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
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NCR CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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March 12, 2020
NCR Stockholders,
NCR had a great year in 2019! We established a clear priority for the year: return to profitable growth, with a very simple goal to keep our customers happy and satisfied so that they come back and buy more. Our 2019 results show you that we executed well to meet this priority with improvements in revenue and a deep strengthening of our customer-first culture.
We also launched 2019 with a plan for creating long-term stockholder value driven by three components. First, invest in top-line revenue growth. Second, shift our business mix to recurring revenue streams and software and services-led offerings. Third, optimize NCRs spend to improve operating margins. As 2019 progressed, we also focused our energy on transforming NCR to an as-a-Service company.
We made tremendous progress in 2019 toward executing our strategy for a successful future. I am proud of our team and their commitment to our customers, as well as the energy and excitement they continue to show in reshaping NCR. This focused strategy resulted in a year in which we strengthened our recurring revenue capabilities through the prioritization of strategic growth platforms, began integrating our payments processing solution, returned Digital Banking to growth, generated year-over-year sales growth in each of our segments and created a culture of accountability through our organizational structure.
We also made several complementary acquisitions to enrich or extend our presence in the industries we serve. These include expanding our market reach and presence in Latin America by repurchasing the minority interest in our Manaus, Brazil joint venture and entering into an agreement to acquire select software and services assets from OKI Brazil, enhancing our market reach in Digital Banking with D3, strengthening our local office presence in Hospitality through acquiring three of our local resellers and acquiring a foundational building block of our next-generation retail architecture with virtualization technology provider Zynstra.
As a result, we enter 2020 with strong momentum to further accelerate our transition to a software and services-led enterprise and an as-a-Service company. These steps will further position NCR for sustainable long-term growth as we deliver increased value to customers and help provide them the solutions they need to run their stores, restaurants and self-service banking channels.
Thank you for your confidence in NCR, your continued feedback and for sharing our vision of NCRs future.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Hayford
President and Chief Executive Officer
NOTICE OF 2020 ANNUAL MEETING
AND PROXY STATEMENT
March 12, 2020
Dear Fellow NCR Stockholder:
I am pleased to invite you to attend the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) for NCR Corporation, a Maryland corporation (NCR or the Company), that will be held on April 21, 2020, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time. This years Annual Meeting will again be a virtual meeting of stockholders. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting and vote and submit questions during the Annual Meeting via a live webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NCR2020. As in the past, prior to the Annual Meeting you will be able to authorize a proxy to vote your shares at www.proxyvote.com on the matters submitted for stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting, and we encourage you to do so.
The accompanying notice of the Annual Meeting and proxy statement tell you more about the agenda and procedures for the Annual Meeting. The proxy statement also describes how the Board of Directors of the Company operates and provides information about our director candidates, director and executive officer compensation and certain corporate governance matters. I look forward to sharing more information with you about NCR at the Annual Meeting.
As in prior years, we are offering our stockholders the option to receive NCRs proxy materials via the Internet. We believe this option allows us to provide our stockholders with the information they need in an environmentally conscious form and at a reduced cost.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to virtually attend the Annual Meeting, I urge you to authorize a proxy to vote your shares as soon as possible. You may authorize a proxy to vote your shares on the Internet or by telephone, or, if you received the proxy materials by mail, you may also authorize a proxy to vote your shares by mail. Your vote will ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting regardless of whether you attend via webcast on April 21, 2020.
Sincerely,
Frank R. Martire
Executive Chairman
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF NCR CORPORATION
Time:
12:30 p.m. Eastern Time |
Date:
Wednesday, April 21, 2020 |
Place:
Virtual Meeting via webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/NCR2020 |
Purpose:
The holders of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the common stock), and shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference $1,000 per share (the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock), of NCR Corporation, a Maryland corporation (NCR or the Company) will, voting together as a single class, be asked to: |
| Consider and vote upon the election of ten directors identified in this proxy statement to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders following their election and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualify; |
| Consider and vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers (Say On Pay), as described in these proxy materials; |
| Consider and vote upon the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020; |
| Consider and vote upon a proposal to amend the NCR Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan; |
| Consider and vote upon a directors proposal to amend and restate the charter of the Company to eliminate the supermajority provisions contemplated by the Companys charter and make certain conforming changes thereto; and |
| Transact such other business as may properly come before the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) and any postponement or adjournment of the Annual Meeting. |
Other Important Information:
| Record holders of NCRs common stock and Series A Convertible Preferred Stock at the close of business on February 28, 2020 may vote at the meeting. |
| Your shares cannot be voted unless they are represented by proxy or in person by the record holder attending the meeting via webcast. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting via webcast, please authorize a proxy to vote your shares. |
| If you wish to attend the webcast at a location provided by the Company, the Companys Maryland counsel, Venable LLP, will air the webcast at its offices located at 750 E. Pratt Street, Suite 900, Baltimore, MD 21202. Please note that no members of management or the Board of Directors will be in attendance at this location. If you wish to attend the meeting webcast at Venable LLPs office, please follow the directions for doing so set forth on the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders Reservation Request Form found at the end of this proxy statement. |
By order of the Board of Directors,
James M. Bedore
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
March 12, 2020
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on April 21, 2020
This proxy statement and NCRs 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com.
NCR Corporation
864 Spring Street NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30308-1007
NCR CORPORATION |
2020 ANNUAL MEETING PROXY STATEMENT
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NCR Stock Ownership |
Officers and Directors |
The following table reflects the NCR common stock beneficially owned, as determined under applicable SEC rules, as of the close of business on February 15, 2020 (the Table Date) by: (i) each individual named in our Summary Compensation Table (the named executives), (ii) each non-employee director and nominee, and (iii) all current directors and executive officers as a group. Except to the extent indicated in the footnotes below, to NCRs knowledge each person named in the table below has sole voting and investment power over the shares reported. As of the Table Date, 128,651,400 shares of the Companys common stock were issued and outstanding, and none of the persons named in the table below owned, beneficially or of record, any shares of NCRs Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. Unless otherwise noted below, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table is: c/o NCR Corporation, 864 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30308.
NCR Stock Ownership By Officers and Directors | ||||||||||||||||||||
Beneficial Owners | Total Shares Beneficially Owned(1)(2) |
Percent |
Number of Shares Subject to Options Exercisable Within 60 Days of February 15, 2020
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Number of RSUs That Vest Within 60 Days of February 15, 2020(3) | ||||||||||||||||
Non-Employee Directors |
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Gregory R. Blank, Director(4) |
| * | | | ||||||||||||||||
Catherine (Katie) L. Burke |
2,452 | * | | | ||||||||||||||||
Chinh E. Chu, independent Lead Director |
34,961 | * | | | ||||||||||||||||
Richard L. Clemmer, Director |
181,767 | * | 34,881 | | ||||||||||||||||
Robert P. DeRodes, Director |
155,363 | * | 34,881 | | ||||||||||||||||
Deborah A. Farrington, Director |
15,877 | * | | | ||||||||||||||||
Kurt P. Kuehn, Director |
60,821 | * | 10,039 | | ||||||||||||||||
Kirk T. Larsen, Director |
2,452 | * | | | ||||||||||||||||
Linda Fayne Levinson, Director |
214,276 | * | 21,051 | | ||||||||||||||||
Matthew A. Thompson, Director |
16,513 | * | | | ||||||||||||||||
Named Executive Officers |
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Michael D. Hayford, Director and Officer |
448,694 | * | 308,535 | | ||||||||||||||||
Frank R. Martire, Director and Officer |
234,491 | * | 152,224 | | ||||||||||||||||
Owen J. Sullivan, Officer |
250,193 | * | 176,876 | | ||||||||||||||||
Andre J. Fernandez, Officer |
131,473 | * | 71,962 | | ||||||||||||||||
Paul Langenbahn, Officer(5) |
246,538 | * | 78,160 | | ||||||||||||||||
Current Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (22 persons) |
2,478,685 | 1.9% | 1,134,989 | |
* Less than 1%.
(1) Includes shares that each person had the right to acquire on or within 60 days after the Table Date, including, but not limited to, upon the exercise of options and vesting and payment of restricted stock units. Excludes these restricted stock units granted as of the Table Date that vest more than 60 days after the Table Date: Mr. Hayford 528,131; Mr. Martire 208,255; Mr. Sullivan 307,839; Mr. Fernandez 234,638; and Mr. Langenbahn 118,687.
(2) All fractional shares have been rounded to the nearest whole number. The total includes these shares deferred under our Director Compensation Program: 115,600 shares granted to Mr. Clemmer; 50,029 shares granted to Mr. DeRodes; 48,902 shares granted to Mr. Kuehn; and 8,077 shares granted to Ms. Levinson.
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(3) Reflects shares that the officers and directors have the right to acquire through vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days after the Table Date (without taking into account share withholding to cover taxes). These shares are also included in the Total Shares Beneficially Owned column.
(4) Mr. Blank received no compensation under our Director Compensation Program for the portion of 2019 and earlier years that he was the Board designee of The Blackstone Group L.P. (Blackstone), due to Blackstones ownership of certain NCR Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (Preferred Stock). Mr. Blank began receiving standard director compensation under the Program (on a prorated basis) on substantially the same terms as other NCR directors for his continued director service following the retirement of such Preferred Stock effective September 20, 2019, Mr. Blanks prorated annual equity grant under the Program was not made until 2020, and does not vest until April 24, 2020, and as such is not shown on the Table.
(5) For SEC reporting purposes, Mr. Langenbahn uses the following address: 14770 Trinity, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Other Beneficial Owners of NCR Common Stock |
To the Companys knowledge, and as reported as of the close of business on February 18, 2020 (except as otherwise specified), the following stockholders beneficially own more than 5% of the Companys outstanding stock.
Common Stock | ||||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Total Number of Shares |
Percent of Class |
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The Vanguard Group(1) |
12,896,662 | 10.10 | % | |||||
100 Vanguard Boulevard |
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Malvern, PA 19355 |
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BlackRock, Inc.(2) |
11,764,117 | 9.20 | % | |||||
55 East 52nd Street |
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New York, NY 10055 |
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Wells Fargo & Company(3) |
8,827,820 | 6.92 | % | |||||
420 Montgomery Street |
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San Francisco, CA 94163 |
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Janus Henderson Group plc(4) |
6,420,957 | 5.00 | % | |||||
201 Bishopsgate EC2M 3AE |
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United Kingdom |
(1) Information, including ownership percentage, is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2020 by The Vanguard Group (Vanguard), reporting beneficial ownership of 12,896,662 shares of the Companys stock as of December 31, 2019. In this filing, Vanguard reported sole dispositive power with respect to 12,808,670 of such shares, sole voting power with respect to 72,065 of such shares, shared dispositive power with respect to 87,992 of such shares and shared voting power with respect to 31,990 of such shares. Vanguard also reported that Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., is the beneficial owner of 56,002 of such shares as investment manager of collective trust accounts, and that Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., is the beneficial owner of 48,053 of such shares as a result of serving as investment manager of Australian investment offerings.
(2) Information, including ownership percentage, is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 5, 2020 by BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock), reporting beneficial ownership of 11,764,117 shares of the Companys stock as of December 31, 2019, as a parent holding company or control person for its subsidiaries, BlackRock Life Limited, BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association, BlackRock Asset Management Ireland, Limited, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd., BlackRock Asset Management Schweiz AG, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A., BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited and BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited. In this filing, BlackRock reported sole voting power with respect to 11,276,897 of such shares, and sole dispositive power with respect to all 11,764,117 of such shares.
(3) Information, including ownership percentage, is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 4, 2020 by Wells Fargo & Company (Wells Fargo), reporting beneficial ownership of 8,827,820 shares of the Companys stock as of December 31, 2019, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Wells Capital Management Incorporated, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC. In this filing, Wells Fargo reported sole dispositive power with respect to 184,262 of such shares, sole voting power with respect to 184,262 of such shares, shared dispositive power with respect to 8,643,558 of such shares and shared voting power with respect to 1,299,011 of such shares; Wells Capital Management Incorporated reported shared dispositive
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power with respect to 8,491,651 of such shares, and shared voting power with respect to 8,180,788 of such shares; and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC reported shared dispositive power with respect to 6,890,681 of such shares, and shared voting power with respect to 6,882,309 of such shares.
(4) Information, including ownership percentage, is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2020 by Janus Henderson Group plc (Janus Henderson), reporting beneficial ownership of 6,420,957 shares of the Companys stock as of December 31, 2019. In this filing, Janus Henderson reported shared dispositive power with respect to 6,420,957 of such shares and shared voting power with respect to 6,420,957 of such shares. Janus Henderson also reported that Janus Henderson has an indirect 97% ownership stake in Intech Investment Management LLC and a 100% ownership stake in Janus Capital Management LLC (JCM), Perkins Investment Management LLC, Geneva Capital Management LLC, Henderson Global Investors Limited and Janus Henderson Global Investors Australia Institutional Funds Management Limited (each an Asset Manager and collectively as the Asset Managers). Due to the above ownership structure, holdings for the Asset Managers are aggregated for purposes of this filing. Each Asset Manager is an investment adviser registered or authorized in its relevant jurisdiction and each furnishing investment advice to various fund, individual and/or institutional clients (collectively referred to herein as Managed Portfolios). As a result of its role as investment adviser or sub-adviser to the Managed Portfolios, JCM may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 6,420,957 shares or 5.0% of the shares outstanding of NCR Common Stock held by such Managed Portfolios. However, JCM does not have the right to receive any dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the securities held in the Managed Portfolios and disclaims any ownership associated with such rights.
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Proposal 1 Election of Directors |
FOR | The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR Mark W. Begor, Catherine L. Burke, Chinh E. Chu, Richard L. Clemmer, Deborah A. Farrington, Michael D. Hayford, Georgette D. Kiser, Kirk T. Larsen, Frank R. Martire and Matthew A. Thompson. |
Proposal Details |
The holders of shares of common stock and Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, are being asked to vote on the ten director nominees up for election, each to serve until the 2021 Annual Meeting and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Proxies solicited by the Board and properly authorized will be exercised for the election of each of the ten nominees: Mark W. Begor, Catherine L. Burke, Chinh E. Chu, Richard L. Clemmer, Deborah A. Farrington, Michael D. Hayford, Georgette D. Kiser, Kirk T. Larsen, Frank R. Martire and Matthew A. Thompson, unless you elect to withhold your vote on your proxy. The Board has no reason to believe that any of these nominees will be unable to serve. However, if one of them should become unable to serve prior to the Annual Meeting, the Board may reduce the size of the Board or designate a substitute nominee. If the Board designates a substitute nominee, shares represented by proxies will be voted FOR the substitute nominee.
Gregory R. Blank, Robert P. DeRodes, Kurt P. Kuehn and Linda Fayne Levinson, who are currently serving on the Board of Directors and whose terms are expiring on the date of the Annual Meeting, are not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting. It is expected that effective upon the expiration of the current terms of Mr. Blank, Mr. DeRodes, Mr. Kuehn and Ms. Levinson, the size of the board will be reduced.
The name, age, principal occupation, other business affiliations and certain other information regarding each nominee for election as a director are set forth below, along with a description of the qualifications that led the Committee on Directors and Governance to conclude that he or she meets the needs of the Board and supports the advancement of the Companys long-term strategy. The age reported for each director is as of the filing date of this proxy statement.
Mark W. Begor, 61, is Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Equifax, Inc., a consumer credit reporting agency, a position he has held since April 2018. Prior to that he served as a Managing Director in the Industrial and Business services group at Warburg Pincus LLC (Warburg Pincus), a private equity firm, from 2016 to 2018. Prior to joining Warburg Pincus, Mr. Begor spent 35 years at General Electric Co. (GE), most recently as President and Chief Executive Officer of GEs energy management business from 2014 to 2016. Mr. Begor also served as Senior Vice President and a member of GEs 30 person Corporate Executive Council and the GE Capital Board, and as a GE Officer for 19 years. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) from 2016 to 2018.
Qualifications. Mr. Begors qualifications include his extensive leadership roles; his industry expertise; and his current and prior experience as a director and committee member of other public companies.
Catherine (Katie) L. Burke, 44, is Chief Strategy Officer at Daniel J. Edelman Holdings Inc. (Edelman), a global communications firm, a position she has held since January 6, 2019. In addition, she is the head of Practices, Sectors and Intellectual Property at Edelman and is a member of Edelmans Executive and Operations Committees. From 2008 to 2015, Mrs. Burke served in a variety of executive roles at Edelman
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including Global Chair of Public Affairs. In 2015, she founded and managed a communications firm, Katie Burke Communications, until she returned to Edelman in 2017. Previously, Mrs. Burke served as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Nielsen Holdings plc. Mrs. Burke became a director of NCR on September 23, 2019.
Qualifications. Mrs. Burkes qualifications include her extensive experience and senior leadership roles in marketing, communications strategy and execution, and operations; her domestic and international experience in these areas; her financial literacy; and her independence.
Chinh E. Chu, 53, is the Founder and Managing Director at CC Capital Partners, LLC (CC Capital), a private equity firm he founded in 2015. Mr. Chu is the co-founder of two special purpose acquisition companies, CF Corp. that was acquired by Fidelity & Guaranty Life, a life insurance company where Mr. Chu currently serves as Co-Executive Chairman, and Collier Creek Holdings, a special purpose acquisition company. Before forming CC Capital, Mr. Chu was Senior Managing Director at The Blackstone Group, Inc. (Blackstone), where he worked from 1990 to 2015 and served as Co-Chair of Blackstones Private Equity Executive Committee, as a member of the Investment Committee and on the firms Executive Committee. Mr. Chu previously served as a director of Catalent, Inc., Kronos Incorporated, SunGuard Data Systems, Inc., Freescale Semiconductor, Ltd., Biomet, Inc., Alliant, Celanese Corporation, Nalco Company, Nycomed, Alliant Services, Inc., the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange, or LIFE, Graham Packaging, and AlliedBarton Security Services. Mr. Chu is a member of the Board of Directors of Stearns Holdings, LLC, a holding company. Mr. Chu became a director of NCR on December 4, 2015 and was appointed independent Lead Director effective February 22, 2016.
Qualifications. Mr. Chus qualifications include his experience as a director of other public and private companies; his private equity experience; his extensive experience evaluating and managing acquisitions and investments in multiple industries with Blackstone and Salomon Brothers; and his independence.
Richard L. Clemmer, 68, is Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NXP), a semiconductor company, a position he has held since January 1, 2009. Prior to that, he was a senior advisor to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), a private equity firm, a position he held from May 2007 to December 2008. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Agere Systems Inc. (Agere), an integrated circuits components company that was acquired in 2007 by LSI Logic Corporation, from October 2005 to April 2007. Mr. Clemmer is a member of the board of directors and Chairman of Privafy, Inc., a security SaaS company. Mr. Clemmer became a director of NCR on April 23, 2008.
Qualifications. Mr. Clemmers qualifications include his significant leadership and management experience in his position at NXP and his former positions with KKR and Agere; his technology industry experience with NXP and Agere; his knowledge of international operations; his financial literacy and expertise; his mergers and acquisitions experience with NXP and Agere; and his independence.
Deborah A. Farrington, 69, is a founder and President of StarVest Management, Inc. (StarVest Management) and since 1999 has been a general partner of StarVest Partners, L.P. (StarVest Partners), a venture capital fund that invests primarily in technology enabled business services and emerging software companies. From 1993 to 1997, Ms. Farrington was President and Chief Executive Officer of Victory Ventures, LLC (Victory Ventures), a New York-based private equity investment firm. Also during that period, she was a founding investor and Chairman of the Board of Staffing Resources, Inc., a diversified
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staffing company. Prior to 1993, Ms. Farrington held management positions with Asian Oceanic Group in Hong Kong and New York, Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. in Hong Kong and New York, and the Chase Manhattan Bank. Ms. Farrington was Lead Director and Chairman of the Compensation Committee of NetSuite, Inc. (NetSuite), a NYSE-listed company, until its sale to Oracle Corporation in November 2016 for $9.4 billion. Ms. Farrington is a member of the board of directors of Ceridian HCM Holdings. Inc., where she is Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee and a member of the Audit Committee; and Collectors Universe, Inc., where she is Chairperson of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. Ms. Farrington became a director of NCR on November 27, 2017.
Qualifications. Ms. Farringtons qualifications include her significant software industry and entrepreneurial experience as a long-time investor in emerging software and business services companies as a founder and general partner of StarVest Partners; her management experience as President of StarVest Management, as President and Chief Executive Officer of Victory Ventures, and her prior management roles; her leadership experience, including as Lead Director of NetSuite; her current and prior public company board and board committee experience; her financial literacy and expertise; and her independence.
Michael D. Hayford, 60, is President and Chief Executive Officer of NCR, a position he has held since April 2018. Mr. Hayford was most recently Founding Partner of Motive Partners, an investment firm focused on technology-enabled companies that power the financial services industry. From 2009 until his retirement in 2013, Mr. Hayford served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Fidelity National Information Services Inc. (FIS), a financial services technology company. Prior to joining FIS, Mr. Hayford was with Metavante Technologies, Inc. (Metavante), a bank technology processing company, from 1992 to 2009. He served as the Chief Operating Officer at Metavante from 2006 to 2009 and as the President from 2008 to 2009. From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Hayford also served on the Board of Directors of Metavante. Mr. Hayford was a member of the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee of Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc. from 2013 to 2019, and was a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Audit Committee of West Bend Mutual Insurance Company from 2007 to 2018. Mr. Hayford became a director of NCR on April 30, 2018.
Qualifications. Mr. Hayfords qualifications include his significant leadership and management experience in his previous roles at FIS and Metavante, as well as his current role at NCR; his industry expertise including in the financial services industry and bank technology processing; and his current and prior experience as a director and committee member of other public companies.
Georgette D. Kiser, 52, is an Operating Executive at The Carlyle Group (Carlyle), an American multinational private equity, alternative asset management and financial services corporation, a position she has held since May 2019. From January 2015 to May 2019, Ms. Kiser served as a Managing Director and the Chief Information Officer for Carlyle. From 1996 to 2015, Ms. Kiser served as Vice President of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (T. Rowe Price), an American publicly owned global asset management firm that offers funds, advisory services, account management, and retirement plans and services for individuals, institutions, and financial intermediaries. Prior to T. Rowe Price, Ms. Kiser worked for General Electric Company (GE) within their Aerospace Unit. Ms. Kiser is a member of the Board of Directors of Aflac Incorporated, Adtalem Global Education Inc. and Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. Ms. Kiser became a director of NCR on February 7, 2020.
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Qualifications. Ms. Kisers qualifications include her extensive experience and senior leadership and management experience in her position at Carlyle, and her former positions with T. Rowe Price and GE; her current and prior public company board and board committee experience; her technology, data security and digital platform expertise; her financial literacy and expertise; and her independence.
Kirk T. Larsen, 48, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Black Knight, Inc. (BKI), a provider of software, data and analytics to the mortgage and consumer loan, real estate and capital markets verticals, a position he has held since January 2014. From January 2014 to April 2015, Mr. Larsen also served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ServiceLink, a national provider of loan transaction services to the mortgage industry. From July 2013 to December 2013, Mr. Larsen served as Corporate Executive Vice President, Finance and Treasurer, and from October 2009 to July 2013, served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Fidelity National Information Services Inc. (FIS), a financial services technology company. He has also held senior leadership positions in finance, investor relations and financial planning and analysis in the fintech, payments and information technology industries at FIS as well as with companies like Rockwell Automation, Inc. and Ernst & Young Global Limited. Mr. Larsen became a director of NCR on September 23, 2019.
Qualifications. Mr. Larsens qualifications include his significant experience in leadership roles in publicly held technology companies including BKI and FIS; his expertise in mergers and acquisitions, technology and software; his financial literacy and expertise; and his independence.
Frank R. Martire, 72, is Executive Chairman of NCR, a position he has held since May 2018. Prior to that, Mr. Martire served as non-executive Chairman of Fidelity National Information Services Inc. (FIS). From 2015 to 2017, he served as Executive Chairman of FIS, and from 2009 to 2015 was President and Chief Executive Officer of FIS after its acquisition of Metavante Technologies, Inc. (Metavante), a bank technology processing company. Mr. Martire previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Metavante from 2003 to 2009 and President from 2003 to 2008. Prior to that, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Call Solutions Inc. from 2001 to 2003, and President and Chief Operating Officer, Financial Institution Systems and Services Group, of Fiserv, Inc. (Fiserv), from 1991 to 2001. Mr. Martire serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of J. Alexanders Holdings, Inc. and is a member of the Board of Directors of Cannae Holdings, Inc. Mr. Martire became a director of NCR on May 31, 2018.
Qualifications. Mr. Martires qualifications include his current and prior experience as a director, including Executive Chairman and non-executive Chairman roles, of other public companies; his significant leadership and management experience in his previous roles at FIS, Metavante and Fiserv; and his broad industry expertise including in the financial services industry and bank technology processing.
Matthew A. Thompson, 61, currently serves as Executive Vice President, Worldwide Field Operations, for Adobe Inc. (Adobe), a multinational computer software company. Mr. Thompson joined Adobe in January 2007 as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Field Operations. In January 2013, he was promoted to Executive Vice President, Worldwide Field Operations. Prior to joining Adobe, Mr. Thompson served as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales at Borland Software Corporation (Borland), a software delivery optimization solutions provider, from October 2003 to December 2006. Prior to joining Borland, Mr. Thompson was Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Field Operations for Marimba, Inc., a provider of products and services for software change and configuration management, from February 2001 to
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January 2003. From July 2000 to January 2001, Mr. Thompson was Vice President of Worldwide Sales for Calico Commerce, Inc., a provider of eBusiness applications. Prior to joining Calico, Mr. Thompson spent six years at Cadence Design Systems, Inc., a provider of electronic design technologies. While at Cadence, from January 1998 to June 2000, Mr. Thompson served as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Field Operations and from April 1994 to January 1998 as Vice President, Worldwide Professional Services. Mr. Thompson became a director of NCR on October 24, 2017.
Qualifications. Mr. Thompsons qualifications include his experience in and knowledge of the software industry, particularly with respect to SaaS-based software solutions and digital transformation; his skills and experience in domestic and international software sales and sales strategy, including leading Adobes global sales organization; his experience with software customers and customer-facing roles; his financial literacy and expertise; his leadership experience; and his independence.
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How Does the Board Recommend that I Vote on this Proposal? |
Board Recommendation |
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR Mark W. Begor, Catherine L. Burke, Chinh E. Chu, Richard L. Clemmer, Deborah A. Farrington, Michael D. Hayford, Georgette D. Kiser, Kirk T. Larsen, Frank R. Martire and Matthew A. Thompson as directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders following their election and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualify. Proxies received by the Board will be voted FOR all nominees for which the stockholder may vote unless they specify otherwise.
Vote Required for Approval |
A majority of all the votes cast by holders of our common stock and Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class (in person via attendance at the virtual Annual Meeting or by proxy), with the holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock voting on an as-converted basis, is required to elect Mark W. Begor, Catherine L. Burke, Chinh E. Chu, Richard L. Clemmer, Deborah A. Farrington, Michael D. Hayford, Georgette D. Kiser, Kirk T. Larsen, Frank R. Martire and Matthew A. Thompson (all of the director nominees). Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the vote required to elect each of these director nominees.
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More Information About Our Board of Directors |
The Board oversees the overall performance of the Company on behalf of the stockholders of the Company. Members of the Board stay informed of the Companys business by participating in Board and committee meetings (including regular executive sessions of the Board), by reviewing materials provided to them prior to meetings and otherwise, and through discussions with the Chief Executive Officer and other members of management and staff.
Corporate Governance |
General |
The Board is elected by the stockholders of the Company to oversee and direct the management of the Company. The Board selects the senior management team, also currently known as the Executive Leadership Team, which is charged with managing the Companys business and affairs. Having selected the senior management team, the Board acts as an advisor to senior management and monitors its performance. The Board reviews the Companys strategies, financial objectives and operating plans. It also plans for management succession of the Chief Executive Officer, as well as other senior management positions, and oversees the Companys compliance efforts.
To help discharge its responsibilities, the Board has adopted the NCR Corporation Board of Directors Corporate Governance Guidelines (the Corporate Governance Guidelines) that address significant corporate governance issues, including, among other things: the size and composition of the Board; director independence; Board leadership; roles and responsibilities of the Board; risk oversight; director compensation and stock ownership; committee membership and structure, meetings and executive sessions; and director selection, training and retirement. The Corporate Governance Guidelines, as well as the Boards committee charters, are found under Corporate Governance on the Company page of NCRs website at https://www.ncr.com/about/corporate-governance. You also may obtain a written copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines, or any of the Boards committee charters, by writing to NCRs Corporate Secretary at the address listed on page 27 of this proxy statement.
Independence |
In keeping with the policy contemplated in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, a substantial majority of our Board is independent, which exceeds the NYSE listing standards. Under the standards of independence set forth in Exhibit B to the Corporate Governance Guidelines, which reflect the independence standards provided in the NYSE listing standards, a Board member may not be independent unless the Board affirmatively determines that the Board member has no material relationship with the Company (whether directly or indirectly), taking into account, in addition to those other factors it may deem relevant, whether the director:
· | has not been an employee of the Company or any of its affiliates, or otherwise affiliated with the Company or any of its affiliates, within the past five years; |
· | has not been affiliated with or an employee of the Companys present or former independent auditors or its affiliates for at least five years after the end of such affiliation or auditing relationship; |
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· | has not for the past five years been a paid advisor, service provider or consultant to the Company or any of its affiliates or to an executive officer of the Company, or an employee or owner of a firm that is such a paid advisor, service provider or consultant; |
· | does not, directly or indirectly, have a material relationship (such as being an executive officer, director, partner, employee or significant stockholder) with a company that has made payments to or received payments from the Company that exceed, in any of the previous three fiscal years, the greater of $1 million or 2% of the other companys consolidated gross revenues; |
· | is not an executive officer or director of a foundation, university or other non-profit entity receiving significant contributions from the Company, including contributions in the previous three years that, in any single fiscal year, exceeded the greater of $1 million or 2% of such charitable organizations consolidated gross revenues; |
· | has not been employed by another corporation that has (or had) an executive officer of the Company on its board of directors during the past five years; |
· | has not received compensation, consulting, advisory or other fees from the Company, other than director compensation and expense reimbursement or compensation for prior service that is not contingent on continued service for the past five years; and |
· | is not and has not been for the past five years a member of the immediate family of: (i) an officer of the Company; (ii) an individual who receives or has received during any twelve-month period more than $120,000 per year in direct compensation from the Company, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service that is not contingent on continued service; (iii) an individual who, with respect to the Companys independent auditors or their affiliates, is a current partner or a current employee personally working on the Companys audit or was a partner or employee and personally worked on the Companys audit; (iv) an individual who is an executive officer of another corporation that has (or had) an executive officer of the Company on its board of directors; (v) an executive officer of a company that has made payments to, or received payments from, the Company in a fiscal year that exceeded the greater of $1 million or 2% of the other companys consolidated gross revenues; or (vi) any director who is not considered an independent director. |
Consistent with the Corporate Governance Guidelines and the NYSE listing standards, on an annual basis the Board, with input from the Committee on Directors and Governance, determines whether each non-employee Board member is considered independent. In doing so, the Board takes into account the factors listed above and such other factors as it may deem relevant.
The Board has determined that all of the Companys non-employee directors and nominees, namely Mark W. Begor, Catherine L. Burke, Chinh E. Chu, Richard L. Clemmer, Deborah A. Farrington, Georgette D. Kiser, Kirk T. Larsen and Matthew A. Thompson, are independent in accordance with the NYSE listing standards and the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Key Governance Developments |
NCR continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to corporate governance practices and policies that reinforce the Boards alignment with, and accountability to, our stockholders. In 2016 we eliminated
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classification of the Board, twice adjourning our annual meeting of stockholders to solicit votes to obtain the requisite stockholder approval. Also in 2016, the Board adopted and implemented a comprehensive, robust and fair proxy access bylaw. We continue to actively engage with our stockholders on a regular basis, our stockholders have the ability to directly nominate director candidates, and we have established processes and procedures for stockholders to communicate with the Board, the independent Lead Director, the Chairman of the Board, any other individual director or NCRs independent directors as a group.
We have also reduced the ownership threshold necessary for stockholders to directly call a special meeting, and in furtherance of our continuing commitment to strong corporate governance policies, on February 20, 2018, the Board authorized and approved amendments to the Companys bylaws to reduce the percent ownership requirement necessary to allow stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders from a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting to 25% of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting; provided, that unless requested by the stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting, a special meeting need not be called to consider any matter that is substantially the same as a matter voted on at any special meeting of stockholders held in the preceding twelve months.
Since being spun off by AT&T Corp. in 1996, NCRs stockholders have had the right to call a special meeting. Reducing the ownership threshold for calling a special meeting from a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting to 25% puts the terms of this stockholder right well within market practice for those companies that permit stockholders to call a special meeting. We believe that our revised special meeting right strikes a reasonable and appropriate balance meaningfully enhancing the right of stockholders to call a special meeting on the one hand, while on the other hand safeguarding against the risk that substantial administrative and financial burdens could be imposed on our Company, contrary to the interests of our Board and stockholders, by a special meeting being called that does not have meaningful stockholder interest behind it.
In addition, the Board has included in this proxy statement a proposal to amend and restate the Company charter to eliminate the supermajority voting provisions contemplated thereby and require the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast to approve each such matter. NCR also received a stockholder proposal on this matter. While a supermajority vote requirement protects against amendments to key provisions of a charter or bylaws, the removal and subsequent replacement of a director, or the entering into of extraordinary transactions without broad stockholder support, the Board has determined, following its deliberation and consideration regarding the rationale for such provisions in light of current corporate governance standards and practices and as permitted by Maryland law, that requiring only a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter to amend all provisions of the Companys charter and to approve the extraordinary transactions described in more detail in the applicable proposal in this proxy statement is advisable and in the best interests of NCR. Similarly, after deliberation and consideration, the Board has determined, also as permitted by Maryland law, that requiring only a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter to amend all provisions of the Bylaws, to remove a director, and to replace a director after removal, is advisable and in the best interests of NCR, and has included such amendment in the applicable proposal in this proxy statement. The Board believes the proposal including the amendments to the Company charter described in this paragraph strike the proper balance of protecting against the actions of a few large stockholders while recognizing that broad supermajority provisions are no longer viewed by many parties as consistent with current best practices for corporate governance at U.S. public companies.
The Board included a substantially similar proposal in the Companys proxy statement in 2019, also following the receipt of a stockholder proposal on the matter, except that it also included a proposed amendment to Section 6.2 of the Company charter to provide that, notwithstanding any provision of law requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a greater number of votes, and
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except as may otherwise be specifically provided, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Approval of the amendment to Section 6.2 of the Company charter required the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of shares of outstanding stock of NCR entitled to vote thereon, and this amendment was approved by our stockholders. Despite twice adjourning our annual meeting of stockholders to solicit votes, the Company did not obtain the requisite stockholder approval necessary to approve the balance of the proposal.
New Director Orientation |
Using the director selection process described in the Selection of Nominees for Directors section of this proxy statement, in late 2019 and early 2020, the Board elected four directors, Mark W. Begor, Catherine L. Burke, Georgette D. Kiser and Kirk T. Larsen, to the Board. Each of these directors is included in this proxy statement as a director nominee.
As provided in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Company has an orientation process for new directors that includes background material, visits to Company facilities, and meetings with senior management to familiarize the Directors with the Companys strategic and operating plans, key issues, corporate governance, Code of Conduct, and the senior management team. NCR created an extensive director orientation program for its recently elected directors designed to meet the objectives above and comprehensively brief new board members. This program includes the provision of written materials to the new directors and onsite meetings and training with members of the Companys Executive Leadership Team including, among others, the President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Secretary, Chief Information Officer, Chief Audit Executive and various business leaders, as well as other key senior management employees. The program enables the new directors to thoroughly understand the Companys business, strategic initiatives and strategy activation plans, as well as overall governance and processes, including, among other things, the Companys organization, the Company charter, bylaws, Board committee charters, the Company Code of Conduct, and Corporate Governance Guidelines. The design of the program also ensures directors have a direct line of communication to the Companys key management leaders. The two directors who joined our Board in 2019 have completed this orientation process and the two directors who joined our Board shortly before the date of this proxy statement are in the process of completing it.
Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight |
Leadership Structure |
As set out in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board does not have a guideline on whether the role of Chairman should be held by a non-employee director. Instead, our Board has the flexibility to select a Chairman as it deems best for the Company from time to time. Under the Corporate Governance Guidelines the independent directors of the Board will select a Lead Director from the independent directors. Additionally, if the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are held by the same person or if the Chairman is a management employee or a non-independent director, the Board has set out the roles of both Chairman and the independent Lead Director, which are included in Exhibit C to the Corporate Governance Guidelines.
