otherwise required to be disclosed in the table) used by the company to link compensation actually paid to the company’s NEOs, for the most recently completed fiscal year, to company performance.
|
68
|
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
PEO SCT Total to CAP Reconciliation
| Fiscal Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| SCT Total |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| - Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year |
$(
|
$(
|
$(
|
||||||||
| ∓ Fair Value at Fiscal Year-End of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| ∓ Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| ∓ Fair Value at Vesting of Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year That Vested During Fiscal Year |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| ∓ Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| - Fair Value as of Prior Fiscal Year-End of Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years That Failed to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Fiscal Year |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| + Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Stock Awards in the Fiscal Year Prior to the Vesting Date that are not otherwise included in the Total Compensation for the Fiscal Year |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| Compensation Actually Paid |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
Non-PEO NEO Average SCT Total to Average CAP Reconciliation
| Fiscal Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| Average SCT Total |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| - Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year |
$(
|
$(
|
$(
|
||||||||
| ∓ Fair Value at Fiscal Year-End of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| ∓ Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| ∓ Fair Value at Vesting of Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year That Vested During Fiscal Year |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| ∓ Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| - Fair Value as of Prior Fiscal Year-End of Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years That Failed to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Fiscal Year |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| + Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Stock Awards in the Fiscal Year Prior to the Vesting Date that are not otherwise included in the Total Compensation for the Fiscal Year |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
| Average Compensation Actually Paid |
$
|
$
|
$
|
||||||||
Financial Performance Measures
As described in greater detail in “
Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis
,” the company’s executive compensation program emphasizes discretionary variable annual performance compensation and long-term incentive compensation in the form of RSUs, a portion of which will be received only upon the company’s attainment of specific financial targets. The Committee believes that delivering equity in the form of RSUs aligns employees’ interests with those of shareholders and helps motivate executives to achieve financial and strategic goals within the bounds of the company’s risk tolerance levels. The metrics that the company uses for equity incentive award vesting are selected based on an objective of serving shareholders’ interests by conditioning vesting upon future performance that delivers on the company’s long-term business strategy. The most important financial performance measures used by the company to link CAP to the company’s NEOs, for the most recently completed fiscal year, to the company’s performance are as follows:
•
Pre-tax Income
•
Net Revenue
•
Adjusted ROE
(1)
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
69
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Analysis of the Information Presented in the Pay versus Performance Table
As described in more detail in the section “Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the company’s executive compensation program emphasizes discretionary variable annual performance compensation and performance-vesting long-term incentive compensation. While the company utilizes several performance measures to align executive compensation with company performance, not all of those company measures are presented in the Pay versus Performance table. Moreover, the company generally seeks to incentivize long-term performance, and therefore does not specifically align the company’s performance measures with compensation actually paid (as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K) for a particular year. In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the company is providing the following descriptions of the relationships between information presented in the Pay versus Performance table.
Compensation Actually Paid and Cumulative TSR of Company and Peer Group
As demonstrated by the following graph, the amount of compensation actually paid to Mr. Reilly and the average amount of compensation actually paid to the company’s NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Reilly) is aligned with the company’s cumulative TSR over the three years presented in the table. The alignment of CAP with the company’s cumulative TSR over the period presented is because a significant portion of the compensation actually paid to Mr. Reilly and to the other NEOs is comprised of equity awards. As described in more detail in the section “
Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and
Analysis
,” 50% of the annual bonus for our CEO is delivered in the form of RSUs, of which 60% are performance RSUs that vest based on attainment of average Adjusted ROE
(1)
levels over a three-year measurement period. For the other executive officers, a variable portion of the annual bonus amount is delivered in the form of RSUs, of which 50% are performance RSUs. The amounts vesting are further subject to modification (+/- 20%) based on the company’s rTSR compared to a defined peer group.
The chart below illustrates the relationship between the PEO and average Non-PEO NEO CAP amounts and the Company’s and Peer Group’s TSR during fiscal years 2021-2023.
|
70
|
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
The charts below illustrate the relationship between the PEO and Non-PEO NEO CAP amounts and the Company’s Net Income and Pre-Tax Income during fiscal years 2021-2023.
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
71
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Other Compensation Policies
Hedging Policy
The company maintains a written Insider Trading Policy (“Policy”) that is designed to prohibit company personnel from violating insider trading laws and mitigate the risk of even the appearance of improper conduct. The Policy applies to directors, officers, employees and other associates of the company, together with certain of their family members and controlled entities (“Covered Persons”). The Policy imposes the following restrictions on trading in securities issued by the company (including our common stock), whether or not the Covered Person is aware of material nonpublic information concerning the company.
Directors and Executive Officers.
Under the Policy, members of the company’s Board and its executive officers (the “Pre-Clearance Group”) may not, in connection with our securities:
•
engage in transactions in publicly traded or private options or other derivative securities
•
hold such securities in a margin account unless such securities have been exempted from any security interest of the broker
•
pledge such securities as collateral for a loan, or
•
utilize standing orders for longer than one business day (other than employee stock option limit orders or approved Rule 10b5-1 trading plans).
All Covered Persons.
In addition, no Covered Person (including the Pre-Clearance Group) may, in connection with our securities:
•
engage in short sales
•
transact in publicly traded or private options; except that non-Pre-Clearance Group members may sell covered call options, and/or buy protective put options in non-speculative, bona fide transactions against an existing, non-restricted long position (with certain exceptions)
•
enter into, modify or cancel a standing order when subject to a trading “blackout”
•
allow any financial advisor to purchase or sell such securities within a discretionary account, or
•
engage in hedging or monetization transactions.
The Policy permits Covered Persons to request limited exceptions to these restrictions from time to time from the Legal Department.
Compensation Recoupment Policies
The company maintains a Compensation Recoupment Policy that is intended to reduce potential risks associated with our compensation plans, and thus better align the long-term interests of our NEOs and our shareholders. The policy contains three triggers that could result in “clawback” of compensation: (i) instances of financial statement restatement, (ii) discovery of a materially inaccurate performance measure that resulted in an inappropriate award or vesting of incentive compensation, and (iii) serious misconduct or materially imprudent judgment that caused the company material financial or reputational harm. Incentive compensation is defined to include any compensation other than base salary, and it thus includes cash, shares of stock, restricted shares, RSUs and stock options. The third trigger gives the Committee authority to require forfeiture of the employee’s unvested incentive compensation awards and/or reimbursement of the most recently received annual bonus. It applies to all executive officers and to any other employee whose annual incentive compensation exceeds 50% of total annual compensation, with the exception of Private Client Group financial advisors and branch managers.
In addition, the company maintains a Dodd-Frank Clawback Policy in accordance with SEC and NYSE rules, which policy requires current and former executive officers of the company to return any incentive-based compensation that is determined to be erroneously awarded compensation in the event that the company is required to prepare an accounting restatement, in each case as defined in such policy.
|
72
|
|
||||
Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
Income Deduction Limitations under Section 162(m)
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“§162(m)”) generally sets a limit of $1 million on the amount of compensation that the company may deduct for federal income tax purposes in any given year with respect to the compensation of “covered employees,” which currently includes our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer and the three most highly compensated executive officers (as well as individuals in these categories in certain prior years). The Committee believes that the tax deduction limitation should not compromise its ability to design and maintain executive compensation arrangements that will attract and retain the executive talent to compete successfully. Accordingly, achieving the desired flexibility in the design and delivery of compensation may result in compensation that, in certain cases, is not deductible for federal income tax purposes
.
Based on the factors discussed under “2023 Compensation Decisions” above, in fiscal 2023 the company paid, and in fiscal 2024 the Committee expects the company to pay, certain NEOs compensation (including a base salary, annual bonus and retention RSUs) that, in the aggregate, exceeds $1 million in value. The Committee believes that this compensation is necessary in order to maintain the competitiveness of the total compensation package and, as a result, has determined that it is appropriate, regardless of whether certain amounts of such compensation are ultimately deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Report of the Compensation and Talent Committee
The CT Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this Proxy Statement. Based on this review and discussion, the CT Committee has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference into our Annual Report.
