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

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒       Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

Ally Financial Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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March 22, 2019

 

Dear Fellow Stockholders:

We are pleased to invite you to Ally Financial Inc.’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The meeting will be held at the Waterview Loft, 130 E. Atwater Street, Detroit, Michigan 48226, on May 7, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time.

We use the internet as our primary means of furnishing proxy materials to our stockholders, including the notice and proxy statement, a proxy card, and our 2018 annual report. The notice and proxy statement contain important information about proxy voting and the business to be conducted at the meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please vote as promptly as possible to make sure your vote is counted. Every stockholder vote is important, and we want to ensure your shares are represented at the meeting.

In 2018, we delivered strong financial and operating results while positioning Ally for future growth. Our accomplishments during the year reflect our leading auto and deposit franchises, resilient and customer-centric business model, efficient capital management, and ability to adapt and navigate through changing environments. We achieved all of this through the dedicated efforts of our more than 8,000 teammates, whose relentless focus on the financial well-being of our customers continues to drive long-term value for our stockholders.

Thank you for your continued support of Ally Financial Inc.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey J. Brown

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

 

 

 

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 12, 2019, the record date fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. A list of all stockholders of record entitled to vote is on file at the principal executive office of the Company located at 500 Woodward Avenue, MC: MI-01-10-CORPSEC, Detroit, Michigan 48226.

We use the internet as our primary means of furnishing proxy materials to our stockholders, including the notice and proxy statement, a proxy card, and our 2018 annual report. Consequently, most stockholders will not receive paper copies of our proxy materials. We will instead send these stockholders a notice with instructions for accessing the proxy materials and voting via the internet. The notice will also explain how stockholders may obtain paper copies of our proxy materials if they so choose. Internet transmission and voting are designed to be efficient, minimize cost, and conserve natural resources.

Voting procedures are described in the proxy statement. No stockholder has a dissenter’s right of appraisal or similar right in connection with any of the proposals. If you wish to attend the meeting in person, you will need to request an admission ticket in advance by following the instructions set forth on page 3 of the proxy statement and otherwise satisfy the eligibility criteria described there.

 

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

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PROXY STATEMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

SOLICITATION

The solicitation of your proxy is made on behalf of the Board of Directors of Ally Financial Inc. (Board) for use at our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 7, 2019, and any adjournment of the meeting (Annual Meeting). References in this proxy statement to we, us, our, the Company, and Ally refer to Ally Financial Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

This proxy statement and the related form of proxy will first be sent or given on or about March 22, 2019, to the stockholders of record of our common stock at the close of business on March 12, 2019 (record date). This proxy statement and our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2018, also will first be made available on our website at www.ally.com/about/investor/sec-filings/, free of charge, at or about the same time.

The complete mailing address of the Company’s principal executive office is 500 Woodward Avenue, MC: MI-01-10-CORPSEC, Detroit, Michigan 48226. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Waterview Loft, 130 E. Atwater Street, Detroit, Michigan 48226.

ELECTRONIC AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting To Be Held on May 7, 2019. This proxy statement, our annual report to stockholders for fiscal year 2018, and our Form 10-K for fiscal year 2018 are available electronically at www.proxyvote.com/ally.

VOTING RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES

Stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date may vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date, 401,064,755 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and, therefore, eligible to be voted at the Annual Meeting. Only one class of our common stock exists, and each share is entitled to one vote.

Stockholders of record or record holders have shares of our common stock registered in their names with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company. Beneficial owners, in contrast, own shares of our common stock that are held in “street name” through a broker, bank, or other nominee. Beneficial owners generally cannot vote their shares directly and must instead instruct their brokers, banks, or other nominees how to vote the shares. If you are a beneficial owner of our common stock, your proxy is being solicited through your broker, bank, or other nominee.

You may vote FOR, AGAINST, or ABSTAIN on each of the three proposals. The Board recommends that you vote as follows:

When this proxy statement was printed, we did not know of any matter to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than these three proposals. If any other matter may be properly considered at the Annual Meeting, your proxy can exercise discretion in voting your shares on the matter. We currently do not anticipate that any other matter will be presented at the Annual Meeting.

 

 

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We expect that the election of directors in Proposal 1 will be uncontested—that is, an election where the number of properly nominated director candidates does not exceed the number of directors to be elected. In that case, each director will be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to the director. This means that the number of votes cast FOR a director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast AGAINST that director nominee. In an uncontested election of directors, our director resignation policy will apply as described further in Proposal 1. Voting ABSTAIN on Proposal 1 in an uncontested election will have no effect on the outcome.

If the election of directors in Proposal 1 unexpectedly becomes contested—that is, an election where the number of properly nominated director candidates exceeds the number of directors to be elected—plurality voting will apply. This means that the seats on the Board will be filled by the director nominees who receive the highest number of FOR votes. Voting AGAINST or ABSTAIN in a contested election will have no effect on the outcome.

For each of Proposals 2 and 3, a FOR vote from a majority of the outstanding shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal will be required for approval. Voting ABSTAIN on Proposals 2 or 3 will have the same effect as voting AGAINST.

We strongly encourage all stockholders to submit their votes in advance of the Annual Meeting, even if you are planning to attend in person.

If you are a record holder, you may vote your shares (1) through the internet, (2) by telephone, (3) by completing, signing, dating, and returning your proxy card in the provided envelope, or (4) in person by ballot at the Annual Meeting. Other proxy materials that you receive together with this proxy statement contain the website address and the telephone number for internet or telephone voting. Internet or telephone votes must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 6, 2019, in order to be counted. Completed, signed, and dated proxy cards must be received prior to the Annual Meeting in order to be counted. If you as a record holder submit a valid proxy prior to the Annual Meeting but do not provide voting instructions, your shares will be voted according to the recommendations of the Board described earlier in this section.

If you are a beneficial owner, you may not vote your shares directly but instead may instruct your broker, bank, or other nominee how to vote your shares. You should receive materials from your broker, bank, or other nominee with directions on how to provide voting instructions. Those materials also will identify the time by which your broker, bank, or other nominee must receive your voting instructions. The availability of internet or telephone voting will depend on the processes adopted by your broker, bank, or other nominee. If you want to vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting, you will need to obtain a legally enforceable proxy from your broker, bank, or other nominee in advance and present that proxy to the inspectors of election together with a valid form of government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license or passport). For Proposals 1 and 2, if you are a beneficial owner of shares, your broker, bank, or other nominee is not permitted to vote your shares if no instruction is received from you. For Proposal 3, your broker, bank, or other nominee can exercise discretion in voting your shares if no instruction is received from you.