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Currently the roles of Chairman and CEO are separated, with Frank R. Martire serving as Executive Chairman, Michael D. Hayford serving as Chief Executive Officer and Chinh E. Chu serving as the Boards independent Lead Director.
During the transition of the Companys Chief Executive Officer role to Mr. Hayford, the Board determined it would be appropriate to separate the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. As a result, simultaneous to the hiring of Mr. Hayford, the Board recruited Mr. Martire to the role of Executive Chairman. Mr. Martires leadership during this transition period has been a success, and by all accounts Mr. Hayford has proven to be a talented leader as demonstrated in the current operational and financial strength of the Company.
In light of Mr. Hayfords demonstrated success and the Boards confidence in his leadership, Mr. Martire will reduce the amount of time he spends as Executive Chairman and his compensation will be adjusted accordingly. Mr. Martire has agreed to remain Executive Chairman for one year at which point the Board will make a determination on the most effective leadership structure moving forward.
Consistent with the Corporate Governance Guidelines, our independent Lead Director has broad authority, as follows. The independent Lead Director, among other things, presides at all Board meetings at which the Chairman is not present. The independent Lead Director leads executive sessions of the independent directors, normally at every meeting. He or she may ask the Chairman and CEO to join portions of the executive sessions. The independent Lead Director serves as liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors; frequently communicates with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; is authorized to call meetings of the independent directors; obtains Board member and management input and, with the Chief Executive Officer, sets the agenda for the Board; approves meeting schedules to assure that there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items; works with the Chief Executive Officer to ensure that Board members receive the right information on a timely basis; stays current on major risks and focuses the Board members on such risks; molds a cohesive Board to support the success of the Chief Executive Officer; works closely with the Committee on Directors and Governance to evaluate Board and committee performance; facilitates communications among directors; assists in the recruiting and retention of new Board members (with the Committee on Directors and Governance, the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer); in conjunction with the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and the Committee on Directors and Governance, ensures that committee structure and committee assignments are appropriate and effective; works with the Committee on Directors and Governance to ensure outstanding governance processes; leads discussions, along with the chair of the Compensation and Human Resource Committee, regarding Chief Executive Officer performance, personal development and compensation; and, if requested by major stockholders of the Company, is available for consultation and direct communication with such stockholders. Additionally, the leadership and oversight of the Boards other independent directors continues to be strong, and further structural balance is provided by the Companys well-established corporate governance policies and practices, including its Corporate Governance Guidelines. Independent directors currently account for eight out of ten of the Boards members, and make up all of the members of the Boards Compensation and Human Resource Committee (the CHRC), Audit Committee and Committee on Directors and Governance.
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Risk Oversight |
As a part of its oversight responsibilities, the Board regularly monitors managements processes for identifying and addressing areas of material risk to the Company, including operational, financial, cybersecurity, legal, regulatory, strategic and reputational risks. In doing so, the Board receives regular assistance and input from its committees, as well as regular reports from members of the Executive Leadership Team and other senior management. While the Board and its committees provide oversight, management is responsible for implementing risk management programs, supervising day-to-day risk management and reporting to the Board and its committees on these matters.
The Audit Committee of the Board has primary responsibility for overseeing the assessment of financial, strategic, cybersecurity and other risks and the Companys general risk management programs. In carrying out this responsibility, the Audit Committee regularly evaluates the Companys risk identification, risk management and risk mitigation strategies and practices. The Company has established an Enterprise Risk Management team that is sponsored by the Companys Chief Operating Officer and is co-led by the Companys Chief Audit Executive and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer. The Audit Committee and the full Board receive and review periodic reports prepared by this team. In general, the reports identify, analyze and provide the status of major risks to the Company. In addition, the Audit Committee regularly receives management reports on information security and enhancements to cybersecurity protections, including benchmarking assessments, which it then shares with the Board. The full Board receives at least annual reports on this topic directly from management. Included among the members of both the Board and the Audit Committee are directors with substantial expertise in cybersecurity matters, and Board members actively engage in dialogue on the Companys information security plans, and in discussions of improvements to the Companys cybersecurity defenses. When, in managements judgment, a threatened cybersecurity incident has the potential for material impacts, the Audit Committee is advised and management makes regular reports to the committee.
The CHRC regularly considers potential risks related to the Companys compensation programs, as discussed below, and the Committee on Directors and Governance also considers risks within the context of its responsibilities (as such responsibilities are defined in the committee charter), including legal and regulatory compliance risks. The Committee on Directors and Governance also receives periodic updates on compliance and regulatory risk items from the Companys Chief Compliance Officer.
After each committee meeting, the Audit Committee, CHRC and Committee on Directors and Governance each report at the next meeting of the Board all significant items discussed at each committee meeting, which includes a discussion of items relating to risk oversight where applicable.
We believe the leadership structure of the Board also contributes to the effective facilitation of risk oversight as a result of: (i) the role of the Board committees in risk identification and mitigation; (ii) the direct link between management and the Board achieved by having our two management directors serve as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and (iii) the role of our active independent Lead Director whose duties include ensuring the Board reviews and evaluates major risks to the Company, as well as measures proposed by management to mitigate such risks.
All of the above elements work together to ensure an appropriate focus on risk oversight.
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Compensation Risk Assessment |
The Company takes a prudent and appropriately risk-balanced approach to its incentive compensation programs to ensure that these programs promote the long-term interests of our stockholders and do not contribute to unnecessary risk-taking. The CHRC regularly evaluates the Companys executive and broad-based compensation programs, including the mix of cash and equity, balance of short-term and longer-term performance focus, balance of revenue and profit-based measures, stock ownership guidelines, clawback policies and other risk mitigators. The CHRC directly engages its independent compensation consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (FWC), to assist in this process. Based on this evaluation, the CHRC concluded that none of the Companys compensation policies and plans are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Committees of the Board |
The Board has three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Human Resource Committee and the Committee on Directors and Governance.
The Board has adopted a written charter for each such committee that sets forth the committees mission, composition and responsibilities. Each charter can be found under Corporate Governance on the Company page of NCRs website at https://www.ncr.com/about/corporate-governance.
The Board met eight times in 2019 and each incumbent member of the Board attended 75% or more of the aggregate of: (i) the total number of meetings of the Board (held during the period for which such person was a director), and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which such person served (during the periods that such person served). The Company has no formal policy regarding director attendance at its annual meeting of stockholders. All of the Companys directors then in office were in attendance at the Companys 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was a virtual, and not an in-person, meeting.
The members of each committee as of the end of fiscal 2019 and the number of meetings held in fiscal 2019 are shown below:
Name |
Audit Committee |
Compensation and Human Resource Committee |
Committee on Directors and Governance | |||
Catherine L. Burke(1) |
X | X | ||||
Gregory R. Blank |
X | |||||
Chinh E. Chu |
X | X | ||||
Richard L. Clemmer |
X | Chair | ||||
Robert P. DeRodes |
X | |||||
Deborah A. Farrington |
X | |||||
Kurt P. Kuehn |
Chair | |||||
Kirk T. Larsen(2) |
X | X | ||||
Linda Fayne Levinson |
Chair | X | ||||
Matthew A. Thompson |
X | |||||
Number of meetings in 2019 |
9 | 6 | 8 |
(1) Effective November 5, 2019, Mrs. Burke was elected to serve on the Audit Committee and the Committee on Directors and Governance.
(2) Effective November 5, 2019, Mr. Larsen was elected to serve on the Audit Committee and the Compensation and Human Resource Committee.
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Audit Committee |
The Audit Committee is the principal agent of the Board in overseeing: (i) the quality and integrity of the Companys financial statements; (ii) the assessment of financial, strategic, cybersecurity and other risk and risk management programs; (iii) the independence, qualifications, engagement and performance of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm; (iv) the performance of the Companys internal auditors; (v) the integrity and adequacy of internal controls; and (vi) the quality and adequacy of disclosures to stockholders. Among other things, the Audit Committee also:
· | selects, evaluates, sets compensation for and, where appropriate, replaces the Companys independent registered public accounting firm; |
· | pre-approves all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm; |
· | reviews and discusses with the Companys independent registered public accounting firm its services and quality control procedures and the Companys critical accounting policies and practices; |
· | regularly reviews the scope and results of audits performed by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm and internal auditors; |
· | prepares the report required by the SEC to be included in the Companys annual proxy statement; |
· | meets with management to review the adequacy of the Companys internal control framework and its financial, accounting, reporting and disclosure control processes; |
· | reviews the Companys periodic SEC filings and quarterly earnings releases; |
· | discusses with the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer the procedures they follow to complete their certifications in connection with NCRs periodic filings with the SEC; |
· | discusses managements plans with respect to the Companys major financial, strategic, cybersecurity and other risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures; |
· | reviews the Companys compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and |
· | reviews the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function, including compliance with the Institute of Internal Auditors International Professional Practices Framework for Internal Auditing consisting of the Definition of Internal Auditing, Code of Ethics and the Standards. |
All members of the Audit Committee during 2019 were, and the current members are, independent and financially literate as determined by the Board under applicable SEC rules and NYSE listing standards. In addition, the Board has determined that Mr. Blank, Mr. DeRodes, Ms. Farrington, Mr. Kuehn, Mr. Larsen and Mr. Thompson are each an audit committee financial expert, as defined under SEC regulations. The Board has also determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent based on independence standards set forth in the Boards Corporate Governance Guidelines, which reflect the listing standards of the NYSE and the applicable rules of the SEC. No member of the Audit Committee may receive any compensation, consulting, advisory or other fees from the Company, other than the Board compensation described below
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under the Director Compensation section in this proxy statement, starting on page 28 as determined in accordance with applicable SEC rules and NYSE listing standards. Members serving on the Audit Committee are limited to serving on no more than two other audit committees of public company boards of directors, unless the Board evaluates and determines that these other commitments would not impair the members effective service to the Company.
Compensation and Human Resource Committee |
The Compensation and Human Resource Committee (CHRC) provides general oversight of the Companys management compensation philosophy and practices, benefit programs and strategic workforce initiatives, and leadership development plans. In doing so, the CHRC reviews and approves executive officer total compensation objectives and programs, and the competitiveness of total compensation practices. Among other things, the CHRC also:
· | evaluates executive officer performance levels and determines their base salaries, incentive awards and other compensation; |
· | discusses its evaluation and compensation determinations for the Chief Executive Officer at Board executive sessions; |
· | reviews executive compensation plans and recommends them for Board approval; |
· | oversees our compliance with SEC and NYSE compensation-related rules; |
· | reviews and approves executive officer employment, severance, change in control and similar agreements/plans; |
· | reviews management proposals for significant organizational changes; |
· | annually assesses compensation program risks; and |
· | oversees management succession and development. |
The CHRC may delegate its authority to the Companys Chief Executive Officer and/or other appropriate delegates to make equity awards to individuals (other than executive officers) in limited instances.
The CHRC retains and is advised by an independent compensation consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. The CHRC has directly engaged FWC to review the Companys long-term incentive program, Stock Incentive Plan (the Stock Plan), Annual Incentive Plan (which includes the Management Incentive Plan and the Customer Success Bonus), and other key programs related to the compensation of executive officers. As directed by the CHRC, FWC provides a competitive assessment of our executive compensation programs relative to our compensation philosophy; reviews our compensation peer group companies; provides expert advice and competitive market rate information relating to executive officer compensation; assists in designing variable incentive, perquisite and other compensation programs, including advice regarding performance goals; assists with compliance with applicable tax laws, disclosure matters and other technical matters; conducts an annual risk assessment of our compensation programs; and regularly consults with the CHRC regarding such matters. FWC did not perform any additional work for the Company or its management
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in 2019. The CHRC retained FWC after reviewing all factors relevant to its independence from management under applicable SEC rules and NYSE listing standards, and concluding that FWC was independent and its work for the CHRC did not raise any conflict of interest.
The Board has determined that each member of the CHRC is independent based on independence standards set forth in the Boards Corporate Governance Guidelines which reflect NYSE listing standards and satisfy the additional provisions specific to compensation committee membership set forth in the NYSE listing standards.
Committee on Directors and Governance |
The Committee on Directors and Governance (the CODG) is responsible for reviewing the Boards corporate governance practices and procedures, including the review and approval of each related party transaction under the Companys Related Person Transaction Policy (unless the CODG determines that the approval or ratification of such transaction should be considered by all of the disinterested members of the Board), and the Companys ethics and compliance program. Among other things, the CODG also:
· | recommends to the Board the principles of director compensation, including compensation to be paid to directors, and reviews and makes recommendations to the Board concerning director compensation; |
· | reviews the composition of the Board and the qualifications of persons identified as prospective directors, recommends the candidates to be nominated for election as directors, and, in the event of a vacancy on the Board, recommends any successors; |
· | recommends to the Board the assignment of directors to various committees; |
· | establishes procedures for evaluating the performance of the Board and oversees such evaluation; |
· | reviews the Companys charter, bylaws and Corporate Governance Guidelines and makes any recommendations for changes, as appropriate; and |
· | monitors compliance with independence standards established by the Board. |
The CODG is authorized to engage consultants to review the Companys director compensation program.
The Board has determined that each member of the CODG is independent based on independence standards set forth in the Boards Corporate Governance Guidelines, which reflect the listing standards of the NYSE.
Selection of Nominees for Directors |
The CODG and our other directors are responsible for recommending nominees for membership to the Board. The director selection process is described in detail in the Corporate Governance Guidelines. In determining candidates for nomination, the CODG will seek the input of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, and, in the event the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer are held by the same person, the independent Lead Director, and will consider individuals recommended for Board membership by the Companys stockholders in accordance with the Companys bylaws and applicable
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law. In addition, periodically the Board engages an outside search firm, including most recently Ridgeway Partners, to assist to identify candidates who have desired experience and expertise, and meet the qualification guidelines described below.
Exhibit A to the Corporate Governance Guidelines include qualification guidelines for directors standing for re-election and new candidates for membership on the Board. All candidates are evaluated by the CODG using these qualification guidelines. In accordance with the guidelines, as part of the selection process, in addition to such other factors as it may deem relevant, the CODG will consider a candidates:
· | management experience (including with major public companies with multinational operations); |
· | other areas of expertise or experience that are desirable given the Companys business and the current make-up of the Board (such as expertise or experience in information technology businesses, manufacturing, international, financial or investment banking or scientific research and development); |
· | desirability of range in age to allow staggered replacement of directors of desired skills and experience to permit appropriate Board continuity; |
· | independence, as defined by the Board; |
· | diversity of thought and perspectives, such as on the basis of age, race, gender, and ethnicity, or on the basis of geographic knowledge, industry experience, board tenure, or culture; |
· | knowledge and skills in accounting and finance, business judgment, general management practices, crisis response and management, industry knowledge, international markets, leadership, and strategic planning; |
· | personal characteristics such as integrity, accountability, financial literacy and high performance standards; |
· | willingness to devote the appropriate amount of time and energy to serving the best interests of the Company; and |
· | commitments to other entities, including the number of other public-company boards on which the candidate serves. |
The Board and the CODG are committed to finding proven leaders who are qualified to serve as NCR directors and may from time to time engage outside search firms to assist in identifying and contacting qualified candidates.
The directors nominated by the Board for election at the Annual Meeting were recommended by CODG. All of the candidates for election are currently serving as directors of the Company and, other than Frank R. Martire, NCRs Executive Chairman, and Michael D. Hayford, NCRs Chief Executive Officer, have been determined by the Board to be independent.
Stockholders wishing to recommend individuals for consideration as directors should contact the CODG by writing to the Companys Corporate Secretary at NCR Corporation 864 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30308-1007. Recommendations by stockholders that are made in this manner will be evaluated in the same manner as other candidates.
26
Stockholders who wish to nominate directors for inclusion in NCRs proxy statement pursuant to the proxy access provisions in the Companys bylaws, or to otherwise nominate directors for election at NCRs next annual meeting of stockholders, must follow the procedures described in the Companys bylaws, the current form of which is available under Corporate Governance on the Company page of NCRs website at https://www.ncr.com/about/corporate-governance. See Procedures for Nominations Using Proxy Access, Procedures for Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for 2021 Annual Meeting Outside of SEC Rule 14a-8 and Procedures for Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for 2021 Annual Meeting Pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8 beginning on page 102 of this proxy statement for further details regarding how to nominate directors.
Communications with Directors |
Stockholders or interested parties wishing to communicate directly with the Board, the independent Lead Director or any other individual director, the Chairman of the Board, or NCRs independent directors as a group are welcome to do so by writing to the Companys Corporate Secretary at NCR Corporation, 864 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30308-1007. The Corporate Secretary will forward appropriate communications. Any matters reported by stockholders relating to NCRs accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters will be referred to members of the Audit Committee as appropriate. Anonymous and/or confidential communications with the Board may also be made by writing to this address. For more information on how to contact the Board, please see the Companys Corporate Governance website at https://www.ncr.com/about/corporate-governance.
Code of Conduct |
The Company has a Code of Conduct that sets the standard for ethics and compliance for all of its directors and employees. The Code of Conduct is available on the Companys Corporate Governance website at http://www.ncr.com/company/corporate-governance/code-of-conduct. To receive a copy of the Code of Conduct, please send a written request to the Corporate Secretary at the address provided above.
27
Director Compensation |
Director Compensation Program |
The Committee on Directors and Governance adopted the 2017 NCR Director Compensation Program (the Program) pursuant to authority granted by our Board. In adopting the Program, the Committee considered peer group director pay practices and other relevant data and considerations, including material provided by Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc., the independent compensation consultant for the Compensation and Human Resource Committee. The Program provides for the payment of annual retainers and annual equity grants to non-employee Board members in accordance with our Stock Plan. Our Stock Plan generally caps non-employee director pay at $1 million per calendar year (including cash and grant date fair value of equity).
Mr. Martire does not receive compensation under the Program for his service as Executive Chairman of the Board. Mr. Blank received no compensation under the Program for the portion of 2019 that he was the Board designee of The Blackstone Group L.P. (Blackstone), due to Blackstones ownership of certain NCR Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (Preferred Stock). Mr. Blank began receiving standard compensation under the Program (on a prorated basis) on substantially the same terms as other NCR directors for his continued director service following the retirement of such Preferred Stock effective September 20, 2019.
28
29
Director Compensation Tables |
Director Compensation for 2019 ($) | ||||||||||||
Director Name | Fees (Annual Retainers) Earned in Cash |
Stock Awards(1) | Total | |||||||||
Gregory R. Blank
|
|
26,904
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,904
|
| |||
Catherine (Katie) L. Burke
|
|
31,230
|
|
|
130,523
|
|
|
161,753
|
| |||
Chinh E. Chu
|
|
69,500
|
|
|
294,577
|
|
|
364,077
|
| |||
Richard L. Clemmer
|
|
|
|
|
334,104
|
|
|
334,104
|
| |||
Robert P. DeRodes
|
|
|
|
|
320,078
|
|
|
320,078
|
| |||
Deborah A. Farrington
|
|
95,000
|
|
|
225,015
|
|
|
320,015
|
| |||
Kurt P. Kuehn
|
|
114,000
|
|
|
225,015
|
|
|
339,015
|
| |||
Kirk T. Larsen
|
|
31,860
|
|
|
130,523
|
|
|
162,383
|
| |||
Linda Fayne Levinson
|
|
57,500
|
|
|
322,556
|
|
|
380,056
|
| |||
Matthew A. Thompson
|
|
95,000
|
|
|
225,015
|
|
|
320,015
|
|
(1) Aggregate grant date fair value, as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of annual equity grants (including deferred grants), and annual cash retainers received as current or deferred shares (also referred to as phantom stock units). See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, where we explain assumptions made in valuing equity awards. Excludes Mr. Blanks prorated annual equity grant, which was not made until 2020.
Grant Date Fair Value(1) of Director 2019 Retainer and Equity Grant Shares ($) | ||||||||||||
Director Name |
Annual Equity RSU Grant |
Current Stock in lieu of cash |
Deferred Stock in lieu of cash |
|||||||||
Gregory R. Blank
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Catherine (Katie) L. Burke
|
|
130,523
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Chinh E. Chu
|
|
225,015
|
|
|
69,562
|
|
|
|
| |||
Richard L. Clemmer
|
|
225,015
|
|
|
|
|
|
109,089
|
| |||
Robert P. DeRodes
|
|
225,015
|
|
|
|
|
|
95,063
|
| |||
Deborah A. Farrington
|
|
225,015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Kurt P. Kuehn
|
|
225,015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Kirk T. Larsen
|
|
130,523
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Linda Fayne Levinson
|
|
265,003
|
|
|
57,553
|
|
|
|
| |||
Matthew A. Thompson
|
|
225,015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Grant date fair value, as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of annual equity grants (including deferred grants), and annual cash retainers received in the form of current shares or deferred shares (also referred to as phantom stock units). See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for an explanation of the assumptions we make in the valuation of our equity awards. Excludes Mr. Blanks prorated annual equity grant which was not made until 2020.
30
Shares of NCR Common Stock Underlying Director Equity Awards as of December 31, 2019 (#) |
||||||||||||
Director Name |
Options Outstanding as of 12/31/19 |
RSUs Outstanding as of 12/31/19 |
Deferred Shares Outstanding as of 12/31/19 |
|||||||||
Gregory R. Blank(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Catherine (Katie) L. Burke
|
|
|
|
|
3,700
|
|
|
|
| |||
Chinh E. Chu
|
|
|
|
|
3,832
|
|
|
|
| |||
Richard L. Clemmer
|
|
34,881
|
|
|
|
|
|
117,516
|
| |||
Robert P. DeRodes
|
|
34,881
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,945
|
| |||
Deborah A. Farrington
|
|
|
|
|
3,832
|
|
|
|
| |||
Kurt P. Kuehn
|
|
10,039
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,818
|
| |||
Kirk T. Larsen
|
|
|
|
|
3,700
|
|
|
|
| |||
Linda Fayne Levinson
|
|
34,881
|
|
|
4,513
|
|
|
8,077
|
| |||
Matthew A. Thompson
|
|
|
|
|
3,832
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Excludes Mr. Blanks prorated annual equity grant which was not made until 2020.
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Proposal 2 Say On Pay: Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers |
FOR
|
The Board of Directors recommends that |
✓ | Robust oversight by the Compensation Committee | |||
you vote FOR the proposal to approve |
✓ | Excellent pay for performance alignment | ||||
the compensation of the named executive officers. |
✓ | Strong link between management and stockholder interests |
|
We currently conduct a Say On Pay vote every year at our annual meeting of stockholders as required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act. Unless our Board changes its policy, our next Say On Pay vote following the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held at our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. While this vote is non-binding, the Board and the Compensation and Human Resource Committee (the Committee as referenced throughout the various sections of this Proposal 2, including the Executive Compensation Compensation Discussion & Analysis section) value the opinions of our stockholders. The Committee will consider the outcome of the Say On Pay vote as part of its annual evaluation of our executive compensation program.
Please read the following Executive Compensation Compensation Discussion & Analysis section and our Executive Compensation Tables for information necessary to inform your vote on this proposal.
Board Recommendation |
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote to approve, on a non-binding and advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in these proxy materials. Proxies received by the Board will be voted FOR this proposal unless they specify otherwise.
Vote Required for Approval |
Under applicable Maryland and the Companys Charter and Bylaws, majority of all the votes cast by holders of our common stock and Series A Convertible Preferred Stock voting together as a single class (in person via attendance at the virtual meeting or by proxy), with the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock voting on an as-converted basis, is required to approve the non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of the named executive officers. Under Maryland law, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the approval of this proposal. Proxies recieved by the Board will be voted For this proposal unless they specify otherwise.
32
Executive Compensation Compensation Discussion & Analysis |
|
Our Compensation Discussion & Analysis describes NCRs 2019 executive compensation program for our named executives, who are listed below. The Committee has sole authority over the program and makes all compensation decisions for our Named Executive Officers (the named executives). For more about the compensation of our named executives, see the Executive Compensation Tables below.
Michael Hayford President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Frank Martire Executive Chairman of the Board
Owen Sullivan Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Andre Fernandez Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Paul Langenbahn Executive Vice President and President, NCR Commerce
|
In light of Mr. Hayfords demonstrated success and our Boards confidence in his leadership, following our 2020 Annual meeting Mr. Martire will reduce the amount of time he spends as Executive Chairman as noted in the Leadership Structure section above. His compensation will be reduced accordingly, as described further herein.
Executive Summary |
Business Overview |
NCR is a leading software- and services-led enterprise provider in the financial, retail, hospitality and telecommunications and technology industries. NCR is a global company that is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. NCR offers a range of solutions that help businesses of all sizes run the store, run the restaurant and run self-service banking channels. Our portfolio includes digital first offerings for banking, restaurants and retailers, as well as payments processing, multi-vendor connected device services, automated teller machines (ATMs), point of sale (POS) terminals and self-service technologies. We also resell third-party networking products and provide related service offerings in the telecommunications and technology sectors. Our solutions are also designed to support our transition to an as-a-Service company and enable us to be the technology-based service provider of choice to our customers.
33
NCR Strategic Priorities |
Drive top line revenue growth by investing in our strategic platforms |
Continue to shift business mix to recurring revenue streams and away from hardware towards software and services-led offerings |
Focus on optimizing our spend to improve our operating margins |
2019 Focus Areas |
Customer Care |
Improve the customer experience and execution of new product introductions | |
Stockholder Value |
Accelerate profitable top-line revenue growth by investing in and shifting our revenue mix to recurring software and services revenue streams we identify as strategic growth platforms, while improving the Companys cost structure | |
Strategic Growth Platforms and Targeted Acquisitions |
Increase capital expenditures in strategic growth platforms and target acquisitions to gain solutions that drive the highest growth and return on investment | |
Reward and Develop Talent |
Develop, reward and retain talent with competitive recruiting, training and effective incentive-based compensation programs | |
Sales Enablement |
Provide our sales force with top-performing and secure products packaged to target our desired revenue mix and drive customer delight and stockholder value, as well as invest in appropriate training programs to enable success |
Our industry is experiencing a dramatic shift in which our customers increasingly demand more digital, mobile, software-focused solutions. In 2018, when the Board initiated a search process for our next CEO, they prioritized selecting a leader who could significantly accelerate the business transformation already underway and drive the company toward profitable growth and stronger returns. To that end, the Board engaged a search firm to identify top talent within our industry, and identified Michael Hayford as having not only deep experience across software and technology solutions businesses, but also a proven track record of effective leadership in strategic business transformation. Upon joining the company in April 2018, Mr. Hayford initiated a significant refreshment of our senior leadership team and in November 2018 initiated a strategic plan to accelerate growth. In 2019, NCR undertook a strategic transformation to accelerate growth by shifting our business mix from hardware to more software and services, and driving increased recurring revenue through investments in our strategic growth platforms and by shifting to a subscription-based model. As a result, 2019 was a transformational year as the company embarked on executing against the new strategic priorities set by Michael Hayford.
In planning for 2019, the Compensation and Human Resources Committee (the Committee) determined that it was appropriate to structure the 2019 executive compensation program in a way that better aligned with the business and leadership transitions. In particular, the Committee believed it was appropriate to provide Mike Hayford the opportunity to first develop a long-term operating plan and strategic priorities, which would then guide the selection of the operating metrics to which management would be held accountable over a
34
multi-year performance period. Additionally, given the transition, the newly established business priorities for 2019 required management to focus on near term objectives that would ensure a successful transformation. However, this created challenges in setting meaningful long-term goals. As a result, the Committee determined that setting metrics for a one-year period for our performance-based restricted stock unit (RSU) grant was appropriate to incentivize strong performance and set the stage for strong long-term performance. The Committee also acknowledged that it would be appropriate to evolve the program in subsequent years as the strategic transformation was further advanced and the company was better positioned to set meaningful long-term goals for the business. In line with this evolution, the Committee has approved changes to our executive compensation program for 2020, as detailed in the Stockholder Engagement and Responsiveness to 2019 Say On Pay Vote section, that both drive continued progress on our strategic transformation and are responsive to feedback received from our stockholders.
Company 2019 Financial Performance |
2019 Financial Highlights
|
||||
✓ |
Our Revenue was $6.92 billion, which increased 8% from prior year, driven by growth in all segments. |
|||
✓ |
Our recurring revenue (recurring revenue is for products and services under contract for which revenue is recognized over time) increased 6% from the prior year and comprised 45% of total revenue. |
|||
✓ |
Completed the amend and extend of our senior credit facility as well as refinanced the unsecured notes due 2021. |
|||
✓ |
Completed the redemption and conversion of the remaining Series A preferred shares held by Blackstone. |
|||
✓ |
We completed acquisition of D3 Technology, Inc, an online and mobile banking platform for large financial institutions. |
|||
✓ |
We completed acquisition of Zynstra, an edge virtualization technology provider, to further enhance our next generation store architecture. |
|||
✓ |
Our strong performance allowed us to exceed our threshold performance objectives for our 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan and Annual Incentive Plan.
|
These charts compare our performance results for 2019 vs. 2018:
|
|
35
Stockholder Engagement and Responsiveness to 2019 Say On Pay Vote |
Our annual Say On Pay vote is one avenue for the Board to receive feedback from stockholders regarding our executive compensation program. The Board was disappointed with the results of our advisory Say On Pay proposal at our 2019 annual meeting. In order to understand what motivated stockholders votes, NCR actively sought feedback by reaching out to stockholders owning approximately 71% of our outstanding shares and speaking with stockholders owning approximately 45% of our outstanding shares. Linda Levinson and Kirk Larsen, Chair and member of the Compensation and Human Resource Committee respectively, participated in meetings with stockholders owning 30% of shares outstanding. All feedback from this engagement initiative was shared with the full Board and helped to inform the changes approved by the Committee for our executive compensation program.
Over the course of engagement, we learned that stockholders were generally supportive of the 2018 compensation program design and even further supportive of our program when taking into account the go-forward commitments the Board made for changes to the 2019 executive compensation program which included:
| Augmented disclosure of the metrics under the 2019 Annual Incentive Plan: EBITDA (80% weighting) and Net Promoter Score (20% weighting) together with business unit performance modifiers where applicable; and |
| Increasing the mix of performance-based compensation by targeting 65% of the total target value granted under the 2019 Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Program in performance-based RSUs. |
These changes to the 2019 program design were informed by prior stockholder feedback. Stockholders agreed that these changes were responsive and were broadly supportive of the executive compensation program design. Nevertheless, we recognize that stockholders voted holistically on our 2018 executive compensation program, and many were concerned that the April 2018 new hire grant issued to Mr. Hayford in connection with joining NCR as CEO was tied to stock price appreciation rather than to operational metrics. During engagement, we provided additional color to stockholders to contextualize this decision, highlighting that given Mr. Hayford was coming from outside the Company and was likely to implement strategic changes, setting operational metrics would not have been appropriate as it would have set the operating plan without input from the incoming CEO. As a result, the Committee believed that stock price appreciation was the appropriate performance metric for his new hire grant.
36
2020 Executive Compensation Program Changes |
While our stockholders were generally supportive of the 2019 executive compensation program we previewed in the 2019 proxy statement, during engagement, stockholders provided additional feedback for the Committee to consider in designing the 2020 program. The Committee approved changes to the 2020 program design which were directly responsive to stockholder feedback. The feedback and resulting changes are described below:
Stockholder Feedback |
2020 Program Changes Approved |
|||
Extend the performance measurement period of the Performance-Based RSUs from 1-year to 3-years | Performance-Based RSUs will have a 3-year performance period and will cliff-vest based on the achievement of the performance metrics for that period |
|||
Adjust the operational performance metrics for earning Performance-Based RSUs | Performance for the Performance-Based RSUs will be measured by:
3-year recurring revenue: revenue continues to be an important indicator of our strategic execution and foundational to our long-term success. Stockholders expressed support for continuing to include a revenue metric in the LTI award
3-year LTI EBITDA (as defined below): Earnings is a key measure of our overall financial performance and profitability. Stockholders expressed support for the inclusion of an earnings-related goal in the LTI award |
|||
Increase the percentage of the LTI Program which consists of performance- based equity | LTI award for 2020 will be 100% performance-based, allocated 35% in Performance-Based RSUs and 65% in Premium-Priced Options with a 115% price premium
Premium-Priced Options directly tie the interests of our executives to those of our stockholders and incentivize strong stockholder returns. 115% represents a rigorous premium in the context of our historic stock price trend, but moreover would require achievement of a stock price that has not been reached since July 2017 |
|||
Compensation peer group is too heavily weighted toward peers with larger market capitalizations than NCR | Modified the peer group to remove three larger peers, Adobe, VMWare and Salesforce, as well as First Data due to acquisition. Global Payments, PayChex, Black Knight, Sabre and ACI Worldwide will be added to the peer group to achieve a balanced set of peers that will serve as a benchmark for our executive compensation beginning in 2020 |
37
2019 Compensation Program Design |
Throughout 2019, NCR has made significant progress on its transition led by our new leadership structure and management team who are focused on the organizations long-term growth and success. Through this transformation, the Committee has continued its longstanding practice of linking the total compensation of our named executives to the strategic and financial success of the Company. Our compensation philosophy requires that a significant portion of total compensation for our named executives be strongly aligned with Company performance. We accomplish this by placing a large portion of our executives total compensation at risk and by requiring our executives to stretch to meet very challenging internal financial metrics that, if achieved, translate into shared value creation with our stockholders.