Respectfully submitted by the CT Committee
Robert M. Dutkowsky, Chair
Jeffrey N. Edwards
Benjamin C. Esty
Gordon L. Johnson
Raj Seshadri
Jeffrey N. Edwards
Benjamin C. Esty
Gordon L. Johnson
Raj Seshadri
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
73
|
||||
Proposal 3 – Ratify Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
What is being voted on:
Ratification of the appointment of KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm. |
Board recommendation:
Our Board unanimously recommends a vote
FOR
ratification of the appointment of KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2024.
|
||||
General
The Audit Committee has appointed KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and to audit the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2024. Representatives of KPMG LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. It is also expected that they will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
If the proposal to ratify the appointment is not approved, the Audit Committee will reconsider the selection of KPMG LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm, but may still determine that the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm is in the best interests of the company and its shareholders. Even if the appointment is ratified by the shareholders, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the committee determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.
Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee, with the approval of the shareholders, engaged KPMG to perform an annual audit of the company’s consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2023. The following table sets forth the approximate aggregate fees billed or expected to be billed to the company by KPMG for fiscal years 2023 and 2022 for the audit of the company’s annual consolidated financial statements and for other services rendered by KPMG.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
|
Audit
(1)
|
$9,554,034 | $9,401,062 | ||||||
|
Audit-Related
(2)
|
839,603 | 684,826 | ||||||
|
Tax
(3)
|
362,701 | 230,089 | ||||||
|
All Other Fees
(4)
|
148,981 | 107,054 | ||||||
| Total | $10,905,319 | $10,423,031 | ||||||
(1)
Audit fees represents fees for the audit of the company’s consolidated and subsidiary financial statements.
(2)
Audit-Related fees consist primarily of fees for custody rule examinations of registered investment advisers, including the issuance of an independent auditors report on controls over custody operations, an examination to report on controls applicable to our “e-folio” fixed income client application, Financial Intermediary Controls and Compliance Attestations for our mutual fund customers and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development attestations for Raymond James Bank.
(3)
Tax fees includes tax compliance and consulting services related to federal and state tax returns.
(4)
All Other Fees consist principally of consulting services related to certain regulatory matters.
|
74
|
|
||||
Proposal 3 – Ratify Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent auditors. The policy is designed to ensure that the auditor’s independence is not impaired. The policy provides that, before the company engages the independent auditor to render any service, the engagement must be formally approved by the Audit Committee. All audit and non-audit services provided to the company and its subsidiaries by KPMG during fiscal year 2023 were formally approved.
Report of the Audit Committee
Members of the Audit Committee have reviewed and discussed with management and with representatives of KPMG LLP the consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2023 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and the integrated audit of the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting for fiscal 2023. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with KPMG LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC. The Audit Committee also received the written disclosures and the letter from KPMG LLP required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding independent auditor communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and discussed with KPMG LLP their independence from us and our management, and considered their independence in connection with any non-audit services provided. The Audit Committee also reviewed with KPMG LLP our critical accounting policies and practices and certain written communications between KPMG LLP and our management.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, and in reliance on the representations of management and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report with respect to the financial statements, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2023 for filing with the SEC. The Board approved the recommendation.
Management is responsible for our financial statements and the financial reporting process, including our system of internal controls. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for the integrated audit of the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. The firm issues reports on our consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee members are not professional accountants or auditors, and their functions are not intended to duplicate or to certify the activities of management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee serves a Board-level oversight role, in which it provides advice, counsel and direction to management and the independent registered public accounting firm on the basis of the information it receives, discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, and the experience of the Audit Committee’s members in business, financial and accounting matters. In its oversight role, the Audit Committee relies on the work and assurances of our management, which has the primary responsibility for financial statements and reports, and of the independent registered public accounting firm, who, in their report, express an opinion on the conformity of our annual financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Roderick C. McGeary, Chair
Marlene Debel
Anne Gates
Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr.
Marlene Debel
Anne Gates
Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr.
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
75
|
||||
Security Ownership Information
Security Ownership of Principal Shareholders
The following table sets forth the shares beneficially owned as of December 4, 2023, by each shareholder known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of the company’s outstanding shares. The percentage of ownership indicated in the following table is based on 209,844,975 shares outstanding as of December 4, 2023.
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Amount and
Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of
Class |
|||||||||
|
The Vanguard Group, Inc., 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355
|
23,255,887 |
(1)
|
11.08 | % | |||||||
| Thomas A. James, Chair Emeritus, Director, 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33716 | 19,332,848 |
(2)
|
9.21 | % | |||||||
| BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055 | 16,897,222 |
(3)
|
8.05 | % | |||||||
| PRIMECAP Management Company, 177 E. Colorado Blvd., 11th Floor, Pasadena, CA 91105 | 13,059,887 |
(4)
|
6.22 | % | |||||||
(1)
On February 9, 2023, The Vanguard Group, Inc., on behalf of itself and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Vanguard”), filed a Schedule 13G/A with the SEC indicating that Vanguard had shared voting power with respect to 272,040 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 22,456,928 shares, and shared dispositive power with respect to 798,959 shares, of our common stock as of December 30, 2022.
(2)
As of December 4, 2023, Mr. James had sole voting power with respect to 19,157,968 shares, shared voting power with respect to 174,880 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 19,157,968 shares, and shared dispositive power with respect to 174,880 shares, of our common stock. Includes 821 shares subject to RSUs that will vest within 60 days.
(3)
On February 3, 2023, BlackRock, Inc., on behalf of itself and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “BlackRock”), filed a Schedule 13G/A with the SEC indicating that BlackRock had sole voting power with respect to 15,312,016 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 16,897,222 shares of our common stock as of December 31, 2022.
(4)
On February 9, 2023, PRIMECAP Management Company, on behalf of itself and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Primecap”), filed a Schedule 13G with the SEC indicating that Primecap had sole voting power with respect to 12,487,852 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 13,059,887 shares of our common stock as of December 31, 2022.
Security Ownership of Management
The following table lists the shares of common stock beneficially owned as of December 4, 2023, by (1) each director and director nominee, (2) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table below, and (3) all current directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group. The percentage of ownership indicated in the following table is based on 209,844,975 of the company’s shares outstanding on December 4, 2023.
Beneficial ownership has been determined according to SEC regulations and includes shares that may be acquired within 60 days after December 4, 2023, upon the vesting of RSUs. Unless otherwise indicated, all directors, director nominees and executive officers have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown. No shares are pledged as security. As of December 4, 2023, no individual director, director nominee or named executive officer other than Thomas A. James, our Chair Emeritus, owned beneficially 1% or more of our shares, and our directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group owned approximately 9.74% of our outstanding shares.