You may revoke or change your proxy at any time before the vote is taken at the Annual Meeting. If you are a record holder, you may revoke or change your proxy by (1) executing and delivering a later-dated proxy for the same shares in compliance with the requirements described in this proxy statement, (2) voting the same shares again over the internet or telephone by 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 6, 2019, (3) voting a ballot at the Annual Meeting, or (4) notifying the Secretary of your revocation of the proxy prior to the Annual Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner, you must follow the directions provided to you by your broker, bank, or other nominee. Any beneficial owner of shares who wants to revoke a proxy at the Annual Meeting will need to present to the inspectors of election a legally enforceable proxy from the broker, bank, or other nominee indicating that the person is the beneficial owner of the shares together with a valid form of government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license or passport).

 

 

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We will pay the costs of preparing the proxy materials and soliciting proxies, including the reasonable charges and expenses of brokers, banks, and other nominees for forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners and updating proxy cards and directions. In addition to our solicitation of proxies, your proxy may be solicited by telephone, facsimile, internet, or e-mail or in person by directors, officers, or regular employees of Ally or its affiliates who will receive no additional compensation for doing so.

MEETING ADMISSION

Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders of record or their proxies, beneficial owners of our common stock, and our guests. Record holders and beneficial owners must request an admission ticket in advance by visiting www.proxyvote.com/ally and following the instructions provided, which will require the 16-digit number included on your proxy card or voting instructions. Requests for admission tickets will be processed in the order in which they are received and must be requested no later than May 3, 2019. On the day of the meeting, each stockholder, beneficial owner, or guest may be required to present a valid form of government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, to gain admittance.

CAUTIONARY NOTICE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND OTHER TERMS

This proxy statement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts—such as our statements about targets and expectations for various financial and operating metrics. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “pursue,” “seek,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “potential,” “target,” “objective,” “trend,” “plan,” “goal,” “initiative,” “priorities,” or other words of comparable meaning or future-tense or conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” or “could.” Forward-looking statements convey our expectations, intentions, or forecasts about future events, circumstances, or results. All forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which may change over time and many of which are beyond our control. You should not rely on any forward-looking statement as a prediction or guarantee about the future. Actual future objectives, strategies, plans, prospects, performance, conditions, or results may differ materially from those set forth in any forward-looking statement. Some of the factors that may cause actual results or other future events or circumstances to differ from those in forward-looking statements are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, or other applicable documents that are filed or furnished with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (collectively, our SEC filings). Any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf speaks only as of the date that it was made. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of events, circumstances, or results that arise after the date that the statement was made, except as required by applicable securities laws. You, however, should consult further disclosures (including disclosures of a forward-looking nature) that we may make in any subsequent SEC filings. Unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions apply. The term “loans” means the following consumer and commercial products associated with our direct and indirect financing activities: loans, retail installment sales contracts, lines of credit, and other financing products excluding operating leases. The term “operating leases” means consumer- and commercial-vehicle lease agreements where Ally is the lessor and the lessee is generally not obligated to acquire ownership of the vehicle at lease-end or compensate Ally for the vehicle’s residual value. The terms “lend,” “finance,” and “originate” mean our direct extension or origination of loans, our purchase or acquisition of loans, or our purchase of operating leases as applicable. The term “consumer” means all consumer products associated with our loan and operating-lease activities and all commercial retail installment sales contracts. The term “commercial” means all commercial products associated with our loan activities, other than commercial retail installment sales contracts.

 

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

BOARD COMPOSITION

The Board currently has 12 seats. The Board believes that this size is appropriate at the present time based on its assessment of the need for particular talents or other qualities, the benefits associated with a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds, the availability of qualified candidates, the workloads and needs of the Board’s committees, and other relevant factors. All seats on the Board are up for election annually.

The Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee (CNGC) has recommended, and the Board has nominated, the following slate of 12 director candidates for election at the Annual Meeting to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders in 2020. This slate comprises all of the current directors of the Company. Each has agreed to be nominated and named in this proxy statement and to serve if elected.  

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

We expect that this will be an uncontested election of directors—that is, an election where the number of properly nominated director candidates does not exceed the number of directors to be elected. In that case, under our Bylaws, each director will be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to the director. A “majority of the votes cast” means that the number of shares voted FOR a director nominee must exceed the number of shares voted AGAINST that director nominee. Voting ABSTAIN in an uncontested election will have no effect on the outcome. The Company has adopted a director resignation policy providing that, if an incumbent director nominee fails to receive a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election, the director must promptly tender a notice of resignation to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Secretary, which will become effective only upon acceptance by the Board. The CEO or the Secretary, as applicable, will relay a copy of the notice to the Chair of the Board and the Chair of the CNGC. The CNGC will make a recommendation to the Board as to whether the resignation should be accepted or rejected or whether other action should be taken. The affected director will not take part in any deliberations or actions of the CNGC or the Board relating to the resignation. Within 90 days following certification of the election results, the Board will act on the resignation, taking into account the CNGC’s recommendation and any other information judged by the Board to be relevant, and publicly disclose its decision in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). If the Board rejects the director’s resignation, under Delaware law, the director will continue to serve on the Board. If the Board accepts the director’s resignation, the Board may fill the resulting vacancy or may reduce the size of the Board.

If the election of directors unexpectedly becomes contested—that is, an election where the number of properly nominated director candidates exceeds the number of directors to be elected—plurality voting will apply under our Bylaws. “Plurality voting” means that the seats on the Board will be filled by the director nominees who receive the highest number of FOR votes. Voting AGAINST or ABSTAIN in a contested election will have no effect on the outcome.

No cumulative voting rights exist in this election. If you are a beneficial owner of shares, your broker, bank, or other nominee is not permitted to vote your shares on this matter if no instruction is received from you.

We do not anticipate that any nominee will become unavailable for election. If that were to happen for any reason, however, the shares represented by proxies and voting for a nominee who unexpectedly becomes unavailable will be voted instead for a substitute candidate nominated by the Board, unless the Board elects to reduce its size.

The Board recommends that stockholders vote FOR the election of each of the 12 nominees to our Board.