38
2019 Target Total Direct Compensation Pay Mix |
NCR CEO: Target Pay Mix
|
NCR Other Named Executives: Target Pay Mix
|
39
Best Practices in NCR Executive Compensation |
Our executive compensation program features many best practices:
WHAT WE DO | WHAT WE DONT DO | |||||||||||||
✓ |
Pay for Performance. A significant portion of our named executives compensation is at risk and delivered only if rigorous performance goals established by the Committee are achieved. |
× |
No Guaranteed Annual Salary Increases or Bonuses. Salary increases are based on individual performance evaluations and certain competitive considerations, while annual cash incentives are generally tied to corporate and individual performance, as well as customer satisfaction (with limited exceptions in special circumstances, such as negotiated new hire starting bonuses under employment agreements). |
|||||||||||
✓ |
Strong Link Between Performance Goals and Strategic Objectives. We link performance goals for incentive pay to financial objectives and operating priorities designed to create long-term stockholder value. |
× | No Compensation Plans that Encourage Excessive Risk Taking. Based on the Committees annual review, none of our pay practices incentivize employees to engage in unnecessary or excessive risk-taking. |
|||||||||||
✓ |
Independent Compensation Consultant. The Committee retains an independent compensation consultant to evaluate and advise on our executive compensation programs and practices, as well as named executive pay mix and levels. |
× |
No Hedging or Pledging of NCR Securities. Our policies prohibit hedging and pledging of the Companys equity securities as described in the Hedging and Pledging Policy section below. |
|||||||||||
✓ |
Benchmark Peers with Similar Business Attributes and Business Complexity. The Committee benchmarks our executive compensation program and annually reviews peer group membership with its independent compensation consultant. |
× |
No Repricing Stock Options. Our Stock Plan prohibits repricing of stock options without prior stockholder approval. |
|||||||||||
✓ |
Strong Compensation Clawback Policy. Executive awards are subject to clawback in specified circumstances. |
× |
Perquisites. We offer only perks we believe important to be competitive, to attract and retain highly talented executives, enhanced productivity and ensure their safety and focus on critical business activities. |
|||||||||||
✓ |
Robust Stock Ownership Guidelines. We require named executives to meet our guidelines, which range from two to six times base salary, and to maintain the guideline ownership level after any transaction. |
× |
No Dividends or Dividend Equivalents Paid on Unvested Equity Awards. Equity awards must vest before dividends are payable. |
|||||||||||
✓ |
Double Trigger Benefits in the Event of a Change in Control. Equity awards do not automatically vest in a change in control of NCR unless employment also ends in a qualifying termination. |
× |
No Excise Tax Gross-ups. Current named executives are not eligible for excise tax gross-ups or tax gross-ups on any perquisites other than standard relocation benefits. |
|||||||||||
✓ |
Reasonable Change in Control Severance. Change in control severance benefits range from one to three times target cash pay depending upon the executives position. |
× |
No Special Executive Pension Benefits. There are no special executive or broad-based pension benefits for any named executives. |
|||||||||||
✓ |
Stockholder Outreach. We regularly engage with our stockholders to better understand and consider their views on our executive compensation programs, corporate governance practices and other strategic initiatives. |
× | Compliant Procedures for Trading of NCR Stock. We permit executive officers to trade in NCR common stock only with appropriately protective pre-clearance procedures, including pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. |
40
Compensation Program Discussion |
Summary of 2019 & 2020 Compensation Program Actions by Our Committee |
The Companys overall 2019 compensation program was consistent with its philosophy and objectives of paying for performance, aligning the interests of executives with the interests of stockholders, attracting and retaining executive talent, and adopting competitive, best-practice compensation programs that are appropriate for our Company. Specific examples of Committee actions to carry out this philosophy include the following actions taken to establish our 2019 executive compensation program, and certain actions taken this year with respect to our 2020 compensation program:
· | 2019 Annual Incentive Plan To align our strategic financial and customer focus for 2019, we used Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA), weighted 80%, and Net Promoter Score, weighted 20%, as our Core Financial Objectives for the plan. This aligns our performance-based compensation strategy with a key financial metric that our investors monitor when evaluating our Companys ongoing performance, and an internal metric tied to our overall customer success survey results that reflects the critical impact of customer satisfaction on our business. This approach also continues to differentiate our Annual Incentive Plans financial metrics from the performance goals used in our Long-Term Incentive Program. |
· | 2019 LTI Program Granted Performance-Based RSUs and Stock Options. For 2019, the Committee continued its focus on granting compensation that aligns named executive and shareholder interests under our NCR Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (Stock Plan). Our 2019 annual award mix consisted of 65% performance-based RSUs that vest 1/3 per year over three years subject to achievement of 2019 performance metrics of 2019 Adjusted Operating Income (60% weighting) and NCR Revenue (40% weighting); and 35% stock options with a seven-year term that vest 1/4 each year on the anniversary of the grant date, in each case subject to continued employment through the vesting dates. These performance metrics and vesting conditions link the compensation earned by our named executives with our key strategic measures and continue to differentiate our LTI Program financial metrics from our Annual Incentive Plan metrics. |
· | 2020 Annual Incentive Plan Performance-Based Bonus Program. For 2020, for all named executives with corporate oversight, which includes our CEO, the annual incentive design will remain consistent with 2019. For executives with specific business unit oversight, the annual incentive will be awarded based 60% on achievement of financial performance metrics related to his or her business unit and 40% based on individual performance on key strategic goals in order to focus those executives on key business initiatives for the year within their purview that ultimately drive shareholder value creation. |
· | 2020 LTI Program For 2020, the Committee determined to allocate 100% of the LTI award in performance-based compensation, with the target mix weighted 35% in performance-based RSUs and 65% in premium-priced options with a 115% price premium. The Performance-Based RSUs will also be earned based on performance over a three-year period using revenue and earnings goals, with cliff-vesting at the end of the three-year performance period. These changes are directly responsive to stockholder feedback, and are designed to drive strong long-term performance on key goals and tightly link our executives pay with our stockholders experience. |
· | 2020 Peer Group For 2020, in line with our compensation philosophy the Committee determined to modify the Companys compensation peer group to more closely align with companies of similar market capitalization and account for business developments affecting one peer company. This resulted in the removal of three peers with higher market capitalizations Adobe, VMWare and Salesforce, and the removal of First Data due to acquisition. Global Payments, PayChex, Black Knight, Sabre and ACI Worldwide will be added to rebalance the peer group that will serve as a benchmark for our executive compensation beginning in 2020. This modification places CEO compensation at approximately the median of the 2020 peer group. |
41
Our Executive Compensation Philosophy |
Executive Compensation Program Design Factors We Consider |
When designing our executive compensation program, the Committee considers actions that:
Reward Execution of our Strategic Growth Platforms Attract, Retain, Develop & Motivate Top Talent Provide Competitive Pay & Target Incentives "at risk" Guiding Compensation Design Principles Reward Solution Innovation & Customer Experience Align with Stockholder Interests & Reward Value Creation Reward Achieving our Software & Cloud Growth Goals
42
Independent Compensation Consultant |
The Committee retains and is advised by Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (FWC), a national executive compensation consulting firm, to assist in review and oversight of our executive compensation programs. The Committee considers FWCs advice and recommendations when making executive compensation decisions. FWC is independent of the Companys management and reports directly to the Committee. FWC representatives attended all meetings of the Committee in 2019. Our CEO and our Executive Chairman are not present during Committee and FWC discussions about their respective compensation. Also, FWC reports on CEO and Executive Chairman compensation are not shared with these officers. For more about FWCs role as advisor to the Committee, see the Compensation and Human Resource Committee section above.
Key Elements of 2019 Executive Compensation |
The key elements of our 2019 executive compensation program are shown in the chart below. Each element of the program has a specific purpose in furthering our compensation objectives.
Fixed | Variable | |||||||||||
Base Salary |
Annual Incentives |
Long-Term Incentives | ||||||||||
Key Features & Payout Determination |
|
Competitive fixed level of cash income Established upon hire, reviewed annually and adjusted when appropriate |
| Variable compensation payable annually in cash if performance goals are achieved Based on Adjusted EBITDA (80%) and Net Promoter Score (20%) |
| Equity-based compensation awarded: 65% in Performance-Based RSUs, which vest 1/3 on each anniversary of the grant date based on performance against Adjusted Operating Income (60%) and Revenue (40%) 35% in Stock Options which vest 1/4 on each anniversary of the grant date and only provide value to the extent that our stock price appreciates after the grant date | ||||||
Why We Pay This Element |
|
Provides a base level of competitive cash pay for executive talent Promotes appropriate risk taking |
| Motivates and rewards executives for performance on key Company-wide financial metrics and customer satisfaction |
|
Aligns executive pay and stockholder interests and serves to retain executive talent Motivates executive performance on key long-term measures to build multi-year stockholder value | ||||||
How Our Performance Metrics Link to NCR Strategy |
| Adjusted EBITDA supports NCRs strategic goal of driving profitable growth, while Net Promoter Score supports the critical impact of customer satisfaction on our business | | Adjusted Operating Income and NCR Revenue support our strategic initiatives to grow revenue and focus on profitable growth, while stock options align our management with shareholder interests |
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2019 Compensation Pay Mix |
The portion of performance-based and at risk compensation increases directly with an executives role and responsibility within the Company, ensuring that our senior executives are held accountable to our stockholders. Consistent with our pay for performance philosophy, a very significant portion of our CEOs 2019 target total pay, 92%, is directly linked to the performance of the Company through quantitative performance metrics and qualitative goals that support the strategy of the organization and are approved each year by the Committee. The percentage of target total pay that is directly linked to the performance of the Company for our other named executives averaged 88% for 2019.
2019 Target Total Direct Compensation Pay Mix |
Our Process for Establishing 2019 Compensation |
Our Committee has the sole authority to establish compensation levels for our named executives. When making compensation decisions, the Committee carefully examines:
| External Market Analysis Peer Group and Survey Data including reports by the Committees independent compensation consultant on peer group member pay data and external market surveys; |
| Internal Compensation Analysis Tally Sheets and Internal Equity including management reports on comparable internal compensation levels and compensation history; and |
| Recommendations from management concerning compensation for named executives, except the Committee does not consider recommendations from management about their own compensation, and the Committee does not consider recommendations by management other than the Executive Chairman when making decisions about CEO compensation. |
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External Market Analysis Peer Group and Survey Data |
In general, the Committee considers the median of the peer group data described below when establishing base salary, annual incentive and long-term incentive opportunities. The Committee retains the flexibility to make adjustments to respond to market conditions, promotions, individual performance and internal equity. The Committee also reviews broad-based survey data prepared by its independent compensation consultant and considers key business decisions that can impact compensation.
Compensation Peer Group Selection. The Committee reviews the Companys compensation peer group annually with its independent compensation consultant and makes changes to the group to the extent determined appropriate based on changes in peer business attributes. The consultant then produces for the Committees review an independent analysis of the cash and equity compensation for the five highest compensated executives at each company within the final peer group, and a comparison of our similarly ranked named executives to the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of the peer group. The analysis also includes comprehensive modeling of long-term incentive costs and resulting levels of stockholder value transfer and dilution, which the Committee considers when developing the aggregate annual budget for equity compensation awards.
The unique combination of industries represented by our core business creates challenges in identifying comparable companies for executive compensation analysis. We select our peer group by examining other companies in terms of industry, size and recruiting in our GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) industry group that are in the software and services or technology hardware industries, and are of reasonably similar size based on annual revenues, market capitalization, operating income and enterprise value. In addition, we look at variances to these metrics based on unique circumstances. We also consider other companies outside our GICS industry group where we compete for talent.
Final 2019 Peer Group. The Committee carefully reviewed our prior peer group, and with the advice of its independent compensation consultant, determined the peer group used for benchmarking our 2019 executive compensation program would remain the same as our 2018 peer group, except that CA Technologies was removed following their acquisition by Broadcom in 2018. After this change, our final 2019 peer group consisted of the following companies:
Adobe Systems |
Intuit | ServiceNow | ||
Citrix Systems |
Juniper | Symantec | ||
Diebold Nixdorf |
Keysight Technologies | VMware | ||
Fidelity Info Services |
NetApp | Western Digital | ||
Fiserv |
Salesforce | Xerox | ||
First Data (acquired by Fiserv in 2019) |
Seagate |
2020 Peer Group. For 2020, in line with our compensation philosophy and in response to shareholder feedback, the Committee determined to modify the Companys compensation peer group to more closely align with companies of similar market capitalization and account for business developments affecting one peer company. This resulted in the removal of three peers with meaningfully higher market capitalizations Adobe, VMWare and Salesforce, and the removal of First Data due to acquisition. Global Payments, PayChex, Black Knight, Sabre and ACI Worldwide were added to the peer group to achieve a balanced set of peers that serve as a benchmark for our executive compensation beginning in 2020. This modification places CEO compensation at approximately the median of the 2020 peer group.
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External Market Surveys. The Committee reviewed a comprehensive analysis and assessment prepared by its independent compensation consultant, which showed the competitive position of our named executive pay mix and levels compared to the marketplace using a combination of proxy data from our peer group, as well as general market data provided by the Company. Market survey data includes surveys concentrated on companies in both general and high-tech industries, which encompass the Companys competitors and non-competitors. The broad-based surveys give the Committee access to market data for numerous companies under a consistent methodology to assist our understanding of market trends and practices. The market surveys used were:
The Committee considers market median levels when setting compensation, but retains flexibility to set compensation above or below the median based on individual considerations. When setting 2019 compensation levels for Mr. Hayford and Mr. Martire, the Committee considered our peer groups executive compensation data. For Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Fernandez, and Mr. Langenbahn, the Committee considered both our peer groups executive compensation data and general market survey data for similar positions, weighted at 75% and 25% respectively.
Internal Compensation Analysis Tally Sheets and Internal Equity |
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Recommendations |
In 2019, the Committee also considered recommendations from our CEO, Executive Chairman, COO, and CHRO when establishing compensation levels for named executives other than the CEO and the Executive Chairman. Management does not participate in any Committee discussions about CEO and Executive Chairman compensation, except that the Executive Chairman participates in Committee discussions about CEO compensation. No member of management provides recommendations regarding his or her own compensation.
2019 Executive Compensation Program Details |
Base Salaries for 2019 |
We endeavor to set base salaries at a level competitive with our peer group. This helps us attract and retain top quality executive talent, while keeping our overall fixed costs at a reasonable level.
For 2019, the Committee did not approve any changes to named executive base salaries:
2019 Base Salary Actions | |||||||||||||
Named Executive |
Effective Date of Most Recent Base Salary Action |
Base Salary on December 31, 2019 |
Rationale for Base Salary Actions | ||||||||||
Michael Hayford |
April 30, 2018 | $ | 1,000,000 | No Change | |||||||||
Frank Martire |
May 31, 2018 | $ | 750,000 | No Change | |||||||||
Owen Sullivan |
July 23, 2018 | $ | 725,000 | No Change | |||||||||
Andre Fernandez |
August 29, 2018 | $ | 625,000 | No Change | |||||||||
Paul Langenbahn |
March 24, 2018 | $ | 700,000 | No Change |
Annual Incentives for 2019 |
Annual Incentive Plan Opportunity for 2019 |
In 2019, our named executives participated in the NCR Management Incentive Plan (MIP). The MIP is an annual short-term cash incentive plan designed to support NCRs strategic business objectives, promote the attainment of our 2019 NCR Financial Plan, reward achievement of organizational objectives and effective collaboration across teams.
At the beginning of the performance year, the Committee establishes an annual target bonus for each named executive as a percentage of base salary for purposes of the MIP. Our named executive target opportunities did not change from 2018:
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2019 Annual Incentive Plan Target Opportunity (% of Base Salary) |
||||||||||
Named Executive |
MIP Target |
|||||||||
Michael Hayford
|
150%
|
|||||||||
Frank Martire |
150%
|
|||||||||
Owen Sullivan
|
150%
|
|||||||||
Andre Fernandez
|
125%
|
|||||||||
Paul Langenbahn
|
125%
|
For all named executives, the maximum potential payout is limited to two times their target annual incentive.
Calculating Annual Incentive Awards |
Awards under our annual plan are determined by the achievement of corporate and strategic goals that tie payouts directly to key measures of our overall business performance:
· | Corporate Objectives which are selected based on the key drivers and indicators of our corporate success. For 2019 these goals were Adjusted EBITDA and Net Promoter Score (the Corporate Objectives); |
· | Business Unit Performance Modifier which is a MIP percentage modifier based on each named executive officers achievement of corporate goals and/or business unit performance goals they are responsible for. For 2019, only Mr. Langenbahns compensation was subject to a separate Business Unit Performance Modifier, which was based on results for the Commerce business unit he leads. For all other named executives, performance was measured solely against corporate objectives given the impact their respective roles have on the achievement of these goals and the importance of such goals to our business. |
The calculation of Annual Incentive Plan awards under our MIP includes the Corporate Objectives and the Modifier for Business Unit Performance Modifier (where applicable) as follows:
Calculation of Total Annual Incentive Plan Bonus 2019
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Setting Annual Incentive Targets |
Each year the Committee sets rigorous performance targets for the MIP, while providing meaningful value to our executives upon achieving performance goals. Some of the factors that are considered when setting performance targets include our corporate strategy, our annual financial plan, our performance history, the industry outlook and other factors.
Each year the Committee establishes Corporate Objectives and weightings based on our strategic and business direction for the year as laid out in our annual NCR Financial Plan. For 2019, the Committee established the MIP Corporate Objectives based on the following two metrics, which the Committee believes are the right metrics because they incentivize strong operational performance and customer satisfaction:
Adjusted EBITDA (80%)
|
and | Net Promoter Score (20%) |
Adjusted EBITDA Objective |
For 2019, the Committee established Adjusted EBITDA as 80% of the MIP Corporate Objectives because it is:
Net Promoter Score Objective |
The Committee established our Net Promoter Score as 20% of the MIP Corporate Objectives for 2019 due to the critical importance of customer retention, customer referrals, customer relationships and driving customer satisfaction in our business. In the 2018 executive compensation program, objectives relating to customer success were measured as a separate portion of the Annual Incentive Plan calculation for certain named executives; however, due to the importance of customer success to our business, this objective was incorporated into the core Annual Incentive Plan and measured formulaically using the Net Promoter Score metric.
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MIP Corporate Objectives Definitions and Impacts |
The 2019 MIP Corporate Objectives, including the definitions and impact of each, are shown in this chart:
MIP Corporate Objectives for 2019 | ||||||||||
Objective | Definition / Calculation | Impact on NCR Results |
Impact on Our Behavior | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. NCR determines Adjusted EBITDA for a given period based on its GAAP net income attributable to NCR, plus interest expense, net; plus income tax expense (benefit); plus depreciation and amortization; plus other income (expense); plus pension mark-to-market adjustments, and other special items, including amortization of acquisition related intangibles and stock compensation expense. |
Profit (Loss) on our Income Statement (non-GAAP). |
Management uses this metric to understand and evaluate our performance and make operating decisions that impact our shareholders. | |||||||
Net Promoter Score |
Net Promoter Score is a key measure of our customers overall perception of our brand. We calculate our Net Promoter Score by determining our average results under a semi-annual survey of customers conducted by an independent third party. |
Net promoter score is a measurement of customer experience and is an indicator of business growth. |
Management uses this metric to gauge our customer satisfaction. |
(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. Net income from continuing operations attributable to NCR is the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
As described in the Supplementary Non-GAAP Information (Performance Targets) section, NCR believes that Adjusted EBITDA (adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) provides useful information to investors because it is an indicator of the strength and performance of the Companys ongoing business operations, including its ability to fund discretionary spending such as capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions and other investments. NCR determines Adjusted EBITDA for a given period based on its GAAP net income from continuing operations attributable to NCR plus interest expense, net; plus income tax expense (benefit); plus depreciation and amortization; plus other income (expense); plus pension mark-to-market adjustments, pension settlements, pension curtailments and pension special termination benefits and other special items, including amortization of acquisition related intangibles and stock compensation expense.
We exclude the impact of net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pension mark-to-market adjustments, pension settlement, stock compensation, tax reorganization and other special items, and certain specified special items from our Adjusted EBITDA Corporate Objective because they do not relate directly to a named executives performance or the Companys operational success.
MIP Corporate Objectives 2019 Funding |
The Committee approves threshold, target, and maximum funding levels for the Corporate Objectives which, if achieved, would result in preliminary funding of the MIP bonus at 50%, 100%, and 200%, respectively. Awards are interpolated between these points. The threshold for a particular Corporate Objective must be achieved before any MIP payment will be made with respect to it, and no MIP payment will be made if the Adjusted EBITDA threshold objective is not met.
In no event can the 2019 MIP funding exceed 200%. The maximum 2019 MIP funding for achievement of the Corporate Objectives is 200%, which consists of Adjusted EBITDA maximum funding at 180% (80% weighting x 225%) plus Net Promoter Score maximum funding at 20% (20% weighting x 100%). The MIP terms approved by the Committee limited funding for the Net Promoter Score objective to 100% of target, with no additional funding opportunity in excess of 100%.
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Performance results are determined on a constant currency basis to eliminate the impact of foreign currency fluctuations during the performance period, based on the same foreign exchange rates used to establish the Companys 2019 financial plan.
MIP Corporate Objectives 2019 Funding Results |
2019 Annual Incentive Plan Funding | ||||||||||||
MIP Performance for Corporate Objectives
|
||||||||||||
MIP Corporate Objectives
|
Weighting
|
Threshold (50% Funded)
|
Target (100% Funded)
|
Maximum(2) (200% Funded)
|
MIP Performance Results
|
MIP Funding
| ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
|
80%
|
$946M
|
$1,051M
|
$1,314M
|
$1,058M
|
82.7%
| ||||||
Net Promoter Score
|
20%
|
14.3% Increase
|
21.4% Increase
|
N/A(2)
|
28.6% Increase
|
20.0%
| ||||||
Payout (% of Target)
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
102.7%
|
(1) The Adjusted EBITDA Corporate Objectives are shown on a constant currency basis and neutral to the impact of M&As, as determined appropriate by the Committee.
(2) As noted above, maximum funding for the Adjusted EBITDA Corporate Objective is 225%. The MIP terms approved by the Committee limited funding for the Net Promoter Score objective to a maximum of 100% of target, with no additional funding opportunity in excess of 100%.
Annual Incentive Plan Targets, Results and Payouts for 2019 |
2019 Annual Incentive Corporate Objectives Payouts: |
For each named executive, annual incentive payouts are determined partially or fully based on the achievement of rigorous corporate goals.
The Committees establishment of challenging MIP performance thresholds requires our named executives to achieve significant Adjusted EBITDA and Net Promoter Scores in order to receive any payout under the MIP.
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Absolute Limit on MIP Payouts. The annual bonus otherwise payable under the MIP is also subject to an absolute limit based on the Companys performance. For 2019, the maximum annual bonus payout opportunity was 1.5% of NGOI for our CEO, and 0.75% of NGOI for our other named executives.
Since the individual performance of each of Mr. Hayford, Mr. Martire, Mr. Sullivan, and Mr. Fernandez impacts NCR results at the corporate level given their Company roles, their performance was measured against the results on the 2019 Corporate Objective targets. Accordingly, based on 2019 performance achieved for the Adjusted EBITDA and Net Promoter Score metrics under the MIP noted above, each of Mr. Hayford, Mr. Martire, Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Fernandezs bonus payout percentage for 2019 was calculated as follows. Mr. Langenbahns compensation was subject to an additional Business Unit Performance Modifier as detailed further below.
MIP Corporate Objectives Annual Incentive Payout |
||||||||||||
MIP Corporate Objectives |
Weighting | Threshold (50% Payout) |
Target (100% Payout) |
Maximum(2) | MIP Performance Results |
MIP Annual | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
|
80%
|
$946M
|
$1,051M
|
$1,314M
|
$1,058M
|
82.7%
| ||||||
Net Promoter Score
|
20%
|
14.3% Increase
|
21.4% Increase
|
N/A(2)
|
28.6% Increase
|
20.0%
| ||||||
Payout (% of Target)
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
102.7%
|
(1) The Adjusted EBITDA Corporate Objectives are shown on a constant currency basis as determined appropriate by the Committee.
(2) As noted above, maximum funding for the Adjusted EBITDA Corporate Objective is 225%. The MIP terms approved by the Committee limited funding for the Net Promoter Score objective to a maximum of 100% of target, with no additional funding opportunity in excess of 100%.
2019 Annual Incentive Payouts for Business Unit Performance Modifier:
In addition to the Corporate Financial Objectives, as noted above we may establish business unit performance objectives for each of our named executives. These performance objectives are assigned to our named executives based on their areas of influence, and/or on strategic initiatives that are critical for the Companys achievement of its overall financial goals and stretch internal goals, as applicable. Based on the extent to which a named executive satisfies his or her performance objectives, the Committee determines a Business Unit Performance Modifier that increases or decreases the preliminary MIP bonus determined by the Corporate Objectives. The Business Unit Performance Modifier can range from 0% for poor performance to 200% for exceptional performance.
For 2019, Mr. Langenbahn is the only named executive with specific Business Unit oversight. Therefore, his annual incentive payout is subject to the Business Unit Performance Modifier, calculated on the basis of results for the Commerce business unit which he leads. Based on performance, Mr. Langenbahns Business Unit bonus payout percentage for 2019 was calculated as follows:
MIP Business Unit Performance Modifier
|
||||||||||||
MIP Business Unit Objectives |
Weighting | Threshold (50% Payout) |
Target (100% Payout) |
Maximum(2) (200% Payout) |
MIP Performance Results |
MIP Performance | ||||||
Commerce Operating Income(1)
|
50%
|
$263.9M
|
$293.2M
|
$439.8M
|
$205.0M
|
0.00%
| ||||||
Commerce Revenue(1)
|
30%
|
$2,786.0M
|
$3,095.5M
|
$4,643.3M
|
$3,052.7M
|
28.9%(3)
| ||||||
Net Promoter Score(2)
|
20%
|
14.3% Inc.
|
21.4% Inc.
|
N/A(2)
|
28.6% Inc.
|
20.0%
| ||||||
TOTAL
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
48.9%
|
(1) The Commerce Operating Income and Revenue Objectives are shown on a constant currency basis as determined appropriate by the Committee.
(2) As noted above, maximum funding for the Adjusted EBITDA Corporate Objective is 225%. The MIP terms approved by the Committee limited funding for the Net Promoter Score objective to a maximum of 100% of target, with no additional funding opportunity in excess of 100%.
(3) The Commerce revenue payout percentage of 28.9% is calculated as follows: Corporate EBITDA objective funding of 103.3% multiplied by the Commerce revenue performance result of 93.1%, multiplied by 30% weighting.
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Annual Incentive Plan Final 2019 MIP Total Payouts |
The total annual MIP bonus payments approved for each named executive for the 2019 performance year were:
Named Executive |
Target Bonus |
Funded Payout for (% of Target) |
Business Unit Performance Modifier |
Total Bonus (After Modifier) | ||||||||||||||||
Michael Hayford |
$ | 1,500,000 | 102.7 | % | | (1) | $ | 1,539,962 | ||||||||||||
Frank Martire |
$ | 1,125,000 | 102.7 | % | | (1) | $ | 1,154,971 | ||||||||||||
Owen Sullivan |
$ | 1,087,500 | 102.7 | % | | (1) | $ | 1,116,472 | ||||||||||||
Andre Fernandez |
$ | 781,250 | 102.7 | % | | (1) | $ | 802,064 | ||||||||||||
Paul Langenbahn |
$ | 875,000 | | 48.9 | % | $ | 427,486 |
(1) As noted above, the Business Unit Performance Modifiers for all named executives except Mr. Langenbahn are based on results for the MIP Corporate Objectives, such that their respective Corporate Objective payout percentages and their Business Unit Performance Modifiers are identical.
For 2020, for all named executives with corporate oversight, which includes our CEO, the annual incentive design will remain consistent with 2019, except that due to the reduced amount of time Mr. Martire will spend as Executive Chairman following our 2020 Annual Meeting as described in the Leadership Structure section above, Mr. Martire will not participate in the 2020 MIP. For more details, see the Agreements with our Named Executives section below. For executives with specific business unit oversight, the annual incentive will be awarded based 60% on achievement of financial performance metrics related to his or her business unit and 40% based on individual performance on key strategic goals in order to focus those executives on key business initiatives within their purview for the year that ultimately drive shareholder value creation.
In February 2019, the Committee approved the 2019 annual equity awards under our Stock Plan consisting of 65% performance-based restricted stock units and 35% nonqualified stock options, to further increase management alignment with stockholder long-term interests. This mix also reflects input from our stockholders that they preferred to see a greater proportion of the long-term incentive be granted in performance-based pay from our 2018 program.
We generally use equity awards in our LTI Program to create commonality of interests with stockholders and to help attract and manage our ability to retain our key executives. These awards also provide a good balance for our executives and protection for our stockholders, because wealth creation can be realized by an executive only upon achievement of performance goals, service-based milestones and/or long-term Company stock price performance.
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2019 Annual LTI Equity Awards Key Features |
The key features of 2019 LTI equity awards are:
The number of RSUs for an award is determined by converting the Committee approved award value to shares based on the grant date closing price of our common stock. The number of stock options for an award is determined using the Committee approved award value and the Black-Scholes valuation method.
For 2019, 65% of our annual LTI equity awards for named executives consisted of performance-based RSUs. The performance metrics for these awards, which are independently weighted, were:
Adjusted Operating Income (60% weighting):
How we define this metric | The Adjusted Operating Income metric is our income (loss) from operations as reported under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, excluding certain items, as well as adjusted to eliminate the impact of foreign currency and the impact of mergers and acquisitions.
|
|||
Why we use this metric | Adjusted Operating Income helps incentivize the behavior of driving profitable growth by increasing revenue and controlling operating costs.
|
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NCR Revenue Metric (40% weighting):
How we define this metric | The Revenue metric is to be adjusted to eliminate the impact of foreign currency and the impact of mergers and acquisitions.
|
|||
Why we use this metric | Revenue is a key driver of long-term stockholder return and reward for outstanding results.
|
Setting Long-Term Incentive Targets
At the time we set targets for the 2019 LTI Program metrics, a key component of NCRs long-term strategy and Company transformation was the shift from selling perpetual software licenses, for which we were record revenue and margin upfront, to term and subscription licenses with respect to which we record revenue and margin over time. In implementing this shift, NCRs leadership team and Board understood that, while we expected that in the longer-term this would significantly accelerate our growth, in the near-term this would have a dampening effect on our revenue and margins. The Company has reflected this expectation in our public guidance and messaging to our investors.
Therefore, in setting targets for the 2019 Long-Term Incentive metrics, the Committee determined to set targets that were in-line with our expectations for business performance for 2019 within the context of this expected near-term dampening effect of our strategic shift on our results. The Committee thus set targets for our metrics in line with our 2018 results, as this would require underlying growth of our business to offset the dampening effect from shifting to subscription-based revenue.
For 2019 the Committee set the following targets for our LTI Program metrics:
Adjusted Operating Income | $688 million ($656 million on a constant currency basis and adjusted for the impact of M&As.)
|
|||
NCR Revenue | $6,405 million ($6,286 million on a constant currency basis and adjusted for the impact of M&As.)
|
2019 Performance-Based RSU Results |
The Company achieved these results for the 2019 performance - based RSUs:
· | 2019 Adjusted Operating Income Achieved: $759 million. |
· | 2019 NCR Revenue Achieved: $6,897 million (adjusted as described below). |
Impact of Performance Results on 2019 Performance-Based RSU Awards |
The 2019 Adjusted Operating Income of $759 million achieved exceeded the target for this performance metric of $656 million, both determined on a constant currency basis and adjusted to eliminate the impact of M&As, resulting in an earned award of 107.3% with respect to this metric. The 2019 NCR Revenue of $6,897 million exceeded the target for this performance metric of NCR Revenue of $6,286 million, both determined on a constant currency basis and adjusted to eliminate the impact of M&As, resulting in an earned
55
award of 78.9% with respect to this metric. Taken together, performance achieved on these metrics resulted in a total earned payout of 186.2% for our 2019 performance - based RSUs as shown in this chart:
2019 Performance - Based RSU Performance Goals, | ||||||||||||
2019 Performance Metrics |
Weighting | Threshold (50% Earned |
Target (100% Earned |
Maximum (200% Earned |
Performance Results |
2019 Earned Payout Percent | ||||||
Adjusted Operating Income
|
60%
|
$590
|
$656
|
$787
|
$759
|
107.3%
| ||||||
NCR Revenue
|
40%
|
$5,971
|
$6,286
|
$6,914
|
$6,897
|
78.9%
| ||||||
Total Payout (% of Target)
|
100%
|
50%
|
100%
|
200%
|
|
186.2%
|
(1) The Adjusted Operating Income and NCR Revenue objectives are shown on a constant currency basis and adjusted to eliminate the impact of M&As as determined appropriate by the Committee.
This Chart shows the 2019 total LTI equity award values(1) approved by the Committee for our named executives:(1)
Named Executive | Stock Options |
Performance- Based RSUs |
Total 2019 LTI Award Value |
|||||||||
Michael Hayford |
$ | 3,499,999 | 6,500,007 | $ | 10,000,006 | |||||||
Frank Martire |
$ | 1,574,997 | 2,925,011 | $ | 4,500,008 | |||||||
Owen Sullivan |
$ | 2,100,001 | 3,899,988 | $ | 5,999,989 | |||||||
Andre Fernandez |
$ | 1,399,998 | 2,599,992 | $ | 3,999,990 | |||||||
Paul Langenbahn |
$ | 875,002 | $ | 1,624,989 | $ | 2,499,991 |
(1) Represents the grant date fair value of RSUs and stock options, as shown in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards 2019 Table.
2018 LTI Awards Mr. Langenbahn Only |
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EPP Payout of Amount Earned in Prior Years for Mr. Langenbahn Only | |||||||||||||||
Named Executive |
Bank Balance Before 2019 Payment |
2019 Cash Payment |
Remaining Bank Balance | ||||||||||||
Paul Langenbahn |
$219,148 | $72,319 | $146,829 |
2020 LTI Program Performance-Based RSUs and Premium-Priced Options |
For 2020, the Committee determined to allocate 100% of the LTI award in performance-based compensation, with the target mix weighted 35% in performance-based RSUs and 65% in premium-priced options with a 115% exercise price premium. The performance-based RSUs which cliff vest at the end of the three-year performance period can be earned based on performance with respect to recurring revenue and LTI EBITDA, generally defined as Adjusted EBITDA as further adjusted to eliminate the impact of the Companys shift to recurring revenue. These changes are directly responsive to stockholder feedback, and are designed to drive strong long-term performance on key goals and tightly link our executives pay with our stockholders experience.
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Stockholder Feedback
|
2020 Program Changes Approved
| |
Extend the performance measurement period of the Performance-Based RSUs from 1-year to 3-years
|
Performance-Based RSUs will have a 3-year performance period and will cliff-vest based on the achievement of the performance metrics for that period | |
Adjust the operational performance metrics for earning performance-based RSUs |
Performance for the Performance-Based RSUs will be measured by:
● 3-year recurring revenue: revenue continues to be an important indicator of our strategic execution and foundational to our long-term success. Stockholders expressed support for continuing to include a revenue metric in the LTI award
● 3-year LTI EBITDA (as defined above): Earnings is a key measure of our overall financial performance and profitability. Stockholders expressed support for the inclusion of an earnings-related goal in the LTI award
| |
Increase the percentage of the LTI Program which consists of performance- based equity |
Target LTI award for 2020 will be 100% performance-based, allocated 35% in Performance-Based RSUs and 65% in Premium-Priced Options with a 115% price premium
● Premium-Priced Options directly tie the interests of our executives to those of our stockholders and incentivize strong stockholder returns. 115% represents a rigorous premium in the context of our historic stock price trend, but moreover would require achievement of a stock price that has not been reached since July 2017
|
58
Tax Considerations in Setting Compensation |
Under Federal tax rules in effect for tax years beginning on and after January 1, 2018 (which tax rules eliminated a performance-based compensation exception that was previously available), compensation over $1 million paid annually for certain covered employees, including the named executives, generally is not deductible for federal tax purposes. As has historically been the case, the Committee continues to have the ability to pay compensation to our named executives in appropriate circumstances, even if such compensation is not fully deductible.
61
Board and Compensation and Human Resource Committee Report on Executive Compensation |
The Compensation and Human Resource Committee, comprised of independent directors, reviewed and discussed the above Compensation Discussion & Analysis with management. Based on that review and those discussions, the Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion & Analysis be included in these proxy materials.
The Compensation and Human Resource Committee
Linda Fayne Levinson (Chair)
Chinh E. Chu
Richard L. Clemmer
Kirk T. Larsen
62
Executive Compensation Tables |
Summary Compensation Table |
Our Summary Compensation Table below shows the total compensation paid to or earned by each of our named executives with respect to the applicable fiscal year.
Summary Compensation Table ($)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name and Principal Position (a) |
Year (b) |
Salary (c) |
Bonus (d)(1) |
Stock Awards (e)(2) |
Option Awards (f)(3) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (g)(4) |
All Other Compensation (h)(5) |
Total (i) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Hayford President & Chief Executive Officer |
|
2019
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,500,007
|
|
|
3,499,999
|
|
|
1,539,962
|
|
240,604 | 12,780,572 | ||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
|
634,615
|
|
|
1,010,959
|
|
|
5,000,011
|
|
|
7,499,881
|
|
|
|
|
|
94,423
|
|
|
14,239,889
|
| |||||||||
Frank Martire(6) Executive Chairman |
|
2019
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,925,011
|
|
|
1,574,997
|
|
|
1,154,971
|
|
382,041 | 6,787,020 | ||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
|
409,616
|
|
|
662,671
|
|
|
2,249,988
|
|
|
3,750,354
|
|
|
|
|
|
108,116
|
|
|
7,180,745
|
| |||||||||
Owen Sullivan Chief Operating Officer |
|
2019
|
|
|
725,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,899,988
|
|
|
2,100,001
|
|
|
1,116,472
|
|
237,968 | 8,079,429 | ||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
|
292,789
|
|
|
482,671
|
|
|
2,250,000
|
|
|
3,749,994
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,071
|
|
|
6,849,525
|
| |||||||||
Andre Fernandez Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer |
|
2019
|
|
|
625,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,599,992
|
|
|
1,399,998
|
|
|
802,064
|
|
162,873 | 5,589,927 | ||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
|
187,500
|
|
|
267,551
|
|
|
3,000,011
|
|
|
999,998
|
|
|
|
|
|
57,867
|
|
|
4,512,927
|
| |||||||||
Paul Langenbahn Executive Vice President and President, NCR Commerce |
|
2019
|
|
|
700,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,624,989
|
|
|
875,002
|
|
|
574,315
|
|
626,552 | 4,400,858 | ||||||||||||
|
2018
|
|
|
673,077
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,499,991
|
|
|
1,000,002
|
|
|
72,319
|
|
|
421,719
|
|
|
5,667,108
|
| |||||||||
|
2017
|
|
|
595,193
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,499,998
|
|
|
|
|
|
107,939
|
|
|
26,490
|
|
|
3,229,620
|
|
(1) This column represents 2018 bonus commitments paid in early 2019 under negotiated new hire employment agreements.
(2) This column shows the aggregate grant date fair value, as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of stock awards granted to each named executive in the applicable year. See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for an explanation of the assumptions we make in the valuation of our equity awards. Assuming achievement of the highest level of performance, the aggregate grant date fair values of the performance-based restricted stock units granted in 2019 are: Mr. Hayford: $13,000,014; Mr. Martire: $5,850,022; Mr. Sullivan: $7,799,977; Mr. Fernandez: $5,199,984; and Mr. Langenbahn: $3,249,977. For more about 2019 awards, see the Grants of Plan-Based Awards 2019 Table.