|
76
|
|
||||
Security Ownership Information
Common Stock Beneficially Owned
| Name |
Shares of
Common Stock |
Number of
Shares Subject to Exercisable Stock Options |
Number of
Shares Subject to Vesting of Restricted Stock Units |
Total Number
of Beneficially Owned Shares |
Percent of
Class |
|||||||||||||||
| Thomas A. James | 19,332,027 | (1)(2) | — | 821 | 19,332,848 | 9.21 | % | |||||||||||||
| James E. Bunn | 58,611 | (2) | — | 7,176 | 65,787 | * | ||||||||||||||
| Scott A. Curtis | 161,004 | (2) | — | 3,075 | 164,079 | * | ||||||||||||||
| Marlene Debel | 4,213 | — | — | 4,213 | * | |||||||||||||||
| Robert M. Dutkowsky | 9,506 | — | — | 9,506 | * | |||||||||||||||
| Jeffrey N. Edwards | 26,934 | — | — | 26,934 | * | |||||||||||||||
| Tashtego S. Elwyn | 76,514 | (2) | — | 2,768 | 79,282 | * | ||||||||||||||
| Benjamin C. Esty | 25,884 | — | — | 25,884 | * | |||||||||||||||
| Art A. Garcia | — | — | — | — | * | |||||||||||||||
| Anne Gates | 10,938 | — | — | 10,938 | * | |||||||||||||||
| Gordon L. Johnson | 38,361 | — | — | 38,361 | * | |||||||||||||||
| Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr. | — | — | — | — | * | |||||||||||||||
| Roderick C. McGeary | 18,444 | — | — | 18,444 | * | |||||||||||||||
| Paul C. Reilly | 274,077 | (2) | — | 30,833 | 304,910 | * | ||||||||||||||
| Raj Seshadri | 7,872 | — | — | 7,872 | * | |||||||||||||||
| Paul M. Shoukry | 22,879 | (2) | — | 2,705 | 25,584 | * | ||||||||||||||
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
(25 persons) |
20,395,660 | (2) | — | 59,056 | 20,454,716 | 9.74 | % | |||||||||||||
* Less than 1%.
(1)
Includes 174,880 shares for which Mr. James has shared voting power and shared dispositive power.
(2)
Includes shares credited to Employee Stock Ownership Plan accounts.
Stock Ownership Policy for Directors and Executive Officers
The Board maintains a Directors and Executive Officers Stock Ownership Policy that stipulates the following ownership levels of shares of our common stock that non-executive directors and executive officers are required to attain within five years of their election or the policy’s most recent adoption/revision (November 21, 2019).
| Title | Holding requirement | Valuation | What counts? | ||||||||
|
Non-executive
Director |
5X annual retainer |
Average of NYSE closing price during 60 days prior to measurement
|
•
Shares owned directly or jointly with family members
•
Shares owned indirectly
•
Unvested time-based restricted stock and RSUs
|
||||||||
|
Chief Executive
Officer |
7X annual salary |
||||||||||
| Executive Officers |
3X annual salary |
||||||||||
An individual’s compliance with the policy is tested annually as of the last trading day of each fiscal year. Until the required ownership level is achieved, each individual must retain 100% of the net shares (after deductions for taxes or option exercise price) obtained through the company’s share incentive plans.
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
77
|
||||
Security Ownership Information
The following table shows, as of September 30, 2023, the progress of our non-executive directors towards meeting the requirements of the policy.
| Name |
Year Service
Commenced |
Shares of
Stock Held (#) |
Restricted Stock
Units Held (#) |
Total
Shares Held (#) |
Share
Ownership Goal Met (1) |
||||||||||||
| Marlene Debel | 2020 | 4,213 | 1,643 | 5,856 | ü | ||||||||||||
| Robert M. Dutkowsky | 2018 | 9,506 | 1,643 | 11,149 | ü | ||||||||||||
| Jeffrey N. Edwards | 2014 | 26,934 | 1,643 | 28,577 | ü | ||||||||||||
| Benjamin C. Esty | 2014 | 25,884 | 1,643 | 27,527 | ü | ||||||||||||
| Art A. Garcia | 2023 | — | 1,846 | 1,846 | — | ||||||||||||
| Anne Gates | 2018 | 10,938 | 1,643 | 12,581 | ü | ||||||||||||
| Gordon L. Johnson | 2010 | 38,361 | 2,281 | 40,642 | ü | ||||||||||||
| Raymond W. McDaniel, Jr. | 2023 | — | 1,846 | 1,846 | — | ||||||||||||
| Roderick C. McGeary | 2015 | 18,444 | 1,643 | 20,087 | ü | ||||||||||||
| Raj Seshadri | 2019 | 7,872 | 1,643 | 9,515 | ü | ||||||||||||
(1)
Based on our current compensation practices, it is anticipated that Mr. Garcia and Mr. McDaniel will attain their share ownership goals within the time period prescribed by the policy.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the company’s shares to file reports of ownership on Form 3 and reports of changes in ownership on Forms 4 or 5 with the SEC. The reporting officers, directors and 10% shareholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish the company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
Based solely on its review of copies of such reports, the company believes that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its directors, officers and 10% shareholders were complied with during fiscal year 2023.
|
78
|
|
||||
Security Ownership Information
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes equity compensation plan information for the plans approved by shareholders, as a group, and for the plans not approved by shareholders, as a group, in each case as of September 30, 2023. In accordance with SEC rules, the table below does not include our Profit Sharing Plan and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”).
| Plan Category |
Number of
Securities to Be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (a) |
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (b) (1) |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (Excludes
Securities Reflected in Column (a)) (c) |
||||||||||||||
|
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders
(2)
|
232,499 | $55.09 | 25,252,128 | (3) | |||||||||||||
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders
(4)
|
— | $ | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Total | 232,499 | $55.09 | 25,252,128 | ||||||||||||||
(1)
The weighted-average exercise price does not take into account the shares or restricted stock units issued under our restricted stock and employee stock purchase plans, which have no exercise price.
(2)
On February 23, 2012, the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (as subsequently amended and restated, the “2012 Plan”) was approved by our shareholders. The 2012 Plan serves as the successor to our 1996 Stock Option Plan for Key Management Personnel, 2007 Stock Option Plan for independent Contractors, 2002 Incentive Stock Option Plan, Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors, 2005 Restricted Stock Plan and 2007 Stock Bonus Plan (the “Predecessor Plans”). Upon approval of the 2012 Plan by our shareholders, the Predecessor Plans terminated (except with respect to awards previously granted under the Predecessor Plans that were outstanding). As of December 15, 2023, no additional awards were outstanding under the Predecessor Plans. The 2012 Plan was most recently approved by our shareholders on February 23, 2023. Under the 2012 Plan, we may grant 15,400,000 new shares in addition to the shares available for grant under the Predecessor Plans.
(3)
Includes 21,034,121 shares remaining available for issuance under the 2012 Plan and 4,218,007 shares remaining available for issuance under the 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended, as of September 30, 2023.
(4)
We have two Predecessor Plans that were not previously approved by shareholders: the 1996 Stock Option Plan for Key Management Personnel and the Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors. All previously outstanding shares have been exercised or otherwise disposed of.
Political Contributions Disclosure
Public sector decisions can significantly affect Raymond James’ clients and advisors, as well as our business strategy and prospects. For this reason, Raymond James participates in constructive engagement with government officials and policy-makers, and we encourage the private civic involvement of our employees, advisors and clients. Our engagement in the political process is grounded in, and guided by, our commitment to the interests of our clients and other stakeholders, and is subject to established procedures and guidelines in a manner that reflects our core values.
Raymond James does not use corporate funds directly for political contributions to candidates, political parties or political committees. We have not made, and do not intend to make, corporate payments to influence the outcome of ballot measures. Additionally, Raymond James does not undertake independent efforts in support of, or in opposition to, candidates, political parties or ballot measures. Finally, Raymond James does not contribute to “independent expenditure” committees organized under §527 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Raymond James is a member of a number of trade associations that may engage in political activities or make political contributions to federal and state candidates or political committees. We encourage our associates to support trade associations by sharing industry expertise via committee and working group participation, advocating for client interests as well as through contributions. The firm’s main purpose for maintaining membership in trade associations is the business, technical, and industry benefits these organizations provide to our clients and other stakeholders. Trade organizations take a wide variety of positions on many political matters, not all of which Raymond James supports.
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
79
|
||||
Relationships and Related Transactions
Introduction.