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Board recognizes that it is important for the Company’s directors to possess a diverse array of backgrounds and skills, whether in terms of education, business acumen, accounting and financial expertise, risk-management experience, or experience with other organizations. When considering director candidates, the CNGC and the Board take into account these factors as well as other characteristics that, in their judgment, will contribute in a meaningful way to increasing the fundamental value of Ally and creating long-term value for stockholders. These characteristics include independence, the ability to provide guidance on Ally’s risk profile and effective challenge on Ally’s strategy in the context of its risk profile, the ability to make independent and disinterested decisions in the balanced and best interests of Ally’s stockholders as a whole, the ability and willingness to devote sufficient time and attention to Ally, personal and professional integrity, honesty, ethics, and values, and the candidate’s overall fit within the existing mix of director characteristics. While not intended to be exhaustive, the following matrix highlights a number of relevant skills possessed by some or all of the 12 nominees.  

 

In addition, the CNGC and the Board consider diversity in the characteristics of director candidates, including each candidate’s perspective and background, with the ultimate aim of enhancing the Board’s ability to perform its oversight function most effectively.  

 

 

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

In their consideration of director candidates, the CNGC and the Board also take into account the Board’s responsibility to provide direction and oversight for the Company’s business and affairs. In its oversight role, the Board’s primary responsibilities include the following:

The CNGC and the Board are dedicated to assembling directors who excel in fulfilling these responsibilities, exercise independent leadership and oversight of management, and operate in a cohesive and effective manner. Each director candidate possesses valued backgrounds, skills, and other characteristics, and collectively, these director candidates are positioned to meaningfully contribute to increasing the fundamental value of Ally and creating long-term value for stockholders.

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

The Board has affirmatively determined in its business judgment that each of Mr. Hobbs, Mr. Bacon, Ms. Shineman, Ms. Breakiron-Evans, Mr. Cary, Ms. Clark, Mr. Fennebresque, Ms. Magner, Mr. Sharples, Mr. Stack, and Mr. Steib is independent as defined in the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing standards and applicable SEC rules (each independent and an independent director). The Board has determined that Mr. Brown, the Company’s CEO, is not independent due to his position as an executive officer of the Company. In evaluating the independence of each director candidate, transactions, relationships, and arrangements between the director candidate or any related person or interest and the Company or any of its subsidiaries were assessed. These included a variety of financial-services relationships—such as deposit accounts, extensions of credit, and investment services—and one commercial arrangement involving the provision of services in the ordinary course of business to Ally. All of these transactions, relationships, and arrangements were judged to have been made on terms and under circumstances at least as favorable to the Company or its subsidiaries as those that were prevailing at the time for comparable transactions, relationships, or arrangements with unrelated persons or interests or those that would have applied to unrelated persons or interests. In addition, none of these transactions, relationships, or arrangements were determined to require disclosure under Item 404(a) of SEC Regulation S-K. The Board concluded as well that no independent director has a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

Set forth here is a brief description of the backgrounds, skills, and other characteristics that led the CNGC and the Board to conclude that the director candidates should be nominated for election at the Annual Meeting.

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

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BOARD GOVERNANCE MATTERS

 

In identifying and recommending candidates to stand for election to the Board, the CNGC may consider existing directors for renomination and may use search firms or other resources to identify other potential director candidates. The CNGC also considers potential director candidates who are recommended by stockholders in compliance with applicable law and listing rules and our Bylaws. Stockholders desiring to recommend candidates for membership on the Board for consideration by the CNGC should address their recommendations in writing, including all information required by our Bylaws, to the Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, Ally Financial Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 500 Woodward Avenue, MC: MI-01-10-CORPSEC, Detroit, Michigan 48226. The CNGC uses the same criteria to evaluate all potential director candidates regardless of how they have been identified.

The effectiveness of these policies and processes for identifying and considering potential director candidates is assessed by the CNGC in connection with its periodic evaluation of the performance of the Board and each committee as contemplated by the Board’s Governance Guidelines (Governance Guidelines).

MEETING ATTENDANCE

Directors are strongly encouraged to attend each annual meeting of stockholders in order to provide an opportunity for informal communication between directors and stockholders and to enhance the Board’s understanding of stockholder priorities and perspectives. All existing directors attended the last annual meeting of stockholders on May 8, 2018.

The Board met eight times during 2018. Each nominee who is currently a director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings held in 2018 by the Board during the period when the director was serving in that capacity and (2) the total number of meetings held in 2018 by all applicable committees during the period when the director was serving on those committees.

THE BOARD’S LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

A majority of the full Board elects the Chairman, and under our Bylaws, the Chairman is elected from among Ally’s independent directors. Mr. Hobbs serves as the Chairman of the Board and is a non-executive and independent director. Mr. Brown is our CEO.

The Board believes that separating the roles of Chairman and CEO is currently in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders because, based on the Company’s present circumstances, the structure provides a balance between strategic development and independent oversight of management. The Board, however, maintains its flexibility to make this determination at any given point in time to provide appropriate leadership for the Company as circumstances warrant.

Under the Governance Guidelines, the Chairman (or in the Chairman’s absence, an alternate director designated by the Chairman or, if the Chairman has not made a designation, an alternate director designated by a majority of the independent directors then present) will preside at Board meetings and executive sessions of the independent or non-management directors. The Chairman also has the following responsibilities: (1) serve as a liaison between the independent directors and management, (2) periodically communicate with the CEO to discuss matters of importance to the independent directors, (3) provide for adequate deliberations on all agenda items and other matters properly brought before the Board, and (4) perform other duties that are appropriate for a non-executive chair and that a majority of the independent directors may identify from time to time.

 

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BOARD GOVERNANCE MATTERS

 

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

The standing committees of the Board are the CNGC, the AC, the RC, and the Digital Transformation Committee (DTC). The membership of these committees during 2018 and the total number of their meetings in 2018 are detailed in the table in Proposal 1, with the following modifications: (1) Robert T. Blakely served as Chair of the AC through February 28, 2018, and continued to serve as a member of the AC and the CNGC until his departure from the Board on May 8, 2018, (2) Mr. Cary was appointed as Chair of the AC effective March 1, 2018, (3) Ms. Clark served as Chair of the RC through March 13, 2018, (4) Mr. Bacon was appointed as Chair of the RC effective March 14, 2018, and served as a member of the DTC through October 9, 2018, (5) Mr. Hobbs served as a member of the RC through October 9, 2018, (6) Mr. Stack was appointed as a member of the CNGC effective March 1, 2018, (7) Ms. Shineman was appointed as a member of the AC and the DTC effective October 9, 2018, and (8) Mr. Sharples was appointed as a member of the RC and the DTC effective October 9, 2018.

