UBS New Compensation Methodology PDF Print E-mail
UBS has proposed a new compensation plan for its employees which will include an advisory vote on compensation by shareholders at each Annual General Meeting. It is also looking at legal remedies with regard to claiming back bonuses of executives who have left the company. In addition, it has established a working group to press for voluntary repayment of bonuses given to these executives.
<strong>UBS’s new compensation model</strong>
10 key questions and answers
• No variable compensation for the top executives of UBS. Chairman of the Board Peter Kurer,
CEO Marcel Rohner and the other members of the Group Executive Board (GEB) will receive only their
fixed salary for 2008. In addition, all members of management as well as all other employees will
have their variable compensation for 2008 reduced.
As of 2009, UBS will introduce a new compensation model. Top management may receive
variable cash compensation and variable equity compensation in addition to their fixed pay. A large
portion of this variable compensation will be held in reserve and paid out only if the results of UBS
warrant it. Otherwise, there will be neither variable cash nor equity compensation. This should
bring about a cultural shift in the company. Those who are rewarded will be those who deliver
good results over several years without assuming unnecessarily high risk.
<strong>1. Why adopt a new compensation model?</strong>
UBS takes the shortfalls of its current incentive system seriously and is revising its variable compensation model for
the 2009 fiscal year. The guiding principles of these changes rest on a series of insights gained over the course of
the past few months – either through internal analysis or through the work of regulatory agencies, shareholders,
clients and politicians. UBS continues, however, in its pursuit of compensation best practices and potentially will
include amendments to the new compensation system. In particular, the following shortcomings were eliminated:
• Variable compensation was strongly aligned with short-term results, without consideration for the quality or
sustainability of the bank’s performance.
• The system for determining variable compensation did not sufficiently take into account the risks assumed.
UBS is fully committed to taking its responsibilities seriously and correcting previous errors.
<strong>2. When does the new system take effect?</strong>
The compensation model for 2009 has already been revised for the Chairman of the Board and the GEB. Revision
of compensation will occur in a similar manner for the next executive level (potentially lower) and specific
employees, the so-called "risk takers." These revisions will be introduced in 2009 and designed to address the
areas where the limitations of the previous systems became apparent.
<strong>3. How will variable compensation for 2008 be handled?</strong>
For 2008, top management will receive no variable compensation: The Chairman of the Board, the CEO and
the other members of the GEB will receive only their fixed salary without any additional variable compensation for
2008. All other managers and all other employees will have their variable compensation for 2008 reduced. The
size, composition and allocation of the variable compensation for 2008 will be set in close discussions with
the Swiss Federal Banking Commission after year-end results are available.
<strong>4. What does the new system look like? What has changed and for whom?</strong>
The Chairman of the Board receives henceforth only a fixed base salary in cash and a fixed number of shares
restricted from sale for four years. He has the same obligations in regard to holding his shares as do the GEB
members. The variable component – in both cash and equity – is eliminated.
Members of the GEB receive a fixed salary and variable compensation in cash and equity. A large portion of this variable
component will be held back and fully paid out only if UBS achieves good business results in future years. If the firm does
not, there will be neither variable cash nor variable equity compensation. This should result in a cultural shift in the firm.
Those who are rewarded will be those who deliver good results over several years. The new model ensures that the cost of
deployed capital and the risks assumed are both taken sufficiently into account. It consists of three components:
1. A fixed base salary
2. Variable cash compensation (Cash Balance Plan)
3. Variable equity compensation (Performance Equity Plan)
The underlying philosophy and the elements of the new model for the GEB will also be employed for the senior
executives and key people of the business divisions. Furthermore, the Cash Balance Plan will be implemented for
personnel in executive positions and key functions, for example, employees responsible for using risk capital and
assuming significant financial risks. The group of people affected will be defined presently.
<strong>5. How is the variable compensation system designed?</strong>
The variable cash compensation is based on a bonus/malus system. A maximum of one-third of the annual
variable cash compensation will be paid out. The larger part of it will be held in an escrow account and kept at