In this section we disclose transactions involving the company where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and any of the company’s “related persons” has a direct or indirect material interest. As defined by SEC rules, related persons include our executive officers, directors, holders of more than 5% of our voting securities, immediate family members of the foregoing, and certain associated entities. SEC rules require that we disclose all such “related person transactions” that occurred since the beginning of our last completed fiscal year (October 1, 2022) to the filing date of this Proxy Statement, as well as any currently proposed transactions. We refer to this period below as the “reporting period.” Accordingly, the dollar amounts set forth in this section, including compensation of certain individuals, do not reflect past fiscal year amounts only, but may include multiple annual bonus payments as well as certain future proposed payments.
Bank Transactions.
In the ordinary course of our business, we make bank loans to, and hold bank deposits for, certain of our officers and directors, and also extend margin credit in connection with the purchase of securities to certain of our officers and directors who are affiliated with one of our broker-dealers, as permitted under applicable law, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“SOX”). These transactions have been made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-affiliated persons, and do not involve more than normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. We also, from time to time and in the ordinary course of our business, enter into transactions involving the purchase or sale of securities as principal from, or to, directors, officers and employees and accounts in which they have an interest. These purchases and sales of securities on a principal basis are effected on substantially the same terms as similar transactions with unaffiliated third parties.
Investments.
We have from time to time established private investment funds to permit certain officers to participate in our merchant banking, venture capital and other similar activities by investing alongside the funds that we raise and manage for non-employee investors. Trusts benefiting family members of these officers have also invested in these funds. In addition, certain of our directors and executive officers from time to time may invest their personal monies in funds managed by our subsidiaries on substantially the same terms and conditions as other similarly situated investors in these funds who are neither directors nor officers. A family trust affiliated with Mr. Thomas A. James, our Chair Emeritus, plans to liquidate a previously disclosed investment interest in an initial amount of $2,015,000 in a managed account with ClariVest Asset Management, LLC, an affiliate of the company. Mr. Robert M. Dutkowsky and his immediate family members maintain investment accounts with the company in respect of which they paid fees to the company in the aggregate amount of approximately $460,679 during the reporting period.
Art Collection.
Thomas A. and Mary James permit us to display over 2,400 pieces from their nationally known art collection throughout the Raymond James home office complex, without charge to us. In return, we bear the cost of insurance and the direct and overhead costs of two full-time staff persons. They serve as curators for the collection, conduct tours and coordinate special events. They also collaborate with The James Museum of Western Wildlife Art, a public art museum founded by Mr. James, to coordinate special exhibitions and the borrowing from and acquisition of works of art for the collection. The art collection at our corporate headquarters is a marketing attraction for businesses and other organizations, and we provide regular tours for clients, local schools, business groups and nonprofit organizations and the community at large. We continue to provide in-person and virtual art tours for special occasions. The total cost to us for these items during the reporting period was approximately $241,618.
Employment Relationships.
Certain family members of our directors or executive officers are employed by the company and/or affiliated with certain of its subsidiaries. The following paragraph sets forth certain information about these relationships during the reporting period.
As explained above, the individual compensation amounts set forth below cover a “reporting period” that is greater than a fiscal year and may include two annual bonus cycles.
Matthew Frey, the son-in-law of Paul C. Reilly, is an independent branch owner, manager and financial adviser affiliated with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and earned cash compensation (net of ordinary-course fees to the company) of $2,110,787 out of which he pays all general office expenses, payroll and other costs of branch operations, and splits net earnings with his partner. Christopher Shoukry, the brother of Paul M. Shoukry, serves as Director with Alex. Brown, a division of Raymond James Associates, Inc., and earned cash compensation of $558,529.
Transactions with 5% Shareholders.
We and our affiliates engage in ordinary-course trading arrangements relating to the placement of investment funds and ETFs on our Private Client Group platform, and other transactions or arrangements with, and may from time to time provide other ordinary-course investment banking or other financial services to, The Vanguard Group and its affiliates, related entities and clients. These transactions are negotiated on an arm’s-length basis and contain customary terms and conditions. The Vanguard Group is an investment manager or sponsor to mutual funds that are investment options in our 401(k) Plan. The selection of the Vanguard mutual funds as investment options is unrelated to Vanguard’s common stock ownership. We believe that the fees paid to The Vanguard Group through the Vanguard mutual funds are the same as the fees that are paid by the other holders of the same share class of those funds.
|
80
|
|
||||
Relationships and Related Transactions
We and our affiliates engage in ordinary-course trading arrangements relating to the placement of investment funds and ETFs on our Private Client Group platform, and other transactions or arrangements with, and may from time to time provide other ordinary-course investment banking or other financial services to, BlackRock, Inc., and its affiliates, related entities and clients. These transactions are negotiated on an arm’s–length basis and contain customary terms and conditions.
We and our affiliates engage in ordinary-course trading arrangements relating to the placement of investment funds and ETFs on our Private Client Group platform, and other transactions or arrangements with, and may from time to time provide other ordinary-course investment banking or other financial services to, PRIMECAP Management Company, and its affiliates, related entities and clients. These transactions are negotiated on an arm’s–length basis and contain customary terms and conditions.
Related Person Transaction Policy
The CGESG Committee maintains Policies and Procedures with Respect to Related Person Transactions to address the review, approval, disapproval or ratification of related person transactions. “Related persons” include:
•
the company’s executive officers
•
holders of more than 5% of the company’s voting securities
•
the company’s directors
•
immediate family members of the foregoing persons
•
the company’s director nominees
•
any entity in which a person has a 5% or greater ownership interest or that is otherwise under the “control” of such person
A “related person transaction” means (with certain exceptions permitted by SEC rules) a transaction or series of transactions in which:
•
the company participates
•
the amount involved exceeds $120,000
•
a related person has a direct or indirect material interest
Examples might include sales, purchases and transfers of real or personal property, use of property and equipment by lease or otherwise, services received or furnished and borrowings and lendings, including guarantees.
Management is required to present for the approval or ratification of the CGESG Committee all material information regarding an actual or potential related person transaction. The policy requires that, after reviewing such information, the disinterested members of the CGESG Committee will approve or disapprove the transaction. Approval will be given only if the CGESG Committee determines that such transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, the best interests of the company and its shareholders. The policy further requires that in the event management becomes aware of a related person transaction that has not been previously approved or ratified, it must be submitted to the CGESG Committee promptly. The policy also permits the chair of the CGESG Committee to review and approve related person transactions in accordance with the terms of the policy between scheduled committee meetings. Any determination made pursuant to this delegated authority must be reported to the full CGESG Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
81
|
||||
Questions and Answers about the Annual Meeting
|
Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or a Proxy Statement?
|
You have received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy materials because Raymond James’s Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the virtual Annual Meeting on February 22, 2024. The materials include information that is designed to assist you in voting your shares and information that we are required to provide to you under the rules of the SEC. On January 8, 2024, we mailed either a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or a package consisting of this Proxy Statement, a proxy card and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, (“Annual Report”) to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 20, 2023 (“Record Date”).
|
||||
|
Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, but no proxy materials?
|
Again this year we are distributing our Proxy Statement, proxy card and the Annual Report to certain shareholders via the Internet under the SEC’s “notice and access” rules. This approach conserves natural resources and reduces our printing and distribution costs, while providing a timely and convenient method of accessing the materials and voting. On January 8, 2024, we mailed a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”) to participating shareholders. If you received a Notice by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. Instead, the Notice instructs you on how to access and review all of the important information contained in the Proxy Statement and Annual Report on the Internet. The Notice also instructs you on how you may submit your proxy. If you received a Notice by mail and would like to receive a free printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice.
|
||||
|
Why are you holding a virtual meeting?
