Print this article
RBS To Toughen Up Executive Pay Scheme
Harriet Davies
26 April 2010
Royal
Bank of Scotland – parent of Coutts, the UK private bank – will unveil
plans for stricter performance targets in its executive pay scheme following
consultations with shareholders including the UK government, according to the Financial Times. It
is reported that Philip Hampton, the bank’s chairman, will announce at the
company’s annual general meeting on Wednesday that a “key trigger point” in the
group’s long-term incentive plan will increase. The
plan, which pays out multi-million pound bonuses to executives if the targets
in it are met, awards a significant portion of these rewards when RBS’s share
price hits 50p, according to the report. The share price closed at 55.8p on
Friday. However
shareholders have reportedly expressed concerns over the scheme, as it is
supposed to encourage executives to take a three- to five-year view of
strengthening the bank. Accordingly
there have been “extensive discussions” between members of the bank’s board and
its shareholders, the publication reported. The largest shareholder is the UK
government’s holding fund, UKFI, which owns 84 per cent. In
a statement issued on Sunday, RBS reportedly said: “An extensive consultation
has been undertaken and the remuneration committee will give close
consideration to the range of shareholder views before reaching a final
position. “The share price has been hugely volatile in the
last year and that needs to be taken account of in a way that ensures the
scheme is both motivating and exacting in performance terms. This is the
board’s intent and the remuneration committee will endeavour to align all
interests in the matter.”