(3) Represents the grant date fair value of the option awards granted in the applicable year. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for an explanation of the assumptions we make in valuing our option awards.
(4) This column represents amounts earned by our named executives under our 2019 Annual Incentive Plan, except that Mr. Langenbahns 2019 amount includes both the amount earned under our 2019 Annual Incentive Plan plus $146,829 earned under the EPP in prior years and to be paid after February 28, 2020 under the final distribution rules relating to the EPP termination. The entire amount reported for 2018 for Mr. Langenbahn was earned under the EPP in prior years and paid in August 2019. The entire amount reported for 2017 for Mr. Langenbahn was earned under the EPP in prior years and paid in August 2018. For more details about the EPP termination, see the 2019 Long-Term Incentives section above.
(5) The amounts in this column consist of the aggregate incremental cost to the Company of the perquisites provided to the named executives, any insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect to life insurance for the benefit of the named executives, contributions made by the Company to the NCR Savings Plan, our 401(k) plan, on behalf of the named executives and certain other payments. For Mr. Langenbahn, the 2019 and 2018 amounts also include cash retention payments of $600,000 and $400,000, respectively, under his amended letter agreement entered into with the Company in July 2018. Additional details regarding these amounts are included in the All Other Compensation 2019 Table and Perquisites 2019 Table and the Agreements with Our Named Executives section below.
(6) In light of the reduced amount of time Mr. Martire will spend as Executive Chairman following our 2020 Annual Meeting as described in the Leadership Structure section above, during 2020 Mr. Martire will not participate in our Annual Incentive Plan (MIP), and his award under our LTI program has been reduced from $4,000,000 to $2,000,000.
63
All Other Compensation Table |
This Table shows the value of Company-paid perquisites and other personal benefits, insurance premiums, and Company matching contributions to the NCR Savings Plan, our 401(k) plan, on behalf of our named executives in 2019:
All Other Compensation 2019 ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Named Executive |
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits(1) |
Insurance Premiums(2) |
Company Contributions to Retirement / 401(k) Plans(3) |
Total | ||||||||||||||||
Michael Hayford |
231,052 | 52 | 9,500 | 240,604 | ||||||||||||||||
Frank Martire |
372,489 | 52 | 9,500 | 382,041 | ||||||||||||||||
Owen Sullivan |
227,720 | 748 | 9,500 | 237,968 | ||||||||||||||||
Andre Fernandez |
152,728 | 645 | 9,500 | 162,873 | ||||||||||||||||
Paul Langenbahn |
17,000 | 52 | 9,500 | 26,552 |
(1) This column shows the Companys aggregate incremental cost for the perquisites and other personal benefits described in the Perquisites - 2019 Table below.
(2) This column shows the value of Company-paid premiums for life insurance for the benefit of our named executives.
(3) This column shows Company matching contributions to our 401(k) plan, which the Company also makes for our non-executive employee participants in that plan.
Perquisites Table |
This Table shows the aggregate incremental cost to the Company for perquisites for our named executives in 2019.
Perquisites 2019 ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Named Executive |
Corporate Aircraft Usage(1) |
Executive Medical Program(2) |
Financial Planning Allowance(3) |
Relocation(4) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Hayford |
193,781 | 5,000 | 12,000 | 20,271 | 231,052 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Frank Martire |
350,489 | 10,000 | 12,000 | | 372,489 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Owen Sullivan |
174,075 | 5,000 | 12,000 | 36,645 | 227,720 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Andre Fernandez |
| 5,000 | 12,000 | 135,728 | 152,728 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Paul Langenbahn |
| 5,000 | 12,000 | | 17,000 |
(1) This column shows the Companys incremental cost for personal usage of the corporate aircraft. Personal use of aircraft includes commuting between executives principal place of residence and the Companys headquarters in Atlanta, which the Company believes is an important incentive to attract top-tier talent in the highly competitive technology industry to the Company. The Company provides the use of corporate aircraft both for executives business-related and personal travel in order to support the efficiency and productivity of our executives, protect their personal safety and security, and to ensure the confidentiality of our business. We calculated this incremental cost by determining the variable operating cost to the Company, including items such as fuel, landing and terminal fees, crew travel expenses and operational maintenance. Expenses determined to be less variable in nature, such as general administration, depreciation and pilot compensation, were not included in this incremental cost. On occasion, family members and close associates traveled with or at the authorization of our CEO on corporate aircraft; the Company incurred de minimis incremental costs as a result of such travel, which costs are included in the Table.
(2) This column shows the Company-paid maximum amount available to named executives for medical diagnostic services under our Executive Medical Exam Program. Though some executives may not use the maximum, for privacy reasons we choose to disclose the maximum benefit (rather than amount actually used) available under the Program ($5,000 for those under age 65 and $10,000 for those age 65 or older).
(3) This column shows the Company-paid amounts for financial planning assistance under our Executive Financial Planning Program.
(4) This column shows relocation expenses related to our named executives. Included in these relocation figures are the following tax gross-up amounts: Mr. Hayford: $9,193; Mr. Sullivan: $16,611; Mr. Fernandez: $61,870.
64
Agreements with Our Named Executives |
Our named executives have agreements with the Company that generally describe, among other things, their initial base salaries, bonus opportunities and equity awards, as well as benefit plan participation and applicable restrictive covenants. These agreements generally are not updated to reflect later compensation changes.
65
66
Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table |
The Table below shows the Committees equity and non-equity incentive plan awards to our named executives in 2019. Equity awards were made under our Stock Plan. Non-equity awards were made under our Annual Incentive Plan (MIP) and, for Mr. Langenbahn only, a payout under our EPP earned before 2019. These plans and related awards are described in the Compensation Discussion & Analysis.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards 2019 ($)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non- Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) |
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options |
Exercise ($/Sh) |
Grant Date Value of Stock Awards(3) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Named Executive | Award Type |
Grant Date |
Threshold | Target | Max | Threshold | Target | Max | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Hayford |
Management Incentive Plan | 750,000 | 1,500,000 | 3,000,000 | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Options | 02/08/19 | | | | | | | 434,243 | 26.42 | 3,499,999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance-Based RSU | 02/08/19 | | | | 123,013 | 246,026 | 492,052 | | | 6,500,007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frank Martire |
Management Incentive Plan | 562,500 | 1,125,000 | 2,250,000 | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Options | 02/08/19 | | | | | | | 195,409 | 26.42 | 1,574,997 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance-Based RSU | 02/08/19 | | | | 55,356 | 110,712 | 221,424 | | | 2,925,011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owen Sullivan |
Management Incentive Plan | 543,750 | 1,087,500 | 2,175,000 | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Options | 02/08/19 | | | | | | | 260,546 | 26.42 | 2,100,001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance-Based RSU | 02/08/19 | | | | 73,808 | 147,615 | 295,230 | | | 3,899,988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Andre Fernandez |
Management Incentive Plan | 390,625 | 781,250 | 1,562,500 | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Options | 02/08/19 | | | | | | | 173,697 | 26.42 | 1,399,998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance-Based RSU | 02/08/19 | | | | 49,205 | 98,410 | 196,820 | | | 2,599,992 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paul Langenbahn |
Management Incentive Plan | 437,500 | 875,000 | 1,750,000 | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Economic Profit Plan | | 146,829 | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Options | 02/08/19 | | | | | | | 108,561 | 26.42 | 875,002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance-Based RSU | 02/08/19 | | | | 30,753 | 61,506 | 123,012 | | | 1,624,989 |
(1) This column shows potential award levels based on performance under our 2019 Annual Incentive Plan, which includes our 2019 MIP, plus previously earned amounts under our EPP for Mr. Langenbahn. The Committee terminated the EPP on February 27, 2019. Accordingly, no new EPP awards were made in 2019, and no additional amounts were credited to participant accounts (Bonus Banks) under the EPP in 2019. Under the EPP termination rules, a portion of Bonus Banks earned and accumulated in prior years was to be paid out per the EPP terms in August of 2019, and after February 28, 2020 a final distribution of all remaining Bonus Bank balances would be made. Because awards were determined under a formula and the Committee does not set a target amount under the EPP, in accordance with SEC guidelines the target amount shown in the Table is the Bonus Bank final distribution amount that is expected to be paid in 2020 for Mr. Langenbahn. For more information about our EPP, including details relating to the EPP termination, see the 2019 Long-Term Incentives section.
(2) This column shows the threshold, target and maximum shares that could be received under performance-based RSUs awarded in 2019.
(3) This column shows the grant date fair value of equity awards, as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair values of performance-based RSU awards are based on the probable outcome of applicable performance conditions as of the grant date. The performance-based RSUs were earned at 186.2% of target, and they will vest 1/3 on each anniversary of the grant date, generally subject to continued service with the Company through the vesting dates.
67
The following Table sets forth information concerning all of the outstanding LTI awards held by each named executive as of December 31, 2019.
Option Awards
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Named Executive | Grant Date | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable(1) (#) |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Number of Stock Units That Have Not Vested (#) |
Market Value of Stock Units That Have Not Vested ($)(2) |
|||||||||||||||
Michael Hayford
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
02/08/2019
|
|
434,243
|
26.42
|
02/07/2026
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
02/08/2019(3)
|
|
|
458,100
|
|
|
16,106,796
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
05/01/2018
|
|
199,976
|
31.15
|
04/30/2025
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
05/01/2018
|
|
399,951
|
31.15
|
04/30/2025
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
05/01/2018(4)
|
|
|
107,010
|
|
|
3,762,472
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
05/01/2018
|
|
|
66,658
|
|
31.15
|
04/30/2025
|
|||||||||||||||
|
05/01/2018
|
|
|
133,317
|
|
31.15
|
04/30/2025
|
|||||||||||||||
Frank Martire
|
|
02/08/2019
|
|
195,409
|
26.42
|
02/07/2026
|
||||||||||||||||
|
02/08/2019(3)
|
|
|
206,146
|
|
|
7,248,093
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
06/01/2018
|
|
124,047
|
30.13
|
05/31/2025
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
06/01/2018
|
|
186,071
|
30.13
|
05/31/2025
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
06/01/2018(4)
|
|
|
49,784
|
|
|
1,750,405
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
06/01/2018
|
|
|
41,349
|
|
30.13
|
||||||||||||||||
|
06/01/2018
|
|
|
62,023
|
|
30.13
|
||||||||||||||||
Owen Sullivan
|
|
02/08/2019
|
|
260,546
|
26.42
|
02/07/2026
|
||||||||||||||||
|
02/08/2019(3)
|
|
|
274,859
|
|
|
9,664,042
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
08/01/2018
|
|
134,088
|
27.19
|
07/31/2025
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
08/01/2018
|
|
201,132
|
27.19
|
07/31/2025
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
08/01/2018(4)
|
|
|
55,168
|
|
|
1,939,707
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
08/01/2018
|
|
|
44,696
|
|
27.19
|
07/31/2025
|
|||||||||||||||
|
08/01/2018
|
|
|
67,044
|
|
27.19
|
07/31/2025
|
|||||||||||||||
Andre Fernandez
|
|
02/08/2019
|
|
173,697
|
26.42
|
02/07/2026
|
||||||||||||||||
|
02/08/2019(3)
|
|
|
183,239
|
|
|
6,442,683
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
09/01/2018
|
|
85,617
|
28.41
|
08/31/2025
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
09/01/2018(4)
|
|
|
70,398
|
|
|
2,475,194
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
09/01/2018
|
|
|
28,538
|
|
28.41
|
08/31/2025
|
|||||||||||||||
Paul Langenbahn
|
02/08/2019 |
108,561
|
26.42
|
02/07/2026
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
02/08/2019(3)
|
|
|
114,524
|
|
|
4,026,664
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
02/23/2018
|
|
76,531 |
32.57
|
02/22/2025
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
02/23/2018(5)
|
|
|
20,469
|
|
|
719,690
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
02/23/2018
|
|
|
25,510
|
|
32.57
|
02/22/2025
|
|||||||||||||||
|
05/01/2018(5)
|
|
|
32,103
|
|
|
1,128,741
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
02/27/2017(6)
|
|
|
4,240
|
|
|
149,078
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
02/24/2016(7)
|
|
|
66,979
|
|
|
2,354,982
|
|
(1) The 2019 unvested options will vest 1/4 on each anniversary of the grant date, and the 2018 unvested options will vest 1/3 on each anniversary of the grant date, generally subject to continued Company service through the vesting dates.
68
(2) The market value of outstanding restricted stock unit awards was calculated by multiplying the number of shares shown in the table by $35.16, which was the closing market price of NCR common stock on December 31, 2019, the last trading day of our fiscal year.
(3) Performance-based RSU award where the performance conditions have been satisfied at 186.2% of Target, and will vest 1/3 on each anniversary of the grant date, generally subject to continued Company service through the vesting dates.
(4) Time-based RSU where 1/2 will vest on each anniversary of the grant date, generally subject to continued Company service through the vesting dates.
(5) Performance-vesting RSU where the performance condition has been achieved, and will vest 1/2 on each anniversary of the grant date, generally subject to continued Company service through the vesting dates.
(6) Performance-vesting RSU where the performance conditions have been satisfied. The final one-third will vest on the next anniversary of the grant date, generally subject to continued Company service through that date.
(7) Price-contingent performance-based Vision 2020 LTI Awards, where the performance period has ended and the performance conditions have been satisfied. Full vesting will occur on February 24, 2020, generally subject to continued Company service through the vesting date.
This Table shows 2019 vesting of RSUs by the named executives during 2019. None of the named executives exercised any stock options during 2019.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested 2019 | ||||||||||
Options | RSUs | |||||||||
Named Executive |
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise |
Value Realized on Exercise |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting |
Value Realized on Vesting(1) | ||||||
Michael Hayford |
| | 53,504 | $1,536,635 | ||||||
Andre Fernandez |
| | 35,199 | $1,109,120 | ||||||
Frank Martire |
| | 24,892 | $ 761,695 | ||||||
Owen Sullivan |
| | 27,583 | $ 909,687 | ||||||
Paul Langenbahn |
| | 148,610 | $4,368,688 |
(1) The value realized is the fair market value on the vesting date.
The compensation and benefits that would have been provided to our named executives in the event of various types of employment terminations on December 31, 2019 are described below and shown in the Tables below. For more on these items, see the Change in Control Severance Benefits and Severance Benefits sections in our Compensation Discussion & Analysis and the Agreements with our Named Executives section above.
Change in Control Severance Plan |
Our Change in Control Severance Plan provides separation benefits to our named executives only if both a Change in Control occurs, and employment ends in a qualifying termination. Amounts payable are based on executive Tier level, and payment is conditioned on the executive signing a restrictive covenant and release agreement with confidentiality and eighteen-month non-competition and non-solicitation provisions. Under
69
this plan, if the Company terminates the employment of any named executive for reasons other than cause, death or disability, or if the executive resigns for good reason within two years after a Change in Control (or within six months before a Change in Control, if the executive can show that the termination occurred in connection with a Change in Control), then the Company or its successor must provide these Tier I level benefits:
· | A lump sum equal to 300 percent of annual base salary and target bonus under the Annual Incentive Plan; |
· | A lump sum equal to a pro rata portion of the current year target bonus under the Annual Incentive Plan, based on the number of days in the year prior to the date of termination; |
· | Three years of medical, dental and life insurance benefits for the executive and dependents at the level in effect at termination; and |
· | One year of outplacement assistance. |
70
71
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control Table |
This Table shows the estimated amounts each named executive would have received upon the occurrence of the events listed in the table as of December 31, 2019.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Named Executive |
Termination Upon Change in Control(1) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause(2) |
Death or Disability |
Retirement |
Voluntary Resignation or Termination for Cause | ||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Hayford
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Severance
|
|
7,500,000
|
|
|
3,750,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Pro rata Bonus(3)
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Equity Awards(4),(5),(6)
|
|
26,070,259
|
|
|
11,823,235
|
|
|
21,699,312
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Welfare Benefits
|
|
74,374
|
|
|
37,110
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Outplacement |
|
10,000
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Benefits Payable upon Termination
|
|
35,154,633
|
|
|
15,620,345
|
|
|
23,199,312
|
|
Named Executive | Termination Upon Change in Control(1) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause(2) |
Death or Disability |
Retirement | Voluntary Resignation or Termination for Cause | ||||||||||||||||||||
Frank Martire
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Severance
|
|
5,625,000
|
|
|
2,812,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Pro rata Bonus(3)
|
|
1,125,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,125,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Equity Awards(4),(5),(6)
|
|
12,266,267
|
|
|
5,855,070
|
|
|
9,772,117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Welfare Benefits
|
|
155
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Outplacement
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Benefits Payable upon Termination
|
|
19,026,422
|
|
|
8,677,570
|
|
|
10,897,117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73
Named Executive | Termination Upon Change in Control(1) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause(2) |
Death or Disability |
Retirement | Voluntary Resignation or Termination for Cause | ||||||||||||||||||||
Owen Sullivan
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Severance
|
|
5,437,500
|
|
|
2,718,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Pro rata Bonus(3)
|
|
1,087,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,087,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Equity Awards(4),(5),(6)
|
|
16,552,590
|
|
|
8,004,381
|
|
|
12,718,907
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Welfare Benefits
|
|
53,681
|
|
|
25,718
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Outplacement
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Benefits Payable upon Termination
|
|
23,141,271
|
|
|
10,758,849
|
|
|
13,806,407
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive | Termination Upon Change in Control(1) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause(2) |
Death or Disability |
Retirement | Voluntary Resignation or Termination for Cause | ||||||||||||||||||||
Andre Fernandez
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Severance
|
|
4,218,750
|
|
|
2,109,375
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Pro rata Bonus(3)
|
|
781,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
781,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Equity Awards(4),(5),(6)
|
|
11,013,897
|
|
|
5,315,117
|
|
|
8,437,147
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Welfare Benefits
|
|
76,154
|
|
|
37,110
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Outplacement
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Benefits Payable upon Termination
|
|
16,100,051
|
|
|
7,471,602
|
|
|
9,218,397
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive | Termination Upon Change in Control(1) |
Involuntary Termination Without Cause(2) |
Death or Disability |
Retirement | Voluntary Resignation or Termination for Cause | ||||||||||||||||||||
Paul Langenbahn
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Severance
|
|
4,725,000
|
|
|
1,575,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Pro rata Bonus(3)
|
|
875,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
875,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Equity Awards(4),(5),(6)
|
|
9,526,193
|
|
|
4,096,450
|
|
|
7,658,190
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Welfare Benefits |
|
66,125
|
|
|
32,984
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Outplacement
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Benefits Payable upon Termination
|
|
15,202,318
|
|
|
5,714,434
|
|
|
8,533,190
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) This column shows payments based on occurrence of a double trigger event occurring (a qualifying change in control and a qualifying termination), together with assumption of applicable equity awards in the change in control and vesting based on actual performance. For annual performance-based RSU awards, this column reflects that performance was achieved at 0% for the 2017 awards, 0% for the 2018 awards, and 186.2% for 2019 awards. For Vision 2020 LTI Awards, and the 2017 and 2018 performance-vesting RSU awards, performance is reflected at 100%.
(2) This column shows the amount the executive would receive upon a termination without cause or for good reason under the terms of our Executive Severance Plan and an applicable agreement with the Company.
(3) This row shows payments based on the MIP 2019 target bonus in the event of a Termination Upon Change in Control, and actual 2019 MIP bonus for termination as a result of death, disability or retirement.
(4) Equity valuations reflect a closing price of NCR common stock on December 31, 2019 of $35.16.
(5) The payments in this row include only unvested awards for which payment would accelerate in connection with the applicable termination scenario.
(6) The payments in this row reflect accelerated vesting of any applicable performance-based RSU awards, based on actual performance. Performance was achieved at 0% for the 2017 and 2018 performance-based RSU awards, and 186.2% for the 2019 performance-based RSU awards. Performance was achieved at 100% for Vision 2020 LTI Awards and 2017 and 2018 performance-vesting RSU awards.
74
This Table shows details about awards outstanding and shares available for issuance as of December 31, 2019 under our Management Stock Plan that was in effect through April 25, 2006, our NCR Corporation 2011 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan that was in effect through April 24, 2013 (2011 Stock Incentive Plan), our NCR Corporation 2013 Stock Incentive Plan that was in effect through April 30, 2017 (2013 Stock Plan), and our NCR Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan which is our most recently adopted equity compensation plan (referred to below as our 2017 Stock Plan):
Equity Compensation Plan Information 2019 | |||||||||||||||
Plan Category |
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights(1) |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities shown in column a) | ||||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders: |
(a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||||||
Management Stock Plan(2) |
28,415 | (3) | | | |||||||||||
2011 Stock Plan(4) |
199,947 | (5) | $17.98 | | |||||||||||
2013 Stock Plan(6) |
648,336 | (7) | | | |||||||||||
2017 Stock Plan(8) |
9,802,650 | (9) | $28.35 | 9,709,878 | |||||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders |
| | | ||||||||||||
Total |
10,679,348 | $28.07 | 9,709,878 |
(1) The weighted average exercise price does not take into account outstanding time-based, performance-based and performance-vesting restricted stock unit awards.
(2) We adopted the NCR Management Stock Plan with stockholder approval effective January 1, 1997. We terminated the NCR Management Stock Plan as of April 26, 2006, upon stockholder approval of the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, which we subsequently amended and restated as the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan. However, termination of the NCR Management Stock Plan did not affect awards previously granted and outstanding under its terms.
(3) Outstanding awards consist of 28,415 restricted stock unit awards.
(4) We adopted the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan with stockholder approval effective April 26, 2006. On April 27, 2011, we amended and restated the 2006 Stock Plan as the 2011 Stock Plan. We froze the 2011 Stock Plan effective April 24, 2013, when stockholders approved our 2013 Stock Plan. Previously granted 2011 Stock Plan Awards remain outstanding under their terms.
(5) Outstanding awards consist of 122,039 nonqualified stock options and 77,908 restricted stock unit awards payable at 100%.
(6) Stockholders approved our 2013 Stock Plan on April 24, 2013. We froze the 2013 Stock Plan on May 1, 2017, when our 2017 Stock Plan became effective. Previously granted 2013 Stock Plan awards remain outstanding under their terms.
(7) Outstanding awards consist of 648,336 restricted stock unit awards payable at 100%.
(8) Stockholders approved our 2017 Stock Plan on April 26, 2017, and it became effective on May 1, 2017.
(9) Outstanding awards consist of 4,436,769 stock options, and 3,983,081 restricted stock unit awards including performance-vesting restricted stock unit awards payable at 100%, and an additional 1,382,800 earned 2019 performance-based restricted stock unit awards certified as payable at 186.2%.
CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure |
Rules adopted under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act require us to disclose the ratio of our CEOs annual total compensation to the annual total compensation of the median compensated employee of all our employees other than the CEO (the Median Compensated Employee). The 2019 annual total compensation of the Median Compensated Employee was $54,281 Mr. Hayfords 2019 annual total compensation was $12,780,572. The ratio of these amounts was 1:235.
This pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on our payroll records and the methodology described below. Because SEC rules for identifying the Median Compensated
75
Employee and calculating the pay ratio based on his or her annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies may have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.
As permitted under SEC rules, we used Target Total Cash, which includes base salary or base wages, target cash bonus incentives and other cash-based incentive allowances, such as housing, automobile, meal and other types of allowances, as reported in our payroll data, to determine our Median Compensated Employee. For hourly employees, we calculated base wages based on a reasonable estimate of hours worked during 2019 and the relevant employees hourly wage rate as in effect on October 1, 2019. For salaried employees, we calculated base salary using the relevant employees annual salary level as in effect on October 1, 2019. We annualized Target Total Cash for all permanent employees who did not work for all of 2019.
As of October 1, 2019, NCR employed approximately 9,754 US employees and 22,313 non-US employees. In determining the Median Compensated Employee, we prepared a listing of approximately 9,753 of our US-based employees and approximately 20,724 of our non-US based employees who were employed as of October 1, 2019. This listing excluded our CEO and approximately 1,128 employees from Philippines, 211 employees from Bosnia & Herzegovina, 131 employees from the Pakistan, and 119 employees from Nigeria. The excluded non-US employees, in the aggregate, represent less than 5% of our total employee population. We then identified the Median Compensated Employee from that list, who was an employee from the United States and determined this individuals compensation in accordance with the requirements of Regulation S-K, Item 402(c)(2)(x).
Under its charter, the CODG is responsible for the review of all related person transactions. In January 2007 the Board formalized in writing a Related Person Transactions Policy that provides that each related person transaction must be considered for approval or ratification (i) by the CODG, or (ii) by all of the disinterested members of the Board, if the CODG so determines.
The policy requires each director and executive officer of the Company to use reasonable efforts to report to the Companys General Counsel any transaction that could constitute a related person transaction prior to undertaking the transaction. The General Counsel must advise the Chairman of the CODG of any related person transaction of which the General Counsel becomes aware, whether as a result of reporting or otherwise. The CODG then considers each such related person transaction, unless the Committee determines that the approval or ratification of such transaction should be considered by all of the disinterested members of the Board, in which case such disinterested members of the Board will consider the transaction. Except as set forth below, the Company will not enter into a related person transaction that is not approved in advance unless the effectiveness of the transaction is expressly subject to ratification by the CODG or the disinterested members of the Board, as applicable.
If the Company enters into a transaction that it subsequently determines is a related person transaction or a transaction that was not a related person transaction at the time it was entered into but thereafter became a related person transaction, then, in either case, the related person transaction shall be presented to the CODG
76
or the disinterested members of the Board, as applicable, for ratification. If such related person transaction is not ratified, then the Company shall take all reasonable actions to attempt to terminate the Companys participation in that transaction.
Under the policy, a related person transaction generally means any transaction involving or potentially involving an amount in excess of $120,000 in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a participant and in which any of its directors or director nominees, executive officers or 5% stockholders, or any immediate family members of any of the foregoing, or any entity controlled by any of the foregoing or in which any of the foregoing has a 10% or greater ownership interest, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
In considering whether to approve or ratify a related person transaction or relationship, the CODG or the disinterested members of the Board, as applicable, considers all relevant factors, including:
· | the size of the transaction and the amount payable to a related person or any other benefit received by a related person; |
· | the nature of the interest of the related person in the transaction; |
· | whether the transaction may involve a conflict of interest; and |
· | whether the transaction involves the provision of goods or services to the Company that are available from unaffiliated third parties and, if so, whether the transaction is on terms and made under circumstances that are at least as favorable to the Company as would be available in comparable transactions with or involving unaffiliated third parties. |
Transactions and relationships that are required to be disclosed under applicable securities laws and regulations are disclosed in the Companys proxy statement. Since the beginning of the Companys 2019 fiscal year, the CODG has identified the following related person transactions requiring such disclosure:
In December 2015, the Company issued 820,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock to entities affiliated with The Blackstone Group L.P. (collectively, Blackstone) for an aggregate purchase price of $820 million, or $1,000 per share, pursuant to the Investment Agreement.
Holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to a cumulative dividend at the rate of 5.5% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. If the Company does not declare and pay that dividend, the dividend rate will increase by 2.5% to 8.0% per annum until all accrued but unpaid dividends have been paid in full. Dividends are paid in-kind, through the issuance of additional shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, for the first sixteen dividend payment dates, which have now been completed, after which dividends are payable in cash or in-kind (or a combination of both) at the option of the Company.
Blackstone was granted certain customary registration rights with respect to the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and the common stock issuable upon conversion thereof under the terms of a registration rights agreement between Blackstone and the Company. Pursuant to these rights, on March 29, 2016, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register for resale an aggregate of (i) 1,021,314 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, consisting of the 820,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued to Blackstone in December 2015, and 201,314 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock to be issued as dividends paid in-kind on such shares over a four-year period beginning in December 2015; and (ii) 34,043,460 shares of the Companys common stock,
77
which represents the total number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of all such shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. Under the registration statement, Blackstone was permitted to offer and sell shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock or shares of common stock in public or private transactions, or both. These sales could have occurred at fixed prices, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices.
Under the original terms of the Investment Agreement, Blackstone agreed not to sell or otherwise transfer its shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (or any shares of common stock issued upon conversion thereof) without the Companys consent until June 4, 2017. In March 2017, the Company agreed to provide Blackstone with an early partial release from this lock-up, allowing Blackstone to sell approximately 49% of its shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, which in the aggregate represented approximately 14,400,000 shares of common stock on an as-converted basis. In return, Blackstone agreed to amend the Investment Agreement to extend the lock-up on the remaining 51% of its shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for six months until December 1, 2017.
In connection with the early release of the lock-up, Blackstone offered for sale 342,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in an underwritten offering conducted pursuant to the registration rights described above. In addition, the Company entered into a stock repurchase agreement whereby Blackstone agreed to convert 90,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock into approximately 3,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock and to sell such shares to the Company for $48.47 per share. The underwritten offering and the stock repurchase were consummated on March 17, 2017. In accordance with the registration rights agreement, the Company paid certain expenses incurred by Blackstone in connection with the underwritten offering. Following the sales described above, Blackstone retained its right to designate two nominees for election as a director on the Companys board of directors.
In September 2019, the Company and Blackstone entered into an agreement to retire the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock that Blackstone Group held in NCR. NCR paid Blackstone $302 million in exchange for 237,673 shares of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and the agreement to convert its remaining 274,548 shares of Preferred Stock to approximately 9.16 million shares of common stock. Accordingly, as of the Record Date, Blackstone held no shares of Series A Preferred Stock and no longer had a right to designate any nominees for election as a director on the Companys board of directors.
Except as set forth above, since the beginning of the Companys 2019 fiscal year, the CODG has not identified any related person transactions requiring disclosure.
78
Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
The following table presents the approximate fees for professional audit services rendered by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, for the audit of the Companys financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, as well as the approximate worldwide fees billed for other services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers in such years:
Service
|
2019
|
2018
| ||||||||
Audit Fees(1)
|
|
$5,298,000
|
|
|
$5,570,300
|
| ||||
Audit-Related Fees(2)
|
|
$1,173,000
|
|
|
$ 962,300
|
| ||||
Subtotal
|
|
$6,471,000
|
|
|
$6,532,600
|
| ||||
Tax Fees(3)
|
|
$ 110,000
|
|
|
$1,029,000
|
| ||||
All Other Fees(4)
|
|
$2,416,000
|
|
|
$ 8,800
|
| ||||
Subtotal
|
|
$2,526,000
|
|
|
$1,037,800
|
| ||||
Total Fees
|
|
$8,997,000
|
|
|
$7,570,400
|
|
(1) Includes fees required for the review and examination of NCRs consolidated financial statements, the audit of internal controls over financial reporting, quarterly reviews of interim financial statements, statutory audit and consultations by management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by regulatory and standard-setting bodies. This also includes attestation services and review services associated with the Companys filings with the SEC.
(2) Includes fees related to financial audits of employee benefit plans and services related to due diligence and technical accounting assistance.
(3) Generally includes tax compliance, tax advice, tax planning and expatriate services. In 2019 and 2018, respectively, fees for tax services include:
(a) $40,000 for tax compliance including the preparation, review and filing of tax returns; and
(b) $384,000 and $167,000 for tax compliance including the preparation, review and filing of tax returns.
(4) Includes fees for all other work performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers that does not meet the above category descriptions. In 2019, 83% of these fees related to global restructuring consultation, 16% related to due diligence services, and 1% related to R&D credit preparation services. In 2018, of these fees 83% related to licenses to research and benchmarking applications and 17% related to inventory certification assistance. These items were evaluated by the Audit Committee to be permissible services and determined not to impact the independence and objectivity of the independent registered public accounting firm.
The charter of the Audit Committee requires that all auditing and non-auditing services to be provided to the Company by its independent accountants be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures regarding its pre-approval of these services (the Pre-Approval Policy). The Pre-Approval Policy is designed to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the independence of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm and includes the following principles and restrictions, among others:
· | In no case should NCR or its consolidated subsidiaries retain the Companys independent registered public accounting firm or its affiliates to provide management consulting services or any non-audit services that are not permitted under applicable laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the SECs related rules and regulations. |
· | Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Any other non-audit services and tax consulting services will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee and a determination that such services would not impair the independence of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm. Specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee will also be required for any material changes or additions to the pre-approved services. |
79
· | The Audit Committee recommends that the ratio of total fees for tax and all other non-audit services to total fees for audit and audit-related services procured by the Company in a fiscal year be less than 1 to 1. |
· | The Audit Committee will not permit the exclusive retention of NCRs independent registered public accounting firm in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the independent auditors if the purpose may be tax avoidance and the proposed tax treatment is not supported in applicable tax law. |
· | Pre-approval fee levels for all services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm will be established annually by the Audit Committee and updated on a quarterly basis by the Audit Committee at its regularly scheduled meetings. Any proposed services significantly exceeding these levels will require separate pre-approval by the Audit Committee. |
· | The Corporate Controller will report to the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis regarding the status of all pre-approved audit, audit-related, tax and all other non-audit services provided by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm or its affiliates to NCR or its consolidated subsidiaries. |
· | Back-up documentation will be provided to the Audit Committee by management and/or the independent registered public accounting firm when requesting pre-approval of services by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm. At the request of the Audit Committee, additional detailed documentation regarding the specific services will be provided. |
· | Requests or applications to provide services that require separate approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by the Chief Financial Officer or Corporate Controller, with the support of the independent registered public accounting firm, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in the view of management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the request or application is consistent with the SECs rules on auditor independence. |
At the beginning of each fiscal year, management and the Companys independent registered public accounting firm propose to the Audit Committee the audit and non-audit services to be provided by the firm during that year. The Audit Committee reviews and pre-approves the proposed services taking into account, among other things, the principles and restrictions set forth in the Pre-Approval Policy. Under the Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee has delegated to its Chair limited authority to grant pre-approvals for audit, audit-related, tax and other non-audit services in the event that immediate approval of a service is needed, and the Chair can further delegate such authority to another Audit Committee member. The Chair (or his or her delegate) must report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting for its review and approval. The Audit Committee may not delegate to management its responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm.
The audit, non-audit, tax and all other non-audit services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers to the Company, and the fees charged for such services, are actively monitored by the Audit Committee as set forth in the Pre-Approval Policy on a quarterly basis to maintain the appropriate level of objectivity and independence in the firms audit work for NCR. Part of the Audit Committees ongoing monitoring includes a review of any de minimis exceptions as provided in the applicable SEC rules for non-audit services that were not pre-approved by the Audit Committee. In 2019 and 2018, of those total amounts reported above, all activities were pre-approved by the Audit Committee prior to commencement, and therefore no de minimis activity was reported.
80
Board Audit Committee Report |
The Audit Committee consists of seven directors, each of whom is independent as determined by the Board of Directors based on independence standards set forth in the NCR Corporation Board of Directors Corporate Governance Guidelines, which meet, and in some cases exceed, the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the applicable rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In accordance with NYSE rules, all members are financially literate. In addition, as of the date of this report, six of its members are audit committee financial experts as defined under applicable SEC rules. A brief description of the responsibilities of the Audit Committee is set forth above under the caption Committees of the Board. The Audit Committee acts under a charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is periodically reviewed and revised as appropriate. The Audit Committee charter is available on the Companys website at https://www.ncr.com/company/corporate-governance/board-of-directors-committee-membership-and-charters.
In general, NCRs management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Companys financial statements, accounting and financial reporting principles, internal controls, and procedures designed to ensure compliance with accounting standards, applicable laws, and regulations. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PricewaterhouseCoopers), NCRs independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, as well as an independent audit of the Companys internal controls over financial reporting.
In the course of fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with NCRs management the Companys audited financial statements for fiscal year 2019, as well as its quarterly public earnings releases and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and, together with the Board, has reviewed and discussed the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K and this proxy statement. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Boards (PCAOB) Auditing Standard No. 16 (as codified, AS 1301). The Audit Committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers required by applicable requirements of the PCAOBs Rule 3526 and has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers its independence, and the Audit Committee concurred, based on those disclosures and discussions as well as its own review and consideration, that PricewaterhouseCoopers is independent. In connection with its discussions concerning the independence of its independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee adopted its annual policy requiring that the Audit Committee pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm or its affiliates to NCR or its consolidated subsidiaries. The Audit Committee also reviewed its procedures for processing and addressing complaints regarding accounting, internal controls, or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by Company employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. Finally, the Audit Committee has reviewed NCRs critical accounting policies and alternative policies with NCRs management and the Companys independent registered public accounting firm to determine that both are in agreement that the policies currently being used are appropriate.
The Audit Committee met in executive session at its regular meetings periodically throughout the year with both PricewaterhouseCoopers and the internal auditors. It also met privately on occasion with the Chief Financial Officer, who has unrestricted access to the Audit Committee.