|
Our 2024 Annual Meeting is being held on a virtual-only basis with no physical location. Our goal for the Annual Meeting is to enable the largest number of shareholders to participate in the meeting, while providing substantially the same access and possibilities for exchange with the Board and our senior management as an in-person meeting. We believe that this approach represents best practices for virtual shareholder meetings, including by providing a support line for technical assistance and addressing as many shareholder questions as time allows.
|
||||
|
Can I participate and ask
questions in the virtual meeting? |
Yes. We are committed to ensuring that our shareholders have substantially the same opportunities to participate in the virtual Annual Meeting as they would at an in-person meeting. In order to submit a question, you will need your 16-digit control number that is printed on the Notice or proxy card that you received in the mail, or via email if you have elected to receive material electronically. You may log in 15 minutes before the start of the Annual Meeting and submit questions online. You will be able to submit questions during the Annual Meeting as well. You may also submit questions in advance of the meeting at
www.proxyvote.com
when you vote your shares. We encourage you to submit any question that is relevant to the business of the meeting.
|
||||
|
82
|
|
||||
Questions and Answers about the Annual Meeting
|
How do I attend the virtual Annual Meeting, and what documentation must I provide to be admitted?
|
In order to participate in the Annual Meeting, please log on to
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RJF2024
at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the Annual Meeting to provide time to register and download the required software, if needed. If you are a shareholder of record, you will need to provide your 16-digit control number included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you receive a printed copy of the proxy materials) in order to be able to participate in the meeting. If you are a beneficial owner (if, for example, your shares are not registered in your name but are held in “street name” for you by your broker, bank or other institution), you must follow the instructions printed on your Voting Instruction Form. The webcast replay will be available at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RJF2024
until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
If you access the meeting but do not enter your control number, you will be able to listen to the proceedings, but you will not be able to vote or otherwise participate.
|
||||
|
How can I vote online at the
virtual Annual Meeting? |
If you are a shareholder of record and provide your 16-digit control number when you access the meeting, you may vote all shares registered in your name during the Annual Meeting webcast. If you are a beneficial owner as to any of your shares (i.e., instead of being registered in your name, all or a portion of your shares are registered in “street name” and held by your broker, bank or other institution for your benefit), you must follow the instructions printed on your Voting Instruction Form. | ||||
|
What if I have technical or other “IT” problems logging into or participating in the virtual Annual Meeting?
|
We have provided a toll-free technical support “help line” that can be accessed by any shareholder who is having challenges logging into or participating in the virtual Annual Meeting. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support line number that will be posted on the Virtual Annual Meeting login page. | ||||
| What is a proxy? | A “proxy” is a written authorization from you to another person that allows such person (the “proxy holder”) to vote your shares on your behalf. The Board of Directors is asking you to allow either of the following persons to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting: Paul C. Reilly, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, or Thomas A. James, Chair Emeritus. | ||||
| Who is entitled to vote? | Each Raymond James shareholder of record on the Record Date for the Annual Meeting is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. | ||||
|
What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder “of record” and as a “beneficial owner”?
|
•
Shareholders of Record
.
You are a shareholder of record if at the close of business on the Record Date your shares were registered directly in your name with Computershare, our transfer agent.
•
Beneficial Owner.
You are a beneficial owner if at the close of business on the Record Date your shares were held by a brokerage firm or other nominee and not in your name. Being a beneficial owner means that, like most of our shareholders, your shares are held in “street name” (meaning in the name of your brokerage firm or other financial institution). As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or nominee how to vote your shares by following the voting instructions your broker or other nominee provides. If you do not provide your broker or nominee with instructions on how to vote your shares, your broker or nominee will only be permitted to vote your shares with respect to some of the proposals, but not all. Please see “What if I return a signed proxy or voting instruction card, but do not specify how my shares are to be voted?” for additional information.
•
Raymond James has requested banks, brokerage firms and other nominees who hold Raymond James shares on behalf of beneficial owners of the shares as of the close of business on the Record Date to forward the Notice or proxy materials to those beneficial owners. Raymond James has agreed to pay the reasonable expenses of the banks, brokerage firms and other nominees for forwarding these materials.
|
||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
83
|
||||
Questions and Answers about the Annual Meeting
| How many votes do I have? |
Every holder of a share of common stock on the Record Date will be entitled to one vote per share for each Director to be elected at the Annual Meeting and to one vote per share on each other matter presented at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date there were 209,905,956 shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
|
||||
|
What proposals are being presented at the virtual Annual Meeting?
|
Raymond James intends to present proposals numbered one through three for shareholder consideration and voting at the Annual Meeting. These proposals are for:
1.
Election of the eleven (11) director nominees named in the Proxy Statement;
2.
Advisory vote to approve executive compensation (“say-on-pay”); and
3.
Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
Other than the matters set forth in this Proxy Statement and matters incident to the conduct of the Annual Meeting, Raymond James does not know of any business or proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting. If any other business is proposed and properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the proxies received from our shareholders give the proxy holders the authority to vote on such matter in their discretion.
|
||||
| How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote? |
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote:
•
FOR the election of the eleven (11) directors nominated by our Board and named in this proxy statement;
•
FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers (“say-on-pay”); and
•
FOR ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
|
||||
|
How do I vote by proxy and what are the voting deadlines?
|
You may vote your shares at the virtual Annual Meeting or by proxy. There are three ways to vote by proxy:
•
Via the Internet:
You can submit a proxy via the Internet until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 21, 2024, by accessing the website at
www.proxyvote.com
and following the instructions you will find on the website. Internet proxy submission is available 24 hours a day. You will be given the opportunity to confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded.
•
By Mail:
If you have received your proxy materials by mail, you can vote by marking, dating and signing your proxy card and returning it by mail in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. If you hold your shares in an account with a bank or broker (i.e., in “street name”), you can vote by following the instructions on the voting instruction card provided to you by your bank or broker. Proxy cards returned by mail must be received no later than the close of business on February 21, 2024.
•
By Telephone:
You can submit a proxy by telephone until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 21, 2024, by calling toll-free 1-800-690-6903 (from the U.S. and Canada) and following the instructions.
|
||||
|
84
|
|
||||
Questions and Answers about the Annual Meeting
| Even if you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting online, we encourage you to vote your shares by proxy using one of the methods described above. Raymond James shareholders of record who attend the virtual meeting may vote their shares online, even though they have sent in proxies. | |||||
| What if my shares are held in the Raymond James ESOP? |
For participants in the Raymond James Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”), your shares will be voted as you instruct the trustee of the ESOP. There are three ways to vote: via the Internet, by returning your proxy card, or by telephone. Please follow the instructions included on your proxy card on how to vote using one of the three methods. Your vote will serve as voting instructions to the trustee of the ESOP for shares allocated to your account. If you do not vote shares allocated to your account held in the ESOP, your shares will nevertheless be voted by the trustee in the same proportion as it votes the shares of ESOP participants who have instructed the trustee on how to vote. You cannot vote your ESOP shares at the virtual meeting.
