§ 4518. Prohibition and withholding of executive compensation
(a)
In general
The Director shall prohibit the regulated entities from providing compensation to any executive officer of the regulated entity that is not reasonable and comparable with compensation for employment in other similar businesses (including other publicly held financial institutions or major financial services companies) involving similar duties and responsibilities.
(b)
Factors
In making any determination under subsection (a), the Director may take into consideration any factors the Director considers relevant, including any wrongdoing on the part of the executive officer, and such wrongdoing shall include any fraudulent act or omission, breach of trust or fiduciary duty, violation of law, rule, regulation, order, or written agreement, and insider abuse with respect to the regulated entity. The approval of an agreement or contract pursuant to section
1723a
(d)(3)(B) of this title or section
1452
(h)(2) of this title shall not preclude the Director from making any subsequent determination under subsection (a).
(c)
Withholding of compensation
In carrying out subsection (a), the Director may require a regulated entity to withhold any payment, transfer, or disbursement of compensation to an executive officer, or to place such compensation in an escrow account, during the review of the reasonableness and comparability of compensation.
(d)
Prohibition of setting compensation
In carrying out subsection (a) of this section, the Director may not prescribe or set a specific level or range of compensation.
(e)
Authority to regulate or prohibit certain forms of benefits to affiliated parties
(1)
Golden parachutes and indemnification payments
The Director may prohibit or limit, by regulation or order, any golden parachute payment or indemnification payment.
(2)
Factors to be taken into account
The Director shall prescribe, by regulation, the factors to be considered by the Director in taking any action pursuant to paragraph (1), which may include such factors as—
(A)
whether there is a reasonable basis to believe that the affiliated party has committed any fraudulent act or omission, breach of trust or fiduciary duty, or insider abuse with regard to the regulated entity that has had a material effect on the financial condition of the regulated entity;
(B)
whether there is a reasonable basis to believe that the affiliated party is substantially responsible for the insolvency of the regulated entity, the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the regulated entity, or the troubled condition of the regulated entity (as defined in regulations prescribed by the Director);
(3)
Certain payments prohibited
No regulated entity may prepay the salary or any liability or legal expense of any affiliated party if such payment is made—
(4)
Golden parachute payment defined
(A)
In general
For purposes of this subsection, the term “golden parachute payment” means any payment (or any agreement to make any payment) in the nature of compensation by any regulated entity for the benefit of any affiliated party pursuant to an obligation of such regulated entity that—
(B)
Certain payments in contemplation of an event
Any payment which would be a golden parachute payment but for the fact that such payment was made before the date referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be treated as a golden parachute payment if the payment was made in contemplation of the occurrence of an event described in any subclause of such subparagraph.
(C)
Certain payments not included
For purposes of this subsection, the term “golden parachute payment” shall not include—
(i)
any payment made pursuant to a retirement plan which is qualified (or is intended to be qualified) under section
401 of title
26, or other nondiscriminatory benefit plan;
(5)
Other definitions
For purposes of this subsection, the following definitions shall apply:
(A)
Indemnification payment
Subject to paragraph (6), the term “indemnification payment” means any payment (or any agreement to make any payment) by any regulated entity for the benefit of any person who is or was an affiliated party, to pay or reimburse such person for any liability or legal expense with regard to any administrative proceeding or civil action instituted by the Agency which results in a final order under which such person—
(B)
Liability or legal expense
The term “liability or legal expense” means—
(i)
any legal or other professional expense incurred in connection with any claim, proceeding, or action;
(C)
Payment
The term “payment” includes—
(6)
Certain commercial insurance coverage not treated as covered benefit payment
No provision of this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting any regulated entity from purchasing any commercial insurance policy or fidelity bond, except that, subject to any requirement described in paragraph (5)(A)(iii), such insurance policy or bond shall not cover any legal or liability expense of the regulated entity which is described in paragraph (5)(A).