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Based on the reviews and the discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Companys audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 for filing with the SEC.
Date: February 25, 2020 | The Audit Committee
Kurt P. Kuehn, Chair Gregory R. Blank Catherine L. Burke Robert P. DeRodes Deborah A. Farrington Kirk T. Larsen Matthew A. Thompson |
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Proposal 3 Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020 |
FOR | The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2020. |
The Audit Committee has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. Although stockholder ratification of the appointment of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm is not required, the Board is asking that you ratify this appointment as a matter of good corporate governance.
PricewaterhouseCoopers has been the Companys independent registered public accounting firm since 1993 and is a leader in providing audit services to companies in the high-technology industry. The Audit Committee believes that PricewaterhouseCoopers is well qualified to serve as NCRs independent registered public accounting firm due to its experience, global presence with offices or affiliates in or near most locations where NCR does business and quality audit work in serving the Company. PricewaterhouseCoopers rotates its audit partners assigned to audit NCR at least once every five years and the Audit Committee has placed restrictions on the Companys ability to hire any employees or former employees of PricewaterhouseCoopers or its affiliates. Based on its Pre-Approval Policy as defined on page 79 of this proxy statement and applicable SEC rules and guidance, the Audit Committee considered whether the provision during 2019 of the tax and other non-audit services described above under the caption Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm was compatible with maintaining the independence of PricewaterhouseCoopers and concluded that it was.
PricewaterhouseCoopers representatives will be present at the virtual Annual Meeting where they will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Board Recommendation |
The Board of Directors and the Audit Committee recommend that you vote FOR this proposal. Proxies received by the Board will be voted FOR this proposal unless they specify otherwise. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment, but may elect to maintain it.
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Vote Required for Approval |
The ratification of the appointment of our independent registered accounting firm will be approved if it receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the approval of the resolution. As brokers generally have discretionary authority to vote on this proposal if they do not receive voting instructions, we do not expect any broker non-votes. The vote is not binding on the Board and Audit Committee but the Board and Audit Committee will review and consider the voting results when evaluating selection of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm in the future.
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Proposal 4 Approval of Proposed Amendment to 2017 Stock Incentive Plan |
FOR
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The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the proposal to amend the NCR Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan. |
✓ |
Allows NCR to continue granting long-term equity incentives to employees critical to the success of our strategic business transformation, acceleration of future profitable growth and achievement of stronger returns. | |||
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Use of equity directly aligns stockholder and employee interests and promotes an ownership mentality/culture the new management team is pushing to inspire. | |||||
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Access to equity is essential for NCR to compete for top talent in the highly competitive software/services industry.
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The Proposal: Approve the Proposed Amendment to the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan |
In February 2020, upon recommendation by the Compensation and Human Resource Committee (the Committee) and its independent compensation consultant, the Board approved an amendment to the NCR Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2017 Stock Plan), approving an additional 12 million shares for issuance under the 2017 Stock Plan, subject to stockholder approval. The amendment also eliminates certain 2017 Stock Plan terms relating to the performance-based compensation requirements of Section 162(m) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code. (which changes will become effective for the 2017 Stock Plan even if stockholders do not approve this proposal). Those Internal Revenue Code provisions were repealed effective January 1, 2018, and as such no longer apply to 2017 Stock Plan awards made on and after November 4, 2017. However, as described below, the 2017 Stock Plan as amended by the Proposed Amendment will continue to retain certain features originally designed for Section 162(m) compliance that are now recognized by our stockholders as best practices, such as the use of individual award limits for directors and employee stock-based awards and the application of objective criteria for performance-based awards. The amendment will be referred to herein as the Proposed Amendment.
The Board unanimously recommends that stockholders approve the Proposed Amendment to the 2017 Stock Plan.
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The Proposed Amendment to the 2017 Stock Plan is essential to NCRs continued strategic business transformation, because it: |
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● allows NCR to continue granting employee long-term equity incentives that are critical to the success of our strategic business transformation, acceleration of future profitable growth and achievement of stronger returns; |
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● directly aligns stockholder and employee/director interests and drives exceptional employee performance to achieve our new strategic business priorities; |
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● is critical for NCR to compete in the market for and attract top talent to fuel our business transformation; and |
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● replenishes our equity reserves following the significant refreshment of the leadership team driving our business transformation
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As noted above, our continued ability to grant stock-based incentives to our employees and our non-employee directors is critical to the strategic business transformation of NCR and directly serves the interests of our stockholders. As a result of the limited number of shares remaining available for issuance under the 2017 Stock Plan, our projections show that that the current share reserve will not likely be sufficient to cover anticipated new equity grants needed beyond 2020.
In order to have an appropriate supply of shares available for future equity awards to attract, retain and motivate the team responsible for achieving our new strategic business priorities, the Board unanimously recommends that our stockholders approve the Proposed Amendment to the 2017 Stock Plan providing for a reserve of an additional 12 million new shares for future stock-based incentives. We expect that this reserve will be sufficient for approximately 3 years, covering grants currently anticipated over the period from 2021 through 2023. As described in the Key Data section below and the Compensation Discussion & Analysis, NCR equity grant practices have been appropriate and emphasize variable compensation and equity-based compensation in alignment with the interests of our shareholders in view of our significant leadership transition and business transformation.
The 2017 Stock Plans material terms and certain additional features, as amended by the Proposed Amendment, are summarized below. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2017 Stock Plan contained in Appendix B to the proxy materials for our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (see https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70866/000119312517087387/d294010ddef14a.htm#toc294010_126), and the Proposed Amendment is included as Appendix A to these proxy materials. The additional share reserve included in the Proposed Amendment will not become effective until approved by NCR stockholders. Appendix A also includes important tax information relating to this proposal, which should be reviewed together with this proposal.
Vote FOR Proposed Amendment to 2017 Stock Plan Equity Grants Directly Align Stockholder and Employee/Director Interests & Drive Employee Achievement of Our Business Transformation to the Benefit of Stockholders
The Companys continued ability to grant stock-based incentives is critical to: |
| align employee and stockholder interests in the creation of stockholder value, |
| attract, incentivize and retain highly qualified and experienced employee and director talent in the highly competitive software/services industry, |
| motivate exceptional employee behavior that leads to the achievement of our new strategic priorities and increased stockholder return, and |
| drive employees to achieve short-term and long-term financial and operational goals to realize our strategic business transformation. |
Stockholder interests and the future of NCR would be seriously jeopardized if the Company were unable to use equity grants to achieve these outcomes. Stock-based incentives are fundamental components of the Committees pay for performance philosophy, as reflected in our Compensation Discussion & Analysis section.
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Vote FOR Proposed Amendment to 2017 Stock Plan NCR has Granted Equity Appropriately In View of Our Significant Leadership Transition and Business Transformation
NCR Leadership Transition and Business Transformation in 2018-2019: |
As we have previously discussed in our Compensation Discussion & Analysis section, beginning in 2018 under the leadership of our new CEO, Michael Hayford, NCR embarked on a multi-year transformation to shift the business mix to software, services and recurring revenue. In order to drive this significant strategic shift, a new leadership structure and a larger management team was put in place to position the Company for long-term growth. At the same time, in response to shareholder feedback, the Company also changed the long-term incentive mix to introduce stock options as a component of total pay for the senior executive team. Stock options, in combination with performance-based restricted stock units, and service-based restricted stock units, serve to further align the interests of our executive team with those of our shareholders. NCR emphasizes variable and performance-based incentive compensation for our senior executives, which is consistent with competitive market practices in our industry and essential to the Companys ability to attract, retain and motivate executive talent needed to lead us through this period of business transformation.
The results of this repositioning of Company strategy and bringing on new management have proven to be successful. The Company has achieved solid operating results for fiscal 2019 and delivered on its revenue and earnings commitments, strengthened the recurring revenue capabilities through our strategic growth platforms, began integrating the payments processing solution and generated year-over-year sales growth in each of NCRs business segments. The Company also successfully executed on its spend optimization program to drive cost synergies through operational efficiencies and achieved $100 million of savings. NCRs total shareholder return also increased [X%] during this period.
In light of our significant leadership transition and investment in executive talent in 2018 and 2019, together with our introduction of stock options in response to stockholder feedback, there was an increase in the number of equity-based incentives and shares granted in 2018 and 2019 in comparison to 2017 as described further below. Given the strong business rationales for our increased use of equity and stock options during these years, and the one-time nature of the leadership transition giving rise to increased use, our Board determined that our equity grant practices during these years were appropriate, particularly against the backdrop of the seamless management transition and the positive results already achieved by the new leadership team noted above. The Board was cognizant of these matters when approving the Proposed Amendment, which will enable NCR to continue to reward the new leadership team and its directors with equity compensation that aligns directly with stockholder interests and fuel the continued business transformation of NCR.
Vote FOR Proposed Amendment to 2017 Stock Plan The 2017 Stock Plan will Continue to Retain Key Governance Rules Protecting Stockholders
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The 2017 Stock Plan will continue to retain key governance rules protecting stockholders: |
NCR is not proposing to make other material amendments to the 2017 Stock Plan. Rather, the 2017 Stock Plan will continue to retain the enhanced governance rules protecting stockholders that were added to the Plan in 2017, plus prior governance protections, as set forth in the chart below:
Key Governance Features Retained in 2017 Stock Plan
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Director Pay Cap: Plan retains rules capping director pay annually including cash and NCR equity |
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No Tax Gross-Ups: Plan does not provide for any tax gross-ups | |||||
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Strengthened Repricing Prohibition: Plan retains strengthened 2017 language more explicitly prohibiting option/SAR repricing |
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No Single Trigger Vesting: No automatic vesting of equity awards upon a change in control | |||||
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Strengthened Cash Buyout Prohibition: Plan retains strengthened 2017 rules more explicitly prohibiting cash buyout of underwater options/SARs without stockholder approval
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No Liberal Change in Control Provisions: Plan and Change in Control Severance Plan do not provide for a change in control upon announcement or stockholder approval of a transaction (rather than completion) | |||||
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Strengthened Award Clawback Provisions: Plan retains strengthened 2017 language authorizing forfeiture or clawback of awards in certain circumstances involving misconduct
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Minimum Vesting Period: All award types are subject to a minimum vesting period of 12 months (with limited exceptions) | |||||
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Individual Award Limits: Plan retains certain provisions establishing Award maximums as described in this proposal. |
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Discounted Options/SARs Prohibited: Options and SARs must be granted at Fair Market Value | |||||
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Dividend Treatment: Plan retains rules barring payment of dividends or dividend equivalents before the underlying award vests
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No Evergreen Provision: No automatic increase in shares available for grant under the Plan |
Vote FOR Proposed Amendment to 2017 Stock Plan NCR's Share Usage Levels as measured by our Run Rate and Overhang Are Appropriate In Light of our Significant Leadership Transition and Business Transformation
As described above, as a result of NCRs significant leadership and business transformation in 2018 and 2019, together with the introduction of stock options as an executive pay component in response to stockholder feedback, there was an increase in the number of shares granted in 2018 and 2019 in comparison to 2017. When approving the Proposed Amendment to the 2017 Stock Plan, the Board considered the potential dilutive impact on our stockholders of our share usage measured by our run rate and overhang:
| Run Rate: A measure of the annual shares granted expressed as a percent of our weighted average common shares outstanding. Our run rate in 2019 and 2018 was 3.2% and 5.3%, respectively. This is higher than our run rate in 2017 (1.8%) due, in large part, to the changes in the leadership structure and management team. We hired 15 new executives in 2018 as part of the business transformation. Excluding the shares granted in connection with the leadership transformation, the run rate in 2018 would be approximately 2.8%. |
| Overhang: Dilution analysis quantifying the cumulative impact of equity grant practices, by calculating shares subject to outstanding grants plus the shares remaining in the share reserve for new grants, divided by the diluted common stock outstanding as of February 13, 2020, plus the shares subject to outstanding grants plus the shares remaining in the share reserve. NCRs overhang as of February 13, 2020 is approximately 12.1%. We anticipate the overhang would be approximately 18.2% upon shareholder approval of the additional 12 million shares under the Proposed Amendment. |
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Given the strong business rationales for our increased use of equity and stock options during these years, and the one-time nature of the leadership transition giving rise to such increased use, our Board determined that our share usage levels measured by run rate and overhang was appropriate, particularly against the backdrop of the seamless management transition and the positive results already achieved by the new leadership team noted above. The Board was cognizant of these matters when approving the Proposed Amendment, which will enable NCR to continue to reward the new leadership team and its directors with equity compensation that aligns directly with stockholder interests and fuel the continued business transformation of NCR.
NCR Historic Equity Grant Run Rate and Overhang. This chart shows our run rate under the 2017 Stock Plan for the past three fiscal years:
NCR Historic Run Rate | ||||||||||||
2019
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2018
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2017
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Total Number of Restricted Stock Units Granted
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1.8
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3.4
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2.2
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Total Number of Stock Options Granted
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2.1
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2.9
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0
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Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
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122.1 | 118.4 | 121.9 | |||||||||
Run Rate
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3.2
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%
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5.3
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%
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1.8
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%
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NCR Historic Overhang. This chart shows our overhang under the 2017 Stock Plan, as well as predecessor plans under which awards are still outstanding (including our NCR Corporation 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (2013 Stock Plan), our NCR Corporation 2011 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (2011 Stock Plan) and our Management Stock Plan, each of which were in effect on the dates shown above in our Equity Compensation Plan Information Table in our Compensation Discussion & Analysis section):
NCR Overhang (As of February 13, 2020) | ||||||
Outstanding Grants (shares)* |
16 | .4 million | ||||
Shares Currently Available for Grant under 2017 |
3 | .2 million | ||||
Additional Shares Available for Grant if Proposed |
12 | million | ||||
Common Shares Outstanding |
142.0 | million** | ||||
Total Fully Diluted Overhang** (prior to 12 million share authorization) |
12.1 | % | ||||
Total Fully Diluted Overhang** (including 12 million share authorization) |
18.2 | % |
* Represents the number of unearned performance-based restricted stock units assuming target performance is achieved. The maximum potential payout on such units is 200%. Earned performance-based restricted stock units (which remain subject to a holding period) are shown based on actual performance.
** Includes our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock as described in this proposal. Our common shares outstanding excluding the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock would be 128.7 million.
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Vote FOR Proposed Amendment to 2017 Stock Plan Without Shareholder Approval of the Proposed Amendment, Only Cash Awards could be Granted to Employees and Directors
If shareholders do not approve the Proposed Amendment, NCR will continue to make awards under the 2017 Stock Plan, as revised to remove certain Code Section 162(m) provisions as described herein. In the event sufficient shares are not available under the 2017 Stock Plan to settle awards granted thereunder, NCR will be required to grant some awards, or portions of awards, to be settled in cash. Settling awards in cash instead of NCR common stock could have an adverse impact on NCRs cash flow from operations, financial position and results of operations. Approval of the Proposed Amendment should reduce NCRs magnitude of exposure to this cash settlement risk.
In addition, under applicable accounting rules, if NCR determines at any time that sufficient shares do not remain available under the 2017 Stock Plan to settle one or more awards granted thereunder with issuance of shares, NCR will be required to classify and account for as a liability any equity-based awards, or portions of awards, to be settled in cash under the 2017 Stock Plan. Such liability accounting could have an adverse impact on NCRs financial position and results of operations. Approval of the Proposed Amendment should reduce NCRs magnitude of exposure to such liability accounting risk in the event that it is triggered.
The table below shows certain key data supporting our Proposed Amendment to the 2017 Stock Plan, including certain awards outstanding under the 2017 Stock Plan, the NCR Corporation 2013 Stock Plan, the 2011 Stock Plan, the 2006 Stock Plan and the Management Stock Plan (collectively, the Prior Plans). Our common stock outstanding is shown with our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock included on an as converted basis as noted above.
Key Data | ||
Prior Plan Share Details: | As of 2/13/20 | |
Number of outstanding Options |
9,686,748 | |
Weighted average exercise price |
$ 33.50 | |
Weighted average remaining contractual term |
6.3 | |
Number of outstanding Time-based Restricted Stock Units |
2.9 million | |
Number of outstanding Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units* |
3.7 million | |
Total shares remaining available for grant under the 2017 Stock Plan
(before |
3.2 million | |
Additional shares requested under the Proposed Amendment |
12.0 million | |
Total number of shares to be available for issuance under the 2017 Stock Plan |
15.3 million | |
The closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange as of 2/13/2020 |
$33.08 | |
Total shares of NCR common stock outstanding as of 2\13\20** |
142.0 million |
* Represents the number of unearned performance-based restricted stock units assuming target performance is achieved. The maximum potential payout on such units is 200%. Earned performance-based restricted stock units (which remain subject to a holding period) are shown based on actual performance.
** Includes our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock as described in this proposal. Our common stock outstanding excluding the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock would be 128.7 million.
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Principal Features of the 2017 Stock Plan as amended by the Proposed Amendment |
The chart below summarizes the principal features of the 2017 Stock Plan as amended by the Proposed Amendment. Certain additional terms are described in more detail below. The chart and descriptions do not purport to be a complete description of the 2017 Stock Plan and the Proposed Amendment, and each is qualified in its entirety by the complete text of the 2017 Stock Plan included in the proxy materials made available for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (see https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/70866/000119312517087387/d294010ddef14a.htm#toc294010_126) and the complete text of the Proposed Amendment included in these proxy materials as Appendix A.
Principal Features of 2017 Stock Plan as amended by the Proposed Amendment | ||
Purpose |
To allow the Company to award equity incentives to eligible participants that link directly to stockholder value, drive participant exceptional performance and give Company a competitive advantage in attracting, retaining and motivating participants
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Effective Date |
The effective date of the Proposed Amendment will be the first day of the month following the date of stockholder approval (the Effective Date)
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Securities Underlying Awards
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NCR Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share*
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Award Types |
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), Restricted Stock, Performance Units, Incentive Stock Options (ISOs), Nonqualified Stock Options (NQSOs), Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs), and Other Stock-Based Awards (each an Award)
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Eligible Participants |
Current and prospective Company employees, officers, non-employee directors and consultants. As of February 13, 2020, there were 10 non-employee directors and approximately 7,057 employees (including 12 executive officers and 30 other officers) who would be eligible to participate in the 2017 Stock Plan, as amended by the Proposed Amendment.
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Share Reserve** |
3.2 million shares of common stock under the 2017 Stock Plan, plus
any shares with respect to Awards granted under the 2017 Stock Plan that are forfeited (or again become available for grant) following the Effective Date
Shares subject to any type of Award will be counted against this plan limit as one share for every one share granted
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Share Recycling |
Shares not issued because an Award expires, cancels, terminates, forfeits, lapses or settles without issuance of common stock (including, but not limited to, shares tendered or withheld upon Option/SAR exercise and shares withheld for taxes on Awards) will be added back to the share reserve*
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Minimum Vesting |
All award types will generally have a minimum vesting period of at least one year from the grant date.*** | |
Director Compensation Limit |
The amount of cash and equity-based compensation to non-employee directors, whether under the 2017 Stock Plan or otherwise, is limited to an aggregate of $1 million in any calendar year, as measured by the grant date value (for equity-based compensation) | |
Plan Expiration |
The earlier of: (i) May 1, 2027, or (ii) the date that the Board terminates the Plan |
* The closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange as of February 13, 2020 was $33.08.
** Subject to adjustment as permitted by the 2017 Stock Plan.
*** Subject to certain limited exceptions in the 2017 Stock Plan.
Additional Terms of the 2017 Stock Plan |
Plan Administration. The Committee will administer the Plan. The Committee will determine eligible recipients and establish Award terms and conditions for inclusion in an Award agreement (Award Agreement). The Committee is authorized to, among other things, interpret the 2017 Stock Plan and Award Agreements, and amend Awards and Award Agreements as permitted by the Plan
Eligible Employees. Current and prospective Company employees and consultants, as well as officers and non-employee directors, are eligible to receive awards under the 2017 Stock Plan. However, ISOs may only be granted to employees.
Award Limits and Maximums. The 2017 Stock Plan contains the below limits that apply to individual and aggregate Awards. In addition, the maximum number of shares of NCR common stock that may be granted pursuant to Options intended to be ISOs is 12,000,000.
| Options and SARS. No participant may be granted Options and SARs covering more than 3,000,000 common shares during any consecutive 12-month period. |
| Restricted Stock, RSUs, Performance Units or Other Stock-Based Awards. No participant may be granted either Restricted Stock, RSUs, Performance Units or other Stock-Based Awards covering over 2,500,000 common shares during any consecutive 12-month period. |
| Non-Employee Director Awards: The maximum aggregate value of equity-based and cash compensation that may be granted to any non-employee director under the 2017 Stock Plan and the NCR Director Compensation Program and otherwise during any calendar year is $1,000,000. |
Permissible Performance Goals. Performance Goals means any performance goals established by the Committee in connection with the grant of Restricted Stock, RSUs, Performance Units or Other Stock-Based Awards. Under the 2017 Stock Plan: such Performance Goals may be based on attaining (i) specified levels of one or more of the following measures: revenues; revenue growth; earnings or losses or net earnings or losses (including earnings or losses before taxes, before interest and taxes or before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); earnings or loss per share; operating income and adjusted operating income (before or after taxes) (including non-pension operating income and non-pension operating income less capital charge); net income or loss (before or after taxes); net operating profit (before or after taxes); pre- or after-tax income or loss (before or after allocation of corporate overhead and bonus); cash flow (before or after dividends) (including operating cash flow and free cash flow); cash flow return on capital; cash flow per
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share (before or after dividends); gross or net margin; operating margin; bookings; net sales; return on equity; return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital); cash flow return on investment; return on assets or net assets or operating assets; economic value added (or an equivalent metric); stock price appreciation; total stockholder return (measured in terms of stock price appreciation and dividend growth); cost control; gross profit; operating profit; enterprise value; net annual contract value; cash generation; unit volume; appreciation in and/or maintenance of stock price; market share; sales; asset quality; cost saving levels; marketing-spending efficiency; core noninterest income; cash margin; debt reduction; stockholders equity; operating efficiencies; customer satisfaction; customer growth; employee satisfaction; productivity or productivity ratios; financial ratios, including those measuring liquidity, activity, profitability or leverage; financing and other capital raising transactions (including sales of the Companys equity or debt securities); debt level year-end cash position; book value; competitive market metrics; implementation, completion or attainment of measurable objectives with respect to research, development, manufacturing, products or projects, acquisitions and divestitures, succession and hiring projects, reorganization and other corporate transactions, expansions of specific business operations and meeting divisional or project budgets; improvement in or attainment of expense levels; or change in working capital with respect to the Company or any one or more affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, business units or business segments of the Company either in absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more other companies or an index covering multiple companies, and (ii) such other Performance Goals as may be approved by the Committee.
Fair Market Value of Awards. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the closing price of a share of NCR common stock on the Applicable Exchange (as defined in the 2017 Stock Plan) on the trading date, or if shares were not traded on the Applicable Exchange on the trading date, then on the immediately preceding date on which shares were traded, all as reported by such source as the Committee may select. If NCR common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in its good faith discretion.
Types of Awards.
| Options. Options entitle the participant to buy NCR common stock at a specified exercise price. Options are granted in the form of either ISOs that are intended to qualify for special tax treatment under Code Section 422, or NQSOs that are not tax-qualified. |
Options must be granted with an exercise price at least equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of common stock on the grant date, and generally may not be exercisable for more than 10 years after granted. Options generally become exercisable in specified increments on the anniversaries of the grant date as determined by the Committee, except that vesting may not occur earlier than the first such anniversary except in limited cases involving participant death or disability.
Except for certain limited permissible adjustments (described below), the Company may not, without stockholder approval, reprice any Option or buyout any underwater Option by: (i) lowering its exercise price after the grant date; (ii) cancelling it (at a time when the applicable exercise price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying shares) in exchange for cash, property or another Award; (iii) taking any action that would be treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles; or (iv) taking any other action that has the same effect as clause (i), (ii) or (iii).
| SARs. A SAR is a contractual right granted to the participant to receive, either in cash, common stock or both, an amount equal to the appreciation of one share of common stock from the grant date to the |
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exercise date. SARs may be granted free-standing or in tandem with other types of Awards. A free-standing SAR generally will be subject to the same terms and conditions that apply to options under the 2017 Stock Plan. A Tandem SAR will have the same terms and conditions as the Award to which it relates. The Committee will set the exercise price for SARs, which will not be less than the fair market value of one share of our common stock on the grant date. |
Except for certain limited permissible adjustments (described below), the Company may not, without stockholder approval, reprice any SAR by: (i) lowering its exercise price after the grant date; (ii) cancelling it (at a time when the applicable exercise price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying shares) in exchange for cash, property or another Award; (iii) taking any action that would be treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles; or (iv) taking any other action that has the same effect as clause (i), (ii) or (iii).
| Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Other Stock-Based Awards. Shares of Restricted Stock are actual shares of NCR common stock issued to a participant subject to certain transfer and forfeiture restrictions for a specified period of time. RSUs are unfunded, unsecured rights to receive cash, common stock or both (as determined by the Committee) at the end of a specified period of time, which are also subject to certain transfer and forfeiture restrictions. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted under the Plan, provided that any Other Stock-Based Awards that are unrestricted Awards of common stock will only be granted in lieu of other compensation due and payable to a participant. |
The Committee may generally condition the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock Awards or RSUs upon satisfying Performance Goals and/or upon continued service with the Company, which need not be the same for each recipient. Subject to the 2017 Stock Plan and applicable Award Agreement terms, during the period that an Award is subject to continued service and/or Performance Goal requirements, participants may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber Restricted Stock or RSUs subject to the Award.
Generally, Restricted Stock, RSUs and Other Stock-Based Awards (excluding Options, SARs and dividend equivalent rights), collectively Full-Value Awards, will have vesting periods of at least one year after the grant date. A 2017 Stock Plan exception permits the grant of five percent (5%) of shares available for grant as any type of Award with a vesting period of at least one year following the grant date. Full-Value Awards may also vest pro rata before their applicable vesting dates in circumstances permitted by the Committee.
A participant granted Restricted Stock generally will have all of the rights of a holder of Company common stock, including the right to vote and receive dividends. A participant with RSUs or Other Stock-Based Awards will not have rights as a stockholder.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, and subject to the provisions of the Plan: (i) cash dividends on common shares subject to an Award of Restricted Stock will be automatically deferred and reinvested in additional Restricted Stock, held subject to the vesting of the underlying Restricted Stock, (ii) subject to any adjustment, dividends payable in common stock will be paid in the form of Restricted Stock, held subject to the vesting of the underlying Restricted Stock and (iii) in the case of an Award of Restricted Stock subject to Performance Goals, the participant will not be entitled to receive payment for dividends with respect to such Restricted Stock unless, until and except to the extent that the applicable Performance Goals are achieved or are otherwise deemed satisfied.
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| Performance Units. Performance Units may be issued for no cash consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Performance Goals to be achieved during any period established by the Committee at the time any Performance Unit is granted (or at any time thereafter) (each, a Performance Period) and the length of the Performance Period will be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each Performance Unit, provided that the Performance Period will be no less than one year following the date of grant (subject to the 5% exception noted above). The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of Performance Units (including any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each recipient. |
Performance Units may be paid in cash, common stock, other property or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee at the time of payment. The performance levels to be achieved for each Performance Period, the amount of the Award to be distributed and whether or not the Award will be designated as a Qualified Performance-Based Award will be determined by the Committee. Performance Units may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the Performance Period.
Awards to Non-U.S. Participants.
The Committee may grant Awards to eligible participants who are foreign nationals and/or persons who are otherwise subject to foreign legal or regulatory provisions on such terms and conditions different from those specified in the Plan as may be necessary or desirable. The Committee is authorized to make such modifications, amendments, procedures or sub-plans as may be necessary or advisable to comply with such legal or regulatory provisions.
No Rights as Stockholder; Non-Transferability of Awards.
Except as provided under the Plan, no Award holder has any rights as a stockholder with respect to common stock subject to an Award (including rights to vote common stock and receive dividends thereon) until such common stock is distributed to such holder.
Options and SARs will not be transferable by a participant other than: (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; or (ii) in the case of an NQSO or a SAR if expressly permitted by the Committee, pursuant to a transfer to the participants family members.
Adjustments for Certain Corporate Events.
If certain corporate events occur, such as a change in capitalization, merger, liquidation, spin-off, stock split, extraordinary dividend or similar event affecting the Company or the common stock (each a Corporate Transaction), the Committee is authorized to make appropriate and equitable adjustments to: (a) the number and kind of common shares or other securities reserved for issuance and delivery under the 2017 Stock Plan, (b) the Plans maximum share limits, (c) the number and kind of common shares or other securities subject to outstanding Awards, and (d) outstanding Option and SAR exercise prices.
Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted under the 2017 Stock Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding Awards previously granted by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or an entity acquired by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or with which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates combines (Substitute Awards); provided, however, that in no event may any
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Substitute Award be granted in a manner that would violate the prohibitions on repricing of Options and SARs (as described below). The number of common shares underlying any Substitute Awards will generally be counted against the maximum share limits of the Plan; provided, however, that Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity that is acquired by or combined with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, will not be counted against the maximum share limits of the Plan (with the exception that Substitute Awards that are ISOs will count against the maximum ISO limit of the Plan).
Impact of Change in Control. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined below) unless Awards are assumed, converted or replaced, Awards will vest immediately prior to such Change in Control. Further, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, upon a participants Termination of Employment (as defined below), during the 24 month period following a Change in Control, (x) by the Company other than for Cause (as defined below) or disability, or (y) to the extent applicable, by the participant for Good Reason (as defined below):
| any Options and SARs outstanding as of such Termination of Employment that were outstanding as of the date of such Change in Control will become fully exercisable and vested; |
| the restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to any Restricted Stock will lapse, and such Restricted Stock outstanding as of such Termination of Employment which were outstanding as of the date of such Change in Control will become free of all restrictions and become fully vested and transferable; and |
| all RSUs outstanding as of such Termination of Employment which were outstanding as of the date of such Change in Control will be considered to be earned and payable in full, and any deferral or other restriction will lapse. |
Cause means, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, Cause as defined in any employment, consulting or similar agreement between the Plan participant and the Company or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or, if no such agreement exists or if it does not define Cause, Cause will generally mean, with regard to the applicable participant: (A) a felony conviction under Federal, state or foreign law; (B) dishonesty in the course of his or her duties; (C) his or her failure to perform substantially his or her employment duties in any material respect; (D) a material violation of the Companys ethics and compliance program; or (E) before a Change in Control, such other events as will be determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable participants Award Agreement.
Unless otherwise provided pursuant to an Award Agreement, Change in Control is defined to mean any of the following events, generally:
| the acquisition by any individual, entity or group of beneficial ownership of 30% or more of either the then outstanding common shares or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; except any acquisition directly from or by the Company or any acquisition by any Company employee benefit plan (or related trust), or any Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined below) will generally not be deemed a Change in Control; or |
| a change in the composition of a majority of the Board of Directors which is not supported by the incumbent board of directors; or |
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| the consummation of a merger, reorganization or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Companys assets or the acquisition of assets of another entity, unless, immediately following such transaction (i) more than 50% of the total voting power of the surviving entity or the ultimate parent entity is represented by voting shares that were outstanding immediately before the transaction and are held substantially in the same proportion, (ii) no individual, entity or group (excluding any Company employee benefit plan or related trust) is or becomes the beneficial owner of 30% or more of the outstanding voting shares (except as provided above) and (iii) there has not been a change in the composition of a majority of the Board of Directors, as provided above (each, a Non-Qualifying Transaction); or |
| the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. |
Good Reason generally means, if the applicable Plan participant is also a participant in the Companys Change in Control Severance Plan or is subject to a Company severance plan, policy or guideline that provides the applicable participant with the opportunity to resign for good reason, the definition of Good Reason as set forth in such Company arrangement, as applicable. If the participant is not a participant in any such Company arrangement, the definition of Good Reason as set forth in any Award Agreement to which the applicable participant is a party or any employment, consulting or similar agreement between the applicable participant and the Company or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
Termination of Employment generally means, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the complete termination of the applicable Plan participants employment with, and performance of services for, the Company and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (including in connection with a complete disaffiliation of a subsidiary or an affiliate or a division of the Company).
Plan Amendment and Termination. The Board or its delegate may amend or terminate the 2017 Stock Plan, so long as such amendment or termination will not materially impair rights under outstanding Awards without participant consent (except if required to comply with applicable law or stock exchange accounting rules). No amendment will be made without the approval of the Companys stockholders to the extent such approval is required by applicable law or by New York Stock Exchange listing standards.
Award Clawback, Cancellation and Suspension. Subject to the above restrictions, the Committee has full authority to cancel or suspend Awards, and the participant may be required to repay any or all amounts previously paid pursuant to any Award, such as in the case of Awards to participants who render services to, or own any material interest in, any business that competes with the Company as determined by the Committee or its delegate.
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, any Award will be cancelled, and the Participant may be required to repay any or all amounts previously paid pursuant to any Award, if the participant, without the consent of the Company, violates any policy adopted by the Company or applicable affiliate relating to the recovery of compensation granted, paid, delivered, awarded or otherwise provided to such participant by the Company or applicable affiliate, as such policy is in effect on the Awards grant date, or, to the extent necessary to address applicable legal requirements, as may be amended from time to time. The Company may, to the extent permitted or required by law or regulation (including the Dodd-Frank Act), enforce any repayment obligation pursuant to any such policy by reducing any amounts that may be owing from time to time to a participant, whether as wages, severance, vacation pay or in the form of any other benefit or for any other reason, or enforce any other recoupment as prescribed by applicable law or regulation.
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Stock Plan Limits. Subject to the adjustment provisions of the 2017 Stock Plan in the event of Corporate Transactions, the maximum number of shares that may be granted under the 2017 Stock Plan without approval of the Proposed Amendment is limited to: (i) the number of shares remaining available for grant under the Companys 2017 Stock Plan on the Effective Date as described in this proposal; plus (iii) any shares with respect to awards granted under the 2017 Stock Plan that are forfeited, cancelled or expire following the Effective Date. As of February 13, 2020, we had 3.2 million shares remaining available for future issuance under the under the 2017 Plan. No shares remained available for future issuance under either the 2013 Plan, the 2011 Plan, the 2006 Plan or the Management Stock Plan as of February 13, 2020. Shares subject to any type of Award will be counted against this plan limit as one share for every one share granted.
Because benefits under the 2017 Stock Plan, as amended by the Proposed Amendment, will depend on the Committees actions and the fair market value of our common stock at various future dates, it is not possible to determine with precision at this time the benefits that might be received by officers, employees and non-employee directors if the Proposed Amendment to the 2017 Stock Plan is approved by stockholders. For grants to directors and our named executives for fiscal year 2019, see our Director Compensation Tables and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table - 2019 in our Compensation Discussion & Analysis section above.
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How does the Board Recommend that I Vote on the Proposed Amendment to the 2017 Stock Plan Proposal? |
Board Recommendation |
The Board recommends that you vote FOR the Directors proposal to approve the Proposed Amendment to the 2017 Stock Plan.
Vote Required for Approval |
Under applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards, Maryland law and the Companys charter and bylaws, a majority of all the votes cast by holders of our common stock and Series A Convertible Preferred Stock voting together as a single class (in person via attendance at the virtual meeting or by proxy), with the holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock voting on an as-converted basis, is required to approve the Proposed Amendment to the 2017 Stock Plan. Under Maryland law, broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the approval of this proposal. Under the rules of the NYSE, abstentions will be counted as votes cast and thus will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal. Proxies received by the Board will be voted FOR this proposal unless they specify otherwise.
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FOR | The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the proposal to amend and restate the charter of the Company to eliminate the supermajority provisions contemplated by the Companys charter and make certain conforming changes thereto. |
The Board of Directors of NCR (the Board) submits this proposal to amend and restate the charter of NCR (the Charter) to eliminate the supermajority voting provisions contemplated thereby for certain matters and require the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast to approve such matters.
At present, the vote of eighty percent of the voting power of all shares of stock of NCR entitled to vote generally in the election of directors then outstanding, voting together as a single class, is required under the Charter with respect to ARTICLE VII, Section 7.1(c) (director removal); ARTICLE VII, Section 7.1(d) (director replacement after removal); ARTICLE VIII, Section 8.2 (amendments to certain provisions of the bylaws of NCR (the Bylaws)) and ARTICLE IX, Section 9.1 (amendments to certain provisions of the Charter) of the Charter.