To allow sufficient time for voting by the trustee of the ESOP, your voting instructions must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 19, 2024.
|
||||
| How do I submit a question during the virtual Annual Meeting? |
Each year at the Annual Meeting, we hold a question-and-answer session following the formal business portion of the meeting during which shareholders may submit questions to us. We anticipate having such a question-and-answer session at the 2024 Annual Meeting. If you would like to submit a question during the Annual Meeting, once you have logged into the webcast at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/RJF2024
, simply type your question in the “ask a question” box and click “submit.” Questions pertinent to meeting matters will be answered during the meeting as time allows.
|
||||
| When should I submit my question? |
You may submit questions during the meeting as outlined above, and in advance of the meeting via the Internet at
www.proxyvote.com
when you vote your shares. You can also submit a question up to 15 minutes prior to the start of the Annual Meeting and up until the time we indicate that the question-and-answer session is concluded. However, we encourage you to submit your questions before or during the formal business portion of the meeting and our prepared statements, in advance of the question-and-answer session, in order to ensure that there is adequate time to address questions in an orderly manner.
|
||||
| May I change or revoke my vote? |
Yes. You may change your vote in one of several ways at any time before it is exercised:
•
Grant a subsequent proxy via the Internet or telephone;
•
Submit another proxy card (or voting instruction card) with a date later than your previously delivered proxy;
•
Notify our company secretary in writing before the Annual Meeting that you are revoking your proxy or, if you hold your shares in “street name,” follow the instructions on the voting instruction card; or
•
If you are a shareholder of record, or a beneficial owner with a proxy from the shareholder of record, vote online while logged in and participating in the virtual Annual Meeting.
|
||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
85
|
||||
Questions and Answers about the Annual Meeting
|
What will happen if I do not vote my shares?
|
•
Shareholders of Record
. If you are the shareholder of record of your shares and you do not vote in person at the Annual Meeting, or by proxy via the Internet, by mail, or by telephone, your shares will not be voted at the Annual Meeting.
•
Beneficial Owners
. If you are the beneficial owner of your shares, your broker or nominee may vote your shares only on those proposals on which it has discretion to vote. Under the rules of the NYSE, your broker or nominee has discretion to vote your shares on routine matters, such as Proposal 3, but does not have discretion to vote your shares on non-routine matters, such as Proposals 1 and 2. Therefore, if you do not instruct your broker as to how to vote your shares on Proposals 1 or 2, this would be a “broker non-vote,” and your shares would not be counted as having been voted on the applicable proposal. We therefore strongly encourage you to instruct your broker or nominee on how you wish to vote your shares.
|
||||
|
What is the effect of a broker non-vote or abstention?
|
Under NYSE rules, brokers or other nominees who hold shares for a beneficial owner have the discretion to vote on a limited number of “routine” proposals when they have not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner at least ten days prior to the Annual Meeting. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker or other nominee does not receive such voting instructions and does not have the discretion to vote the shares. Pursuant to our By-laws, broker non-votes and abstentions are not counted as “votes cast” on such matter, but are counted for quorum purposes.
|
||||
|
What if I return a signed proxy or voting instruction card, but do not specify how my shares are to be voted?
|
•
Shareholders of Record.
If you are a shareholder of record and you submit a signed proxy, but you do not provide voting instructions, all of your shares will be voted FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 3.
•
Beneficial Owners.
If you are a beneficial owner and you do not provide the broker or other nominee that holds your shares with voting instructions, the broker or other nominee will determine if it has the discretionary authority to vote on the particular matter. Under NYSE rules, brokers and other nominees have the discretion to vote on routine matters, such as Proposal 3, but do not have discretion to vote on non-routine matters, such as Proposals 1 and 2. Therefore, if you do not provide voting instructions to your broker or other nominee, your broker or other nominee may only vote your shares on Proposal 3 and any other routine matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting.
|
||||
|
What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or set of printed proxy materials?
|
It means you own Raymond James shares in more than one account, such as individually and jointly with your spouse. Please vote all of your shares. Beneficial owners sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of the proxy materials may contact their broker, bank or other nominee to request that only a single copy of such document(s) be mailed to all shareholders at the shared address in the future. In addition, if you are the beneficial owner, your broker, bank or other nominee may deliver only one copy of the proxy materials to multiple shareholders who share an address unless that broker, bank or other nominee has received contrary instructions from one or more of the beneficial owners. Raymond James will deliver promptly, upon request, a separate copy of the proxy materials to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of such document(s) was delivered. Shareholders who wish to receive a separate written copy of such documents, now or in the future, should submit their request to our company secretary by writing Raymond James Financial, Inc., Attn: Jonathan N. Santelli, General Counsel and Secretary, 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716.
|
||||
|
What is a quorum?
|
A quorum is necessary to hold a valid meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, of shareholders representing a majority of the outstanding capital stock of the company entitled to vote at the meeting constitutes a quorum for the conduct of business.
|
||||
|
86
|
|
||||
Questions and Answers about the Annual Meeting
|
What vote is required in order to approve each proposal?
|
For Proposals 1, 2 and 3, the affirmative vote of a majority of the “votes cast” on such proposal at the Annual Meeting is required. Our By-laws provide that a majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a proposal must exceed the number of shares voted “against” such proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, are not counted as “votes cast” with respect to such proposal. (In the case of any contested director election, directors are elected by a plurality of the “votes cast.”)
|
||||
|
How will voting on any other business be conducted?
|
Other than the matters set forth in this Proxy Statement and matters incident to the conduct of the Annual Meeting, we do not know of any business or proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting. If any other business is proposed and properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote on the matter in their discretion.
|
||||
|
What happens if the Annual Meeting is adjourned or postponed?
|
Your proxy will still be effective and will be voted at the rescheduled Annual Meeting. You will still be able to change or revoke your proxy until it is voted.
|
||||
|
Who will count the votes?
|
Our general counsel and company secretary will act as the inspector of election and will tabulate the votes.
|
||||
|
How can I find the results of the Annual Meeting?
|
Preliminary results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final results will be published in a Current Report on Form 8-K that we will file with the SEC within four (4) business days after the Annual Meeting.
|
||||
|
Who is paying for the costs of this proxy solicitation?
|
We will bear the expense of soliciting proxies. We have retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc., to solicit proxies for a fee of approximately $16,500 plus a reasonable amount to cover expenses. Proxies may also be solicited in person, by telephone or electronically by Raymond James personnel who will not receive additional compensation for such solicitation. Copies of proxy materials and our Annual Report will be supplied to brokers and other nominees for the purpose of soliciting proxies from beneficial owners, and we will reimburse such brokers or other nominees for their reasonable expenses.
|
||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
87
|
||||
Additional Information
Costs of Solicitation
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be paid by Raymond James. We have retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc., to solicit proxies for a fee of approximately $16,500 plus a reasonable amount to cover expenses. Proxies may also be solicited in person, by telephone or electronically by Raymond James personnel who will not receive additional compensation for such solicitation. Copies of proxy materials and our Annual Report on Form 10-K will be supplied to brokers and other nominees for the purpose of soliciting proxies from beneficial owners, and we will reimburse such brokers or other nominees for their reasonable expenses.
Principal Executive Offices
The principal executive offices of Raymond James are located at 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716, and the telephone number there is 727-567-1000.
Shareholder Proposals for the 2025 Annual Meeting
In accordance with the rules established by the SEC, any shareholder proposal submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act intended for inclusion in the proxy statement for next year’s annual meeting of shareholders must be received by the company no later than 120 days before the anniversary of the date of this proxy statement (e.g., not later than September 10, 2024). Such proposals should be sent in writing to Raymond James Financial, Inc., Attn: Jonathan N. Santelli, General Counsel and Company Secretary, 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716. To be included in the Proxy Statement, the proposal must comply with the requirements as to form and substance established by the SEC and our By-laws, and must be a proper subject for shareholder action under Florida law.
A shareholder may otherwise propose business for consideration or nominate persons for election to the Board in compliance with SEC proxy rules, Florida law, our By-laws and other legal requirements, without seeking to have the proposal included in Raymond James’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Under our By-laws, notice of such a proposal must generally be provided to our company secretary not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. The period under our By-laws for receipt of such proposals for next year’s meeting is thus from October 25, 2024 to November 24, 2024. (However, if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, any notice by a shareholder of business or the nomination of directors for election or re-election to be brought before the annual meeting to be timely must be so delivered (i) not earlier than the close of business on the 120
th
day prior to such annual meeting and (ii) not later than the close of business on the later of (A) the 90
th
day prior to such annual meeting and (B) the 10
th
day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.)
