These guidelines shall be applied to remuneration to the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, and other members of the Executive Team (below referred to as “executive officers”). The guidelines shall also apply to any remuneration to members of the Board which is paid in addition to fees for assignment to the Board of the Bank.
The guidelines shall be applied to new agreements, and shall not affect remuneration previously decided for executive officers. The guidelines are not applicable to remuneration that is decided upon by the annual general meeting.
Handelsbanken’s goal is to have higher profitability than the average of peer competitors in its home markets. This goal is mainly to be achieved by more satisfied customers and lower costs than its competitors.
Handelsbanken’s business strategy is presented in the Annual Report. To contribute to the Bank’s goal; remuneration must reflect a long-term view of employment at the Bank, and also be in keeping with the Bank’s generally low risk tolerance.
Principles for remuneration to employees of Handelsbanken
Handelsbanken’s principles for remuneration to employees are long-established. In the policy for remuneration in the Handelsbanken Group, the Board has established that the Bank’s remuneration system must be consistent with the Bank’s business objectives and business culture, which are based on sound, sustainable operations.
In addition, the remuneration policy states that fixed remuneration is fit-for-purpose for sound, sustainable operations, and is therefore applied as a basic principle. Variable remuneration is applied with great caution. Remuneration for work performed is set individually for each employee, and is paid in the form of a fixed salary, pension allocation and customary salary benefits (which can take the form of a car allowance, housing associated with the position, disability insurance, household assistance services, etc.). Salaries are based on factors known in advance, such as those set out in the remuneration policy. Taking into account the above approach, an employee’s total remuneration must be on market terms and gender-neutral, enabling Handelsbanken to attract, recruit, retain and develop skilled employees, and ensuring good management succession
Remuneration to executive officers
In the preparation of the Board’s proposals for these guidelines, Handelsbanken’s remuneration policy and the above principles for remuneration to employees have been taken into account; this contributes to the Bank’s business strategy, long-term interests and sustainability.
The aggregated total remuneration shall be on market terms.
Remuneration is paid in the form of a fixed cash salary, pension provision and customary benefits.
The executive officers in question are included in the Oktogonen profit-sharing system on the same terms as all employees of the Bank.
Pension benefits are defined contribution, may correspond to a maximum of 35 per cent of the annual fixed cash salary, and may be payable in addition to pension plans under collective agreements. Other salary benefits may per year in total correspond to a maximum of 35 per cent of the annual fixed salary.
Employment contracts are to apply until further notice or for a fixed term. The period of notice on the part of an executive officer is six months, and on the part of Handelsbanken a maximum of twelve months. If the Bank terminates the employment contract later than five years after the person becomes one of the Bank’s executive officers, the period of notice is a maximum of twenty-four months. No other termination benefits are paid. Other time periods may apply due to collective agreements or labour legislation.
Fees to Board members
Members of the Board who are elected by the general meeting shall in special circumstances be able to be compensated for services provided within their respective area of competence (including assignments to the board of another group company) which do not constitute services to the Board of the Bank. Such duties of service shall be handled in accordance with applicable internal rules and by due consideration of possible conflicts of interest. These services shall be compensated for by market-based remuneration. Information about any remuneration for such services shall be included in the annual report and the remuneration report.
Decision process
The Board has set up a remuneration committee. The committee’s tasks include preparing the Board’s proposals concerning guidelines for remuneration to executive officers. When the need for material changes arises – and at least every four years – the Board shall draw up a proposal for new guidelines and present it for a resolution at the annual general meeting. The guidelines shall apply until new guidelines have been adopted by the annual general meeting. The remuneration committee must also monitor and evaluate the application of the guidelines for remuneration for executive officers, as well as the prevailing structures and levels of remuneration at the Bank. All members of the remuneration committee are independent of the Bank and its management. The Chief Executive Officer also attends the committee’s meetings, although not when the committee is discussing and deciding upon remuneration-related matters that concern the Chief Executive Officer himself/herself.
Deviation from the guidelines
The Board may decide, temporarily, to deviate partly or wholly from the guidelines, if there are particular reasons for this in an individual case, and a deviation is necessary to satisfy the Bank’s long-term interests and sustainability, or to ensure the Bank’s financial viability. As stated above, preparing the Board’s resolutions in matters of remuneration is part of the remuneration committee’s tasks, and this includes decisions regarding deviations from the guidelines.