The Board has determined, following its deliberation and consideration regarding the rationale for such supermajority vote requirements in light of current corporate governance standards and practices and as permitted by Maryland law, that requiring only a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter to amend all provisions of the Charter, to amend all provisions of the Bylaws and to remove a director and that requiring only a majority of votes cast to replace a director after removal is advisable and in the best interests of NCR.
Accordingly, the Board has unanimously declared such amendments advisable and in the best interests of NCR and has directed that these amendments be submitted to the stockholders of NCR for their consideration.
NCR received a stockholder proposal on this issue, which proposed replacing the supermajority provisions in the Charter and the Bylaws with a voting standard requiring only a majority of the votes cast (unless applicable laws or stock exchange regulations dictate otherwise). Maryland law does not permit removal of a director or amendment of the charter without first obtaining the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Further, consistent with the practice of a majority of the public corporations incorporated in the State of Maryland that provide stockholders with the concurrent power to amend their bylaws, the amendment provides that stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter may amend the Bylaws. This proposal is substantially similar to the Boards proposal last year, which did not receive a sufficient number of votes despite NCR adjourning the annual meeting of stockholders twice to solicit additional votes and is also similar to the Boards proposal in 2015.
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The full text of the amendments to the Charter is set forth in the Articles of Amendment and Restatement attached hereto as Appendix C to this proxy statement.
In accordance with the Bylaws, the Board has approved, subject to the approval of this proposal by the stockholders of NCR, amendments to the Bylaws to permit all amendments to the Bylaws by stockholders to be made by a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, rather than continuing to require eighty percent of the votes entitled to be cast. For all other matters on which stockholders vote and unless otherwise required by law (as is the case for proposals to dissolve, amend the Charter, merge or consolidate with another entity, convert into another form of entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange), the Charter or the Bylaws, the Bylaws currently provide for a default voting standard of a majority of the votes cast. We believe this proposal strikes the proper balance of protecting against the actions of a few large stockholders while recognizing that broad supermajority vote requirements are no longer viewed by many investors as consistent with current best practices for corporate governance at U.S. public companies.
How Does the Board Recommend that I Vote on this Proposal? |
Board Recommendation |
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR this proposal. Proxies received by the Board will be voted FOR this proposal unless they specify otherwise.
Vote Required for Approval |
Pursuant to the Charter, the amendments to the Charter contemplated by the Articles of Amendment and Restatement must be approved by the affirmative vote of holders entitled to cast not less than eighty percent of the voting power of all shares of outstanding stock of NCR entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (currently, the common stock and the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock voting on an as-converted basis, together as a single class). Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of votes against the proposed amendments.
If this proposal is approved by the affirmative vote of holders representing eighty percent or more of the voting power of all shares of outstanding stock of NCR entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, the Company will cause to be filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland the Articles of Amendment and Restatement attached as Appendix C to this proxy statement.
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The Board of Directors does not know of any matters that will be brought before the Annual Meeting other than those listed in the notice of meeting. If any other matters are properly introduced at the Annual Meeting for consideration, including consideration of a motion to adjourn the Annual Meeting to another time or place, the individuals named on the enclosed form of proxy will have authority to vote on such matters in their discretion.
Cost of Proxy Solicitation |
We will pay the expenses of soliciting proxies in connection with the Annual Meeting. Proxies may be solicited on our behalf through the mail, in person or by telephone, electronic or facsimile transmission. We have hired Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist in the solicitation of proxies at an estimated cost of $35,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In accordance with SEC and NYSE rules, NCR also will reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their expenses of sending proxies and proxy materials to the beneficial owners of NCR common stock and Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.
Procedures for Nominations Using Proxy Access |
Stockholders interested in submitting nominations to the Board of Directors to be included in the Companys 2021 proxy materials pursuant to the proxy access provisions in Article I, Section 9 of the Companys current bylaws must follow the procedures found in the Companys bylaws. Nominations (containing the information specified in the bylaws regarding the stockholders and the proposed nominee) must be received by NCRs Corporate Secretary no earlier than October 13, 2020, nor later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 12, 2020.
Procedures for Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for 2021 Annual Meeting Pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8 |
Stockholders interested in presenting a proposal pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8 for possible inclusion in the proxy materials for NCRs 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must follow the procedures found in SEC Rule 14a-8 and the Companys bylaws. To be eligible for possible inclusion in the Companys 2020 proxy materials, all qualified proposals must be received by NCRs Corporate Secretary no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 12, 2020.
Procedures for Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for 2021 Annual Meeting Outside of SEC Rule 14a-8 |
Under the Companys current bylaws, nominations for election of directors and proposals for other business to be considered by the stockholders at an annual meeting outside of SEC Rule 14a-8 may be made only: (i) pursuant to the Companys notice of meeting; (ii) by or at the direction of the Board; or (iii) by any
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stockholder of the Company who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice as provided for in our bylaws and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has provided the information required by our Bylaws and delivered notice to the Company no earlier than 150 days (October 13, 2020) nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, 120 days (November 12, 2020) before the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding years annual meeting.
A copy of the full text of the Companys current bylaws may be obtained upon written request to the Corporate Secretary at the address provided on page 27 of this proxy statement and online at https://www.ncr.com/about/corporate-governance.
Supplementary Non-GAAP Information (Performance Targets) |
While NCR reports its results in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, or GAAP, in this proxy statement NCR also uses certain non-GAAP measures which are described below.
Non-GAAP (or Adjusted) Operating Income. NCRs Non-GAAP (or Adjusted) Operating Income is determined by excluding pension mark-to-market adjustments, pension settlements, pension curtailments and pension special termination benefits and other special items, including amortization of acquisition-related intangibles and stock compensation expense, from NCRs GAAP income from operations. Due to the non-operational nature of these pension and other special items, NCRs management uses Non-GAAP Operating Income to evaluate year-over-year operating performance. NCR also uses Non-GAAP Operating Income to manage and determine the effectiveness of its business managers and as a basis for incentive compensation. NCR believes this measure is useful for investors because it provides a more complete understanding of NCRs underlying operating performance, as well as consistency and comparability with NCRs past reports of financial results.
Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA). NCR believes that Adjusted EBITDA (adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) provides useful information to investors because it is an indicator of the strength and performance of the Companys ongoing business operations, including its ability to fund discretionary spending such as capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions and other investments. NCR determines Adjusted EBITDA for a given period based on its GAAP net income from continuing operations attributable to NCR plus interest expense, net; plus income tax expense (benefit); plus depreciation and amortization; plus other income (expense); plus pension mark-to-market adjustments, pension settlements, pension curtailments and pension special termination benefits and other special items, including amortization of acquisition related intangibles and stock compensation expense.
Non-GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS). NCRs Non-GAAP Diluted EPS is determined by excluding pension mark-to-market adjustments, pension settlements, pension curtailments and pension special termination benefits and other special items, including amortization of acquisition related intangibles and stock compensation expense, from NCRs GAAP earnings per share. Due to the non-operational nature of these pension and other special items, NCRs management uses this non-GAAP measure to evaluate year-over-year operating performance. NCR also uses Non-GAAP Diluted EPS to manage and determine the effectiveness of its business managers and as a basis for incentive compensation. NCR believes this measure is useful for investors because it provides a more complete understanding of NCRs underlying operational performance, as well as consistency and comparability with NCRs past reports of financial results.
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NCR managements definitions and calculations of these non-GAAP measures may differ from similarly-titled measures reported by other companies and cannot, therefore, be compared with similarly-titled measures of other companies. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered as substitutes for, or superior to, results determined in accordance with GAAP.
NCR also uses certain other terms in this proxy statement. Recurring revenue means revenue for products and services under contract for which revenue is recognized over time.
The above notice and proxy statement are sent by order of the Board of Directors.
James M. Bedore
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Dated: March 12, 2020
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Appendix A Proposed Amendment to the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan |
This Appendix A includes:
| a description of the U.S. Federal income tax implications of awards made under the NCR Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended by the Proposed Amendment (the 2017 Stock Plan); and |
| a complete copy of the Proposed Amendment to the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan. |
U.S. Federal Income Tax Implications of Awards |
The following is a brief summary of the U.S. Federal income tax consequences applicable to certain awards (Awards) granted by NCR Corporation (NCR or the Company) under the 2017 Stock Plan, based upon current law as of the date of these proxy materials. This summary is provided only as general information and not as tax advice. It is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used: (i) by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties under the Federal Internal Revenue Code; or (ii) for promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. It does not address all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular participant and does not discuss state, local and foreign tax consequences. Tax consequences may vary depending on each participants particular circumstances, and each participant should consult his or her tax advisor regarding his or her personal circumstances.
No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible in the gross income of a participant for Federal, state, local or foreign income or employment or other tax purposes with respect to any Award under the 2017 Stock Plan, such participant will be required to pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any Federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount, at the statutory withholding rate determined applicable by the Company (up to the participants maximum required tax withholding rate) that will not trigger a negative accounting impact. Withholding obligations generally may be settled with NCR common stock, including common stock that is part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement. The obligations of the Company will be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates will, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to such participant. The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, for the settlement of withholding obligations with common stock. For purposes of calculating compensation income and withholding for transactions that settle in common shares, the Company will use the closing price of a share of Company common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (or such other exchange as may be the principal market for the Companys common stock) on the trading date immediately preceding the distribution date of the common stock.
RSUs |
No income generally will be recognized by a participant in connection with the grant of a restricted stock unit (RSU). A participant is generally subject to withholding of Social Security and Medicare taxes on the value of an RSU at the time that the participants rights with respect to the RSU become vested. Although not free from doubt, under the Internal Revenue Code, if the participants employer determines the time at which a vested RSU will be settled, a participant generally should not be subject to income taxes with respect to such
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RSU until the participant has received shares and/or cash in settlement of the RSU. The fair market value of those shares at the time of settlement and/or any cash received generally should be taxable to the participant as ordinary income at the time of settlement (and, with respect to an employee, will be subject to income tax withholding on the amount of such ordinary income). The amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant generally will be deductible to the Company, except to the extent that the limitations on deductibility under Code Section 162(m) apply. The participants aggregate tax basis for resale purposes in any common stock received is the amount taxed as ordinary income upon receipt of the common stock. Any gain or loss on a sale of common stock will be treated as capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if such common stock is held for more than one year after the date of issuance.
Restricted Stock |
No income generally will be recognized by a participant in connection with the grant of Restricted Stock. The participant generally will be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of the common stock held at the time the Restricted Stock is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or restrictions on transfer for purposes of Section 83 of the Code (the Vesting Date), reduced by the amount, if any, paid by the participant for the Restricted Stock (and, with respect to an employee, will be subject to income tax withholding on the amount of such ordinary income). When a participant sells the common stock held upon vesting of the Restricted Stock, he or she generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale of the shares and his or her tax basis in the shares (generally equal to the amount, if any, paid for the Restricted Stock and any ordinary income recognized on the Vesting Date). If the participants holding period for the shares, which begins on the Vesting Date, exceeds one year, such gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss.
A participant who so elects, pursuant to the express terms of the applicable Award Agreement or by action of the Committee in writing, under Section 83(b) of the Code within thirty days of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock to the participant will have taxable ordinary income on the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock (the Transfer Date) equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Restricted Stock on the Transfer Date (determined without regard to the risk of forfeiture or restrictions on transfer) over the amount, if any, paid for the Restricted Stock (and, with respect to an employee, will be subject to income tax withholding on the amount of such ordinary income). If the Vesting Date occurs, the participant will not recognize any additional income on such date, and the gain or loss to the participant on a subsequent sale of the common stock (calculated as the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of sale and the participants tax basis in the shares, generally equal to the amount, if any, paid for the Restricted Stock and any ordinary income recognized on the Transfer Date) generally will be treated as capital gain or loss to the participant. If the participants holding period for the common stock, which begins on the Transfer Date, exceeds one year, such gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss.
Incentive Stock Options |
Neither the grant nor the exercise of an ISO results in taxable income to the optionee for regular U.S. Federal income tax purposes. However, an amount equal to: (i) the fair market value on the exercise date minus the exercise price at the time of grant; multiplied by (ii) the number of shares with respect to which the ISO is being exercised, will count as alternative minimum taxable income which, depending on the particular facts, could result in liability for the alternative minimum tax or AMT. If the optionee does not dispose of the common stock issued pursuant to the exercise of an ISO until the later of the two-year anniversary of the date of grant
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of the ISO and the one-year anniversary of the date of the acquisition thereof, then: (a) upon a later sale or taxable exchange of the shares, any recognized gain or loss would be treated for tax purposes as a long-term capital gain or loss; and (b) the Company would not be permitted to take a deduction with respect to that ISO for Federal income tax purposes.
If common stock acquired upon the exercise of an ISO were disposed of prior to the expiration of the two-year and one-year holding periods described above (a disqualifying disposition), generally the optionee would realize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) any excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise of the ISO over the amount paid for the shares; or (ii) the excess of the amount realized on the disposition of the shares over the participants aggregate tax basis in the shares (generally, the exercise price). A deduction would be available to the Company equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee. Any further gain realized by the optionee would be taxed as short-term or long-term capital gain and would not result in any deduction by the Company. A disqualifying disposition occurring in the same calendar year as the year of exercise would eliminate the alternative minimum tax effect of the ISO exercise.
Special rules may apply where all or a portion of the exercise price of an ISO is paid by tendering common stock, or if the shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO are subject to substantial forfeiture restrictions. The foregoing summary of tax consequences associated with the exercise of an ISO and the disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO assumes that the ISO is exercised during employment or within three months following termination of employment. The exercise of an ISO more than three months following termination of employment will result in the tax consequences described below for NQSOs, except that special rules apply in the case of disability or death. An individuals Options otherwise qualifying as ISOs will be treated for tax purposes as NQSOs (and not as ISOs) to the extent that, in the aggregate, they first become exercisable in any calendar year for stock having a fair market value in excess of $100,000.
Nonqualified Stock Options |
An NQSO (that is, an Option that does not qualify as an ISO) would result in no taxable income to the optionee or deduction to the Company at the time that such NQSO is granted. An optionee exercising an NQSO would, at the time of exercise, realize taxable compensation equal to: (i) the fair market value on the exercise date minus the exercise price at the time of grant, multiplied by (ii) the number of shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised. If the NQSO were granted in connection with employment, this taxable income would also constitute wages subject to withholding and employment taxes. A corresponding deduction would be available to the Company. The foregoing summary assumes that the shares acquired upon exercise of an NQSO are not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.
SARs |
No income generally will be recognized by a participant in connection with the grant of a SAR. When the SAR is exercised, the participant generally will be required to include as ordinary income in the year of exercise an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the SAR on the date of exercise over the aggregate exercise price of the SAR. A participant who is an employee will be subject to income tax withholding on ordinary income recognized upon exercise of a SAR. The Company generally will be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant at the time the SAR is exercised.
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A Plan participants aggregate tax basis for resale purposes in any common stock received upon exercise of a SAR is the amount taxed as ordinary income upon receipt of such common stock (generally equal to the fair market value of such common stock on the date of receipt). Any gain or loss on a sale of such common stock will be treated as capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if such common stock is held for more than one year after the date of issuance.
Performance Units and Other Performance-Based Awards |
No income generally will be recognized by a participant in connection with the grant of a performance unit or an Award otherwise subject to Performance Goals. Upon settlement of any such Award, the participant generally will be required to include as ordinary income in the year of payment an amount equal to the amount of any cash, and the fair market value of any non-restricted shares, actually or constructively received (and, with respect to an employee, will be subject to income tax withholding on the amount of such ordinary income). The amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant generally will be deductible to the Company, except to the extent that the limitations on deductibility under Section 162(m) apply.
Shares |
In the event that fully vested common stock is issued to a participant for no cash consideration, an amount equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of issuance is taxable to the participant as ordinary income at the time of issuance. The amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant generally will be deductible to the Company, except to the extent that the limitations on deductibility under Section 162(m) apply.
The participants aggregate tax basis in the common stock so received will be equal to the amount taxed as ordinary income upon receipt of the common stock. Any gain or loss on a sale of the common stock will be treated as capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if such common stock is held for more than one year after the date of issuance.
NCR Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan Complete Copy of Proposed Amendment |
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APPENDIX A
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE
NCR CORPORATION 2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Effective May 1, 2020
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
NCR CORPORATION 2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
WHEREAS, NCR Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the Company) maintains the NCR Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, which was effective as of April 26, 2017 (the Plan);
WHEREAS, the Plan provides that it may be amended at any time in whole or in part by the Compensation and Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors (the Committee) of the Company or, to the extent that the Committee has delegated such authority, by the Companys Chief Executive Officer or the Chair of the Committee;
WHEREAS, Section 12.03 of the Plan provides that the Board may amend the Plan, provided that no such amendment shall be made without the approval of the Companys stockholders to the extent such approval is otherwise required by applicable law or the listing standards of the Applicable Exchange (as defined in the Plan);
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that it is advisable and appropriate to amend the Plan to provide for an increase in the number of Shares (as defined in the Plan) that may be granted pursuant to Awards (as defined in the Plan) under the Plan, and to eliminate certain Plan terms relating to the performance-based compensation requirements of Section 162(m) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code since these provisions were repealed effective January 1, 2018 and as such no longer apply to Plan Awards made on and after November 4, 2017; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to increase the number of Shares that may be granted pursuant to Awards under the Plan must be subject to the approval of the Companys stockholders under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is amended, effective as of the first day of the month following the date it is approved by the holders of at least a majority of outstanding shares of the Company at a duly constituted meeting of the stockholders of the Company, as follows:
1. | The definition of Performance Goals in Article I (Purpose; Definitions) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: |
(z) Performance Goals means any performance goals established by the Committee in connection with the grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units or Other Stock-Based Awards. Such Performance Goals may be based on the attainment of specified levels of (i) one or more of the following measures: revenues; revenue growth; earnings or losses or net earnings or losses (including earnings or losses before taxes, before interest and taxes or before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); earnings or loss per share; operating income and adjusted operating income (before or after taxes) (including non-pension operating income and non-pension operating income less capital charge); net income or loss (before or after taxes); net operating profit (before or
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after taxes); pre- or after-tax income or loss (before or after allocation of corporate overhead and bonus); cash flow (before or after dividends) (including operating cash flow and free cash flow); cash flow return on capital; cash flow per share (before or after dividends); gross or net margin; operating margin; Bookings; net sales; return on equity; return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital); cash flow return on investment; return on assets or net assets or operating assets; economic value added (or an equivalent metric); stock price appreciation; total stockholder return (measured in terms of stock price appreciation and dividend growth); cost control; gross profit; operating profit; enterprise value; net annual contract value; cash generation; unit volume; appreciation in and/or maintenance of stock price; market share; sales; asset quality; cost saving levels; marketing-spending efficiency; core noninterest income; cash margin; debt reduction; stockholders equity; operating efficiencies; customer satisfaction; customer growth; employee satisfaction; productivity or productivity ratios; financial ratios, including those measuring liquidity, activity, profitability or leverage; financing and other capital raising transactions (including sales of the Companys equity or debt securities); debt level year-end cash position; book value; competitive market metrics; implementation, completion or attainment of measurable objectives with respect to research, development, manufacturing, products or projects, acquisitions and divestitures, succession and hiring projects, reorganization and other corporate transactions, expansions of specific business operations and meeting divisional or project budgets; improvement in or attainment of expense levels; or change in working capital with respect to the Company or any one or more Affiliates, Subsidiaries, divisions, business units or business segments of the Company either in absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more other companies or an index covering multiple companies, or (ii) such other Performance Goals as may be set by the Committee.
2. | The following defined terms in Article I (Purpose; Definitions) are hereby deleted in their entirety: (i) Qualified Performance-Based Award in section (dd) and (ii) Section 162(m) Exemption in section (hh). The remaining definitions in Article I shall be renumbered accordingly to reflect these deletions. |
3. | Section 3.01 of the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: |
SECTION 3.01. Plan Maximums. The maximum number of Shares that may be granted pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be a total of (i) 12,000,000 Shares, plus (ii) any Shares remaining available for grant under the 2017 Plan on the Effective Date, plus (iii) any Shares with respect to Awards granted under the 2017 Plan that are forfeited, cancelled or expire (or again become available for grant) following the Effective Date, in each case subject to any future adjustments as may be made pursuant to Section 3.04. The maximum number of Shares that may be granted pursuant to Options intended to be Incentive Stock Options shall be 12,000,000 Shares, subject to any future adjustment as may be made pursuant to Section 3.04, and shall not be affected by the provisions of Section 3.03(b). Shares subject to an Award under the Plan may be authorized and unissued Shares.
4. | Section 3.02 of the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: |
SECTION 3.02. Individual Limits. No participant may be granted Options and SARs covering in excess of 3,000,000 Shares, or either Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units or Other Stock-Based Awards covering in excess of 2,500,000 Shares, in either case, during any consecutive 12-month period. With respect to non-employee directors, the aggregate dollar value of equity-based (based on the grant date Fair Market Value of equity-based Awards) and cash
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compensation granted pursuant to this Plan and the NCR Director Compensation Program and otherwise during any calendar year to any one non-employee director shall not exceed $1,000,000.
5. | The proviso at the end of Section 3.04 of the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety. |
6. | Section 6.02(a) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: |
(a) The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of an Award upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals. The Committee may also condition the grant or vesting thereof upon the continued service of the applicable Participant. The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of Restricted Stock Awards (including any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each recipient.
7. | Section 7.02(a) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: |
(a) The Committee may condition the vesting of an Award upon the attainment of one or more Performance Goals. The Committee may also condition the vesting thereof upon the continued service of the Participant. The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of Restricted Stock Awards (including any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each recipient. An Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be settled as and when the Restricted Stock Units vest or at a later time specified by the Committee or in accordance with an election of the Participant, if the Committee so permits.
8. | The first sentence in the second paragraph in Article VIII (Performance Units) is hereby deleted in its entirety. |
9. | Article XI (Qualified Performance-Based Awards; Section 16(b)) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: |
ARTICLE XI.
Section 16(b)
The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Shares or other consideration under an Award if, acting in its sole and plenary discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Shares or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation or entitle the Company to recover the same under the short-swing recovery rules of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise or vesting of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.
* * *
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Appendix C to 2020 Proxy Statement
|
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
OF
NCR CORPORATION
FIRST: NCR Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the Corporation), desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.
SECOND: The following provisions and Exhibit A are all of the provisions of the Charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:
ARTICLE I
Name
Section 1.1. The name of the Corporation (the Corporation) is: NCR Corporation.
ARTICLE II
Principal Office, Registered Office and Agent
Section 2.1. The address of the Corporations principal office in the State of Maryland is 20370 Seneca Meadows Parkway, Germantown, Maryland 20876. The resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company. The address of the resident agent is 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Such resident agent is a Maryland corporation.
ARTICLE III
Purposes
Section 3.1. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act, activity or business for which corporations may be organized under the General Laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force. The Corporation shall have all the general powers granted by law to Maryland corporations and all other powers not inconsistent with law which are appropriate to promote and attain its purpose.
ARTICLE IV
Capital Stock
Section 4.1. The Corporation shall be authorized to issue 600,000,000 shares of capital stock, of which 500,000,000 shares shall be classified as Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (Common Stock) (having an aggregate par value of $5,000,000.00), and 100,000,000 shares shall be classified as Preferred
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Stock, $.01 par value per share (Preferred Stock) (having an aggregate par value of $1,000,000.00), including those shares of Preferred Stock described in Exhibit A attached hereto. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares is $6,000,000.00. The Board of Directors may classify and reclassify any unissued shares of capital stock by setting or changing in any one or more respects the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of such shares of stock.
Section 4.2. The Common Stock shall be subject to the express terms of the Preferred Stock and any series thereof. The holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share upon all proposals presented to the stockholders on which the holders of Common Stock are entitled to vote, except for proposals on which only the holders of another specified class or series of capital stock are entitled to vote. Subject to the provisions of law and any preference rights with respect to the payment of dividends attaching to the Preferred Stock or any series thereof, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, as and when declared by the Board of Directors, dividends and other distributions authorized by the Board of Directors in accordance with Maryland General Corporation Law, as in effect from time to time (the MGCL) and to all other rights of a stockholder pursuant thereto. Except as otherwise provided by law or in the Charter of the Corporation (including in any Articles Supplementary (as defined below)) (the Charter), the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes, and holders of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive notice of any meeting of stockholders at which they are not entitled to vote. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or other distribution of the Corporations assets among stockholders for the purpose of winding up the Corporations affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and subject to the rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions attaching to the Preferred Stock or any series thereof, the Common Stock shall entitle the holders thereof, together with the holders of any other class of stock hereafter classified or reclassified not having a preference on distributions in the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or other distribution of the Corporations assets among stockholders for the purpose of winding up the Corporations affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, to share ratably in the remaining net assets of the Corporation.
Section 4.3. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as authorized by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power from time to time to the maximum extent permitted by the MGCL to classify or reclassify, in one or more series, any unissued shares of Preferred Stock, and to reclassify any unissued shares of any series of Preferred Stock, in any such case, by setting or changing the number of shares constituting such series and the designation, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of the stock. In any such event, the Corporation shall file for record with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (or other appropriate entity) articles supplementary in form and substance prescribed by the MGCL (each, an Articles Supplementary). Subject to the express terms of any series of Preferred Stock outstanding at the time, the Board of Directors may increase or decrease the number or alter the designation or classify or reclassify any unissued shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock by fixing or altering in one or more respects, from time to time before issuing the shares, any terms, rights, restrictions and qualifications of the shares, including any preference, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of the shares of the series.
Section 4.4. Subject to the foregoing, the power of the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify any of the shares of capital stock shall include, without limitation, subject to the provisions of the Charter,
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authority to classify or reclassify any unissued shares of such stock into a class or classes of preferred stock, preference stock, special stock or other stock, and to divide and classify shares of any class into one or more series of such class, by determining, fixing or altering one or more of the following:
(a) the designation of such class or series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title:
(b) the number of shares of such class or series, which number the Board of Directors may thereafter (except where otherwise provided in the Articles Supplementary) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) and any shares of any class or series which have been redeemed, purchased, otherwise acquired or converted into shares of Common Stock or any other class or series shall become part of the authorized capital stock and be subject to classification and reclassification as provided in this Section;
(c) whether dividends, if any, shall be cumulative or noncumulative, and, in the case of shares of any class or series having cumulative dividend rights, the date or dates or method of determining the date or dates from which dividends on the shares of such class or series shall be cumulative;
(d) the rate of any dividends (or method of determining such dividends) payable to the holders of the shares of such class or series, any conditions upon which such dividends shall be paid and the date or dates or the method for determining the date or dates upon which such dividends shall be payable, and whether any such dividends shall rank senior or junior to or on a parity with the dividends payable on any other class or series of stock;
(e) the price or prices (or method of determining such price or prices) at which, the form of payment of such price or prices (which may be cash, property or rights, including securities of the same or another corporation or other entity) for which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the shares of such class or series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Corporation or at the option of the holder or holders thereof or upon the happening of a specified event or events, if any;
(f) the obligation, if any, of the Corporation to purchase or redeem shares of such class or series pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise and the price or prices at which, the form of payment of such price or prices (which may be cash, property or rights, including securities of the same or another corporation or other entity) for which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the shares of such class or series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(g) the rights of the holders of shares of such class or series upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation, which rights may vary depending upon whether such liquidation, dissolution or winding up is voluntary or involuntary and, if voluntary, may vary at different dates, and whether such rights shall rank senior or junior to or on a parity with such rights of any other class or series of stock;
(h) provisions, if any, for the conversion or exchange of the shares of such class or series, at any time or times at the option of the holder or holders thereof or at the option of the Corporation or upon the happening of a specified event or events, into shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock, or any other security, of the Corporation, or any other corporation or other entity, and the price or prices or rate or rates of conversion or exchange and any adjustments applicable thereto, and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange may be made;
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(i) restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series, if any;
(j) the voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of such class or series in addition to any voting rights required by law;
(k) whether or not there shall be any limitations applicable, while shares of such class or series are outstanding, upon the payment of dividends or making of distributions on, or the acquisition of, or the use of moneys for purchase or redemption of, any stock of the Corporation, or upon any other action of the Corporation, including action under this Section, and, if so, the terms and conditions thereof; and
(l) any other preferences, rights, restrictions, including restrictions on transferability, and qualifications of shares of such class or series, not inconsistent with law and the Charter.
Section 4.5. For the purposes hereof and of any Articles Supplementary to the Charter providing for the classification or reclassification of any shares of capital stock or of any other charter document of the Corporation (unless otherwise provided in any such article or document), any class or series of stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to rank:
(a) prior to another class or series either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if the holders of such class or series shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as the case may be, in preference or priority to holders of such other class or series;
(b) on a parity with another class or series either as to dividends or upon liquidation, whether or not the dividend rates, dividend payment dates or redemption or liquidation price per share thereof be different from those of such others, if the holders of such class or series of stock shall be entitled to receipt of dividends or amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as the case may be, in proportion to their respective dividend rates or redemption or liquidation prices, without preference or priority over the holders of such other class or series; and
(c) junior to another class or series either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if the rights of the holders of such class or series shall be subject or subordinate to the rights of the holders of such other class or series in respect of the receipt of dividends or the amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as the case may be.
Section 4.6. (a) In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation), by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares or otherwise, is permitted under the MGCL, no effect shall be given to amounts that would be needed, if the Corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of stockholders whose preferential rights upon dissolution are junior to those receiving the distribution.
(b) The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the person in whose name any share of its stock is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such share on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have notice thereof, except as expressly provided by applicable law.
(c) Except as may be set forth in any Articles Supplementary, the Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized pursuant to Section 2-309(b)(5) of the MGCL (or any successor similar or comparable
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provision) to declare or pay a dividend payable in shares of one class of the Corporations stock to the holders of shares of such class of the Corporations stock or to the holders of shares of any other class of stock of the Corporation.
ARTICLE V
Stockholder Action
Section 5.1. Except as may be provided in any Articles Supplementary, any corporate action upon which a vote of stockholder is required or permitted may be taken without a meeting or vote of stockholders only with the unanimous written consent of stockholders entitled to vote thereon.
Section 5.2. Except as otherwise required by the MGCL or as provided elsewhere in the Charter or in the Bylaws, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation for any purpose or purposes may be called only by the Board of Directors or by the President of the Corporation. No business other than that stated in the notice of the special meeting shall be transacted at such special meeting. Each of the Board of Directors, the President and Secretary of the Corporation shall have the maximum power and authority permitted by the MGCL with respect to the establishment of the date of any special meeting of stockholders, the establishment of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote thereat, the imposition of conditions on the conduct of any special meeting of stockholders and all other matters relating to the call, conduct, adjournment or postponement of any special meeting, regardless of whether the meeting was convened by the Board of Directors, the President, the stockholders of the Corporation or otherwise.
ARTICLE VI
Provisions Defining, Limiting and Regulating Powers
Section 6.1. The following provisions are hereby adopted for the purposes of defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Corporation and the directors and stockholders, subject, however, to any provisions, conditions and restrictions hereafter authorized pursuant to Article IV hereof:
(a) The Board of Directors of the Corporation is empowered to authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of its stock of any class, whether now or hereafter authorized, and securities convertible into shares of its stock of any class, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable, and without any action by the stockholders.
(b) No holder of any stock or any other securities of the Corporation, whether now or hereafter authorized, shall have any preemptive right to subscribe for or purchase any stock or any other securities of the Corporation other than such, if any, as the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may determine and at such price or prices and upon such other terms as the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may fix; and any stock or other securities which the Board of Directors may determine to offer for subscription may, as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion shall determine, be offered to the holders of any class, series or type of stock or other securities at the time outstanding to the exclusion of the holders of any or all other classes, series or types of stock or other securities at the time outstanding.
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(c) The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall, consistent with applicable law, have power in its sole discretion to determine from time to time in accordance with sound accounting practice or other reasonable valuation methods what constitutes annual or other net profits, earnings, surplus, or net assets in excess of capital; to fix and vary from time to time the amount to be reserved as working capital, or determine that retained earnings or surplus shall remain in the hands of the Corporation; to set apart out of any finds of the Corporation such reserve or reserves in such amount or amounts and for such proper purpose or purposes as it shall determine and to abolish any such reserve or any part thereof; to distribute and pay distributions or dividends in stock, cash or other securities or property, out of surplus or any other funds or amounts legally available therefor, at such times and to the stockholders of record on such dates as it may, from time to time, determine.
Section 6.2. Notwithstanding any provision of law requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a greater number of votes, except as may otherwise be specifically provided elsewhere in the Charter or the Bylaws, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Section 6.3. No directors shall be disqualified from voting or acting on behalf of the Corporation in contracting with any other corporation in which he may be a director, officer or stockholder, nor shall any director of the Corporation be disqualified from voting or acting in its behalf by reason of any personal interest.
Section 6.4. The Board of Directors shall have power to determine from time to time whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions and regulations the books, records, accounts and documents of the Corporation, or any of them, shall be open to inspection by stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law or by the Bylaws; and except as so provided no stockholder shall have any right to inspect any book, record, account or document of the Corporation unless authorized to do so by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 6.5. The enumeration and definition of particular powers of the Board of Directors included in the foregoing shall in no way be limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other Article of the Charter of the Corporation, or construed as or deemed by inference or otherwise in any manner to exclude or limit any powers conferred upon the Board of Directors under the General Laws of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force.
ARTICLE VII
Board of Directors
Section 7.1. (a) The Corporation shall have ten directors1, which number may be increased or decreased from time to time in such lawful manner as the Bylaws of the Corporation shall provide, but shall never be less than the minimum number permitted by the General Laws of the State of Maryland, as now or hereafter in force.
1 | The number of directors will be updated at the time of filing to match the current number of directors at the time of filing. |
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(b) At the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation held in 2017, the successors to the directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2017 shall be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify; at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation held in 2018, the successors to the directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2018 shall be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify; and beginning with the annual meeting of stockholders in 2019, all directors shall be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify.
(c) Except as provided by law with respect to directors elected by
stockholders of a class or series, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed only for cause, and then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the voting power of all Voting Stock
(as defined below) then outstanding, voting together as a single class. a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Subject to such removal, or the death, resignation or
retirement of a director, a director shall hold officeserve until the annual meeting of the stockholders for the year in which such directors term expires and until a successor shall be elected and qualified, except as
provided in Section 7.1(d) hereof.
(d) Except as provided by law with
respect to directors elected by stockholders of a class or series, the stockholders of any class or series of stock (including holders of Common Stock) may elect a successor to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors which results
from the removal of a director may be filled by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, and a vacancy which results from any such
removal or from any other causeelected by holders of that class or series of stock (including holders of Common Stock). Any vacancy on the Board of Directors created by any reason other than an increase in
the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, whether or not sufficient to constitute a quorum. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors created by an increase in the number of directors may be filled
by a majority of the Board of Directors. Any director so elected by the Board of Directors shall hold officeserve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until
his successor is elected and qualifies and any director so elected by the stockholders shall hold officeserve for the remainder of the term of the removed director. No decrease in the number of
directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(e) Except to the extent prohibited by law or limited by the Charter or the Bylaws, the
Board of Directors shall have the power (which, to the extent exercised, shall be exclusive) to fix the number of directors and to establish the rules and procedures that govern the internal affairs of the Board of Directors and nominations for
director, including without limitation the vote required for any action by the Board of Directors, and that from time to time shallmay affect the directors power to managepower of the Board of
Directors to direct the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and no Bylaw shall be adopted by the stockholders which shall modify the foregoing.
Section 7.2. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of the proposal of business by stockholders shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended and in effect from time to time. Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.
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ARTICLE VIII
Bylaws
Section 8.1. The Bylaws may contain any provision for the regulation and management of the affairs of the Corporation not inconsistent with law or the provisions of the Charter. Without limiting the foregoing, to the maximum extent permitted by the MGCL from time to time, the Corporation may in its Bylaws confer upon the Board of Directors powers and authorities in addition to those set forth in the Charter and in addition to those expressly conferred upon the Board of Directors by statute as long as such powers and authorities are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Charter.