Under Rule 14a-4 under the Exchange Act, proxies may be voted on matters properly brought before a meeting under these procedures in the discretion of the proxy holders, without additional proxy statement disclosure about the matter, unless Raymond James is notified about the matter not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting and the proponents otherwise satisfy the requirements of Rule 14a-4. The period under our By-laws for receipt of such proposals for next year’s meeting is from October 25, 2024 to November 24, 2024.
|
88
|
|
||||
Additional Information
United States Securities and Exchange Commission Reports
A copy of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, including financial statements, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 (the “Annual Report”), is being furnished or made available concurrently herewith to all shareholders holding shares as of the Record Date. Please read it carefully.
Shareholders may also obtain additional copies of the Annual Report, without charge, by visiting the company’s website at
www.raymondjames.com
or by submitting a request to our general counsel and company secretary by writing Raymond James Financial, Inc., Attn: General Counsel and Company Secretary, 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716. Upon request to our company secretary, the exhibits set forth on the exhibit index of the Annual Report may be made available at a reasonable charge (which will be limited to our reasonable expenses in furnishing such exhibits).
Householding of Proxy Materials
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (such as banks and brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for the Notice (or proxy materials in the case of shareholders who receive paper copies of such materials) with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single Notice (or set of paper proxy materials) addressed to those shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for shareholders and cost savings for companies.
A number of banks and brokers with account holders who are beneficial holders of the company’s shares will be householding the company’s Notice (or proxy materials). Accordingly, a single copy of the Notice (or proxy materials) will be delivered to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected shareholders. Once you have received notice from your bank or broker that it will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. To receive a separate copy of the Notice (or proxy materials), or if, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive separate copies of any future notices (or proxy materials), please notify your bank or broker, or contact our general counsel and company secretary at 727-567-5185 or by mail to Raymond James Financial, Inc., Attn: Jonathan N. Santelli, General Counsel and Company Secretary, 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716. The company undertakes, upon oral or written request to the address or telephone number above, to deliver promptly a separate copy of the company’s notices (or proxy materials) to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the applicable document was delivered. Shareholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Notice or proxy materials at their address and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their bank or broker or the company’s Investor Relations Department at the contact address and telephone number provided above.
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
89
|
||||
Appendix A
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
We utilize certain non-GAAP financial measures as additional measures to aid in, and enhance, the understanding of our financial results and related measures. These non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted net income available to common shareholders, adjusted earnings per common share (diluted), and adjusted return on common equity. We believe certain of these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to management and investors by excluding certain material items that may not be indicative of our core operating results. We utilize these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the financial performance of the business, as they facilitate a meaningful comparison of current- and prior-period results. Beginning in fiscal 2022, certain of our non-GAAP financial measures were adjusted for additional expenses directly related to our acquisitions that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results, including acquisition-related retention, amortization of identifiable intangible assets arising from our acquisitions, and other acquisition-related expenses. In the following tables, the tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments reflects the statutory rate associated with each non-GAAP item. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures of other companies. The following tables provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures for the periods indicated.
The three-year average Adjusted ROE applied to determine vesting of the 2020 awards was calculated using the Adjusted ROE figures set forth in the following Periodic Reports on Form 8-K: (i) fiscal 2023: filed October 25, 2023; (ii) fiscal 2022: filed October 26, 2022; and (iii) fiscal 2021: filed October 27, 2021. The Adjusted ROE for fiscal 2023 and 2022 reflected the aforementioned acquisition-related expense adjustments, while the Adjusted ROE for fiscal 2021 was not revised to reflect such adjustments.
| Year ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| $ in millions | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Net income available to common shareholders | $1,733 | $1,505 | |||||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments: | |||||||||||
| Expenses directly related to acquisitions included in the following financial statement line items: | |||||||||||
| Compensation, commissions and benefits: | |||||||||||
|
Acquisition-related retention
(1)
|
70 | 58 | |||||||||
|
Other acquisition-related compensation
|
10 | 2 | |||||||||
| Total “Compensation, commissions and benefits” expense | 80 | 60 | |||||||||
|
Communications and information processing
|
2 | — | |||||||||
|
Professional fees
|
3 | 12 | |||||||||
|
Bank loan provision for credit losses —
Initial provision for credit losses on acquired loans
(2)
|
— | 26 | |||||||||
| Other: | |||||||||||
|
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets
(3)
|
45 | 33 | |||||||||
|
Initial provision for credit losses on acquired lending commitments
(2)
|
— | 5 | |||||||||
|
All other acquisition-related expenses
|
— | 11 | |||||||||
| Total “Other” expense | 45 | 49 | |||||||||
| Total expenses related to acquisitions | 130 | 147 | |||||||||
|
Other -
Insurance settlement received
(4)
|
(32) | — | |||||||||
| Pre-tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments | 98 | 147 | |||||||||
| Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments | (25) | (37) | |||||||||
| Total non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax | 73 | 110 | |||||||||
| Adjusted net income available to common shareholders | $1,806 | $1,615 | |||||||||
|
Pre-Tax Income
|
$2,280 | $2,022 | |||||||||
|
Pre-tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments (as detailed above)
|
98 | 147 | |||||||||
|
Adjusted pre-tax income
(5)
|
$2,378 | $2,169 | |||||||||
|
90
|
|
||||
Appendix A
| Year ended September 30, | |||||||||||
|
$ in millions, except per share amounts
|
2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
|
Pre-tax margin
(10)
|
19.6 | % | 18.4 | % | |||||||
|
Impact of non-GAAP adjustments on pre-tax margin:
|
|||||||||||
|
Compensation, commissions and benefits:
|
|||||||||||
|
Acquisition-related retention
(1)
|
0.6 | % | 0.5 | % | |||||||
|
Other acquisition-related compensation
|
0.1 | % | — | % | |||||||
|
Total “Compensation, commissions and benefits” expense
|
0.7 | % | 0.5 | % | |||||||
|
Communications and information processing
|
— | % | — | % | |||||||
|
Professional fees
|
0.1 | % | 0.1 | % | |||||||
|
Bank loan provision for credit losses
— Initial provision for credit losses on acquired loans
(2)
|
— | % | 0.2 | % | |||||||
|
Other:
|
|||||||||||
|
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets
(3)
|
0.4 | % | 0.3 | % | |||||||
|
Initial provision for credit losses on acquired lending commitments
(2)
|
— | % | 0.1 | % | |||||||
|
All other acquisition-related expenses
|
— | % | 0.1 | % | |||||||
|
Total “Other” expense
|
0.4 | % | 0.5 | % | |||||||
|
Total expenses related to acquisitions
|
1.2 | % | 1.3 | % | |||||||
|
Other
— Insurance settlement received
(4)
|
(0.3) | % | — | % | |||||||
|
Total non-GAAP adjustments
|
0.9 | % | 1.3 | % | |||||||
|
Adjusted pre-tax margin
(5) (10)
|
20.5 | % | 19.7 | % | |||||||
|
Earnings per common share (diluted)
|
$7.97 | $6.98 | |||||||||
|
Impact of non-GAAP adjustments on earnings per common share (diluted):
|
|||||||||||
| Compensation, commissions and benefits: | |||||||||||
|
Acquisition-related retention
(1)
|
0.32 | 0.27 | |||||||||
|
Other acquisition-related compensation
|
0.05 | 0.01 | |||||||||
| Total “Compensation, commissions and benefits” expense | 0.37 | 0.28 | |||||||||
|
Communications and information processing
|
0.01 | — | |||||||||
|
Professional fees
