Caixa Bank April 04th, 2019
In item 5.1, the Board proposes to reduce the number of members from 18 to 16, by not fulfilling the vacancies created by the end of the mandate of 2 independent Directors. We strongly regret that the Board size is achieved through a lower independent representation. As we have concerns over the lack of independence (44%) and the excessive representation of major shareholders (50% of Directors with 40.6% of the share capital through a shareholders' agreement) on the Board, we recommend opposition.
Due to our concerns over the composition of the Board, we also recommend that shareholders oppose the re-appointment of Ms. María Teresa Bassons Boncompte (item 5.5) and the appointment of Mr. Marcelino Armenter Vidal (item 5.6), as they represent the largest shareholder Criteria Caixa (40%).
In item 7, the Board proposes to amend the 2018-2020 remuneration policy to reflect the change in the position of a Director, from executive to non-executive, and the approval of a new incentive plan. The overall variable remuneration is reasonable (the bonus is capped at 42% and the long-term incentive at approximately 11% of the CEO's fixed remuneration). However, we note that the CEO's fixed remuneration (€ 2'011'000 in 2018) significantly exceeds the median at large European banks (€ 1'333'731) and at large Spanish banks (€ 1'607'500). We also strongly regret that 50% of the CEO's bonus is based on undisclosed individual conditions, and concerns may arise over the excessive discretionary power of the Board to vary individual bonuses by +/- 25%. Furthermore, the variable remuneration is not sufficiently linked to long-term results, as the annual bonus represents 79% of the total variable remuneration at maximum levels of performance. Therefore, we recommend opposition.Due to the lack of disclosure of the performance conditions used to calculate the annual bonus, and taking into account our concerns over the remuneration policy, we also recommend opposing the Annual Remuneration Report in item 12 (advisory vote).
Caixabank is an investment company based in Spain. Co. is involved in investment portfolio management activities across two areas: Services and Financial Business and Insurance. In the services area, Co. provides investment solutions for companies involved in the infrastructure, energy, services and entertainment sectors. In the financial business and insurance area, Co. is engaged in the investments for international banks, insurance and specialist financial services. Co. focuses most of its banking investments in India, China, the U.S., and Central and Eastern Europe with a particular interest in retail banking. Co. is also involved in the disinvestments activities.
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