Section 8.2. Except as provided in the Charter, the Bylaws may
be altered or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted (a) subject to Section 7.1(e), at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the voting power of all shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the Voting Stock) then outstanding, voting together as a single class; provided, however, that any
proposed alteration or repeal of, or the adoption of any Bylaw inconsistent with, Sections 2, 8 or 11 of Article I of the Bylaws, with Section 1, 2 or 3 of Article II of the Bylaws, or Article X of the Bylaws
or this sentence, by the stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all Voting Stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class; and provided, further, however, that in the case of
any such stockholder action at a special meeting of stockholders, notice of the proposed alteration, repeal or adoption of the new Bylaw or Bylaws must be contained in the notice of such special meeting, or
(b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies on the Board. The
Board of Directors is vested with the power to alter or repeal any provision of the Bylaws and to adopt new Bylaws. In addition, to the extent permitted by law, the stockholders may alter or repeal any provision of
the Bylaws and adopt new Bylaw provisions if any such alteration, repeal or adoption is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
ARTICLE IX
Amendment of Charter
Section 9.1. The Corporation reserves the right to adopt, repeal, rescind,
alter or otherwise amend in any respect any provision contained in this Charter, including but not limited to, any amendments changing the terms or contract rights of any class of its stock by classification, reclassification or otherwise, and all
rights now or hereafter conferred on stockholders are granted subject to this reservation. Any amendment ofto the Charter shall be valid and effective if such amendment shall have been
authorizedeffective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote at a meeting of the stockholders duly called for such purpose
ofentitled to cast a majority of the total number of shares outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, except that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the Voting Stock then outstanding, voting together as a
single class, at a meeting of the stockholders duly called for such purpose shall be required to alter, amend, adopt any provision inconsistent with or repeal Article V, Article VII, Section 8.2 of Article
VIII, or this Article IX of the Charterall the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
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ARTICLE X
Limited Liability; Indemnification
Section 10.1. To the fullest extent permitted by Maryland statutory or decisional law, as amended or interpreted, no director or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. No amendment of the Charter of the Corporation or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate the benefits provided to directors and officers under this provision with respect to any act or omission which occurred prior to such amendment or repeal or with respect to any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Section 10.1 of this Article X, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment or repeal.
Section 10.2. The Corporation shall indemnify (a) its directors and officers, whether serving the Corporation or, at its request, any other entity, to the fullest extent required or permitted by the General Laws of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force, including the advance of expenses under the procedures and to the fullest extent permitted by law and (b) other employees and agents to such extent as shall be authorized by the Board of Directors or the Corporations Bylaws and be permitted by law. The foregoing rights of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled. The Board of Directors may take such action as is necessary to carry out these indemnification provisions and is expressly empowered to adopt, approve and amend from time to time such bylaws, resolutions or contracts implementing such provisions or such further indemnification arrangements as may be permitted by law. No amendment of the Charter, or of any such bylaw, resolution or contract, or repeal of any of their provisions shall limit or eliminate the right to indemnification provided hereunder or thereunder with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.
ARTICLE XI
Duration
Section 11.1. The duration of the Corporation shall be perpetual.
THIRD: The amendment to and restatement of the charter as hereinabove set forth have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Corporation as required by law.
FOURTH: The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article II of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.
FIFTH: The name and address of the Corporations current resident agent is as set forth in Article II of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.
SIXTH: The number of directors of the Corporation is as set forth in Article VII of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter. The names of the directors currently in office are as follows:
[Richard L. Clemmer; Robert P. DeRodes; Deborah A. Farrington; Michael D. Hayford; Kurt P. Kuehn; Linda Fayne Levinson; Frank R. Martire; Matthew A. Thompson; Gregory R Blank; Chinh E. Chu]2
2 | The directors in office will be updated at the time of filing to match the directors then in office. |
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SEVENTH: The undersigned officer of the Corporation acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned officer acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
- Signature Page Follows -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its
name and on its behalf by its Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary[] and attested to by its Assistant Secretary[] on this 18th[] day of June[], 2019.[].
ATTEST: |
NCR CORPORATION: | |||||
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By: | |||||
Name: |
Name: | |||||
Title: |
Title: |
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EXHIBIT A TO APPENDIX C
SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
PAR VALUE $0.01
OF
NCR CORPORATION
Under a power contained in the charter (the Charter) of NCR Corporation, a Maryland corporation
(the Company), the Board of Directors of the Company classified and designated[2,909,9753 shares (the Shares) of the Preferred Stock,
$0.01 par value per share (as defined in the Charter), as shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $1,000 per share (Series A Preferred Stock), with the following preferences, conversion and other
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption set forth below, which upon any restatement of the Charter, shall be deemed to be part of Article IV of
the Charter, with any necessary or appropriate changes to the enumeration or lettering of sections or subsections hereof:
SECTION 1. Classification and Number of Shares. The shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall be classified as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the Series A
Preferred Stock). The number of authorized shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock shall be 3,000,0002,909,9754. That number from
time to time may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding) by (a) further resolution duly adopted by the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof, and (b) the filing
of articles supplementary pursuant to the provisions of the MGCL stating that such increase or decrease, as applicable, has been so authorized. The Company shall not have the authority to issue fractional shares of Series A Preferred
Stock.
SECTION 2. Ranking. The Series A Preferred Stock will rank, with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company:
(a) on a parity basis with each other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company now existing or hereafter authorized, classified or reclassified, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series ranks on a parity basis with the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company (such Capital Stock, Parity Stock);
(b) junior to each other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company now existing or hereafter authorized, classified or reclassified, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company (such Capital Stock, Senior Stock); and
(c) senior to the Common Stock and each other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company now existing or hereafter authorized, classified or reclassified, the terms of which do not expressly provide that
3 | The number will be updated at the time of filing. |
4 | The number will be updated at the time of filing. |
EXA-1
such class or series ranks on a parity basis with or senior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company (such Capital Stock, Junior Stock).
SECTION 3. Definitions. As used herein with respect to Series A Preferred Stock:
50% Beneficial Ownership Requirement has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.
Accrued Dividend Record Date has the meaning set forth in Section 4(e).
Accrued Dividends means, as of any date, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, all Dividends that have accrued on such share pursuant to Section 4(b), whether or not declared, but that have not, as of such date, been paid.
Affiliate means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; provided, however, (i) that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of any Purchaser Party or any of its Affiliates, (ii) portfolio companies in which any Purchaser Party or any of its Affiliates has an investment (whether as debt or equity) shall not be deemed an Affiliate of such Purchaser Party and (iii) the Excluded Blackstone Parties shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of any Purchaser Party, the Company or any of the Companys Subsidiaries. For this purpose, control (including, with its correlative meanings, controlled by and under common control with) shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise.
Articles Supplementary means these Articles Supplementary classifying the Series A Preferred Stock.
Base Amount means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the Liquidation Preference and (b) the Base Amount Accrued Dividends with respect to such share as of such date.
Base Amount Accrued Dividends means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date of determination, (a) if a Dividend Payment Date has occurred since the issuance of such share, the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share as of the Dividend Payment Date immediately preceding such date of determination (taking into account the payment of Dividends, if any, on or with respect to such Dividend Payment Date) or (b) if no Dividend Payment Date has occurred since the issuance of such share, zero.
Any Person shall be deemed to beneficially own, to have beneficial ownership of, or to be beneficially owning any securities (which securities shall also be deemed beneficially owned by such Person) that such Person is deemed to beneficially own within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act; provided that any Person shall be deemed to beneficially own any securities that such Person has the right to acquire, whether or not such right is exercisable within sixty (60) days or thereafter (including assuming conversion of all Series A Preferred Stock, if any, owned by such Person to Common Stock).
Board has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.
EXA-2
close of business means 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).
Business Day means any weekday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.
Bylaws means the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended and as may be amended from time to time.
Capital Stock means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares of, interests in, rights to purchase, warrants to purchase, options for, participations in or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by such Person.
Cash Dividend has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c).
Change of Control means (i) prior to the earlier of the (x) Initial Redemption Date or (y) the date that is 91 days after the date of repayment, defeasance, satisfaction, cancellation, termination or other permanent discharge in full of the Credit Agreement and the Indentures (the Relevant Change of Control Date), the occurrence of one of the following:
(a) any person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, other than as a result of a transaction in which (1) the holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction are substantially the same as the holders of securities that represent a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person or its Parent Entity immediately after such transaction and (2) the holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own directly or indirectly Voting Stock of the surviving Person or its Parent Entity in substantially the same proportion to each other as immediately prior to such transaction; or
(b) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another Person, other than a transaction following which (1) in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction, and (2) in the case of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a Subsidiary or a Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Company, or
(ii) on or after the Relevant Change of Control Date, the occurrence of one of the following:
(a) any person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, other than as a result of a transaction in which (1) the holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction are substantially the same as the holders of securities that represent a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person or its Parent Entity immediately following such transaction and (2) the holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own directly or indirectly Voting Stock of the surviving Person or its Parent Entity in substantially the same proportion to each other as immediately prior to such transaction;
EXA-3
(b) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (determined on a consolidated basis), whether in a single transaction or a series of transactions, to another Person, or any recapitalization, reclassification or other transaction in which all or substantially all of the Common Stock is exchanged for or converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a transaction following which (1) in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction, and (2) in the case of a sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a Subsidiary or a Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Company; or
(c) any transaction or series of transactions by which the Company or any successor or Parent Entity thereto is organized outside the United States of America.
Change of Control Effective Date has the meaning set forth in Section 9(c).
Change of Control Purchase Date means, with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock, the date on which the Company makes the payment in full of the Change of Control Purchase Price for such share to the Holder thereof.
Change of Control Purchase Price has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).
Change of Control Put has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).
Change of Control Put Deadline has the meaning set forth in Section 9(c)(i).
Charter has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.
Closing Price of the Common Stock on any date of determination means the closing sale price or, if no closing sale price is reported, the last reported sale price, of the shares of the Common Stock on the NYSE on such date. If the Common Stock is not traded on the NYSE on any date of determination, the Closing Price of the Common Stock on such date of determination means the closing sale price as reported in the composite transactions for the principal United States securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is so listed or quoted, or, if no closing sale price is reported, the last reported sale price on the principal United States securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is so listed or quoted, or if the Common Stock is not so listed or quoted on a United States securities exchange or automated quotation system, the last quoted bid price for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or any similar organization, or, if that bid price is not available, the market price of the Common Stock on that date as determined by an Independent Financial Advisor retained by the Company for such purpose.
Common Stock has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.
Company has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.
Constituent Person has the meaning set forth in Section 12(a).
Conversion Agent means the Transfer Agent acting in its capacity as conversion agent for the Series A Preferred Stock, and its successors and assigns.
EXA-4
Conversion Date has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).
Conversion Notice has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a).
Conversion Price means, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, a dollar amount equal to $1,000 divided by the Conversion Rate.
Conversion Rate means, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, 33.333 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as set forth herein.
Credit Agreement has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.
Current Market Price per share of Common Stock, as of any date of determination, means the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share of Common Stock for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding such day, appropriately adjusted to take into account the occurrence during such period of any event described in Section 11.
Designated Redemption Date means (i) any date within the three (3) month period commencing on and immediately following the Initial Redemption Date and (ii) any date within the three (3) month period commencing on and immediately following each successive third anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date.
Distributed Property has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iv).
Distribution Transaction means any transaction by which a Subsidiary of the Company ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company by reason of the distribution of such Subsidiarys equity securities to holders of Common Stock, whether by means of a spin-off, split-off, redemption, reclassification, exchange, stock dividend, share distribution, rights offering or similar transaction.
Dividend has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
Dividend Payment Date means March 10, June 10, September 10 and December 10 of each year, commencing on the later of (i) March 10, 2016 and (ii) the first such date to occur following the Original Issuance Date (the Initial Dividend Payment Date); provided that if any such Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the applicable Dividend shall be payable on the next Business Day immediately following such Dividend Payment Date, without any interest.
Dividend Payment Period means (i) in respect of any share of Series A Preferred Stock issued on the Original Issuance Date, the period from and including the Original Issuance Date to but excluding the Initial Dividend Payment Date and, subsequent to the Initial Dividend Payment Date, the period from and including any Dividend Payment Date to but excluding the next Dividend Payment Date, and (ii) for any share of Series A Preferred Stock issued subsequent to the Original Issuance Date, the period from and including the Issuance Date of such share to but excluding the next Dividend Payment Date and, subsequently, in each case the period from and including any Dividend Payment Date to but excluding the next Dividend Payment Date.
Dividend Rate means 5.5%, or, to the extent and during the period with respect to which such rate has been adjusted as provided in Sections 4(d), Section 9(i) or Section 10(e), such adjusted rate.
Dividend Record Date has the meaning set forth in Section 4(e).
EXA-5
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Property has the meaning set forth in Section 12(a).
Excluded Blackstone Parties has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.
Expiration Date has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii).
Fair Market Value means, with respect to any security or other property, the fair market value of such security or other property as reasonably determined in good faith by a majority of the Board, or an authorized committee thereof, (i) after consultation with an Independent Financial Advisor, as to any security or other property with a Fair Market Value of less than $50,000,000, or (ii) otherwise using an Independent Financial Advisor to provide a valuation opinion.
Fall-Away of Purchaser Board Rights has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.
Governmental Authority means any government, court, regulatory or administrative agency, commission, arbitrator or authority or other legislative, executive or judicial governmental entity (in each case including any self-regulatory organization), whether federal, state or local, domestic, foreign or multinational.
Holder means a Person in whose name the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are registered, which Person shall be treated by the Company, Transfer Agent, Registrar, paying agent and Conversion Agent as the absolute owner of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock for the purpose of making payment and settling conversions and for all other purposes; provided that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Person that has received shares of Series A Preferred Stock in violation of the Investment Agreement shall be a Holder, the Transfer Agent, Registrar, paying agent and Conversion Agent, as applicable, shall not, unless directed otherwise by the Company, recognize any such Person as a Holder and the Person in whose name the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock were registered immediately prior to such transfer shall remain the Holder of such shares.
Implied Quarterly Dividend Amount means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date, the product of (a) the Base Amount of such share on the first day of the applicable Dividend Payment Period (or in the case of the first Dividend Payment Period for such share, as of the Issuance Date of such share) multiplied by (b) one fourth of the Dividend Rate applicable on such date.
Indebtedness means (a) all obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all letters of credit and letters of guaranty in respect of which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is an account party, (d) all securitization or similar facilities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (e) all guarantees by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any of the foregoing.
Indebtedness Agreement means any agreement, document or instrument governing or evidencing any Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
Indentures has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.
EXA-6
Independent Financial Advisor means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant of nationally recognized standing; provided, however, that such firm or consultant is (i) not an Affiliate of the Company and (ii) so long as the Purchasers meet the 50% Beneficial Ownership Requirement, is reasonably acceptable to the Purchasers.
Initial Redemption Date means March 16, 2024.
Investment Agreement means that certain Investment Agreement between the Company and the Purchasers dated as of November 11, 2015, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, with respect to certain terms and conditions concerning, among other things, the rights of and restrictions on the Holders.
Issuance Date means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, the date of issuance of such share.
Junior Stock has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c).
Liquidation Preference means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date, $1,000 per share.
Mandatory Conversion has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).
Mandatory Conversion Date has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).
Mandatory Conversion Price means $54.00, as adjusted pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a).
Market Disruption Event means any of the following events:
(a) any suspension of, or limitation imposed on, trading of the Common Stock by any exchange or quotation system on which the Closing Price is determined pursuant to the definition of the term Closing Price (the Relevant Exchange) during the one-hour period prior to the close of trading for the regular trading session on the Relevant Exchange (or for purposes of determining the VWAP per share of Common Stock, any period or periods aggregating one half-hour or longer during the regular trading session on the relevant day) and whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the Relevant Exchange as to securities generally, or otherwise relating to the Common Stock or options contracts relating to the Common Stock on the Relevant Exchange; or
(b) any event that disrupts or impairs (as determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion) the ability of market participants during the one-hour period prior to the close of trading for the regular trading session on the Relevant Exchange (or for purposes of determining the VWAP per share of Common Stock, any period or periods aggregating one half-hour or longer during the regular trading session on the relevant day) in general to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, the Common Stock on the Relevant Exchange or to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, options contracts relating to the Common Stock on the Relevant Exchange.
MGCL has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.
Notice of Mandatory Conversion has the meaning set forth in Section 7(b).
EXA-7
Notice of Redemption has the meaning set forth in Section 10(b).
NYSE means the New York Stock Exchange.
Officers Certificate means a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the Secretary of the Company.
open of business means 9:00 a.m. (New York City time).
Original Issuance Date and Original Issuance Time mean the date and time, respectively, of closing pursuant to the Investment Agreement.
Parent Entity means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which such first Person is a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary.
Parity Stock has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
Permitted Transferee means, with respect to any Person, (i) any Affiliate of such Person, (ii) any successor entity of such Person and (iii) with respect to any Person that is an investment fund, vehicle or similar entity, any other investment fund, vehicle or similar entity of which such Person or an Affiliate, advisor or manager of such Person serves as the general partner, manager or advisor.
Person means any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or any other entity.
PIK Dividend has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c). Preferred Stock has the meaning set forth in the recitals above. Purchasers has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.
Purchaser Designee means an individual nominated by the Board as a Purchaser Designee for election to the Board pursuant to Section 5.10(a) or Section 5.10(d) of the Investment Agreement.
Purchaser Parties means the Purchasers and each Permitted Transferee of the Purchasers to whom shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Common Stock are transferred pursuant to Section 5.08(b)(i) of the Investment Agreement.
Record Date means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of the Common Stock have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of the Common Stock entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board or by statute, contract or otherwise).
Redemption Date means, with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock, the date on which the Company makes the payment in full in cash of the Redemption Price for such share to the Holder of such share.
Redemption Right has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a).
Redemption Price has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a).
EXA-8
Registrar means the Transfer Agent acting in its capacity as registrar for the Series A Preferred Stock, and its successors and assigns.
Relevant Exchange has the meaning set forth in the definition of the term Market Disruption Event.
Reorganization Event has the meaning set forth in Section 12(a).
Satisfaction of the Indebtedness Obligations means, in connection with any Change of Control, (i) the payment in full in cash of all principal, interest, fees and all other amounts due or payable in respect of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including in respect of any penalty or premium) that is required to be prepaid, repaid, redeemed, repurchased or otherwise retired as a result of or in connection with such Change of Control or in order for the Series A Preferred Stock not to constitute or be deemed as indebtedness, disqualified stock, disqualified capital stock, disqualified equity interests, or similar instruments, however denominated, under the terms of any Indebtedness Agreement, (ii) the cancellation or termination, or if permitted by the terms of such Indebtedness, cash collateralization, of any letters of credit or letters of guaranty that are required to be cancelled or terminated or cash collateralized as a result of or in connection with such Change of Control or in order for the Series A Preferred Stock not to constitute or be deemed as indebtedness, disqualified stock, disqualified capital stock, disqualified equity interests, or similar instruments, however denominated, under the terms of any Indebtedness Agreement, (iii) compliance with any requirement to effect an offer to purchase any bonds, debentures, notes or other instruments of Indebtedness as a result of or in connection with such Change of Control or in order for the Series A Preferred Stock not to constitute or be deemed as indebtedness, disqualified stock, disqualified capital stock, disqualified equity interests, or similar instruments, however denominated, under the terms of any Indebtedness Agreement, and the purchase of any such instruments tendered in such offer and the payment in full of any other amounts due or payable in connection with such purchase and (iv) the termination of any lending commitments required to be terminated as a result of or in connection with such Change of Control or in order for the Series A Preferred Stock not to constitute or be deemed as indebtedness, disqualified stock, disqualified capital stock, disqualified equity interests, or similar instruments, however denominated, under the terms of any Indebtedness Agreement.
SDAT has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.
Senior Stock has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
Series A Preferred Stock has the meaning set forth in Section 1.
Specified Contract Terms means the covenants, terms and provisions of any indenture, credit agreement or any other agreement, document or instrument evidencing, governing the rights of the holders of or otherwise relating to any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Subsidiary, when used with respect to any Person, means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, trust or other entity of which (i) securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the ordinary voting power (or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests) or (ii) sufficient voting rights to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body are, as of such date, owned by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
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Trading Day means a Business Day on which the Relevant Exchange is scheduled to be open for business and on which there has not occurred a Market Disruption Event.
Transfer Agent means the Person acting as Transfer Agent, Registrar and paying agent and Conversion Agent for the Series A Preferred Stock, and its successors and assigns. The Transfer Agent initially shall be Wells Fargo Bank, N. A.
Trigger Event has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(vii).
Voting Stock means (i) with respect to the Company, the Common Stock, the Series A Preferred Stock and any other Capital Stock of the Company having the right to vote generally in any election of directors of the Board and (ii) with respect to any other Person, all Capital Stock of such Person having the right to vote generally in any election of directors of the board of directors of such Person or other similar governing body.
VWAP per share of Common Stock on any Trading Day means the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading Bloomberg VWAP on Bloomberg (or, if Bloomberg ceases to publish such price, any successor service reasonably chosen by the Company) page NCR <equity> AQR (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the open of trading on the relevant Trading Day until the close of trading on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market price of one share of Common Stock on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by an Independent Financial Advisor retained for such purpose by the Company).
SECTION 4. Dividends. (a) Holders shall be entitled to receive dividends of the type and in the amount determined as set forth in this Section 4 (such dividends, Dividends).
(b) Accrual of Dividends. Dividends on each share of Series A Preferred Stock (i) shall accrue on a daily basis from and including the Issuance Date of such share, whether or not declared and whether or not the Company has assets legally available to make payment thereof, at a rate equal to the Dividend Rate as further specified below and (ii) shall be payable quarterly in arrears, if, as and when authorized by the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof, and declared by the Company, to the extent not prohibited by law, on each Dividend Payment Date, commencing on the first Dividend Payment Date following the Issuance Date of such share. The amount of Dividends accruing with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for any day shall be determined by dividing (x) the Implied Quarterly Dividend Amount as of such day by (y) the actual number of days in the Dividend Payment Period in which such day falls; provided that if during any Dividend Payment Period any Accrued Dividends in respect of one or more prior Dividend Payment Periods are paid, then after the date of such payment the amount of Dividends accruing with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for any day shall be determined by dividing (x) the Implied Quarterly Dividend Amount (recalculated to take into account such payment of Accrued Dividends) by (y) the actual number of days in such Dividend Payment Period. The amount of Dividends payable with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for any Dividend Payment Period shall equal the sum of the daily Dividend amounts accrued in accordance with the prior sentence of this Section 4(b) with respect to such share during such Dividend Payment Period. For the avoidance of doubt, for any share of Series A Preferred Stock with an Issuance Date that is not a Dividend Payment Date, the amount of Dividends payable with respect to the initial Dividend Payment Period for such share shall equal the product of (A) the daily accrual determined as specified in the prior sentence, assuming a full Dividend Payment Period in accordance with the definition of such term, and (B) the number of days from and including such Issuance Date to but excluding the next Dividend Payment Date.
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(c) Payment of Dividend. (x) With respect to the first sixteen (16) Dividend Payment Dates, the Company will issue, to the extent permitted by applicable law, as a dividend in kind, additional duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable shares of Series A Preferred Stock (any Dividend or portion of a Dividend paid in the manner provided in this clause, a PIK Dividend) having value (as determined in accordance with the immediately following sentence) equal to the amount of Accrued Dividends during such Dividend Payment Period and (y) with respect to any Dividend Payment Date occurring after the sixteenth (16th) Dividend Payment Date, the Company will pay, to the extent permitted by applicable law, in its sole discretion, Dividends (i) in cash (any Dividend or portion of a Dividend paid in cash, a Cash Dividend), if, as and when authorized by the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof, and declared by the Company, (ii) as a PIK Dividend or (iii) through a combination of either of the foregoing; provided that (A) Cash Dividend payments shall be aggregated per Holder and shall be made to the nearest cent (with $.005 being rounded upward) and (B) if the Company pays a PIK Dividend, no fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be issued to any Holder (after taking into account all shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder) and in lieu of any such fractional share, the Company shall pay to such Holder, at the Companys option, either (1) an amount in cash equal to the applicable fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock multiplied by the Liquidation Preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock or (2) one additional whole share of Series A Preferred Stock. In the event that the Company pays a PIK Dividend, each share of Series A Preferred Stock paid in connection therewith shall have a deemed value for such purpose equal to the Liquidation Preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock, and the number of additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock issuable to Holders in connection with the payment of a PIK Dividend will be, with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock, and without limiting the proviso above concerning fractional shares, the number (or fraction) obtained from the quotient of (1) the amount of the applicable PIK Dividend per share of Series A Preferred Stock divided by (2) the Liquidation Preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock. Accrued Dividends in respect of any prior Dividend Payment Periods may be paid on any date (whether or not such date is a Dividend Payment Date) if, as and when authorized by the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof as declared by the Company.
(d) Arrearages. If the Company fails to declare and pay a full Dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock on any Dividend Payment Date, then any Dividends otherwise payable on such Dividend Payment Date on the Series A Preferred Stock shall continue to accrue and cumulate at a Dividend Rate of 8.0% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date, for the period from and including the first Dividend Payment Date (or the Issuance Date, as applicable) upon which the Company fails to pay a full Dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock through but not including the latest of the day upon which the Company pays in accordance with Section 4(c) all Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock that are then in arrears. Dividends shall accumulate from the most recent date through which Dividends shall have been paid, or, if no Dividends have been paid, from the Issuance Date.
(e) Record Date. The record date for payment of Dividends that are declared and paid on any relevant Dividend Payment Date will be the close of business on the first (1st) day of the calendar month which contains the relevant Dividend Payment Date (each, a Dividend Record Date), and the record date for payment of any Accrued Dividends that were not declared and paid on any relevant Dividend Payment Date will be the close of business on the date that is established by the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, as such, which will not be more than forty-five (45) days prior to the date on which such Dividends are paid (each, an Accrued Dividend Record Date), in each case whether or not such day is a Business Day.
(f) Priority of Dividends. So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been declared and paid, including any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock that are then in arrears, or have been or contemporaneously are declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those dividends has been or is set aside for the benefit of the Holders, the Company may not declare any dividend on, or make any
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distributions relating to, Junior Stock or Parity Stock, or redeem, purchase, acquire (either directly or through any Subsidiary) or make a liquidation payment relating to, any Junior Stock or Parity Stock, other than:
(i) purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of Junior Stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of current or former employees, officers, directors or consultants;
(ii) purchases of Junior Stock through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Stock;
(iii) as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of Parity Stock or Junior Stock for any other class or series of Parity Stock (in the case of Parity Stock) or Junior Stock (in the case of Parity Stock or Junior Stock);
(iv) purchases of fractional interests in shares of Parity Stock or Junior Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such Parity Stock or Junior Stock or the security being converted or exchanged;
(v) payment of any dividends in respect of Junior Stock where the dividend is in the form of the same stock or rights to purchase the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid;
(vi) distributions of Junior Stock or rights to purchase Junior Stock;
(vii) any dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders rights or similar plan, or the redemption or repurchase of any rights under any such; or
(viii) purchases of shares of Common Stock by the Company in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000,000 to be consummated within 9 months following the Original Issuance Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for so long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, if dividends are not declared and paid in full upon the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock will be declared on a proportional basis so that the amount of dividends declared per share will bear to each other the same ratio that all accrued and unpaid dividends as of the end of the most recent Dividend Payment Period per share of Series A Preferred Stock and accrued and unpaid dividends as of the end of the most recent dividend period per share of any Parity Stock bear to each other.
Subject to the provisions of this Section 4, dividends may be authorized by the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof, and declared and paid by the Company, or any duly authorized committee thereof, on any Junior Stock and Parity Stock from time to time and the Holders will not be entitled to participate in those dividends (other than pursuant to the adjustments otherwise provided under Section 11(a) or Section 12(a), as applicable).
(g) Conversion Following a Record Date. If the Conversion Date for any shares of Series A Preferred Stock is prior to the close of business on a Dividend Record Date or an Accrued Dividend Record Date, the Holder of such shares will not be entitled to any dividend in respect of such Dividend Record Date or Accrued Dividend Record Date, as applicable, other than through the inclusion of Accrued Dividends as of the Conversion Date in the calculation under Section 6(a) or Section 7(a), as applicable. If the Conversion Date for any shares of Series A Preferred Stock is after the close of business on a Dividend Record Date or an Accrued Dividend Record Date but prior to the corresponding payment date for such dividend, the Holder of such
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shares as of such Dividend Record Date or Accrued Dividend Record Date, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive such dividend, notwithstanding the conversion of such shares prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date; provided that the amount of such dividend shall not be included for the purpose of determining the amount of Accrued Dividends under Section 6(a) or Section 7(a), as applicable, with respect to such Conversion Date.
SECTION 5. Liquidation Rights. (a) Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, the Holders shall be entitled, out of assets legally available therefor, before any distribution or payment out of the assets of the Company may be made to or set aside for the holders of any Junior Stock, and subject to the rights of the holders of any Senior Stock or Parity Stock and the rights of the Companys existing and future creditors, to receive in full a liquidating distribution in cash and in the amount per share of Series A Preferred Stock equal to the greater of (i) the sum of (A) the Liquidation Preference plus (B) the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share of Series A Preferred Stock as of the date of such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company and (ii) the amount such Holders would have received had such Holders, immediately prior to such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, converted such shares of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock (pursuant to Section 6 without regard to any of the limitations on convertibility contained therein). Holders shall not be entitled to any further payments in the event of any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company other than what is expressly provided for in this Section 5 and will have no right or claim to any of the Companys remaining assets.
(b) Partial Payment. If in connection with any distribution described in Section 5(a) above, the assets of the Company or proceeds therefrom are not sufficient to pay in full the aggregate liquidating distributions required to be paid pursuant to Section 5(a) to all Holders and the liquidating distributions payable all holders of any Parity Stock, the amounts distributed to the Holders and to the holders of all such Parity Stock shall be paid pro rata in accordance with the respective aggregate liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be entitled if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full.
(c) Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets Not Liquidation. For purposes of this Section 5, the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company shall not be deemed a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, nor shall the merger, consolidation, statutory exchange or any other business combination transaction of the Company into or with any other Person or the merger, consolidation, statutory exchange or any other business combination transaction of any other Person into or with the Company be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company.
SECTION 6. Right of the Holders to Convert.
(a) Each Holder shall have the right, at such Holders option, subject to the conversion procedures set forth in Section 8, to convert each share of such Holders Series A Preferred Stock at any time into (i) the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (A) the sum of the Liquidation Preference and the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share of Series A Preferred Stock as of the applicable Conversion Date divided by (B) the Conversion Price as of the applicable Conversion Date plus (ii) cash in lieu of fractional shares as set out in Section 11(i). The right of conversion may be exercised as to all or any portion of such Holders Series A Preferred Stock from time to time; provided that, in each case, no right of conversion may be exercised by a Holder in respect of fewer than 1,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (unless such conversion relates to all shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder).
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(b) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding. Any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
SECTION 7. Mandatory Conversion by the Company. (a) At any time after the third anniversary of the Original Issuance Date, if the VWAP per share of Common Stock was greater than the Mandatory Conversion Price for at least thirty (30) Trading Days in any period of forty-five (45) consecutive Trading Days, the Company may elect to convert (a Mandatory Conversion) all, but not less than all, of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock (the date selected by the Company for any Mandatory Conversion pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Mandatory Conversion Date). In the case of a Mandatory Conversion, each share of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be converted into (i) the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (A) the sum of the Liquidation Preference and the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share of Series A Preferred Stock as of the Mandatory Conversion Date divided by (B) the Conversion Price of such share in effect as of the Mandatory Conversion Date plus (ii) cash in lieu of fractional shares as set out in Section 11(i).
(b) Notice of Mandatory Conversion. If the Company elects to effect Mandatory Conversion, the Company shall, within ten (10) Business Days following the completion of the applicable forty-five (45) day Trading Period referred to in Section 7(a) above, provide notice of Mandatory Conversion to each Holder (such notice, a Notice of Mandatory Conversion). The Mandatory Conversion Date selected by the Company shall be no less than ten (10) Business Days and no more than twenty (20) Business Days after the date on which the Company provides the Notice of Mandatory Conversion to the Holders. The Notice of Mandatory Conversion shall state, as appropriate:
(i) the Mandatory Conversion Date selected by the Company; and
(ii) the Conversion Rate as in effect on the Mandatory Conversion Date, the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to such Holder upon conversion of each share of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder and, if applicable, the amount of Accrued Dividends to be paid to such Holder upon conversion of each share of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder.
SECTION 8. Conversion Procedures and Effect of Conversion. (a) Conversion Procedure. A Holder must do each of the following in order to convert shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 8(a):
(i) in the case of a conversion pursuant to Section 6(a), complete and manually sign the conversion notice provided by the Conversion Agent (the Conversion Notice), and deliver such notice to the Conversion Agent; provided that a Conversion Notice may be conditional on the completion of a Change of Control or other corporate transaction;
(ii) deliver to the Conversion Agent the certificate or certificates (if any) representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted;
(iii) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents; and
(iv) if required, pay any stock transfer, documentary, stamp or similar taxes not payable by the Company pursuant to Section 21.
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The foregoing clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) shall be conditions to the issuance of shares of Common Stock to the Holders in the event of a Mandatory Conversion pursuant to Section 7 (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not to the Mandatory Conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock on the Mandatory Conversion Date).
The Conversion Date means (A) with respect to conversion of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the option of any Holder pursuant to Section 6(a), the date on which such Holder complies with the procedures in this Section 8(a) (including the satisfaction of any conditions to conversion set forth in the Conversion Notice) and (B) with respect to Mandatory Conversion pursuant to Section 7(a), the Mandatory Conversion Date.
(b) Effect of Conversion. Effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Conversion Date applicable to any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, Dividends shall no longer accrue or be declared on any such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall cease to be outstanding.
(c) Record Holder of Underlying Securities as of Conversion Date. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the Common Stock and, to the extent applicable, cash, securities or other property issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock on a Conversion Date shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder(s) of such shares of Common Stock and/or cash, securities or other property as of the close of business on such Conversion Date. As promptly as practicable on or after the Conversion Date and compliance by the applicable Holder with the relevant procedures contained in Section 8(a) (and in any event no later than three (3) Trading Days thereafter), the Company shall issue the number of whole shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion (and deliver payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares as set out in Section 11(i)) and, to the extent applicable, any cash, securities or other property issuable thereon. Such delivery of shares of Common Stock, securities or other property shall be made, at the option of the Company, in certificated form or by book-entry. Any such certificate or certificates shall be delivered by the Company to the appropriate Holder on a book-entry basis or by mailing certificates evidencing the shares to the Holders at their respective addresses as set forth in the Conversion Notice (in the case of a conversion pursuant to Section 6(a)) or in the records of the Company (in the case of a Mandatory Conversion). In the event that a Holder shall not by written notice designate the name in which shares of Common Stock (and payments of cash in lieu of fractional shares) and, to the extent applicable, cash, securities or other property to be delivered upon conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock should be registered or paid, or the manner in which such shares, cash, securities or other property should be delivered, the Company shall be entitled to register and deliver such shares, securities or other property, and make such payment, in the name of the Holder and in the manner shown on the records of the Company.
(d) Status of Converted or Reacquired Shares. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock converted in accordance with these Articles Supplementary, or otherwise acquired by the Company in any manner whatsoever, shall return to the status of and constitute authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without classification as to series until such shares are once more classified as a particular series by the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Charter.
SECTION 9. Change of Control. (a) Repurchase at the Option of the Holder. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the option to require the Company to purchase (a Change of Control Put) any or all of its shares of Series A Preferred Stock at a purchase price per share of Series A Preferred Stock, payable in cash (in the case of clause (i)) or the applicable consideration (in the case of clause (ii)), equal to the greater of (i) the Liquidation Preference of such share of Series A Preferred Stock plus the Accrued Dividends in respect of such share of Series A Preferred
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Stock, in each case as of the applicable Change of Control Purchase Date and (ii) the amount of cash and/or other assets such Holder would have received had such Holder, immediately prior to such Change of Control, converted such share of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock (pursuant to Section 6 without regard to any of the limitations on convertibility contained therein) (the Change of Control Purchase Price); provided that, in each case (but, for purposes of clarity, not in the event where such holder actually converts its shares of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock), the Company shall only be required to pay the Change of Control Purchase Price after (i) the Satisfaction of the Indebtedness Obligations and to the extent permitted by the Specified Contract Terms and (ii) to the extent such purchase can be made out of funds legally available therefor.
(b) Initial Change of Control Notice. On or before the twentieth (20th) Business Day prior to the date on which the Company anticipates consummating a Change of Control (or, if later, promptly after the Company discovers that a Change of Control may occur), a written notice shall be sent by or on behalf of the Company to the Holders as they appear in the records of the Company, which notice shall contain the date on which the Change of Control is anticipated to be effected (or, if applicable, the date on which a Schedule TO or other schedule, form or report disclosing a Change of Control was filed).