 

 

 

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BOARD GOVERNANCE MATTERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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BOARD GOVERNANCE MATTERS

 

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Board’s primary responsibilities include providing general direction, guidance, and effective challenge on Ally’s strategy in the context of its risk profile and, through the RC, establishing and approving Ally’s risk-appetite framework.

The RC is composed of only independent directors and has oversight over Ally’s global risk-management framework. Among the RC’s specific duties are the following:

The RC also meets in joint session with the AC, at least annually, to discuss with management the guidelines and policies for assessing and managing Ally’s exposure to risks, including major financial risk exposures, and the steps management has taken to monitor, control, report on, and, as necessary, disclose those exposures.

In addition, the CNGC is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to the Company’s executive-compensation policies and practices and confirming that those policies and practices do not encourage excessive or unnecessary risk taking and that any level of risk that they do encourage is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The AC correspondingly has responsibility to oversee the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management and internal controls that are designed to (1) safeguard assets, (2) confirm the accuracy and integrity of accounting, financial reporting, and disclosures, (3) maintain compliance with ethical standards, policies, procedures, and applicable laws, and (4) promote effectiveness and efficiency of operations.

While each of these committees is responsible for evaluating specified risks and overseeing the management of those risks, the full Board is regularly updated on the state of the Company’s risk profile, risk appetites, and enterprise-wide risk-management program and considers them in assessing and directing the strategy and the business of the Company. Our independent Chairman and our CEO are individually focused as well on the Company’s risk-management policies and practices.

 

 

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BOARD GOVERNANCE MATTERS

 

COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD

Under the Governance Guidelines, stockholders and other members of the public may communicate with the Board, the Chairman of the Board, any other individual director, the non-management directors as a group, the independent directors as a group, or any committee of the Board by sending written correspondence in care of the Ally Financial Inc. Corporate Secretary, 500 Woodward Avenue, MC: MI-01-10-CORPSEC, Detroit, Michigan 48226. The Secretary will forward correspondence relating to a director’s duties or responsibilities to the specified recipient. Correspondence that is unrelated to a director’s duties and responsibilities may be discarded or otherwise addressed by the Secretary. Any correspondence that expresses a concern about any governance, conduct, ethical, accounting, financial-reporting, or internal-control matter will be addressed as provided in the Governance Guidelines.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

No person who served as a member of the CNGC during the year ended December 31, 2018—Kim S. Fennebresque, Robert T. Blakely, Franklin W. Hobbs, Marjorie Magner, and John J. Stack—(1) was an officer or employee of the Company during 2018, (2) was a former officer of the Company, or (3) had any relationship requiring disclosure by the Company under any paragraph of Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K. No executive officer of Ally served on any board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity for which any of our directors served as an executive officer at any time during the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

 

 

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

Our director-compensation program is designed to attract and retain directors with the characteristics described in Director Qualifications and Responsibilities earlier in this proxy statement and to provide fair compensation for the work required of a director in a company with Ally’s size, scope, business model, and risk profile. Our director-compensation program is reviewed by the CNGC—with advice from its compensation consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co. (FW Cook)—and approved by the Board consistent with the Ally Financial Inc. Non-Employee Directors Equity Compensation Plan, amended and restated effective May 2, 2017, as approved by our stockholders.  

Consistent with the Governance Guidelines, Mr. Brown does not receive any separate compensation for his service on the Board.

Each non-employee director is awarded an annual retainer following the annual meeting of stockholders. In 2018, this annual retainer totaled $225,000 and was composed of $90,000 in cash and $135,000 in director deferred stock units, which each represent the right to receive one share of our common stock upon the director’s departure from the Board (Director DSUs). Director DSUs granted as part of the annual retainer are prorated for directors who join the Board after the annual meeting of stockholders. In addition, when first elected or appointed to the Board, a new director is granted a one-time award of Director DSUs in the amount of $100,000, which vests quarterly over one year.

Our independent Chairman is not an executive of the Company, but he plays an active leadership role in the Board’s oversight of management. As a result, after the annual meeting, he receives an additional annual retainer, which in 2018 totaled $275,000 and was composed of $110,000 in cash and $165,000 in Director DSUs.

An additional annual retainer is paid after the annual meeting to each non-employee director who serves as chair of a standing committee of the Board. In 2018, an annual cash retainer of $60,000 was paid to the chair of the AC and the chair of the RC, and an annual cash retainer of $50,000 was paid to the chair of the CNGC and the chair of the DTC. Further, each non-employee director receives at the same time a separate annual retainer for each standing committee on which the director serves, including as chair, which in 2018 was $20,000 for each committee. In 2018, a meeting fee of $2,000 was payable to each non-employee director for each Board or applicable committee meeting in excess of eight per year. Each member of the AC, other than Mr. Blakely and Ms. Clark, received an additional cash payment of $6,000 for excess meetings of the AC in 2018. Ms. Clark received an additional cash payment of $4,000 for excess meetings of the AC in 2018.    

Consistent with the Governance Guidelines, non-employee directors are reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to their service on the Board. Furthermore, under our Certificate of Incorporation, directors are limited in their liability and indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law for their service in that capacity.

Ally allows its non-employee directors to defer from 0% to 100% of their cash retainers in 25% increments. These deferrals can be made into either fully vested Director DSUs or a cash account that is credited with interest quarterly. Interest earned on a cash account is based on the average rate offered by Ally Bank for deposits in its online savings accounts.

For 2019, on the recommendation of the CNGC, the Board has determined to reduce the annual retainer for our independent Chairman to $150,000 (composed of $60,000 in cash and $90,000 in Director DSUs) and to eliminate excess meeting fees.  

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

The following table describes compensation for non-employee directors who served during fiscal year 2018.

 

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate number of Director DSUs held by each non-employee director at December 31, 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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OTHER GOVERNANCE POLICIES AND PRACTICES

 

CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS

Our Board has adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics to promote integrity in the workplace, in the marketplace, and in our communities. The Code of Conduct and Ethics applies to all of Ally’s officers and employees, including the CEO, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and the Controller. We will post any amendment to the Code of Conduct and Ethics, as well as any waiver that is required to be disclosed under applicable SEC rules or NYSE listing standards, on the Company’s website at http://www.ally.com/about/investor/policies-charters/. There were no waivers from any provision of the Code of Conduct and Ethics in 2018 that were required to be disclosed.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

The Board has adopted a written Related Party Transactions Policy and Protocols (Related-Person Transaction Policy) that requires the Board or a committee of the Board to review and to approve or ratify any related-person transaction. The authority to review and to approve or ratify related-person transactions has been delegated to the CNGC in its charter.

