Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
550 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20429 Division of Supervision
Executive Benefits
FIL-25-95
March 30, 1995
TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SUBJECT: Proposed Limits on "Golden Parachutes," Indemnification Payments
The FDIC Board of Directors has issued for public comment a proposal that, with certain exceptions,
would prohibit troubled holding companies, banks and thrifts from making "golden parachute" payments
(typically large cash amounts to executives who resign just before an institution is closed or sold). The
FDIC also has proposed limits on the ability of any holding company or FDIC-insured institution to pay an
employee's or director's liabilities or legal expenses when that person is the subject of an enforcement
proceeding. In general, the proposed regulation would provide guidance on which golden parachute and
indemnification payments would be considered legitimate and which would be considered abusive or
improper. A copy of the proposal is attached.
The proposed regulation would implement anti-fraud legislation enacted in 1990. The FDIC first issued
proposed rules in this area in 1991 but never voted on final rules. Given the passage of time and the
many changes being considered in the current plan, the FDIC has decided to issue a second proposal for
additional public comment. The new proposal differs from the 1991 plan in several respects, including its
designation of unfunded "bona fide" deferred compensation plans and severance payments of up to 12
months' salary as permissible.
Written comments on the proposed regulation will be accepted through May 30, 1995. For more
information, please contact Michael D. Jenkins, an Examination Specialist in the Division of Supervision
(202-898-6896), or Jeffrey M. Kopchik, a Counsel in the Legal Division (202-898-3872).
Stanley J. Poling
Director
Attachment: PDF Format (101 kb, PDF help or hard copy), HTML Format
Distribution: Insured Banks and Savings AssociationsInactive
550 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20429 Division of Supervision
Executive Benefits
FIL-25-95
March 30, 1995
TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SUBJECT: Proposed Limits on "Golden Parachutes," Indemnification Payments
The FDIC Board of Directors has issued for public comment a proposal that, with certain exceptions,
would prohibit troubled holding companies, banks and thrifts from making "golden parachute" payments
(typically large cash amounts to executives who resign just before an institution is closed or sold). The
FDIC also has proposed limits on the ability of any holding company or FDIC-insured institution to pay an
employee's or director's liabilities or legal expenses when that person is the subject of an enforcement
proceeding. In general, the proposed regulation would provide guidance on which golden parachute and
indemnification payments would be considered legitimate and which would be considered abusive or
improper. A copy of the proposal is attached.
The proposed regulation would implement anti-fraud legislation enacted in 1990. The FDIC first issued
proposed rules in this area in 1991 but never voted on final rules. Given the passage of time and the
many changes being considered in the current plan, the FDIC has decided to issue a second proposal for
additional public comment. The new proposal differs from the 1991 plan in several respects, including its
designation of unfunded "bona fide" deferred compensation plans and severance payments of up to 12
months' salary as permissible.
Written comments on the proposed regulation will be accepted through May 30, 1995. For more
information, please contact Michael D. Jenkins, an Examination Specialist in the Division of Supervision
(202-898-6896), or Jeffrey M. Kopchik, a Counsel in the Legal Division (202-898-3872).
Stanley J. Poling
Director
Attachment: PDF Format (101 kb, PDF help or hard copy), HTML Format
Distribution: Insured Banks and Savings AssociationsInactive