(c) Final Change of Control Notice. Within 10 days following the effective date of the Change of Control (the Change of Control Effective Date) (or if the Company discovers later than such date that a Change of Control has occurred, promptly following the date of such discovery), a final written notice shall be sent by or on behalf of the Company to the Holders as they appear in the records of the Company, which notice shall contain:
(i) the date by which the Holder must elect to exercise a Change of Control Put (which shall be no earlier than 30 days before the purchase date) (the Change of Control Put Deadline);
(ii) the amount of cash and/or other consideration payable per share of Series A Preferred Stock, if such Holder elects to exercise a Change of Control Put;
(iii) a description of the payments and other actions required to be made or taken in order to effect the Satisfaction of the Indebtedness Obligations;
(iv) the purchase date for such shares (which shall be the later of (A) 61 days from the date such notice is mailed or (B) the day the Satisfaction of Indebtedness Obligations has occurred); and
(v) the instructions a Holder must follow to exercise a Change of Control Put in connection with such Change of Control.
(d) Change of Control Put Procedure. To exercise a Change of Control Put, a Holder must, no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Change of Control Put Deadline, surrender to the Conversion Agent the certificates representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be repurchased by the Company or lost stock affidavits therefor.
(e) Delivery upon Change of Control Put. Upon a Change of Control Put, after the Satisfaction of the Indebtedness Obligations and subject to Section 9(i) below, the Company (or its successor) shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Holder by mail or wire transfer the Change of Control Purchase Price of such Holders shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
(f) Treatment of Shares. If a Holder does not elect to effect a Change of Control Put pursuant to this Section 9 with respect to all of its shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by it and not surrendered for purchase by the Company will remain outstanding until otherwise
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subsequently converted, redeemed, reclassified or canceled in accordance with the terms of these Articles Supplementary. From and after the Change of Control Purchase Date with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for which a Holder elected to effect a Change of Control Put and that the Company has repurchased in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9, (i) Dividends shall cease to accrue on such share, (ii) such share shall no longer be deemed outstanding and (iii) all rights with respect to such share shall cease and terminate. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, until a share of Series A Preferred Stock is purchased by the payment in full of the applicable Change of Control Purchase Price, such share of Series A Preferred Stock will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the powers, designations, preferences and other rights provided herein, including that such share (x) may be converted pursuant to Section 6 and, if not so converted, (y) shall (A) accrue Dividends and (B) entitle the Holder thereof to the voting rights provided in Section 13; provided that any such shares that are converted prior to or on the Change of Control Purchase Date in accordance with these Articles Supplementary shall not be entitled to receive any payment of the Change of Control Purchase Price.
(g) Partial Exercise of Change of Control Put. In the event that a Change of Control Put is effected with respect to shares of Series A Preferred Stock representing less than all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by a Holder, upon such Change of Control Put, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver to such Holder, at the expense of the Company, a certificate evidencing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by the Holder as to which a Change of Control Put was not effected (or book-entry interests representing such shares).
(h) Redemption by the Company. In the case of a Change of Control (other than pursuant to clause (ii)(c) of the definition of such term) (provided that for purposes of this Section 9(h), the references to a majority in the definition of Change of Control shall be deemed to be references to 80%), any shares of Series A Preferred Stock as to which a Change of Control Put was not exercised may be redeemed, at the option of the Company (or its successor or the acquiring or surviving Person in such Change of Control), upon not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days notice, which notice must be received by the affected Holders within thirty (30) days of the Change of Control Put Deadline, at a redemption price per share, payable in cash (in the case of clause (i)) or the applicable consideration (in the case of clause (ii)), equal to the greater of (i) (x) the Liquidation Preference as of the date of redemption plus (y) Accrued Dividends as of the date of redemption, plus (z) if the applicable redemption date is prior to the fifth anniversary of the first Dividend Payment Date, the amount equal to the net present value (computed using a discount rate of 10%) of the sum of all Dividends that would otherwise be payable on such share of Series A Preferred Stock on and after the applicable redemption date to and including the fifth anniversary of the first Dividend Payment Date and assuming the Company chose to pay such Dividends in cash and (ii) the amount of cash and/or other assets a Holder would have received had such Holder, immediately prior to such Change of Control, converted such share of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock (pursuant to Section 6 without regard to any of the limitations on convertibility contained therein). Unless the Company (or its successor or the acquiring or surviving Person in such Change of Control) defaults in making the redemption payment on the applicable redemption date, on and after the redemption date, (A) Dividends shall cease to accrue on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock so called for redemption, (B) all shares of Series A Preferred Stock called for redemption shall no longer be deemed outstanding and (C) all rights with respect to such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall on such redemption date cease and terminate, except only the right of the Holders thereof to receive the amount payable in such redemption.
(i) Specified Contract Terms. If the Company (A) shall not have sufficient funds legally available under the MGCL to purchase all shares of Series A Preferred Stock that Holders have requested to be purchased under Section 9(a) (the Required Number of Shares) or (B) will be in violation of Specified Contract Terms if it purchases the Required Number of Shares, the Company shall (i) purchase, pro rata among the Holders that have requested their shares be purchased pursuant to Section 9(a), a number of shares of Series A
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Preferred Stock with an aggregate Change of Control Purchase Price equal to the lesser of (1) the amount legally available for the purchase of shares of Series A Preferred Stock under the MGCL and (2) the largest amount that can be used for such purchase not prohibited by Specified Contract Terms and (ii) purchase any shares of Series A Preferred Stock not purchased because of the foregoing limitations at the applicable Change of Control Purchase Price as soon as practicable after the Company is able to make such purchase out of assets legally available for the purchase of such share of Series A Preferred Stock and without violation of Specified Contract Terms. The inability of the Company (or its successor) to make a purchase payment for any reason shall not relieve the Company (or its successor) from its obligation to effect any required purchase when, as and if permitted by applicable law and Specified Contract Terms. If the Company fails to pay the Change of Control Purchase Price in full when due in accordance with this Section 9 in respect of some or all of the shares or Series A Preferred Shares to be repurchased pursuant to the Change of Control Put, the Company will pay Dividends on such shares not repurchased at a Dividend Rate equal to 8.0% per annum, accruing daily from such date until the Change of Control Purchase Price, plus all Accrued Dividends thereon, are paid in full in respect of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Holder elects to exercise a Change of Control Put pursuant to this Section 9 at a time when the Company is restricted or prohibited (contractually or otherwise) from redeeming some or all of the Series A Preferred Stock subject to the Change of Control Put, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the requisite consents to remove or obtain an exception or waiver to such restrictions or prohibition. Nothing herein shall limit a Holders right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Companys failure to comply with its obligations under this Section 9.
(j) Change of Control Agreements. The Company shall not enter into any agreement for a transaction constituting a Change of Control unless (i) such agreement provides for or does not interfere with or prevent (as applicable) the exercise by the Holders of their Change of Control Put in an manner that is consistent with and gives effect to this Section 9, and (ii) the acquiring or surviving Person in such Change of Control represents or covenants, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Board acting in good faith, that at the closing of such Change of Control that such Person shall have sufficient funds (which may include, without limitation, cash and cash equivalents on the Companys balance sheet, the proceeds of any debt or equity financing, available lines of credit or uncalled capital commitments) to consummate such Change of Control and effect the Satisfaction of the Indebtedness Obligations and the payment of the Change of Control Put Price in respect of shares of Series A Preferred Stock that have not been converted into Common Stock prior to the Change of Control Effective Date pursuant to Section 6 or 7, as applicable.
SECTION 10. Redemption at the Option of the Holder. (a) On each Designated Redemption Date, each Holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the right (a Redemption Right) to require the Company to redeem any or all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock of such Holder outstanding on such Designated Redemption Date, in each case to the extent not prohibited by law, at a redemption price, in cash, equal to the sum of (i) the Liquidation Preference of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed plus (ii) the Accrued Dividends with respect to such shares of Series A Preferred Stock as of the applicable Redemption Date (such price, the Redemption Price).
(b) To exercise its Redemption Right pursuant to this Section 10 in respect of any Designated Redemption Date, a Holder must, no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is 120 days prior to the Designated Redemption Date, deliver written notice thereof (a Notice of Redemption) to the Company and the Transfer Agent and surrender to the Transfer Agent the certificates representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed by the Company. On each Designated Redemption Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Holder that has exercised its Redemption Right with
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respect to such Designated Redemption Date, by mail or wire transfer, the Redemption Price of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in respect of which such Holder has delivered a Notice of Redemption in accordance herewith.
(c) If a Holder does not elect to exercise its Redemption Right pursuant to this Section 10 with respect to all of its shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by it and not surrendered for redemption by the Company will remain outstanding until otherwise subsequently converted, redeemed, reclassified or canceled. From and after the Redemption Date with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for which a Holder elected to effect a Redemption Right and the Company has redeemed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10, (i) Dividends shall cease to accrue on such share, (ii) such share shall no longer be deemed outstanding and (iii) all rights with respect to such share shall cease and terminate. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, until a share of Series A Preferred Stock is redeemed by the payment in cash in full of the applicable Redemption Price, such share of Series A Preferred Stock will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the powers, designations, preferences and other rights provided herein.
(d) In the event that a Redemption Right is exercised with respect to shares of Series A Preferred Stock representing less than all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by a Holder, upon such redemption, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver to such Holder, at the expense of the Company, a certificate representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by the Holder as to which a Redemption Right was not exercised (or book-entry interests representing such shares).
(e) If the Company shall not have sufficient funds legally available under the MGCL to redeem, as of any Designated Redemption Date, all shares of Series A Preferred Stock with respect to which Holders have exercised a Redemption Right pursuant to this Section 10, the Company shall redeem on such Designated Redemption Date, pro rata among the Holders that have exercised their Redemption Right, a number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock with an aggregate Redemption Price equal to the amount legally available for the redemption of shares of Series A Preferred Stock under the MGCL on such Designated Redemption Date. At such time, as soon as practicable thereafter, that the Company has sufficient funds legally available under the MGCL to redeem such shares of Series A Preferred Stock not redeemed because of the foregoing limitation at the applicable Redemption Price, the Company shall provide notice to the Holders of the availability of such funds and the Holders at that time may elect to invoke their Redemption Right pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10. In addition, if the Company does not make the redemption payment as of any Designated Redemption Date relating to all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock with respect to which Holders have exercised a Redemption Right pursuant to this Section 10, the Company will pay Dividends on such shares not redeemed at a Dividend Rate equal to 8.0% per annum, accruing daily from the Designated Redemption Date until the Redemption Price, plus all Accrued Dividends thereon, are paid in full in respect of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The inability of the Company to make a redemption payment for any reason shall not relieve the Company from its obligation to effect any required redemption when, as and if permitted by applicable law.
SECTION 11. Anti-Dilution Adjustments. (a) Adjustments. The Conversion Rate will be subject to adjustment, without duplication, upon the occurrence of the following events, except that the Company shall not make any adjustment to the Conversion Rate if Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock participate, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of Common Stock and solely as a result of holding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in any transaction described in this Section 11(b), without having to convert their
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Series A Preferred Stock, as if they held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate multiplied by the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holders:
(i) The issuance of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock, or a subdivision or combination of Common Stock or a reclassification of Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, in which event the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
CR1 = CR0 x (OS1 / OS0)
CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on (i) the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or (ii) the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification
CR1 = the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on (i) the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or (ii) the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification
OS0 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on (i) the Record Date for such dividend or distribution or (ii) the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification
OS1 = the number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding immediately after, and solely as a result of, the completion of such event
Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (i) shall be effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification. If any such event is announced or declared but does not occur, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board announces that such event shall not occur, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such event had not been declared.
(ii) The dividend, distribution or other issuance to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock of rights (other than rights, options or warrants distributed in connection with a stockholder rights plan (in which event the provisions of Section 11(a)(vii) shall apply), options or warrants entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock for a period expiring forty-five (45) days or less from the date of issuance thereof, at a price per share that is less than the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such issuance, in which event the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:
CR1 = CR0 x [(OS0+X))] / (OS0+Y)
CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance
CR1 = the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately following the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance
OS0 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance
X = the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants
Y = the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants divided by the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance.
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For purposes of this clause (ii), in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to purchase the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance, there shall be taken into account any consideration the Company receives for such rights, options or warrants, and any amount payable on exercise thereof, with the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be the Fair Market Value thereof.
Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (ii) shall become effective immediately following the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance. In the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board publicly announces its decision not to issue such rights, options or warrants, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend, distribution or issuance had not been declared. To the extent that such rights, options or warrants are not exercised prior to their expiration or shares of Common Stock are otherwise not delivered pursuant to such rights, options or warrants upon the exercise of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the dividend, distribution or issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of the delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered.
(iii) The Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries purchases Common Stock pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer (other than an exchange offer that constitutes a Distribution Transaction subject to Section 11(a)(v)) by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company for all or any portion of the Common Stock, or otherwise acquires Common Stock (except in an open market purchase in compliance with Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Exchange Act or through an accelerated share repurchase on customary terms) (a Covered Repurchase), if the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of Common Stock validly tendered, exchanged or otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase exceeds the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share of Common Stock for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the last day on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it may be amended) or shares of Common Stock are otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase (the Expiration Date), in which event the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
CR1 = CR0 x [(FMV + (SP1 x OS1))] / (SP1 x OS0)
CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date
CR1 = the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Expiration Date
FMV = the Fair Market Value, on the Expiration Date, of all cash and any other consideration paid or payable for all shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn, or otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase, as of the Expiration Date
OS0 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the last time tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (including the shares to be purchased in such tender or exchange offer) or shares are otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase
OS1 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the last time tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (after giving effect to the purchase of shares in such tender or exchange offer) or shares are otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase
SP1 = the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share of Common Stock for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date
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Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the Expiration Date. If an adjustment to the Conversion Rate is required under this Section 11(a)(iii), delivery of any additional shares of Common Stock that may be deliverable upon conversion as a result of an adjustment required under this Section 11(a)(iii) shall be delayed to the extent necessary in order to complete the calculations provided for in this Section 11(a)(iii).
In the event that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to purchase Common Stock pursuant to any such tender offer, exchange offer or other commitment to acquire shares of Common Stock through a Covered Repurchase but is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would have been then in effect if such tender offer, exchange offer or Covered Repurchase had not been made.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate shall be made pursuant to this Section 11(a)(iii) as a result of purchases of shares of Common Stock by the Company in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000,000 to be consummated within 9 months following the Original Issuance Date.
(iv) The Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock (other than for cash in lieu of fractional shares), shares of any class of its Capital Stock, evidences of its indebtedness, assets, other property or securities, but excluding (A) dividends or distributions referred to in Section 11(a)(i) or Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, (B) Distribution Transactions as to which Section 11(a)(v) shall apply, (C) dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which Section 11(a)(vi) shall apply and (D) rights, options or warrants distributed in connection with a stockholder rights plan as to which Section 11(a)(vii) shall apply (any of such shares of its Capital Stock, indebtedness, assets or property that are not so excluded are hereinafter called the Distributed Property), then, in each such case the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
CR1 = CR0 x [SP0 / (SP0 - FMV)]
CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
CR1 = the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
SP0 = the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
FMV = the Fair Market Value of the portion of Distributed Property distributed with respect to each outstanding share of Common Stock on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution; provided that, if FMV is equal or greater than SP0, then in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, the Company shall distribute to each holder of Series A Preferred Stock on the date the applicable Distributed Property is distributed to holders of Common Stock, but without requiring such holder to convert its shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in respect of each share of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder, the amount of Distributed Property such holder would have received had such holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (iv) shall be effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution. If any such dividend or distribution is declared
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but does not occur, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board announces that such dividend or distribution shall not occur, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.
(v) The Company effects a Distribution Transaction, in which case the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the effective date of the Distribution Transaction shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
CR1 = CR0 x [(FMV + MP0) / MP0]
CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the effective date of the Distribution Transaction
CR1 = the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the effective date of the Distribution Transaction
FMV = the arithmetic average of the volume-weighted average prices for a share of the capital stock or other interest distributed to holders of Common Stock on the principal United States securities exchange or automated quotation system on which such capital stock or other interest trades, as reported by Bloomberg (or, if Bloomberg ceases to publish such price, any successor service chosen by the Company) in respect of the period from the open of trading on the relevant Trading Day until the close of trading on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market price of one share of such capital stock or other interest on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by an Independent Financial Advisor retained for such purpose by the Company), for each of the ten consecutive full Trading Days commencing with, and including, the effective date of the Distribution Transaction
MP0 = the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share of Common Stock for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days commencing on, and including, the effective date of the Distribution Transaction
Such adjustment shall become effective immediately following the close of business on the effective date of the Distribution Transaction. If an adjustment to the Conversion Rate is required under this Section 11(a)(v), delivery of any additional shares of Common Stock that may be deliverable upon conversion as a result of an adjustment required under this Section 11(a)(v) shall be delayed to the extent necessary in order to complete the calculations provided for in this Section 11(a)(v).
(vi) The Company makes a cash dividend or distribution to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
CR1 = CR0 x [SP0 / (SP0 C)]
CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
CR1 = the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
SP0 = the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
C = the amount in cash per share of Common Stock the Company distributes to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock; provided that, if C is equal or greater than SP0, then in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, the Company shall pay to each holder of Series A Preferred Stock on the date the applicable cash
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dividend or distribution is made to holders of Common Stock, but without requiring such holder to convert its shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in respect of each share of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder, the amount of cash such holder would have received had such holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (vi) shall be effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution. If any dividend or distribution is declared but not paid, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board announces that such dividend or distribution will not be paid, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such had dividend or distribution not been declared.
(vii) If the Company has a stockholder rights plan in effect with respect to the Common Stock on any Conversion Date, upon conversion of any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, Holders of such shares will receive, in addition to the applicable number of shares of Common Stock, the rights under such rights plan relating to such Common Stock, unless, prior to such Conversion Date, the rights have (i) become exercisable or (ii) separated from the shares of Common Stock (the first of such events to occur, a Trigger Event), in which case, the Conversion Rate will be adjusted, effective automatically at the time of such Trigger Event, as if the Company had made a distribution of such rights to all holders of the Company Common Stock as described in Section 11(a)(ii) (without giving effect to the forty-five (45) day limit on the exercisability of rights, options or warrants ordinarily subject to such Section 11(a)(ii)), subject to appropriate readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights prior to the exercise, deemed exercise or exchange thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any such stockholder rights are exchanged by the Company for shares of Common Stock or other property or securities, the Conversion Rate shall be appropriately readjusted as if such stockholder rights had not been issued, but the Company had instead issued such shares of Common Stock or other property or securities as a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 11(a)(i) or Section 11(a)(iv), as applicable.
To the extent that such rights are not exercised prior to their expiration, termination or redemption, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the occurrence of the Trigger Event been made on the basis of the issuance of, and the receipt of the exercise price with respect to, only the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued pursuant to such rights.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 11(a)(vii), no adjustment shall be required to be made to the Conversion Rate with respect to any Holder which is, or is an affiliate or associate of, an acquiring person under such stockholder rights plan or with respect to any direct or indirect transferee of such Holder who receives Series A Preferred Stock in such transfer after the time such Holder becomes, or its affiliate or associate becomes, such an acquiring person.
(b) Calculation of Adjustments. All adjustments to the Conversion Rate shall be calculated by the Company to the nearest 1/10,000th of one share of Common Stock (or if there is not a nearest 1/10,000th of a share, to the next lower 1/10,000th of a share). No adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent of the Conversion Rate; provided, however, that any such adjustment that is not required to be made will be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment; provided, further that any such adjustment of less than one percent that has not been made will be made upon any Conversion Date.
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(c) When No Adjustment Required. (3) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 11, the Conversion Rate will not be adjusted for the issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing, or for the repurchase of Common Stock.
(ii) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 11, the Conversion Rate will not be adjusted as a result of the issuance of, the distribution of separate certificates representing, the exercise or redemption of, or the termination or invalidation of, rights pursuant to any stockholder rights plans.
(iii) No adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made:
(A) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on securities of the Company and the investment of additional optional amounts in Common Stock under any plan in which purchases are made at market prices on the date or dates of purchase, without discount, and whether or not the Company bears the ordinary costs of administration and operation of the plan, including brokerage commissions;
(B) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase such shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or of any employee agreements or arrangements or programs;
(C) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right, or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security; or
(D) for a change in the par value of the Common Stock.
(d) Successive Adjustments. After an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 11, any subsequent event requiring an adjustment under this Section 11 shall cause an adjustment to each such Conversion Rate as so adjusted.
(e) Multiple Adjustments. For the avoidance of doubt, if an event occurs that would trigger an adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to this Section 11 under more than one subsection hereof, such event, to the extent fully taken into account in a single adjustment, shall not result in multiple adjustments hereunder; provided, however, that if more than one subsection of this Section 11 is applicable to a single event, the subsection shall be applied that produces the largest adjustment.
(f) Reserved.
(g) Notice of Adjustments. Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as provided under this Section 11, the Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an event that requires such adjustment (or if the Company is not aware of such occurrence, as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming so aware):
(i) compute the adjusted applicable Conversion Rate in accordance with this Section 11 and prepare and transmit to the Conversion Agent an Officers Certificate setting forth the applicable Conversion Rate, the method of calculation thereof, and the facts requiring such adjustment and upon which such adjustment is based; and
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(ii) provide a written notice to the Holders of the occurrence of such event and a statement in reasonable detail setting forth the method by which the adjustment to the applicable Conversion Rate was determined and setting forth the adjusted applicable Conversion Rate.
(h) Conversion Agent. The Conversion Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine whether any facts exist that may require any adjustment of the Conversion Rate or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed in making the same. The Conversion Agent shall be fully authorized and protected in relying on any Officers Certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 11(h) and any adjustment contained therein and the Conversion Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment unless and until it has received such certificate. The Conversion Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities or property, that may at the time be issued or delivered with respect to any Series A Preferred Stock and the Conversion Agent makes no representation with respect thereto. The Conversion Agent shall not be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Section 11.
(i) Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock will be delivered to the Holders upon conversion. In lieu of fractional shares otherwise issuable, the Holders will be entitled to receive, at the Companys sole discretion, either (i) an amount in cash equal to the fraction of a share of Common Stock multiplied by the Closing Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Conversion Date or (ii) one additional whole share of Common Stock. In order to determine whether the number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered to a Holder upon the conversion of such Holders shares of Series A Preferred Stock will include a fractional share, such determination shall be based on the aggregate number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock of such Holder that are being converted on any single Conversion Date.
SECTION 12. Adjustment for Reorganization Events.
(a) Reorganization Events. In the event of:
(i) any reclassification, statutory exchange, merger, consolidation or other similar business combination of the Company with or into another Person, in each case, pursuant to which at least a majority of the Common Stock (but not the Series A Preferred Stock) is changed or converted into, or exchanged for, cash, securities or other property of the Company or another Person;
(ii) any sale, transfer, lease or conveyance to another Person of all or a majority of the property and assets of the Company, in each case pursuant to which the Common Stock (but not the Series A Preferred Stock) is converted into cash, securities or other property; or
(iii) any statutory exchange of securities of the Company with another Person (other than in connection with a merger or acquisition) or reclassification, recapitalization or reorganization of the Common Stock (but not the Series A Preferred Stock) into other securities; (each of which is referred to as a Reorganization Event), each share of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization Event will, without the consent of the Holders and subject to Section 12(d), remain outstanding but shall become convertible into, out of funds legally available therefor, the number, kind and amount of securities, cash and other property (the Exchange Property) (without any interest on such Exchange Property
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and without any right to dividends or distribution on such Exchange Property which have a record date that is prior to the applicable Conversion Date) that the Holder of such share of Series A Preferred Stock would have received in such Reorganization Event had such Holder converted its shares of Series A Preferred Stock into the applicable number of shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the effective date of the Reorganization Event using the Conversion Rate applicable immediately prior to the effective date of the Reorganization Event and the Liquidation Preference applicable at the time of such subsequent conversion; provided that the foregoing shall not apply if such Holder is a Person with which the Company consolidated or into which the Company merged or which merged into the Company or to which such sale or transfer was made, as the case may be (any such Person, a Constituent Person), or an Affiliate of a Constituent Person, to the extent such Reorganization Event provides for different treatment of Common Stock held by such Persons. If the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such Reorganization Event is not the same for each share of Common Stock held immediately prior to such Reorganization Event by a Person (other than a Constituent Person or an Affiliate thereof), then for the purpose of this Section 12(a), the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon conversion following such Reorganization Event will be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of Common Stock.
(b) Successive Reorganization Events. The above provisions of this Section 12 shall similarly apply to successive Reorganization Events and the provisions of Section 11 shall apply to any shares of Capital Stock received by the holders of the Common Stock in any such Reorganization Event.
(c) Reorganization Event Notice. The Company (or any successor) shall, no less than thirty (30) days prior to the anticipated effective date of any Reorganization Event, provide written notice to the Holders of such occurrence of such event and of the kind and amount of the cash, securities or other property that constitutes the Exchange Property. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the operation of this Section 12.
(d) Reorganization Event Agreements. The Company shall not enter into any agreement for a transaction constituting a Reorganization Event unless (i) such agreement provides for or does not interfere with or prevent (as applicable) conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock into the Exchange Property in a manner that is consistent with and gives effect to this Section 12, and (ii) to the extent that the Company is not the surviving corporation in such Reorganization Event or will be dissolved in connection with such Reorganization Event, proper provision shall be made in the agreements governing such Reorganization Event for the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock into stock of the Person surviving such Reorganization Event or such other continuing entity in such Reorganization Event.
SECTION 13. Voting Rights.
(a) General. Except as provided in Section 13(b) and Section 14, Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote as a single class with the holders of the Common Stock and the holders of any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company then entitled to vote with the Common Stock on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock (and, if applicable, holders of any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company). Each Holder shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the largest number of whole shares of Common Stock into which all shares of Series A Preferred Stock held of record by such Holder could then be converted pursuant to Section 6 at the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote or consent on such matters or, if no such record date is established, at the date such vote or consent is taken or any written consent of stockholders is first executed. The Holders shall be entitled to notice of any meeting of holders of Common Stock in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company.
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(b) Adverse Changes. The vote or consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at such time, voting together as a separate class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, will be necessary for effecting or validating any of the following actions, whether or not such approval is required pursuant to the MGCL:
(i) any amendment, alteration or repeal (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) of any provision of the Charter (including these Articles Supplementary) or Bylaws that would have an adverse effect on the rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock or the Holder thereof; and
(ii) any amendment or alteration (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) of, or any supplement (whether by articles supplementary or otherwise) to, the Charter or any provision thereof, or any other action to authorize, create or classify, or increase the number of authorized or issued shares of, or any securities convertible into shares of, or reclassify any security into, or issue, any Parity Stock or Senior Stock or any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company ranking senior to, or on a parity basis with, the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company; provided, however, (A) that, with respect to the occurrence of any of the events set forth in clause (i) above, so long as (1) the Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, or (2) the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock receive equity securities with rights, preferences, privileges and voting power substantially the same as those of the Series A Preferred Stock, then the occurrence of such event shall not be deemed to adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock, and in such case such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the occurrence of any of the events set forth in clause (i) above and (B) that the authorization, creation or classification of, or the increase in the number of authorized or issued shares of, or any securities convertible into shares of, or the reclassification of any security (other than the Series A Preferred Stock) into, or the issuance of, Junior Stock will not require the vote the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.
For purposes of this Section 13, the filing in accordance with applicable law of articles supplementary or any similar document setting forth or changing the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications or other terms of any class or series of stock of the Company shall be deemed an amendment to the Charter.
(c) Each Holder of Series A Preferred Stock will have one vote per share on any matter on which Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote separately as a class, whether at a meeting or by written consent.
(d) The vote or consent of the Holders of a majority of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at such time, voting together as a single class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, will be sufficient to waive or amend the provisions of Section 9(j) of these Articles Supplementary, and any amendment or waiver of any of the provisions of Section 9(j) approved by such percentage of the Holders shall be binding on all of the Holders.
(e) For the avoidance of doubt, the Holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive consent and voting rights set forth in Sections 13(b) and 14 and may take action or consent to any action with respect to such rights without a meeting by delivering a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of the Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize, take or consent to such action at a meeting of stockholders.
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SECTION 14. Election of Directors. Provided that the Fall-Away of Purchaser Board Rights has not occurred, at each annual meeting of the Companys stockholders at which the Company has agreed to nominate one or more Purchaser Designee for election to the Board pursuant to and in accordance with the Investment Agreement, the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive right, voting separately as a class, to elect such Purchaser Designee(s) to the Board, irrespective of whether the Company has nominated such Purchaser Designee(s).
SECTION 15. Appraisal Rights; Preemptive Rights. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board and upon such terms and conditions as specified by the Board, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which Holders would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights. Except for the right to participate in any issuance of new equity securities by the Company, as set forth in the Investment Agreement, the Holders shall not have any preemptive rights.
SECTION 16. Term. Except as expressly provided in these Articles Supplementary, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable or otherwise mature and the term of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be perpetual.
SECTION 17. Creation of Capital Stock. Subject to Section 13(b)(ii), the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof, without the vote of the Holders, may authorize and issue additional shares of Capital Stock of the Company.
SECTION 18. No Sinking Fund. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be subject to or entitled to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund.
SECTION 19. Transfer Agent, Conversion Agent, Registrar and Paying Agent. The duly appointed Transfer Agent, Conversion Agent, Registrar and paying agent for the Series A Preferred Stock shall be Wells Fargo Bank, N. A. The Company may, in its sole discretion, appoint any other Person to serve as Transfer Agent, Conversion Agent, Registrar or paying agent for the Series A Preferred Stock and thereafter may remove or replace such other Person at any time. Upon any such appointment or removal, the Company shall send notice thereof by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders.
SECTION 20. Replacement Certificates. (a) Mutilated, Destroyed, Stolen and Lost Certificates. If physical certificates evidencing the Series A Preferred Stock are issued, the Company shall replace any mutilated certificate at the Holders expense upon surrender of that certificate to the Transfer Agent. The Company shall replace certificates that become destroyed, stolen or lost at the Holders expense upon delivery to the Company and the Transfer Agent of satisfactory evidence that the certificate has been destroyed, stolen or lost, together with any indemnity that may be required by the Transfer Agent and the Company.
(b) Certificates Following Conversion. If physical certificates representing the Series A Preferred Stock are issued, the Company shall not be required to issue replacement certificates representing shares of Series A Preferred Stock on or after the Conversion Date applicable to such shares. In place of the delivery of a replacement certificate following the applicable Conversion Date, the Transfer Agent, upon receipt of the satisfactory evidence and indemnity described in clause (a) above, shall deliver the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock formerly evidenced by the physical certificate.
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SECTION 21. Taxes.
(a) Transfer Taxes. The Company shall pay any and all stock transfer, documentary, stamp and similar taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of Series A Preferred Stock or shares of Common Stock or other securities issued on account of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant hereto or certificates representing such shares or securities. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, shares of Common Stock or other securities to a beneficial owner other than the beneficial owner of the of Series A Preferred Stock immediately prior to such conversion, and shall not be required to make any such issuance, delivery or payment unless and until the Person otherwise entitled to such issuance, delivery or payment has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
(b) Withholding. All payments and distributions (or deemed distributions) on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock (and on the shares of Common Stock received upon their conversion) shall be subject to withholding and backup withholding of taxes to the extent required by law, subject to applicable exemptions, and amounts withheld, if any, shall be treated as received by the Holders.
SECTION 22. Notices. All notices referred to herein shall be in writing and, unless otherwise specified herein, all notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given upon the earlier of receipt thereof or three (3) Business Days after the mailing thereof if sent by registered or certified mail (unless first class mail shall be specifically permitted for such notice under the terms of these Articles Supplementary) with postage prepaid, addressed: (i) if to the Company, to its office at NCR Corporation, 864 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308 (Attention: General Counsel), (ii) if to any Holder, to such Holder at the address of such Holder as listed in the stock record books of the Company (which may include the records of the Transfer Agent) or (iii) to such other address as the Company or any such Holder, as the case may be, shall have designated by notice similarly given.
SECTION 23. Facts Ascertainable. When the terms of these Articles Supplementary refer to a specific agreement or other document to determine the meaning or operation of a provision hereof, the Secretary of the Company shall maintain a copy of such agreement or document at the principal executive offices of the Company and a copy thereof shall be provided free of charge to any Holder who makes a request therefor. The Secretary of the Company shall also maintain a written record of the Issuance Date, the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued to a Holder and the date of each such issuance, and shall furnish such written record free of charge to any Holder who makes a request therefor.
SECTION 24. Waiver. Notwithstanding any provision in these Articles Supplementary to the contrary, any provision contained herein and any right of the Holders of Series A Preferred Stock granted hereunder may be waived as to all shares of Series A Preferred Stock (and the Holders thereof) upon the vote or written consent of the Holders of a majority of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding.
SECTION 25. Severability. If any term of the Series A Preferred Stock set forth herein is invalid, unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public policy, all other terms set forth herein which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable term will, nevertheless, remain in full force and effect, and no term herein set forth will be deemed dependent upon any other such term unless so expressed herein.
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Note to Investors. This proxy statement and Annual Report contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements use words such as expect, anticipate, outlook, intend, plan, believe, will, should, would, could, provisional and words of similar meaning. Statements that describe or relate to NCRs plans, goals, intentions, strategies or financial outlook, and statements that do not relate to historical or current fact, are examples of forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this proxy statement and Annual Report include statements regarding NCRs revenue growth expectations; NCRs expected shift to grow software and services revenues, as well as recurring revenue streams; NCRs capital allocations for 2020 including internal investments in transformation to an as-a-Service company and strategic growth platforms; NCRs expectations regarding acquisition activity; and NCRs expected areas of focus to drive growth and create long-term stockholder value. Forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, which may not prove to be accurate, and involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are out of our control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and there are a number of important factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements, including factors relating to: domestic and global economic and credit conditions including, in particular, those resulting from the imposition or threat of protectionist trade policies or import or export tariffs, global and regional market conditions and spending trends in the financial services and retail industries, new tax legislation across multiple jurisdictions, modified or new global or regional trade agreements, execution of the United Kingdoms exit from the European Union, uncertainty over further potential changes in Eurozone participation and fluctuations in oil and commodity prices; the transformation of our business and shift to increased software and services revenue, as well as recurring revenue; our ability to improve execution in our sales and services organizations; our ability to successfully introduce new solutions and compete in the technology industry; cybersecurity risks and compliance with data privacy and protection requirements; the possibility of disruptions in or problems with our data center hosting facilities; defects or errors in our products; the impact of our indebtedness and its terms on our financial and operating activities; the historical seasonality of our sales; tax rates and tax legislation; foreign currency fluctuations; the success of our restructuring plans and cost savings initiatives; manufacturing disruptions, including those caused by or related to outsourced manufacturing or disruptions in our supply chain due to the Wuhan coronavirus; the availability and success of acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; our pension strategy and underfunded pension obligations; reliance on third party suppliers; the impact of the terms of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock; our multinational operations, including in new and emerging markets; collectability difficulties in subcontracting relationships in certain geographical markets; development and protection of intellectual property; workforce turnover and the ability to attract and retain skilled employees; uncertainties or delays associated with the transition of key business leaders; environmental exposures from our historical and ongoing manufacturing activities; and uncertainties with regard to regulations, lawsuits, claims, and other matters across various jurisdictions. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Companys most recent annual report on Form 10-K contained in this proxy statement and Annual Report. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Detach Here
2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
APRIL 21, 2020 12:30 P.M.
RESERVATION REQUEST FORM
If you wish to attend the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) webcast at the offices of Venable LLP (located at 750 E. Pratt Street, Suite 900, Baltimore, MD 21202) please complete the following information and return to James M. Bedore, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, NCR Corporation, 864 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308-1007. Please note that no members of management or the Board of Directors will be in attendance at Venable LLPs offices.
Your name and address: |
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Number of shares of NCR common stock you hold (if applicable): |
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Number of shares of NCR Series A Convertible Preferred Stock you hold (if applicable): |
Please note that if you hold your shares through a bank, broker or other nominee (i.e., in street name), you may be able to authorize your proxy by telephone or the Internet as well as by mail. You should follow the instructions you receive from your bank, broker or other nominee to vote these shares. Also, if you hold your shares in street name, you must obtain a proxy executed in your favor from your bank, broker or nominee to be able to vote via the Annual Meeting webcast. If the shares listed above are not registered in your name, identify the name of the registered stockholder below and include evidence that you beneficially own the shares.
Record stockholder: |
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(name of your bank, broker, or other nominee) |
THIS IS NOT A PROXY CARD |