A related-person transaction under the Related-Person Transaction Policy is an existing or currently proposed transaction or series of similar transactions for which disclosure under Item 404(a) of SEC Regulation S-K is mandated—that is, where (1) Ally was or will be a participant, (2) the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and (3) any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. The term related person under Item 404(a) means, at the applicable time, (a) any director or director nominee of Ally, (b) any executive officer of Ally, (c) any beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of Ally’s voting securities, and (d) any immediate family member (as defined in Item 404) of any of those directors, nominees, executive officers, or beneficial owners. An indirect material interest can arise from a related person’s position or relationship with a firm, corporation, or other entity that engages in a transaction with Ally (excluding any interest arising only from the person’s position as a director of such an entity, the person’s direct or indirect attributed ownership of less than a 10% equity interest in such a corporate or similar entity, or the person’s position as a limited partner with less than a 10% direct or indirect attributed interest in such a partnership entity).

The following categories of transactions are treated as appropriately approved or pre-approved for purposes of the Related-Person Transaction Policy: (i) director or executive-officer compensation that is separately approved by the Board or the CNGC, including the reimbursement of ordinary-course expenses consistent with Ally’s policies, (ii) indemnification or advancement of expenses consistent with Ally’s Certificate of Incorporation and any related written agreement, (iii) financial services that are provided by Ally in the ordinary course of business and on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated persons and that do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features, and (iv) transactions where the interest of the related person arises solely from the ownership of our common stock and all holders of our common stock receive the same benefit on a pro rata basis.

Information about any potential related-person transaction must be reported to and reviewed by the Company’s General Counsel. If the General Counsel determines that a related-person transaction is being proposed, the matter will be referred to the CNGC or, if necessary, the Board for review. If any transaction is executed without the prior approval of the CNGC or the Board and if the CNGC or the Board decides not to ratify it, the Company’s management must rescind or terminate the transaction as promptly and on as favorable of terms as feasible.

 

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OTHER GOVERNANCE POLICIES AND PRACTICES

 

Under the Related-Person Transaction Policy, when considering whether to approve or ratify a related-person transaction, the CNGC or the Board will consider (A) the commercial reasonableness and arm’s-length nature of the transaction, (B) the business purpose and timing of the transaction, (C) the benefits likely to accrue to Ally from the transaction, (D) the nature and opportunity costs of alternative transactions, (E) the materiality and character of the related person’s interest, (F) the effect of the transaction on the independence of any director or director nominee, (G) actual or potential conflicts of interest for the related person, (H) reputational risks for Ally, and (I) other relevant facts and circumstances.

There has been no transaction since January 1, 2018, that is required to be reported under Item 404(a) but that did not require review and approval or ratification under the Related-Person Transaction Policy or for which the Related-Person Transaction Policy was not followed.

SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Any proposal that a stockholder wishes to be considered for inclusion in Ally’s proxy materials for the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8 must be received in writing by Ally not later than November 23, 2019. We recommend that any stockholder proposal be delivered by means that provide proof of the date of delivery, such as certified mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested). Please note that SEC Rule 14a-8 addresses when we must include a stockholder proposal in our proxy materials, including eligibility and procedural requirements that apply to the proponent.

Any stockholder proposal that is not submitted for inclusion in our proxy materials for the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders under SEC Rule 14a-8 (including any director nomination) but that is sought to be presented at that annual meeting under our Bylaws must be received in writing by Ally not earlier than January 8, 2020, and not later than February 7, 2020. Such a proposal (including any director nomination) also must satisfy the information and other requirements specified in our Bylaws, which are available on our web site at https://www.ally.com/resources/pdf/corporate/ally-bylaws.2016-03-16.pdf.

Any stockholder proposal (including any director nomination) submitted to Ally in connection with the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders must be received at the following address: Ally Financial Inc., Corporate Secretary, 500 Woodward Avenue, Mail Code MI-01-10-CORPSEC, Detroit, Michigan 48226.

GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS

Charters for the AC, the RC, the DTC, and the CNGC, along with the Governance Guidelines and the Code of Conduct and Ethics, are available on the Company’s website at http://www.ally.com/about/investor/policies-charters/.

 

 

 

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STOCK OWNERSHIP

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

At the close of business on March 12, 2019, the following were known to the Company to be the beneficial owners (as defined in SEC Rule 13d-3) of more than five percent of the Company’s common stock:

 

 

 

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STOCK OWNERSHIP

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, NOMINEES, AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following tables set forth information, at the close of business on March 12, 2019, concerning the number of shares of common stock and stock-settled units of the Company beneficially owned (as defined in SEC Rule 13d-3) by each director, nominee, and NEO (as defined in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis later in this proxy statement) as well as all directors and executive officers (as defined in SEC Rule 3b-7) as a group. Our executive officers under SEC Rule 3b-7 are also the individuals designated as our officers under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 16a-1. Each of the individuals listed in the following table owns less than one percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock, and all directors and executive officers as a group own less than one percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock. The persons named have furnished this information to us.

 

 

 

 

 

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STOCK OWNERSHIP

 

The CEO, all other Purview Executives, all directors, and specified associated persons are subject to personal trading restrictions to further align the interests of management and directors with those of stockholders. The restrictions apply to all of Ally’s securities, including common stock, preferred stock, and debt. In the absence of an exception granted in accordance with Ally’s Enterprise General Insider Trading and Blackout Policy, the restrictions prohibit (1) any transaction that hedges the person’s economic interest in and exposure to the full rewards and risks of ownership in a security of Ally, (2) any put or call option, futures contract, forward contract, swap, or other derivative transaction that relates to a security of Ally and any similar speculative transaction (excluding, for clarity, any transaction under Ally’s compensation plans), (3) any short sale, including a short sale against the box, of a security of Ally, (4) any pledge of a security of Ally as collateral, including through a margin account (excluding, for clarity, any pledge to a charitable organization that is recognized as such under applicable tax law), and (5) any limit order involving a security of Ally (excluding a limit order that by its terms is automatically canceled if not filled before the end of the same trading day).