|
0.01 | 0.06 | |||||||||
|
Bank loan provision for credit losses —
Initial provision for credit losses on acquired loans
(2)
|
— | 0.12 | |||||||||
| Other: | |||||||||||
|
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets
(3)
|
0.21 | 0.15 | |||||||||
|
Initial provision for credit losses on acquired lending commitments
(2)
|
— | 0.02 | |||||||||
|
All other acquisition-related expenses
|
— | 0.05 | |||||||||
| Total “Other” expense | 0.21 | 0.22 | |||||||||
| Total expenses related to acquisitions | 0.60 | 0.68 | |||||||||
|
Other —
Insurance settlement received
(4)
|
(0.15) | — | |||||||||
| Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments | (0.12) | (0.17) | |||||||||
| Total non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax | 0.33 | 0.51 | |||||||||
|
Adjusted earnings per common share (diluted)
(5)
|
$8.30 | $7.49 | |||||||||
|
Average common equity
(6)
|
$9,791 | $8,836 | |||||||||
| Impact of non-GAAP adjustments on average common equity: | |||||||||||
| Compensation, commissions and benefits: | |||||||||||
|
Acquisition-related retention
(1)
|
35 | 27 | |||||||||
|
Other acquisition-related compensation
|
4 | 1 | |||||||||
| Total “Compensation, commissions and benefits” expense | 39 | 28 | |||||||||
| Communications and information processing | 1 | — | |||||||||
|
Professional fees
|
1 | 6 | |||||||||
|
Bank loan provision/(benefit) for credit losses —
Initial provision for credit losses on acquired loans
(2)
|
— | 10 | |||||||||
| Other: | |||||||||||
|
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets
(3)
|
22 | 16 | |||||||||
|
Initial provision for credit losses on acquired lending commitments
(2)
|
— | 2 | |||||||||
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
91
|
||||
Appendix A
|
All other acquisition-related expenses
|
— | 6 | |||||||||
| Total “Other” expense | 22 | 24 | |||||||||
| Total expenses related to acquisitions | 63 | 68 | |||||||||
|
Other —
Insurance settlement received
(4)
|
(26) | — | |||||||||
| Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments | (9) | (17) | |||||||||
| Total non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax | 28 | 51 | |||||||||
|
Adjusted average common equity
(6)
|
$9,819 | $8,887 | |||||||||
|
Return on common equity
(7)
|
17.7 | % | 17.0 | % | |||||||
|
Adjusted return on common equity
(7)
|
18.4 | % | 18.2 | % | |||||||
| $ in millions, except per share amounts |
Year ended September 30, 2021
|
|||||||
|
Net income available to common shareholders
|
$1,403 | |||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments: | ||||||||
|
Losses on extinguishment of debt
(8)
|
98 | |||||||
|
Acquisition-related expenses
(9)
|
19 | |||||||
| Pre-tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments | 117 | |||||||
| Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments | (28) | |||||||
| Total non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax | 89 | |||||||
|
Adjusted net income available to common shareholders
|
$1,492 | |||||||
|
Earnings per diluted share
|
$6.63 | |||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments: | ||||||||
|
Losses on extinguishment of debt
(8)
|
0.46 | |||||||
|
Acquisition-related expenses
(9)
|
0.09 | |||||||
| Pre-tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments | 0.55 | |||||||
| Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments | (0.13) | |||||||
| Total non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax | 0.42 | |||||||
|
Adjusted earnings per diluted share
(5)
|
$7.05 | |||||||
|
Average common equity
(6)
|
$7,635 | |||||||
| Impact on average equity of non-GAAP adjustments: | ||||||||
|
Losses on extinguishment of debt
(8)
|
39 | |||||||
|
Acquisition-related expenses
(9)
|
6 | |||||||
| Pre-tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments | 45 | |||||||
| Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments | (11) | |||||||
| Total non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax | 34 | |||||||
|
Adjusted common average equity
(6)
|
$7,669 | |||||||
|
Return on common equity
(7)
|
18.4 | % | ||||||
|
Adjusted return on common equity
(7)
|
19.5 | % | ||||||
(1)
Includes acquisition-related compensation expenses primarily arising from equity and cash-based retention awards issued in conjunction with acquisitions in prior years. Such retention awards are generally contingent upon the post-closing continuation of service of certain associates who joined the firm as part of such acquisitions and are expensed over the requisite service period.
(2)
Our results for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022 included an initial provision for credit losses on loans and lending commitments acquired as part of our acquisition of TriState Capital Holdings, Inc. amounting to $26 million (included in “Bank loan provision for credit losses”) and $5 million (included in “Other” expense), respectively. These provisions were required under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles to be recorded in earnings in the reporting period following the acquisition date.
(3)
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets, which was included in “Other” expense, included amortization of identifiable intangible assets arising from our acquisitions.
(4)
The twelve months ended September 30, 2023 included the favorable impact of a $32 million insurance settlement received during the period related to a previously settled legal matter. This item has been reflected as an offset to Other expenses. In the computation of our non-GAAP financial measures, we have reversed the favorable impact of this item on adjusted pre-tax income and adjusted net income available to common shareholders.
|
92
|
|
||||
Appendix A
(5)
Earnings per common share (diluted) is computed by dividing net income (less allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities) by weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding for each respective period or, in the case of adjusted earnings per common share (diluted), computed by dividing adjusted net income (less allocation of earnings and dividends to participating securities) by weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding for each respective period.
(6)
Average common equity is computed by adding the total common equity attributable to Raymond James Financial, Inc. as of each quarter-end date during the indicated period to the beginning of year total, and dividing by five. Adjusted average common equity is computed by adjusting for the impact on average common equity of the non-GAAP adjustments, as applicable for each respective period.
(7)
Return on common equity is computed by dividing net income by average common equity for each respective period or, in the case of adjusted return on common equity, computed by dividing adjusted net income available to common shareholders by adjusted average equity for each respective period.
(8)
Losses on extinguishment of debt include make-whole premiums, the accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs, and certain legal and other professional fees associated with the redemptions of our $250 million of 5.625% senior notes due 2024 and our $500 million of 3.625% senior notes due 2026, which occurred during our fiscal third quarter of 2021.
(9)
In fiscal 2022, we reclassified acquisition-related expenses which were previously reported in “Acquisition-related expenses” on our Consolidated Statements of Income into the respective income statement line items that align to their expense categories, including “Compensation, commissions, and benefits”, “Professional fees” (primarily legal fees), and “Other” expenses. Fiscal 2021 has not been conformed to the fiscal 2023 and 2022 presentation for purposes of NEO compensation vesting calculations. For fiscal 2021, “Acquisition-related expenses” primarily included acquisition-related professional and integration expenses and amortization expense related to identifiable intangible assets with short useful lives arising from our acquisitions completed in fiscal 2021.
|
2024 PROXY STATEMENT
|
93
|
||||
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS: THE RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL CENTER
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RAYMONDJAMES.COM
880 CARILLON PARKWAY // ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33716 // 800.248.8863
RAYMONDJAMES.COM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Letters from LeadershipNotice of 2024 Annual Meeting of ShareholdersCompany HighlightsProxy SummaryProposal 1 Election of DirectorsOur DirectorsBoard Non-Executive Nominees - Composition and SkillsDirector QualificationsDirector BiographiesElection of DirectorsDirector IndependenceDirector TenureNominating Process and Succession PlanningNominations by ShareholdersCorporate GovernanceRole of the BoardCorporate Governance PrinciplesCode of Ethics and Directors' CodeBoard Leadership StructureBoard CommitteesCompensation Committee Interlocks and Insider ParticipationMeetings and AttendanceDirector Education and OrientationBoard EvaluationsKey Areas of Board OversightDirector CompensationProposal 2 Advisory Vote on Executive CompensationCompensation Discussion and AnalysisNamed Executive OfficersCompensation-Setting ProcessObjectives of Our Compensation ProgramPrincipal Elements of Executive Compensation