Suzanne Walker and Stephen Donahoe were panel participants for each of the four workshop sessions below at the Bank Director Executive Compensation and Talent Conference. The session descriptions are below. 

Session I: Common Executive Compensation Challenges & Hot Topics
During this interactive session, learn about issues related to the compensation design and decision making process, like:  How should incentive goals be selected?  How do you incorporate discretion?  What differentiates a risk adjustment from a clawback or a forfeiture?  This session also addresses current trends, such as the impact of tax reform on 162(m), director pay litigation, CEO Pay Ratio and state/local laws on pay equality.

Session II: Pay & Performance Alignment
Regulators, shareholders, executives and boards all agree that a key objective is to reward executives commensurate with performance. But that is easier said than done. Once programs are in place, how do you know if you have real alignment? How should programs be designed to ensure proper alignment? How do you know if there is appropriate pay and performance alignment? There are a variety of perspectives, approaches and views on this topic generating many challenges for banks today. This session provides practical methodologies participants can take back to monitor this important objective.

Session III: Charters, Calendars, Minutes, Evaluations & Program Documentation
While these topics may be seen as administrative tasks, when used correctly, they can enhance the effectiveness of committees and also provide protection for board members. This session shares pitfalls and best practices to help your committees function better while improving compensation governance.

Session IV: Open Discussion
Once the stated topics have been discussed, we open the conversation to the audience to bring up those issues that they still have on their minds. This is a time for everyone to get involved in the conversation.

Ms. Walker also moderated for a group of 19 Peer Banks to discuss the following topics:

• What are the biggest challenges your bank is having with executive compensation (i.e., retention, pay for performance, market competitive pay, risk regulations)?
• What is the status of gender pay equality at your bank? Are you analyzing your current situation now, or do you plan to do so in the next 12 months?
• How do you and your staff support the Compensation Committee?
• Does your bank have a management succession plan, including one for the CEO, in place, and if so, what does it entail?
• What types of performance measures do you use in your incentive plans for executives in your bank? What about for non-executives at your bank?
• What comparative data do you use to guide salary decisions throughout your organization at all levels?