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, our officers (as defined in Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 16a-1), and any person who beneficially owns more than 10% of the Company’s common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of the Company’s common stock with the SEC. These reporting persons are also required by SEC rules to furnish us with copies of all forms that they file with the SEC pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. To the Company’s knowledge based solely on its review of the copies received by the Company during or with respect to 2018 and written representations from reporting persons that no other forms or reports were required to be filed, the Company believes that each person who was a reporting person during 2018 timely filed the reports required by Section 16(a) during 2018, with the following exception: Due to an administrative error by the Company, late Form 4 filings were made on May 31, 2018, to report the shares of common stock that had been withheld by the Company to satisfy tax obligations associated with the settlement of previously reported equity-based awards in 2018 and prior years for each of the following persons: Mr. Brown and Ms. Morais (with respect to shares withheld in connection with 6 settlement dates), Mr. DeBrunner (with respect to shares withheld in connection with 7 settlement dates), and Mr. Stengel (with respect to shares withheld in connection with 2 settlement dates).

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Introduction

Named Executive Officers

Our Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) describes our executive-compensation philosophy and program as reported in the executive-compensation tables that follow, which provide information relating primarily to compensation decisions for the following 2018 named executive officers (NEOs) of the Company:

 

Executive Summary

2018 Business Highlights

In 2018, Ally delivered strong financial and operating results while positioning the company for growth in 2019 and beyond. Accomplishments during 2018 reflect our leading auto and deposit franchises, customer-centric product-expansion initiatives, and commitment to driving long-term stockholder value through efficient capital management.

Earnings per share (EPS) of $2.95 in 2018 were up 45% year over year, while adjusted EPS of $3.34 was up 39% year over year. We generated a Return on Equity (ROE) of 9.4% in 2018, up 251 basis points year over year, and a Core Return on Tangible Common Equity (Core ROTCE) of 12.3%, up 256 basis points year over year. Total deposits increased in a highly competitive market by $12.9 billion for the year, including $4.5 billion of retail deposit growth in the fourth quarter, our highest quarterly growth ever.

We successfully returned approximately $1.2 billion of capital to stockholders in 2018 through dividends and share repurchases. Since the inception of our share-repurchase program in the third quarter of 2016, we have bought back over $2.0 billion in common stock, reducing total shares outstanding by more than 16%.

Our auto business leveraged its strong dealer relationships and leading market position to expand risk-adjusted returns on over $35 billion of consumer auto originations in 2018. The retail auto net charge-off rate declined 15 basis points to 1.33%.

Overall, we continue to deliver long-term stockholder value, with a strong foundation in auto finance and ongoing momentum in growth businesses and digital product offerings.

Additional highlights from 2018 are set forth in the following table. These highlights and other portions of this CD&A include non-GAAP financial measures—such as adjusted EPS and Core ROTCE. Non-GAAP financial measures supplement the results that are reported according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and may be useful to readers, but they should not be viewed in isolation from, or as a substitute for, GAAP results. The differences between non-GAAP financial measures and comparable GAAP financial measures are reconciled in Appendix A of this proxy statement.

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

2018 Business Highlights

 

Ally’s Executive-Compensation Program

Ally believes that there should be a strong linkage between compensation and performance as well as alignment with good governance principles and stockholder interests. This linkage is embodied throughout our executive-compensation program, including (1) the Annual Incentive Plan (Incentive Plan), which governs the awards of cash-based incentive compensation, and (2) the Incentive Compensation Plan (ICP), which governs the awards of equity-based incentive compensation.

2018 Compensation Decisions

In December 2018 and January 2019, the CNGC determined the total compensation for each of the NEOs under our executive-compensation program based on performance in 2018. Refer to Compensation Program Governance—CNGC Process later in this CD&A. The following table summarizes the CNGC’s decisions on total compensation (base salary, cash-based incentive awards, PSUs, and RSUs) for the NEOs for 2018 performance under our executive-compensation program.

 

This table is not meant to be a substitute for the Summary Compensation Table set forth later in this proxy statement but is provided to show the compensation approved by the CNGC for the NEOs’ performance during 2018. The values in this table differ from those shown in the Summary Compensation Table due to SEC rules requiring that salary be reported for the past year rather than the coming year and that equity-based awards be reported based on the year of grant rather than the service year to which they relate. Accordingly, the base salary and the PSUs and RSUs reflected in this table will be reported in next year’s Summary Compensation Table, as they were effective or granted in 2019. The number of PSUs reflected in this table assume that the related performance goals are achieved at the target. For further information on all equity-based awards, refer to Components of Ally’s Compensation Program—Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Awards later in this CD&A.

 

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Compensation Design

Compensation Philosophy

Ally’s compensation philosophy is that there should be a strong linkage between compensation and performance as well as alignment with good governance principles and stockholder interests. In support of this compensation philosophy, Ally’s executive-compensation program is structured to:

Elements and Mix of Executive Compensation

Total compensation under Ally’s executive-compensation program is primarily composed of cash base salary, annual cash-based incentive awards, and long-term equity-based incentive awards.

 

 

 

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

 

Compensation Program Governance

In addition to implementing a performance-based compensation framework, Ally has strong compensation governance as demonstrated by the following practices that apply to our NEOs.

 

Consideration of Stockholder Say-on-Pay Votes

At our 2018 annual meeting, we provided our stockholders the opportunity to vote on an advisory resolution approving the compensation paid to our NEOs in 2017. Approximately 93% of the outstanding shares present in person or represented by proxy at that meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal voted in support of the resolution. The CNGC will continue to monitor the feedback we receive from our stockholders through say-on-pay advisory votes and other channels and will consider this feedback in overseeing our executive-compensation program.

CNGC Process

Ally’s executive-compensation program is overseen by the CNGC. In its deliberations on compensation matters, the CNGC seeks the input of Ally’s independent risk-management function and also consults with the Chairs of the RC and the AC as appropriate. Neither the CEO nor the other NEOs are present for their respective pay discussions.

Compensation recommendations for the NEOs other than the CEO are presented to and discussed with the CNGC by the CEO. Factors that were discussed and considered by the CNGC include Ally’s financial and operating results, business-unit or corporate-function results, individual performance evaluations, risk scorecards, control-function input, and market data. The CEO’s unique insight into our business and day-to-day interaction with the NEOs provide a valuable perspective to the CNGC for its deliberations. The CNGC then evaluates the NEOs and determines and approves their compensation.

The CNGC evaluates the CEO and determines and approves his compensation without his involvement.