risk for future performance. For example, should UBS achieve a loss in a subsequent year, no bonus will be
awarded, and the cash balance will be reduced by a malus.
A similar concept applies to the variable equity compensation. It is also based on UBS achieving positive results
over several years. Variable equity compensation in the form of shares is provisionally awarded. The shares only vest
after three years, provided pre-defined performance criteria are met. Furthermore, executives are obliged to hold
75% of their vested shares (after paying taxes) for several more years. If UBS’ performance in the three-year
measurement period does not meet the set criteria, the number of provisionally awarded shares is reduced in part
or in whole. This strengthens the link of compensation to shareholder’s interests.
<strong>6. What performance criteria serve as the basis for the measurement of the </strong><strong>Performance Equity Plan?</strong>
The plan is based on two forward-looking performance criteria:
1. Achieving pre-defined economic profit (EP) targets
2. Achieving relative total shareholder return (TSR) performance
EP is a risk-adjusted profit that explicitly takes into account the cost of risk capital. EP is only realized when the
achieved entire return on capital is larger than the bank’s cost of capital.
TSR measures the total return of a stock to an investor (capital gain plus dividends). The TSR captures both:
the dividend yield that only measures the cash yield on the current share price, as well as any capital appreciations
via share price. Hence, the TSR is a comprehensive metric to express the success of a stock investment over a
certain period of time. UBS is measuring the TSR relative to the industry performance; either to a specific peer
group or a broader banking index (to be determined).
The Performance Equity Plan has a forward-looking incentive component and is, therefore, not directly linked to
the variable compensation of the previous year. The initial measurement of the plan begins in 2009. The first
possible payout, respective to the transfer of share ownership, would follow in 2012 based on the performance for
the three-year period 2009-2011.
<strong>7. How will shareholders be involved?</strong>
For the annual general meeting, UBS is implementing from 2009 an advisory vote on the principles and
fundamentals of the new compensation model.
<strong>8. How will independent members of the Board of Directors be compensated?</strong>
The independent members of the Board of Directors will continue to receive only fixed compensation. Fees are
paid 50% in cash and 50% in restricted UBS shares. However, members can elect to have 100% of their
compensation paid in UBS shares restricted from sale for four years.
<strong>9. Will variable compensation that has already been paid be reclaimed?</strong>
Whereas UBS honors employment contracts on all levels, a potential claw-back of paid bonuses for the former
members of the Board as well as former top executives is being assessed on legal grounds. For this purpose, the
Board of Directors established a committee of independent members that assigned an outside expert to conduct
the legal review. Apart from that, a task force has been set up to pursue voluntary paybacks by former board
members and top executives.
<strong>10. Are there “golden parachutes” at UBS?</strong>
No. At UBS, so-called “golden parachutes” do not exist. Due to existing contracts, payments occurred to former
executives for the year 2007 because base salary and variable pay components for the entire period of notice had
to be paid. These contracts will now be revised. From 2009, notice periods will be reduced to six months (for
certain executives, it was previously 12 months). For GEB members leaving the company, the variable
compensation component will be calculated on a pro rata basis and will only be based on the cash portion.
Furthermore, payments will take place under the Cash Balance Plan regime.
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UBS AG provides a range of financial services, including advisory services, underwriting, financing, market making, asset management, brokerage and retail banking on a global level. At 31 December 2006, UBS has over 175,000 individuals registered as Shareholders.
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When Prince Alwaleed was asked who should follow Chuck Prince at Citigroup, he said "I have no one in mind..but please, no lawyers next time!"
Should UBS appoint their General Councel, Peter Kurer, as its next Chairman?
The former UBS CEO, Luqant Arnold, Chairman of Olivant which now owns 0.7% of UBS, has proposed improved corporate governance, disposals, a review of the business model and strategy and the recruitment of an experienced banker for the soon to be vacant Chairman's role.
Does the "integrated one bank" business model still work for UBS?
Olivant has recommended UBS consider selling its asset management, Pactual and Australian operations to stengthen its capital and reduce the need for further rights issues.
Does UBS need to sell some of its businesses to ensure a strong capital position?
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Recent Events

 1st Quaret 2008 Expected Net Loss of CHF 12 billion

UBS has pe-announced its first quarter 2008 results stating that it expects a net loss of CHF 12 billion mainly due to US$ 19 billion of write-downs on its US real estate and related structured credit positions. This brings the total write-downs (2007 to first quarter 2008) to US$ 37 billion.

The announcement also stated that it has undertaken a rights issue of CHF 15 billion (fully underwritten) in addition to the already agreed CHF 13 billion capital raising.

The announcement also stated that the current Chairman, Marcel Ospel, will not stand for re-election at the 2008 Annual General meeting.  The Board proposed the appointment of Peter Kurer as Ospel's successor. The Board stated that the appointment was part of an extensive process, which was already underway, whereby the Board is reviewing the root causes of and lessons learned from its subprime losses. In particular, the Board is thoroughly examining governance, strategy implementation, risk management, monitoring, and control systems, incentive plans and succession planning and is committed to making all necessary adaptations and changes to ensure it establishes best practices in these areas.

 Sub-prime Losses US$ 18 billion 

UBS has announced a net loss attributable to shareholders for the full year of CHF 4.384 billion. During 2007, UBS was forced to writedown its US sub-prime holdings by US$ 18 bn.  The writedown was far higher than expected and has dented the Group's conservative Swiss reputation. According to its Finance Director, Marco Suter, the sub-prime losses were incurred in a few trading books which even in the past were only marginal revenue contributors. Full details were provided on 14 February 2008 when its final full year results were published.

Recapitalisation 

At the request of UBS, the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation and an undisclosed Middle Eastern investor have agreed to buy CHF 13 billion (US$11.5 billion) of UBS mandatory convertible notes with a 9% coupon. The notes will eventually convert into approximately a 10% stake in UBS, depending on the conversion ratio used at maturity.  The action was taken to strengthen its capital position. The recapitalisation will be voted on at a special shareholder's meeting in February. The Swiss National Bank has supported the recapitalisation but many individual and institutional shareholders believe the solution disadvantages current shareholders. A number of other financial institutions have approached sovereign funds for investment but most have allowed current shareholders the opportunity to invest on the same or similar terms. At the February EGM, shareholders will also be asked to approve the creation additional authorized capital to allow for the replacement of the cash dividend with a stock dividend for the current year. The Board has already approved the rededication for sale of 36.4 million Treasury Shares previously intended for cancellation.

Management Changes 

Following on from the ealier statements on losses in the sub-prime market, UBS in October 2007 announced management changes and the loss of 1500 jobs. Mr Ospel, the UBS Chairman, had already removed Peter Wuffli, the chief executive officer. Others, including,the chief executive of the investment banking division, the group chief financial officer and the head of the fixed income business have also left. The group chief risk officer has been transferred to another role.

But after UBS announced at the end of January 2008 that the total losses from the meltdown in the US sub-prime mortgage market have reached US$ 18 billion, many believe that the changes are not sufficient and that Ospel should also leave or at least announce his retirement date. If this were to happen, many believe that UBS will have a greater chance of obtaining the requested approvals to the resolutions to be put at the EGM in February.

Risk Management 

In their letter to shareholders, included in the 2006 Annual Report, the UBS Chairman and the then current CEO, highlighted the banks approach to risk management and also their short term concern for the markets.

Extract from-
Fourth Quarter 2006 Report
13 February 2007
Letter to shareholders


Our approach to risk has been critical to our current growth. UBS's average risk-weighted assets are today at a similar level to 1998, just after the UBS-SBC merger, although our underlying risk profile is very different. We are now a more integrated firm - our business model has evolved, and the way we view, manage and control our risks has changed.

The primary focus in our risk-taking activities is to ensure the adequate diversification of risk in order to avoid illiquid and concentrated positions, and to ensure that we are rewarded for the risks we take.

We have transferred resources from businesses in illiquid markets into more liquid ones, and have actively pursued risk distribution strategies. Portfolios with poor returns on risk have been cut back and the quality of other portfolios has been enhanced…….

Outlook……… In the short term, as the economic cycle matures, investors might become more sensitive to any disappointing political or economic developments, so our top-class risk control remains paramount.

With such an apparent focus on risk management and concern regarding a possible market downturn in the short term, how could things go so wrong (US$ 37 bn) in such a short period?

 

As of 31.12.06

Shareholders: Number

Percentage

Shares: Number

Percentage

Individual shareholders

176,061

96.3

235,514,218

11.2

Legal entities

6,353

3.5

262,262,939

12.5

Nominees, fiduciaries

427

0.2

827,554,596

39.3

Unregistered

 

 

779,941,533

37.0

Total

182,841

100

2,105,273,286

100.0

Switzerland

164,012

89.7

445,735,841

21.2

Europe

13,448

7.3

468,341,140

22.2

North America

1,739

1.0

384,784,813

18.3

Other countries

3,642

2.0

26,469,959

1.3

Unregistered

 

 

779,941,533

37.0

Total

182,841

100

2,105,273,286

100

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