 

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

The Company engaged Pearl Meyer & Partners to provide consulting assistance on matters pertaining to executive compensation, including an updated competitive assessment of the compensation for Purview Executives.

FW Cook served as a compensation consultant to the CNGC during 2018 and for the 2018–2019 compensation cycle. The CNGC is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of FW Cook. FW Cook provides ongoing advice with respect to the compensation plans covering the executives, including our NEOs, and non-employee directors. FW Cook, as requested, attends meetings of the CNGC involving compensation matters, reviews compensation materials developed by management in advance of the CNGC meetings, and shares information on market practices and trends with the CNGC. FW Cook undertakes no separate work for Ally. The CNGC assessed the independence of FW Cook under applicable NYSE listing standards and SEC rules and determined that its work for the CNGC does not raise any conflicts of interest.

Employment Agreements

The NEOs are employed on an at-will basis, and no NEO is party to an employment agreement with the Company.

Severance

The NEOs are eligible for benefits under the Ally Financial Inc. Severance Plan. See Potential Payments Upon a Termination later in this proxy statement.

Clawback Provisions and Loss Trigger Review

In connection with its executive-compensation risk assessment in 2018, the Company confirmed its right to recoup cash and equity incentive payments in the event those payments were based on a materially inaccurate statement of earnings or other performance criteria, a material misrepresentation or a mistake irrespective of the source or cause, or other similar conduct or circumstances. A recipient who fails to promptly repay Ally in such an event is subject to termination of employment.

Ally also engages in a “loss trigger” review, which is applicable to Material Risk Takers (MRTs) who received deferred incentive-compensation awards (cash- or equity-based) for any year in which they were classified as MRTs. Prior to the payout of any deferred incentive-compensation award to an MRT, the Company determines if a significant loss or other negative risk outcome has occurred that relates to the risk-taking activities of the MRT. The Company’s senior leadership is responsible for assessing the involvement and responsibility of the MRT in such a significant loss or other negative risk outcome and may recommend a downward adjustment or forfeiture of any unpaid portion of the incentive compensation awarded to the MRT. Any recommended reduction or forfeiture of deferred incentive compensation is subject to review and approval by the CNGC as provided in our Enterprise Material Risk Taker Policy.

Stock-Ownership Guidelines

The Board believes that the interests of management and stockholders are further aligned by stock-ownership guidelines for the CEO and other Purview Executives. During 2018, the Board approved a number of enhancements to these guidelines, including an increase in the CEO’s stock-ownership requirement from 5 times base salary to 6 times base salary and a reduction in the amount of unvested RSUs and PSUs that are treated as owned for this purpose.

 

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

With these enhancements in place, our Governance Guidelines provide for the following minimum ownership levels:

 

Ownership is generally based on whether the executive is meaningfully exposed to changes in the share price of Ally stock and, as a result, includes 100% of shares owned outright, 50% of unvested RSUs, and 50% of earned but unvested PSUs. The Board understands, however, that some period of time will be required for a newly employed or promoted executive to accumulate the requisite shares and that family or other personal reasons may necessitate a sale of accumulated shares. To ensure that the purposes of these stock-ownership guidelines are achieved, whenever the minimum ownership level is not achieved or maintained, the executive must retain 50% of the net (after tax) shares received from any equity grant that has been made since Ally’s initial public offering.

Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies

The CEO and other Purview Executives are subject to personal trading restrictions, including anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies, to further align the interests of management with those of stockholders. Refer to Stock Ownership—Security Ownership of Directors, Nominees, and Executive Officers earlier in this proxy statement for more information.

Assessing Compensation Competitiveness

We compare the total compensation of our NEOs against that of executives of companies with whom we compete for senior-executive talent. We use publicly available pay data from a peer group of companies approved by the CNGC to conduct the competitive assessment for the CEO and CFO positions.

Ally’s peer group comprises the 17 banking and financial-services companies listed in the following table:

 

For the other NEO and senior-executive positions, we use market-survey data from multiple sources to conduct competitive assessments. When practical, the market surveys include companies that are part of the peer group approved by the CNGC. Updated 2018 survey data used for the remaining NEOs and other senior executives came from one or more sources, including the AON Hewitt Total Compensation Measurement™ Executive Survey, the Willis Towers Watson Executive Financial Services Survey, the Willis Towers Watson Executive General Industry Survey, the McLagan Partners Consumer Retail and Small Banking Survey, and the McLagan Partners Top Management Survey. Because multiple sources were used and not all survey participants provided data for all of the positions served by the remaining NEOs, it is not possible to identify the survey participants included in the competitive data analyzed for positions other than the CEO and the CFO.

 

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

When we measure the compensation of our NEOs against the peer group and survey data, we compare our compensation to the median. On an individual basis, compensation for any executive may be set above or below the median based on a variety of factors, including time in the position, sustained performance over time, criticalness to retain, and skill set and experience relative to external market counterparts. Compensation will also vary above or below the median based on Company and individual performance. The CNGC does not benchmark against the peer group and survey data but instead considers them as one data point in its decision-making.

Components of Ally’s Compensation Program

As outlined in Compensation Design—Elements and Mix of Executive Compensation earlier in this CD&A, total compensation for our NEOs consists primarily of cash base salary, annual cash-based incentive awards, and long-term equity-based incentives in the form of PSUs and RSUs. In addition, we offer limited benefits and perquisites.

Cash Base Salary

Under our compensation philosophy, cash base salary is intended to provide a predictable level of compensation. It is determined based on market levels for the responsibilities of each NEO and individual considerations of performance and experience.

 

Incentive Awards

Ally’s executive-compensation program is intended to reward and retain executives, including the NEOs, with an emphasis on performance. Accordingly, a combination of the following factors determines individual incentive awards and changes in total compensation from year to year:

Once the CNGC determines each NEO’s total incentive-award amount, the different types of incentives are awarded in a formulaic manner in accordance with our compensation-mix structure. Refer to Compensation Design—Elements and Mix of Executive Compensation earlier in this CD&A. Within the first two months after the performance year has concluded, the annual cash-based incentive awards are paid, and the long-term equity-based incentive awards are granted.

Corporate, Unit, and Individual Performance

Consistent with Executive Summary—2018 Compensation Decisions earlier in this CD&A, the CNGC considered the following indicia of performance during 2018 in determining each NEO’s total compensation under our executive-compensation program.

 

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

 

 

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Annual Cash-Based Incentive Awards

For details on the annual cash-based incentive awards granted to the NEOs in respect of 2018 performance, see Executive Summary—2018 Compensation Decisions earlier in this CD&A and the Summary Compensation Table later in this proxy statement.

Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Awards

A central principle of our executive-compensation program is linking the compensation of our NEOs directly to Company performance by awarding at least 50% of their total compensation in the form of PSUs and RSUs. The CNGC believes that this approach further aligns the interests of our leaders and our stockholders, as the ultimate value received depends on the share price in the future after the awards vest and the shares are sold and, in the case of PSUs, the level of attainment of the applicable performance goals.

The PSUs granted to our NEOs in 2017 and 2018 have a two-year performance period followed by an additional year of required service, after which earned PSUs fully vest and settle in shares. The PSUs granted in 2019 have a three-year performance period with no additional service requirement. Any dividends declared over the three-year vesting period are accumulated and paid at the time of settlement based on the number of PSUs earned at the conclusion of the performance period.

The performance metrics applicable to the PSUs are Core ROTCE and total stockholder value growth rate (TSV), each having an equal weight. The CNGC believes that these two metrics align executive compensation with the Company’s operating performance, risk appetite, and long-term stockholder returns. The selection of Core ROTCE, which is a metric widely used in the banking industry, incents management to produce an appropriate return on equity for stockholders. TSV, which is defined as growth in adjusted tangible book value per share plus dividends per share, was selected because the CNGC believes that growth in the tangible book value of the Company should result in increased long-term value creation for stockholders and is directly impacted by management performance. Core ROTCE, TSV, and adjusted tangible book value per share are non-GAAP financial measures, which are reconciled to comparable GAAP financial measures in Appendix A of this proxy statement. Under the ICP, which governs our PSUs, the CNGC has excluded from Core ROTCE and TSV the impact of designated items so that the performance goals reflect factors that management can directly control and that payout levels are not artificially inflated or impaired by factors unrelated to the ongoing operation of the business. Refer to Appendix A of this proxy statement for more detail on these designated items.  

The CNGC establishes threshold, target, and maximum goals for each metric that, in its judgment, suitably challenge management after taking into account factors such as the Company’s prior-year performance, the current year’s financial plan, and the multi-year strategic plan. PSUs pay out between 0% and 150% of target based on the achievement of these predetermined goals for Core ROTCE and TSV using a tiered structure rather than linear interpolation between goals. The goals established by the CNGC for the PSUs granted in 2017, 2018, and 2019 follow:

2017

 

 

 

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

2018

 

2019

 

The changes in goals from 2017 to 2018 were driven in significant part by the expected impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJ Act), while the changes from 2018 to 2019 were meaningfully affected by the shift from a two-year to a three-year performance period.

The performance period for our PSUs granted in 2017 is complete, and the CNGC has certified the results as reflected in the following charts.

 

The calculation of these results included adjustments for items designated by the CNGC at the time of grant, primarily to neutralize the effect of changes in tax laws (including the TCJ Act) and the effect of accounting changes (including Revenue from Contracts with Customers Accounting Standards Update 2014-09). The achievement of these results generated an expected future payout of 125% for recipients who complete their third year of service requirement.

The RSUs granted to our NEOs do not have explicit performance-based conditions, but their ultimate value depends on the share price in the future after the awards vest and the shares are sold. The RSUs vest and settle in shares in three equal installments on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the date of grant. Any dividends over the vesting period are accumulated and paid at the time of settlement.

 

 

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Benefits and Perquisites

We provide our NEOs with health and welfare benefits under the broad-based program generally available to all of our employees. This allows our NEOs and employees to receive certain benefits that are not readily available to individuals except through an employer and to receive certain benefits on a pre-tax basis.

Our benefit program includes the tax-qualified Ally Financial Inc. Retirement Savings Plan (Savings Plan). We provide the Savings Plan to support our employees in saving for retirement in a manner that is favorable from a tax perspective. Eligible compensation under the Savings Plan is composed of salary and cash bonus. Under the Savings Plan, after one year of employment, employee contributions up to 6% of eligible compensation are matched 100% by Ally, and this matched amount vests in full immediately. Effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment, the Savings Plan also provides for a 2% nonmatching contribution on eligible compensation and an additional discretionary nonmatching contribution on eligible base pay of up to 2%, which is subject to the Company’s performance. Nonmatching contributions fully vest after the individual has been employed for three years.

Ally also maintains the Enhanced Retirement Savings Plan, which is a nonqualified benefit equalization plan for highly compensated employees. This plan was designed to allow for the equalization of benefits for highly compensated employees when such employees’ qualified plan benefits were limited by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code). Ally suspended nonqualified contributions to this plan in 2009 and has not made any since that time, including in 2018. Certain NEOs maintain balances within the plan. This plan is maintained as an unfunded plan, and all expenses for administration of the plan and payment of amounts to participants are borne by Ally.

In addition to broad-based benefits, the NEOs receive limited additional benefits and perquisites so that the Company can remain competitive in attracting and retaining executive talent. These benefits are itemized in the notes to our Summary Compensation Table later in this proxy statement.

Other

Former Executive Officers

For details of compensation paid to Messrs. Halmy and Russi during 2018, refer to Payments to Mr. Halmy in Connection with his Departure and Payments to Mr. Russi in Connection with his Departure later in this proxy statement.

Tax and Accounting

Section 162(m) of the Code limits the tax deductibility of compensation for certain executive officers to $1 million. Prior to the enactment of the TCJ Act in December 2017, Section 162(m) provided an exemption from this limitation for compensation that qualified as “performance-based compensation.” The TCJ Act, however, repealed the exemption for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, subject to transition relief for certain arrangements in place as of November 2, 2017. The CNGC is not limited to paying compensation that is fully deductible and retains the flexibility to consider tax and accounting impacts as some factors among many in structuring our executive-compensation program.

 

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

CNGC REPORT

The CNGC has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis that immediately precedes this report. Based on this review and discussion, the CNGC recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference into the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the SEC.

 

The Compensation, Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of Ally Financial Inc.

Kim S. Fennebresque (Chair)

Franklin W. Hobbs

Marjorie Magner

John J. Stack

 

As provided by SEC Regulation S-K, this CNGC Report is not deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended or the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth specified information regarding the compensation paid by the Company during 2018, 2017 and 2016, and the cash bonuses awarded in respect of each of these years, as applicable, to the NEOs.

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES