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 (Amendment No. )
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LADDER CAPITAL CORP |
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
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To the Stockholders of Ladder Capital Corp:
I am pleased to invite you to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of Ladder Capital Corp. The annual meeting will be held on June 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, via live webcast on the Internet. You will be able to attend and submit your questions during the meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LADR2019.
Information about the meeting, nominees for the election of directors and the proposals to be voted on by stockholders is presented in the following notice of annual meeting and proxy statement.
With respect to the matters to consider at the annual meeting, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote:
• | FOR the election of the nominees for director in Proposal 1; and |
• | FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm in Proposal 2. |
Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please vote using the procedures described on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or on the proxy card. It is important that your shares be represented.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely, | |
/s/ Alan H. Fishman | |
Alan H. Fishman | |
Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
LADDER CAPITAL CORP
345 Park Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, New York 10154
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
June 4, 2019
11:00 a.m., Eastern Time
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Ladder Capital Corp will be held virtually via a live webcast on June 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the following purposes:
Items of Business
1. | Reelection of Alan Fishman and the election of Pamela McCormack and David Weiner to the Board of Directors; and |
2. | Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2019. |
In addition, at the Annual Meeting we will transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
postponement or adjournment thereof.
The Record Date for this meeting is the close of business on April 8, 2019.
Sincerely, | |
/s/ Alan H. Fishman | |
Alan H. Fishman | |
Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
New York, NY | |
April 22, 2019 | |
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 4, 2019:
The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, Notice of Meeting and
Proxy Statement are available free of charge at www.proxyvote.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LADDER CAPITAL CORP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
June 4, 2019
GENERAL INFORMATION
Why am I receiving these materials?
Ladder Capital Corp (“Ladder” or the “Company”) has made these materials available to you on the Internet or, upon your request, has delivered printed versions of these materials to you by mail, in connection with the Company’s solicitation of proxies for use at the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held virtually on June 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and at any postponement(s) or adjournment(s) thereof. The Annual Meeting will be conducted via a live webcast on the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LADR2019.
We are providing you this proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) and the enclosed proxy card or the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) because the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting. You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting via the Internet to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. However, you do not need to attend the meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card or follow the instructions below to submit your proxy over the Internet, by phone or by mail, if you requested printed copies of the proxy materials.
This proxy statement is first being made available on or about April 22, 2019, to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?
Pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Company uses the Internet as the primary means of furnishing proxy materials to stockholders. Accordingly, the Company is sending the Notice to its stockholders. All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or request a printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice. In addition, stockholders may request proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email on an ongoing basis. The Company encourages stockholders to take advantage of the availability of the proxy materials on the Internet to help reduce the environmental impact of its annual meeting and the cost to the Company associated with the physical printing and mailing of materials.
What is included in these proxy materials?
These proxy materials include:
• | The Notice of 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; |
• | This Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting; and |
• | The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019 (the “Annual Report”). |
If you requested printed versions by mail, these proxy materials also include the proxy card or voting instruction form for the Annual Meeting.
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What matters will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
The Company is aware of two matters to be voted on by stockholders of record at the Annual Meeting:
1. | Election to the Board of the nominees named in this Proxy Statement (“Proposal 1”); and |
2. | Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2019 (“Proposal 2”). |
With respect to the election of directors, stockholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote may vote “For” the nominees for the Board or may “Withhold” authority to vote for the nominees identified in Proposal 1. Stockholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote may vote either “For” or “Against” or may choose to abstain from voting on Proposal 2.
Will any other business be conducted at the meeting?
Other than the proposals referred to in this Proxy Statement, the Company knows of no other matters to be submitted for a vote of the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named on the proxy to vote the shares represented thereby on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
What are the Board’s voting recommendations?
The Board recommends that you vote your shares:
• | FOR the election of the nominees for director in Proposal 1; and |
• | FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2019 in Proposal 2. |
I share an address with another stockholder, and we received only one paper copy of the proxy materials. How can I obtain an additional copy of the proxy materials?
The Company has adopted an SEC-approved procedure called “householding.” Under this procedure, the Company may deliver a single copy of the Notice and, if applicable, this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report to multiple stockholders who share the same address unless the Company has received contrary instructions from one or more of those stockholders. This procedure reduces the environmental impact of the Company’s annual meetings and reduces the Company’s printing and mailing costs. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards. Upon written or oral request, the Company will deliver promptly a separate copy of the Notice and, if applicable, this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report to any stockholder at a shared address to which the Company delivered a single copy of any of these documents.
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To receive free of charge a separate copy of the Notice and, if applicable, this Proxy Statement or the Annual Report, or separate copies of any future notice, proxy statement or annual report, stockholders may write or call the Company at the following: Investor Relations, Ladder Capital Corp, 345 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10154, (917) 369-3207.
If you are receiving more than one copy of the proxy materials at a single address and would like to participate in householding, please contact the Company using the mailing address and phone number above. Stockholders who hold shares in “street name” (as described below) may contact their brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other similar organization to request information about householding.
How can I get electronic access to the proxy materials?
The Notice will provide you with instructions regarding how to use the Internet to:
• | View the Company’s proxy materials for the Annual Meeting; and |
• | Instruct the Company to send future proxy materials to you by email. |
The Company’s proxy materials are also available at ir.laddercapital.com. This website address is included for reference only. The information contained on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.
Choosing to receive future proxy materials by email will reduce the impact of the Company’s annual meetings on the environment and will save the Company the cost of printing and mailing documents to you. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by email, you will receive an email message next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting website. Your election to receive proxy materials by email will remain in effect until you terminate it.
Who may vote at the Annual Meeting?
Holders of record of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock at the close of business on April 8, 2019 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to receive notice of, to attend and to vote in person via webcast at the Annual Meeting as set forth below. As of the Record Date, there were 106,561,292 shares of Class A common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and 13,198,344 shares of Class B common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
What is the difference between a stockholder of record and a beneficial owner of shares held in street name?
If, on the Record Date, your shares were registered directly in your name with Ladder’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may cast your vote at the Annual Meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card or vote by proxy over the telephone or on the Internet as instructed below to ensure your vote is counted.
If, on the Record Date, your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent on how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.
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If I am a stockholder of record, how do I vote?
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote:
• | Via the Internet. You may vote by proxy via the Internet by following the instructions provided in the Notice. |
• | By Telephone. If you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by proxy by calling the toll-free number found on the proxy card. |
• | By Mail. If you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you will receive a proxy card and you may vote by proxy by filling out the proxy card and returning it in the envelope provided. |
• | At the Virtual Annual Meeting. You may also vote at the Annual Meeting. For more information, see “What do I need to attend the Annual Meeting?” |
If I am a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, how do I vote?
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you may vote:
• | Via the Internet. You may vote by proxy via the Internet by visiting www.proxyvote.com and entering the control number found in your Notice. The availability of Internet voting may depend on the voting process of the organization that holds your shares. |
• | By Telephone. If you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by proxy by calling the toll-free number found on the voting instruction form. The availability of telephone voting may depend on the voting process of the organization that holds your shares. |
• | By Mail. If you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you will receive a voting instruction form and you may vote by proxy by filling out the voting instruction form and returning it in the envelope provided. |
• | At the Virtual Annual Meeting. You may also vote at the Annual Meeting if you obtain a “legal proxy” from the organization that holds your shares. A legal proxy is a written document that will authorize you to vote your shares held in street name at the Annual Meeting. Please contact the organization that holds your shares for instructions regarding obtaining a legal proxy. |
What do I need to attend the Annual Meeting?
We will host the Annual Meeting via a live webcast on the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LADR2019. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person but will be afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate as you would at an in-person meeting. Stockholders may vote and submit questions while participating in the Annual Meeting via the Internet. A summary of the information you need to attend the Annual Meeting online is provided below:
• | Instructions on how to attend and participate via the Internet, including how to demonstrate proof of stock ownership, are posted at www.proxyvote.com. |
• | We encourage you to access the Annual Meeting online prior to its start time. |
• | The webcast will start at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time. |
• | You will need your 16-Digit Control Number to enter the Annual Meeting. |
• | A webcast replay of the Annual Meeting will be available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LADR2019 until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on June 4, 2020. |
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Why does the Company hold a virtual Annual Meeting?
We value and encourage broad investor participation and believe that a virtual meeting provides an opportunity for stockholders to more easily attend and participate from the comfort of their homes and offices. A virtual meeting, while affording stockholders the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting, is also cost-effective for both Ladder and its investors, saving travel, venue rental, catering and other expenses.
If I am unable to attend the Annual Meeting on the Internet, can I listen to the Annual Meeting by telephone?
Yes. If you are unable to access the Annual Meeting on the Internet, you may call 1-877-328-2502 to listen to the Annual Meeting. You will be prompted to provide your control number. Although stockholders accessing the Annual Meeting by telephone will be able to listen to the Annual Meeting and may ask questions during the Annual Meeting, you will not be considered present at the Annual Meeting and will not be able to vote unless you also attend the Annual Meeting via the Internet. If you plan to listen to the Annual Meeting by telephone, we encourage you to submit your completed proxy card so your votes may be counted.
What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if stockholders holding at least a majority in voting power of our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting are present at the meeting or represented by proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, we may adjourn the meeting to another date to solicit additional proxies.
How are proxies voted?
All shares represented by valid proxies received prior to the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting will be voted and, where a stockholder specifies by means of the proxy a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions.
What happens if I do not give specific voting instructions?
Stockholders of Record. If you are a stockholder of record and you:
• | Indicate when voting on the Internet or by telephone that you wish to vote as recommended by the Board; or |
• | Sign and return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions, |
then the persons named as proxy holders, Marc Fox and Kelly Porcella, will vote your shares in the manner recommended by the Board on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement and as the proxy holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions then, under applicable rules, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on “routine” matters but cannot vote on “non-routine” matters. If the organization that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, that organization will inform the inspector of election that it does not have the authority to vote on this matter with respect to your shares. This is generally referred to as a “broker non-vote.”
Broker non-votes and abstentions will, however, be counted towards determining whether or not a quorum is present.
Which proposals are considered “routine” or “non-routine”?
The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2019 (Proposal 2) is considered a routine matter under applicable rules. A broker or other nominee may generally vote on routine matters, and therefore no broker non-votes are expected in connection with Proposal 2.
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The election of directors (Proposal 1) is considered a non-routine matter under applicable rules. A broker or other nominee cannot vote without instructions on non-routine matters, and therefore broker non-votes may exist in connection with Proposal 1.
How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
Proposal 1. Each share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote for each director nominee named in this Proxy Statement. The election of each director nominee will require the affirmative vote of holders of a plurality of our outstanding shares of Class A and Class B common stock present in person via webcast or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. The holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together on Proposal 1 as a single class.
Proposal 2. Each share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote on Proposal 2 (the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2019). Approval of Proposal 2 will require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of votes cast by shares of Class A and Class B common stock present in person via webcast or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. The holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together on Proposal 2 as a single class.
How are broker non-votes and abstentions treated?
Broker non-votes and abstentions are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. However, broker non-votes, abstentions and votes withheld are not considered votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of the Proposals.
In order to minimize the number of broker non-votes, the Company encourages you to vote or to provide voting instructions with respect to each proposal to the organization that holds your shares by carefully following the instructions provided in the Notice or voting instruction form.
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
If you receive more than one proxy card, your shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. Please complete, sign and return each proxy card to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting. Prior to the applicable cutoff time, you may change your vote using the Internet or telephone methods described above, in which case only your latest Internet or telephone proxy submitted prior to the Annual Meeting will be counted. You may also revoke your proxy and change your vote by signing and returning a new proxy card or voting instruction form dated as of a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person via webcast. However, your attendance at the Annual Meeting in person via webcast will not automatically revoke your proxy unless you properly vote at the Annual Meeting in person via webcast or specifically request that your prior proxy be revoked by delivering a written notice of revocation to the Company’s Secretary at Ladder Capital Corp, 345 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10154 prior to the Annual Meeting.
Who will serve as the inspector of election?
A representative from Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”) will serve as the inspector of election.
Is my vote confidential?
Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or to third parties, except:
• | As necessary to meet applicable legal requirements; |
• | To allow for the tabulation and certification of votes; and |
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• | To facilitate a successful proxy solicitation. |
Occasionally, stockholders provide written comments on their proxy cards, which may be forwarded to the Company’s management and the Board.
How will our directors and officers vote on the proposals?
The directors and executive officers of Ladder have informed Ladder that, as of the date of the filing of this proxy statement, they intend to vote all shares of Class A and Class B common stock owned by them “For” Proposal 1 and Proposal 2. As of the Record Date, the directors and executive officers owned, in the aggregate, 4,494,872 shares of Class A common stock and 9,962,838 shares of Class B common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
The Company will pay the entire cost of soliciting proxies. We have engaged Broadridge to assist with the preparation and distribution of the proxy solicitation materials for the Annual Meeting, act as vote tabulator and host the virtual meeting, at a base fee of $10,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses. The Company may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
Our directors and employees also may solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by other means of communication. However, they will not receive any compensation for soliciting proxies.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting results and the Board’s determination of the frequency of future Say on Pay votes are expected to be published on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed within four business days after the Annual Meeting.
Where are the Company’s principal executive offices located, and what is the Company’s main telephone number?
The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 345 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10154, and the Company’s main telephone number is (212) 715-3170.
Whom may I contact with questions?
If you have any questions or require any assistance with voting your shares, please contact your broker or similar agent, or the Company’s Investor Relations team at (917) 369-3207.
What is the deadline to propose actions for consideration or to nominate individuals to serve as directors at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders?
Notice of any proposal that a stockholder intends to present at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, as well as any director nominations, must be delivered to the Company’s Secretary by mail at 345 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10154, or by email at investor.relations@laddercapital.com, not earlier than February 5, 2020, and not later than the close of business on March 6, 2020. The notice must be submitted by a stockholder of record and must set forth the information required by the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws with respect to each director nomination or other proposal that the stockholder intends to present at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.
To be considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement, all proposals must be submitted in writing to the Company’s Secretary so that they are received no later than December 24, 2019. All proposals must comply with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which lists the requirements for the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you can contact the organization that holds your shares for information about how to register your shares directly in your name as a stockholder of record.
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DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Nominees for Election to the Board
Identified below are the three nominees for election as a director. At the Annual Meeting, proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of individuals than the three nominees named in this Proxy Statement. Each of the directors listed below has consented to being named as a nominee in this Proxy Statement and serving on the Board if elected. Each director, if elected at the Annual Meeting, will serve a three-year term until the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. Mr. O’Toole, whose term expires this year, will not be standing for re-election to the Board.
Name | Age as of the Annual Meeting | Position with the Company | ||
Alan Fishman | 73 | Non-Executive Chairman of the Board | ||
Pamela McCormack | 48 | Director Nominee | ||
David Weiner | 58 | Director Nominee | ||
The Board and its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believe the skills, qualities, attributes and experience of Mr. Fishman, Ms. McCormack and Mr. Weiner provide the Company with business acumen and a diverse range of perspectives to help effectively address the Company’s evolving needs and represent the best interests of the Company’s stockholders. The biographies below describe the skills, qualities, attributes and experience of the nominees that led the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to determine that it is appropriate to nominate these directors for election.
Alan H. Fishman. Mr. Fishman is Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Ladder. Mr. Fishman was appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of Ladder at its formation in May 2013 and previously was the Non-Executive Chairman of our operating partnership, Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP (“LCFH”) since its formation in October 2008. Mr. Fishman has had an extensive career in the financial services industry, serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Washington Mutual Inc. prior to joining Ladder’s Board. Mr. Fishman also served as the Chairman of Meridian Capital Group and as President of Sovereign Bancorp. From March 2001 until the sale of Independence Community Bank to Sovereign in June 2006, Mr. Fishman had served as Independence Community Bank’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Previously, Mr. Fishman served as the President and Chief Executive Officer at ContiFinancial Corp. Mr. Fishman has been a private equity investor focusing on financial services at Neuberger Berman, Adler & Shaykin and at his own firm, Columbia Financial Partners LP, and has held a variety of senior executive positions at Chemical Bank and American International Group. Mr. Fishman is a member of the board of directors of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. and is the lead independent director of its subsidiary, Santander Bank, N.A. Mr. Fishman also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and serves as Chairman of Brooklyn Community Foundation and on the boards of several other not-for-profit and civic organizations. Mr. Fishman holds a B.S. from Brown University and a Masters in Economics from Columbia University. Mr. Fishman's extensive financial management experience qualifies him to serve as a member of our Board.
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Pamela McCormack. Ms. McCormack is a founder of Ladder and has served as President of Ladder since June 2017.
Ms. McCormack was appointed as General Counsel of Ladder at its formation in October 2008 and assumed increasing responsibility when she was appointed as Co-Head of Securitization in 2010, Chief Strategy Officer in 2014 and Chief Operating Officer in March 2016. Prior to forming Ladder, Ms. McCormack served as Executive Director and Head of Transaction Management—Global Commercial Real Estate at Dillon Read Capital Management (“DRCM”) from June 2006 to June 2007. Before joining DRCM, Ms. McCormack served as Executive Director and Co-Head of Transaction Management—Global Commercial Real Estate and, previously also as Counsel at UBS Securities LLC from October 2003 to June 2006. In that capacity, Ms. McCormack managed a team responsible for the structuring, negotiating and closing of real estate investments globally. Prior to joining UBS Securities LLC, Ms. McCormack worked as Vice President and Counsel for Real Estate Finance and Securitization and Global Recovery Management at Credit Suisse (from 1999 to 2003) and as a real estate and finance attorney at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP (from 1997 to 1999) and Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner LLP (from 1996 to 1997). Ms. McCormack has 21 years of experience in commercial real estate finance and serves on the Advisory Board of St. John’s Mattone Family Institute for Real Estate Law. Ms. McCormack received a B. A. in English, cum laude, from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Ms. McCormack’s extensive experience at Ladder and in the commercial real estate industry qualifies her to serve as a member of our Board.
David Weiner. David Weiner has over 30 years of investment industry experience and has been a Senior Vice President/Investments at Stifel, one of the nation’s leading full-service wealth management and investment banking firms since 2014. Prior to Stifel, Mr. Weiner created and managed Chrome Capital Management, LLC, a registered investment advisor from 2010 to 2014. From 2004 to 2010, Mr. Weiner was a Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets, where he ran the equity swap desk and marketed equity derivatives to RBC’s corporate clients. Mr. Weiner joined RBC from Lazard Freres and CALFP, a joint venture between Credit Agricole Bank and Lazard where he headed their U.S. derivatives effort. Prior to CALFP, Mr. Weiner held various equity and fixed income derivative and capital market positions at UBS, Deutsche Bank, and Lehman Brothers. Mr. Weiner began his career in the actuarial field. He holds a B.S. in Economics from the State University of New York at Albany. Mr. Weiner’s extensive investment industry experience qualifies him to serve as a member of our Board.
Directors
The following sets forth information regarding our current Board, other than Mr. O’Toole, who will not be standing for re-election, and Mr. Fishman, whose information is set forth above.
Name | Age as of the Annual Meeting | Position with the Company | ||
Alan H. Fishman | 73 | Non-Executive Chairman of the Board | ||
Brian Harris | 58 | Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
Mark Alexander | 57 | Director | ||
Douglas Durst | 74 | Director | ||
Michael Mazzei | 58 | Director | ||
Jeffrey Steiner | 65 | Director | ||
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Brian Harris. Mr. Harris is a founder of Ladder and has served as Chief Executive Officer of Ladder since its formation in May 2013 and Chief Executive Officer of LCFH since its formation in October 2008. Mr. Harris has been a director of Ladder since its formation in May 2013 and a director of LCFH since its formation in October 2008. Mr. Harris has over 30 years of experience in the real estate and financial markets. Prior to forming Ladder, Mr. Harris served as a Senior Partner, Managing Director and Head of Global Commercial Real Estate at DRCM, a wholly owned subsidiary of UBS AG, from June 2006 to May 2007, managing over $500 million of equity capital from UBS AG for DRCM’s commercial real estate activities globally. Prior to that, Mr. Harris served as Managing Director and Head of Global Commercial Real Estate at UBS Securities LLC from June 1999 to June 2006, managing UBS’s proprietary commercial real estate activities globally. Mr. Harris also served as a member of the board of directors of UBS Investment Bank from April 2003 to September 2005. From March 1996 to April 1999, Mr. Harris served as Head of Commercial Mortgage Trading at Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and was responsible for managing all proprietary commercial real estate investment and trading activities. Prior to that, Mr. Harris also worked in the real estate groups at Smith Barney (from 1994 to 1996), Daiwa Securities Group Inc. (from 1991 to 1994), Lehman Brothers (from 1989 to 1991), Salomon Brothers (from 1986 to 1988) and Chemical Bank (from 1985 to 1986). Mr. Harris earned a B.S. in Biology and an M.B.A. from The State University of New York at Albany. Mr. Harris’ real estate and financial experience qualify him to serve as a member of our Board.
Mark Alexander. Mr. Alexander was appointed a director of Ladder in June 2015. Mr. Alexander is the Chief Executive officer of iCreditWorks, a FinTech start-up that leverages mobile and emerging technologies to transform point-of-care lending between healthcare consumers and professionals. Mr. Alexander has spent his career focusing on financial services, technology and operations, most recently serving as an Executive Advisor to McKinsey & Company, Aquiline Capital Partners, and Broadridge Financial Solutions, as well as other advisory services through his company, Latigo Financial Services from 2015 to 2019. From 2013 to 2015, Mr. Alexander served as the Chief Information Officer and Head of Technology and Operations for Global Markets at Bank of America Merrill Lynch (“BAML”). Prior to this role, he served for five years as Chief Information Officer and Head of Technology and Operations for Global Wealth and Investment Management (“GWIM”) at BAML. Mr. Alexander joined Merrill Lynch in 1991 and held various leadership positions in Global Markets and GWIM, including Head of Global Operations, GWIM Business Infrastructure and Controls, the GWIM Direct Division, Broadcort Clearing, Transaction and Custody Services, Global Equities Operations, Fixed Income Operations, Institutional Client Services, and Global Private Client Services. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Alexander served as a manager of auditing and a consultant for financial services at Deloitte & Touche after five years as a senior staff accountant. He has also served on various boards, such as the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (where he was Lead Director, Chair of the Audit Committee and served on the Governance and Compensation Committees), Euroclear plc, LCH.Clearnet, the European Securities Clearing Corporation, Participants’ Trust Company (where he was Chairman in 1997) and the Government Securities Clearing Corporation. Mr. Alexander is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and has a BBA in Accounting from Hofstra University and an MBA in Finance from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Mr. Alexander’s extensive financial and accounting experience qualifies him to serve as a member of our Board.
Douglas Durst. Mr. Durst was appointed as a director of Ladder in January 2014. Mr. Durst is chairman of, and a member of the third generation to lead, the Durst Organization, one of the oldest family-run, commercial and residential real estate companies in New York City. Mr. Durst joined the organization in 1968 and has acted as its chairman since 1994. Mr. Durst serves as a director of the Real Estate Board of New York, Hudson River Park Trust, The New School, The Trust for Public Land, Project for Public Spaces, The Roundabout Theater and Primary Stages. Mr. Durst is also a trustee of The Old York Foundation, established by his father, which is committed to helping people through education to understand the history and issues facing New York City. In addition, Mr. Durst has been an environmental activist for many years and created one of the largest organic farms in New York State. Mr. Durst earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley and a Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) from each of the City University of New York and Allegheny College. Mr. Durst’s extensive experience in the real estate industry qualifies him to serve as a member of our Board.
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Michael Mazzei. Mr. Mazzei was appointed as a director of Ladder in June 2017. Mr. Mazzei served as President of Ladder from June 2012 to June 2017. From September 2009 to June 2012, Mr. Mazzei served as a Managing Director and Global Head of the CMBS and Bank Loan Syndication Group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Prior to that, Mr. Mazzei served as Co-Head of CMBS and Commercial Real Estate Debt Markets at Barclays Capital from March 2004 to June 2009. Prior to Barclays Capital, Mr. Mazzei spent 20 years at Lehman Brothers, including 18 years in commercial real estate finance-related functions. Having started in commercial mortgage trading in 1984, Mr. Mazzei became the head of CMBS in 1991 and served as the Co-Head of Global Real Estate Investment Banking from March 2002 to February 2004. Mr. Mazzei has a total of 30 years of experience in commercial real estate finance. Mr. Mazzei earned a B.S. in Finance from Baruch College CUNY and a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and is a graduate of the New York University Real Estate Institute. Mr. Mazzei’s extensive experience in the commercial real estate industry qualifies him to serve as a member of our Board.
Jeffrey B. Steiner. Mr. Steiner was appointed as a director of Ladder in July 2018. Mr. Steiner is a Partner at McDermott Will & Emery LLP, an international law firm, and has more than 35 years of experience in real estate, real estate finance and real estate capital markets transactions. Mr. Steiner currently serves as the Global Head of the Real Estate Finance Group of McDermott Will & Emery and a member of the firm’s Management Committee. Prior to joining McDermott Will & Emery in March 2018, Mr. Steiner was a Partner at DLA Piper LLP (US) from September 2008 to March 2018, where he was the Global Co-Chairman of the Finance Department and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Mr. Steiner holds a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and a B.S. from McGill University. Mr. Steiner’s extensive experience in the real estate industry qualifies him to serve as a member of our Board.
Corporate Governance
The Board. The Board consists of seven directors and one vacancy. The authorized number of directors may be changed by resolution of the Board and was increased from seven to eight in April 2019. Vacancies on our Board can be filled by resolution of our Board. The Board is divided into three classes, each serving staggered, three-year terms:
• | our Class I directors are Messrs. Durst and Steiner; |
• | our Class II directors are Messrs. Fishman and O’Toole; and |
• | our Class III directors are Messrs. Harris, Alexander and Mazzei. |
As a result, only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective terms.
The Board met a total of six times during 2018. All directors are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting, via webcast or in person. All directors then serving attended the annual meeting last year.
Board Independence. The Board has undertaken a review of the independence of each director. Based on information provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment, and affiliations, the Board has determined that Messrs. Fishman, Alexander, Durst, O’Toole, Steiner and Weiner do not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is “independent” as that term is defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). In making these determinations, the Board considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with the Company and all other facts and circumstances our Board deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director, and the transactions involving them described in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.” Our Non-Executive Chairman presides at the regularly scheduled executive sessions of these independent directors of the Board.
There are no family relationships among the Company’s executive officers and directors.
Board Committees. The Board has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Risk and Underwriting Committee. The Board has determined that all committee members, excluding Mr. Harris, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Mazzei, the Company’s former President, both of whom serve on the Risk and Underwriting Committee, are independent under applicable NYSE and SEC rules for committee memberships.
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All committees operate under written charters adopted by the Board. The Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charters and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines are available at ir.laddercapital.com. The information on our website is not intended to form a part of or be incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.
During 2018, each member of the Board attended or participated in at least 75% of the meetings of the Board (held during the period for which such person has been a director) and all of the meetings held by each of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance committees of the Board on which such person served (during the periods that such person served). The current chairs and members of the committees are shown in the table below.
Director | Audit Committee | Compensation Committee | Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | Risk and Underwriting Committee | ||||
Alan H. Fishman | Member | Member | — | Chair | ||||
Brian Harris | — | — | — | Member | ||||
Mark Alexander | Chair | — | Member | — | ||||
Douglas Durst | — | Chair | Chair | — | ||||
Michael Mazzei | — | — | — | Member | ||||
Richard L. O’Toole | Member | — | — | — | ||||
Jeffrey Steiner | — | Member | — | — | ||||
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations in matters involving our accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control and legal compliance functions by approving the services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm and reviewing their reports regarding our accounting practices and systems of internal accounting controls. The Audit Committee also oversees the audit efforts of our independent registered public accounting firm and takes those actions as it deems necessary to satisfy itself that the independent registered public accounting firm is independent of management, including selecting the audit engagement partner and ensuring that such partner rotates every five years. Our Audit Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Alexander (Chair), Fishman and O’Toole. We believe that Mr. Fishman and Mr. Alexander meet the SEC’s definition of Audit Committee Financial Expert and that all members of our Audit Committee meet the requirements for independence and financial literacy under the applicable requirements of the SEC and NYSE rules. The Audit Committee met a total of five times during 2018. The Audit Committee also prepared the Audit Committee Report included in this Proxy Statement.
Compensation Committee. Among other responsibilities set forth in its charter, the Compensation Committee determines our general compensation policies and recommends to the Board the compensation provided to our directors, our Chief Executive Officer, and our other officers. The Compensation Committee also reviews and recommends to the Board equity-based compensation for our directors and officers. Under its charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to retain outside legal, accounting or other consultants or experts, including compensation consultants, as it deems necessary in the performance of its duties and without having to seek approval of the Board. For additional information, please see “Executive Compensation—Setting Executive Compensation” below.
Our Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Durst (Chair), Fishman and Steiner. We believe that all members of our Compensation Committee meet the criteria for independence under the applicable requirements of the NYSE and SEC rules. The Compensation Committee met once during 2018. Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee may form one or more subcommittees, each of which may take such actions as may be delegated by the Committee.
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Durst (Chair) and Alexander. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met once during 2018. After the end of the fiscal year, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended to the full Board the nominees named in this Proxy Statement for election to the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed entirely of directors who satisfy NYSE director independence standards. As further discussed below, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board regarding candidates for directorships and the size and composition of the Board and its committees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee leads the annual self-assessment by the Board and its committees and uses the results of this process to help refine and improve the operations of both the Board and its committees. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing our corporate governance guidelines and reporting and making recommendations to the Board concerning corporate governance matters.
Board Nominating Process. Ladder has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, available at ir.laddercapital.com, that describe the Company’s criteria for directors and the director nominating process, summarized herein. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for screening and recommending to the Board nominees for election as directors of the Company, including nominees recommended by stockholders of the Company. When formulating its Board membership recommendations, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers advice and recommendations from stockholders, management, and others as it deems appropriate, and will also take into account the performance of incumbent directors in determining whether to recommend them for reelection at the annual meeting of stockholders. The Company relies upon its vast commercial real estate finance and risk management network in identifying potential candidates for the Board. Mr. Weiner was recommended to the Board by Brian Harris.
The Company seeks to align Board composition with the Company’s strategic direction so that directors possess the skills, experience and backgrounds that are relevant to the key strategic and operational issues that they will oversee and approve. We value the benefits that diversity can bring to the Company and are committed to the promotion of a diverse management team and Board that reflects the diverse nature of our shareholders and our business. We think broadly about diversity and recognize that it can include, but is not limited to, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, generation, age, background, education, experiences, abilities, and skills. The Company is committed to a diverse and inclusive culture which solicits multiple perspectives and is free of bias and discrimination. Director candidates are typically selected based on their integrity and character, sound, independent judgment, track record of accomplishment in leadership roles, as well as their professional and corporate expertise, skills and experience. Criteria that are typically considered by the Board in the selection of directors include:
• | the independence, judgment, strength of character, reputation in the business community, ethics and integrity of the individual; |
• | the business or other relevant experience, skills and knowledge that the individual may have that will enable him/her to provide effective oversight of the Company’s business; |
• | the fit of the individual’s skill set and personality with those of the other directors so as to build a Board that works together effectively and constructively; and |
• | the individual’s ability to devote sufficient time to carry out his or her responsibilities as a director in light of his/her occupation and the number of boards of directors of other public companies on which he or she serves. |
Following the completion of interviews (including, as appropriate, with other directors, the CEO and other members of management) and reference checks of identified candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the candidates. The full Board then votes on the committee’s recommendations. A candidate approved by a majority of the Board is nominated for election by the Company’s stockholders at the next annual meeting, or in the case of a vacancy between annual meetings, is appointed by the Board.
Risk and Underwriting Committee. The Board also has a Risk and Underwriting Committee, composed of Messrs. Fishman (Chair), Harris and Mazzei. The committee reviews our internal risk reports and evaluates risk management strategies. In addition, it reviews and approves (i) loans greater than $50 million, (ii) real estate equity investments greater than $20 million, (iii) AAA rated securities positions greater than $50 million, (iv) all other investment grade securities positions greater than $26 million and (v) in the case of non-rated or sub-investment grade securities, the lesser of (x) $21,000,000 and (y) 10% of the total net asset value of the respective Ladder investment company. The committee also approves aggregate investments in real-estate related corporate debt and equity securities above $20 million. This committee endeavors to meet at least quarterly or more frequently as needed depending on the transaction requirements.
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Board Oversight of Risk Management. One of the key functions of the Board is informed oversight of our risk management process. The Board administers this oversight function directly through the Board as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of the Board that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, the Board is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, and our Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures.
In addition, Ladder maintains a best practice, risk-based approach to cybersecurity, with oversight by a cybersecurity team including the General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Chief IT Officer as well as senior representatives from Ladder’s outsourced technology firm, and regular discussions with the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee also has the responsibility to review with management the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken, monitor compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and review with our independent auditors the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.
Our Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are responsible for periodically evaluating the Company’s corporate governance policies and system in light of the governance risks that the Company faces and the adequacy of the Company’s policies and procedures designed to address such risks. The Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. Our Risk and Underwriting Committee assesses and monitors our risk management strategies, including but not limited to those designed to mitigate credit, interest rate, liquidity and counterparty risk, and investments of material size as described above.
Codes of Business Conduct and Ethics. Our Board has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, as well as a code of ethics for senior financial officers. The full text of both codes is available on our website at ir.laddercapital.com. We intend to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of our code of business conduct, or waivers of certain provisions as they relate to our directors and executive officers, at the same location on our website or otherwise as required by applicable law. The information on our website is not intended to form a part of or be incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance. Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s officers and directors, and beneficial owners of more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”), to file reports of securities ownership and changes in such ownership with the SEC. SEC rules also require the Reporting Persons to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely upon a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company and upon written representations from the Reporting Persons, the Company believes that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to the Company’s directors and officers were timely met during 2018.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. None of the members of the Compensation Committee is or has been an executive officer of the Company, nor did they have any relationships requiring disclosure by the Company under Item 404 of Regulation S-K, other than those described in the section captioned “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.” None of the Company’s executive officers served as a director or a member of a compensation committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity, an executive officer of which served as a director of the Company or member of the Compensation Committee during 2018.
Board Evaluation. Each year, our Board conducts a rigorous self-evaluation process, which includes individual director evaluations. This process is overseen by the Nominating and Governance Committee and conducted by outside counsel with corporate governance experience. The performance evaluations solicit anonymous input from directors regarding the performance and effectiveness of the Board and its committees. The Nominating and Governance Committee reviews the results and feedback from the evaluation process, which are compiled anonymously, and makes recommendations for improvements as appropriate. The Board evaluation process includes an assessment of both Board process and substance, including the Board’s effectiveness and composition and the quality of Board and committee discussions and materials. The Board believes that this annual evaluation process supports its effectiveness and continuous improvement.
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Stockholder Engagement. The Board is consistently focused on maximizing stockholder value. The Company and the Board regularly evaluate the Company’s corporate governance profile and are committed to understanding and addressing stockholder concerns. Throughout the year, the Company and the Board engage with stockholders on a variety of topics, including corporate governance policies and Board composition. The Company appreciates and considers stockholder feedback as its analysis of, and strategic decision-making on, these topics continues to evolve.
Communications with the Board. Any matter intended for the Board, for any of its committees, or for any individual member or members of the Board, should be directed to the Company’s Secretary at 345 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10154, with a request to forward the communication to the intended recipient or recipients. In general, any stockholder communication delivered to the Company for forwarding to the Board or specified Board committee or members will be forwarded in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions. However, the Company reserves the right not to forward to directors any abusive, threatening or otherwise inappropriate materials.
Board Environmental and Social Risk Oversight. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for the oversight of the Company’s environmental and social risks as they apply to shareholder value.
The Company maintains an environmental policy that applies to its owned real estate and all real estate collateral underlying its loans. Ladder conducts thorough due diligence that is reviewed by specialized environmental counsel. The due diligence we perform on each of our investments include, as applicable, environmental reports to identify and evaluate potential environmental hazards, including ground water pollution, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead paint, asbestos, and radon gas. The Company may also include specific requirements in its loan documents, including the potential use of environmental insurance, to ensure the completion of any required remediation. Compliance is monitored by Ladder’s asset management team.
Ladder is also committed to environmental sustainability. Our environmental friendliness applies to several aspects of the Company’s daily operations, including, but not limited to, purchasing and using office equipment that meet energy management standards such as ENERGY STAR, recycling office equipment at the end of its life or service, participating in waste recycling and encouraging employees to use environmental friendly practices. As we refine our understanding of how environmental and sustainability issues impact our business, we will continue to integrate consideration of environmental issues into our decision-making processes.
Ladder supports community development by investing directly in, and providing flexible and cost-effective mortgage loan financing to support investments in, and the development of, multifamily and commercial real estate throughout the country, including in low- to moderate-income communities that are typically under-served by the financing community at large. In doing so, we contribute to improvements in the quality of life for community residents, create job opportunities and provide other lenders with an example to follow as they consider investing in those communities in the future.
Compensation of the Board
The information contained in “Executive Compensation—Director Compensation” is incorporated by reference.
Executive Officers
The following sets forth information regarding executive officers of the Company. Biographical information pertaining to Mr. Harris and Ms. McCormack can be found in the section entitled “Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance - Directors.”
Name | Age as of the Annual Meeting | Position with the Company | ||
Marc Fox | 59 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
Robert Perelman | 56 | Head of Asset Management | ||
Kelly Porcella | 37 | Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary | ||
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Thomas Harney served as Head of Merchant Banking and Capital Markets until his retirement on March 15, 2019. Mr. Harney continues to support Ladder in an on-going advisory capacity.
Marc Fox. Mr. Fox was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Ladder in November 2008. From January 1999 through 2008, Mr. Fox served as Treasurer of Capmark Financial Group Inc. (“Capmark”), where Mr. Fox formulated and executed its worldwide funding strategies, including commercial real estate-based financing strategies. From 1997 through 1998, prior to his appointment as Treasurer, Mr. Fox managed a group responsible for the underwriting and closing of large commercial real estate loans. He left Capmark within one year before its filing for bankruptcy in late 2009. Mr. Fox was significantly involved in the formation of Capmark’s wholly owned banking platform and debt management of Capmark Bank, a regulated industrial bank subsidiary of Capmark. From 1990 to 1997, Mr. Fox worked as a commercial real estate appraiser and consultant at Herskowitz, Rosen & Walton. Mr. Fox has a total of 27 years of experience in commercial real estate finance. Mr. Fox earned a B.S. in Economics and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Robert Perelman. Mr. Perelman is a co-founder of Ladder and was appointed as Head of Asset Management of Ladder at its formation in October 2008. Prior to forming Ladder, Mr. Perelman served as a Director and Head of Asset Management at UBS Securities LLC from June 2007 to October 2007 and, previously prior to the launch of DRCM, from April 2006 to June 2006. Prior to being re-integrated to UBS Securities LLC, Mr. Perelman served as a Director and Head of Asset Management at DRCM from June 2006 to June 2007. In that capacity, Mr. Perelman managed a team responsible for the portfolio management of all real estate investments globally. Prior to joining DRCM, Mr. Perelman served as a Managing Director and Partner at Hudson Realty Capital LLC, a private equity fund, where Mr. Perelman worked from June 2003 to March 2006 and was responsible for loan origination, real estate investments and asset management. Before joining Hudson Realty, Mr. Perelman served as a Director at Credit Suisse from February 1998 to May 2003. During his tenure at Credit Suisse, Mr. Perelman had significant responsibility for the structuring and closing of a wide variety of real estate investments within the United States and Asia. Prior to that, Mr. Perelman worked as a real estate and finance attorney at each of Brown Raysman Millstein Felder & Steiner LLP (from 1996 to 1998), Hahn & Hessen LLP (from 1991 to 1996) and Kaye Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler (from 1988 to 1991). Mr. Perelman has a total of 29 years of experience in commercial real estate finance. Mr. Perelman earned a B.S. in Telecommunications Management from Syracuse University and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.
Kelly Porcella. Ms. Porcella was appointed Chief Administrative Officer in April 2019 and General Counsel in March 2016, having previously served as Associate General Counsel since December 2013. Ms. Porcella helps to manage the day-to-day operations of the Company and is primarily responsible for the Company’s corporate governance, cybersecurity, human resources, executive compensation, legal and regulatory oversight and the execution of the Company’s strategic initiatives. Before joining Ladder in March 2009, Ms. Porcella worked at DRCM and UBS Securities LLC, where she was a member of the team responsible for the management of the firm’s balance sheet assets, including fixed and floating rate financings, mezzanine debt, joint ventures, equity and preferred equity investments, loan and asset dispositions and restructurings. Ms. Porcella has a total of 12 years of experience in commercial real estate finance. Ms. Porcella serves on the St. John’s University School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Advisory Board of St. John’s Mattone Family Institute for Real Estate Law. Ms. Porcella received a B.S. in Marketing, summa cum laude, from The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University and a J.D., magna cum laude, from St. John’s University School of Law.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Class A common stock as of April 8, 2019 for:
• | each beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our outstanding shares; |
• | each of our named executive officers; |
• | each of our directors; and |
• | all of our executive officers and directors as a group. |
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules. These rules generally attribute beneficial ownership of securities to persons who possess sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to such securities. Except as otherwise indicated, all persons listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.
Class A common stock(1)(2)(3) | ||||||
Name of Beneficial Owner(4) | Number | Percentage | ||||
Principal Stockholders: | ||||||
BlackRock, Inc.(5) | 9,123,357 | 7.6 | % | |||
The Vanguard Group(6) | 8,204,181 | 6.9 | % | |||
Named Executive Officers and Directors: | ||||||
Alan H. Fishman(7) | 1,207,341 | 1.0 | % | |||
Brian Harris(8) | 6,675,748 | 5.6 | % | |||
Mark Alexander(9) | 82,969 | * | ||||
Douglas Durst(10) | 3,565,465 | 3.0 | % | |||
Richard O'Toole(11) | 14,564 | * | ||||
Michael Mazzei(12) | 1,214,060 | 1.0 | % | |||
Jeffrey Steiner(13) | 9,150 | * | ||||
Pamela McCormack(14) | 972,187 | * | ||||
Marc Fox(15) | 391,883 | * | ||||
Thomas Harney(16) | 531,173 | * | ||||
Robert Perelman(17) | 283,368 | * | ||||
Executive Officers and Directors as a group (11 persons) | 14,457,710 | 12.0 | % | |||
* Represents less than 1%
(1) | The number of shares of our Class A common stock and percentage of beneficial ownership assumes that all the vested and unvested limited partnership units of Series REIT of Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP (“Series REIT Units”) and limited partnership units of Series TRS of Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP (“Series TRS LP Units”) (or, in lieu of Series TRS LP Units, limited liability company interests of LC TRS I LLC (“TRS I Shares”)) outstanding, except those held by Ladder, together with all outstanding Class B common stock, are exchanged into shares of our Class A common stock. We refer to each Series REIT Unit, when paired together with one Series TRS LP Unit (or one TRS I Share in lieu of such Series TRS LP Unit) as an “LP Unit.” |
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(2) | In computing the number of shares of our Class A common stock beneficially owned by a stockholder and the percentage ownership of that stockholder, we deemed outstanding shares of Class A common stock subject to options held by such stockholder that are currently vested and exercisable, or that will become vested and exercisable within 60 days of April 8, 2019, whether or not they would be deemed to have beneficial ownership of such shares as of the date hereof. We did not deem these shares outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other stockholder. |
(3) | There were 106,561,292 shares of our Class A common stock outstanding and 13,198,344 shares of our Class B common stock outstanding as of April 8, 2019. |
(4) | Unless otherwise indicated, the address of the beneficial holder is c/o Ladder Capital, 345 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10154. |
(5) | Based on information as of December 31, 2018 set forth in Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 6, 2019 by BlackRock, Inc., which has sole voting power with respect to 8,767,386 shares of Class A common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 9,123,357 shares of Class A common stock. The address for BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd St, New York, NY 10055. |
(6) | Based on information as of December 31, 2018 set forth in Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 11, 2019 by The Vanguard Group, which has sole voting power with respect to 89,837 shares of Class A common stock, shared voting power with respect to 5,318 shares of Class A common stock, sole dispositive power with respect to 8,117,496 shares of Class A common stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 86,685 shares of Class A common stock. The address for The Vanguard Group is 100 Vanguard Blvd, Malvern, PA, 19355. |
(7) | Includes 106,312 shares of Class A common stock and 1,101,029 shares of Class B common stock held by Alan Fishman. |
(8) | Includes 1,030,172 shares of Class A common stock and 454,914 shares of Class A common stock that can be acquired upon the exercise of options held by Brian Harris, and 397,039 shares of Class A common stock and 4,793,623 shares of Class B common stock held by Betsy A. Harris 2012 Family Trust. Mr. Harris is a trustee of Betsy A. Harris 2012 Family Trust. |
(9) | Includes 82,969 shares of Class A common stock held by Mark Alexander. |
(10) | Includes 3,537,349 shares of Class B common stock held by Seymour Holding Corporation and 28,116 shares of Class A common stock held by Douglas Durst. The natural persons having voting or dispositive control over the shares of Class B common stock beneficially owned by Seymour Holding Corporation include Douglas Durst, a member of our Board. |
(11) | Includes 14,564 shares of Class A common stock held by Richard O’Toole. |
(12) | Includes 1,214,060 shares of Class A common stock (including 229,261 shares of Class A common stock that can be acquired upon the exercise of options) held by Michael Mazzei. |
(13) | Includes 9,150 shares of Class A common stock held by Jeffrey Steiner. |
(14) | Includes 644,496 shares of Class A common stock (including 122,131 shares of Class A common stock that can be acquired upon the exercise of options) and 327,691 shares of Class B common stock held by Pamela McCormack. |
(15) | Includes 230,213 shares of Class A common stock (including 57,314 shares of Class A common stock that can be acquired upon the exercise of options) and 161,670 shares of Class B common stock held by Marc Fox. |
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(16) | Includes 531,173 shares of Class A common stock (including 83,845 shares of Class A common stock that can be acquired upon the exercise of options) held by Thomas Harney. |
(17) | Includes 241,892 shares of Class A common stock (including 46,743 shares of Class A common stock that can be acquired upon the exercise of options) and 41,476 shares of Class B common stock held by Robert Perelman. |
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Ladder’s structure incorporates significant ownership by pre-IPO limited partners who have the ability to exchange an equal number of LCFH partnership units and shares of Class B common stock for shares of Class A common stock of Ladder on a one-for-one basis. The first three agreements described below are intended to help facilitate such exchanges.
Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Limited Partnership Agreement of LCFH
Following the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) and related transactions, Ladder held limited partnership units in our operating partnership, LCFH, and, pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Limited Partnership Agreement of LCFH, as amended (the “LLLP Agreement”), Ladder is the General Partner of LCFH. Accordingly, Ladder operates and controls all of the business and affairs of LCFH and, through LCFH and its operating entity subsidiaries, conducts our business.
On December 15, 2014, the Board unanimously approved a plan to realign our business operations to qualify as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), commencing with the 2015 tax year (the “REIT Election”).
In order to implement the proposed REIT Election, we, LCFH and a majority of existing limited partners of LCFH entered into the LLLP Agreement effective as of December 31, 2014, pursuant to which, among other things, (i) all assets and liabilities of LCFH were allocated on our books and records to two series of LCFH, consisting of “Series REIT” and “Series TRS” (collectively, the “Series”), (ii) each outstanding limited partnership interest in LCFH was converted into one limited partnership unit of Series REIT (a “Series REIT LP Unit”) and one limited partnership unit of Series TRS (a “Series TRS LP Unit,” and collectively with a Series REIT LP Unit, the “Series Units”), (iii) outstanding Series TRS LP Units became exchangeable for the same number of limited liability company interests (“TRS Shares”) of LC TRS I LLC (“TRS I”), a newly-formed limited liability company that is a U.S. taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company and the general partner of Series TRS, (iv) in order to effect the exchange of Series Units for shares of Class A common stock of the Company on a one-for-one basis, holders are required to surrender (a) one share of the Company’s Class B common stock, (b) one Series REIT LP Unit, and (c) either one Series TRS LP Unit or one TRS Share; and (v) upon effectiveness of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ladder, which was approved by our stockholders at a special meeting of stockholders held in February 2015, the transfer restrictions in the LLLP Agreement as in effect immediately prior to December 31, 2014 became effective on the Series TRS LP Units and Series REIT Units.
Under the LLLP Agreement, Ladder is the general partner of Series REIT and, accordingly, has the right to appoint the Series Board of Directors of Series REIT and, through Ladder’s indirect ownership of a majority of the outstanding TRS Shares, has the right to appoint the Series Board of Directors of Series TRS (together with the Series Board of Directors of Series REIT, the “Series Boards”). Each Series Board has the right to determine when distributions will be made to Series Units of such Series and the amount of any such distributions. If a distribution is authorized by a Series, such distribution will be made to the holders of Series Units of such Series pro rata in accordance with the percentages of their respective Series Units; provided that 100% of all distributions made by Series REIT in respect of cash or other assets derived from distributions received by Series REIT from TRS I will be distributed only to Ladder.
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The unitholders of each Series, including Ladder and TRS I, incur U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on their proportionate share of any taxable income of the respective Series. Net profits and net losses of each Series are generally allocated to their respective unitholders (including Ladder and TRS I) pro rata in accordance with their respective share of the net profits and net losses of the respective Series; provided that all profits and losses of Series REIT attributable to profits and losses of TRS I will be allocated one hundred percent to Ladder. The LLLP Agreement provides for cash distributions, which we refer to as “tax distributions,” to the holders of the Series Units if Ladder, as the General Partner of LCFH and Series REIT, or TRS I, as the General Partner of Series TRS, determines that the taxable income of the relevant unitholder will give rise to taxable income for such holder. Generally, these tax distributions will be computed based on our estimate of the taxable income of the relevant Series allocable to a holder of Series Units multiplied by an assumed tax rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate prescribed for an individual or corporate resident in New York, New York (taking into account the nondeductibility of certain expenses and the character of our income). Tax distributions will be made by a Series only to the extent all distributions from such Series for the relevant year were insufficient to cover such tax liabilities. Any distributions will be subject to available cash and applicable law and contractual restrictions (including pursuant to our debt instruments).
The LLLP Agreement also provides that Brian Harris has the right to be a member of the Series Board of Series REIT and the Series Board of Series TRS so long as he is Chief Executive Officer of Series REIT and Series TRS, respectively.
The management team, Michael Mazzei and Alan Fishman, as individuals, and Douglas Durst, through a corporation, had an interest in this agreement during calendar year 2018.
Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
We entered into an amended and restated registration rights agreement pursuant to which we may be required to register the sale of shares of our Class A common stock held by certain of our existing investors and/or our Class A common stock that may be issued to certain Continuing LCFH Limited Partners upon exchange of Series Units held by them. The registration rights agreement also requires us to make available and keep effective shelf registration statements permitting sales of shares into the market from time to time over an extended period. In addition, certain of our existing investors and certain Continuing LCFH Limited Partners will have the ability to exercise certain piggyback registration rights in connection with registered offerings requested by any of such holders or initiated by us. On January 28, 2015, certain provisions of the registration rights agreement relating to Demand Registrations and Piggyback Registrations (each as defined therein), and procedures relating to cutbacks were amended. On December 1, 2016, the agreement was further amended regarding Shelf Registration mechanics and participation in Underwritten Registrations (each as defined therein) and on February 15, 2017, the agreement was amended relating to the mechanics of Piggyback Registrations. On March 3, 2017, in connection with the closing of Related’s investment in Ladder, Ladder, certain pre-IPO stockholders and Related entered into a Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement to, among other things, provide Related with customary registration rights with respect to its shares.
The management team, Michael Mazzei and Alan Fishman, as individuals, Douglas Durst, through a corporation, and the employer of Richard O’Toole, had an interest in this agreement during calendar year 2018.
Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement
The Continuing LCFH Limited Partners may from time to time (subject to the terms of the LLLP Agreement regarding exchange rights) cause LCFH to exchange an equal number of Series Units and shares of Class B common stock for shares of Class A common stock of Ladder on a one-for-one basis. LCFH (and each of its subsidiaries classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes) intends to make an election under Section 754 of the Code effective for the taxable year in which the initial purchase occurs and each subsequent taxable year in which an exchange of Series Units and shares of Class B common stock for shares of Class A common stock occurs; LCFH made such an election beginning for the year ended December 31, 2015. The exchanges of Series Units and shares of Class B common stock for shares of Class A common stock may result, with respect to Ladder, in increases in the tax basis of the assets of LCFH that otherwise would not have been available. These increases in tax basis may reduce the amount of tax that Ladder would otherwise be required to pay in the future. These increases in tax basis may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those assets.
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On December 31, 2014, in connection with the REIT Election, Ladder entered into the Amended and Restated Tax Receivable Agreement (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”) with LCFH, Series TRS, TRS I and each of the Continuing LCFH Limited Partners, which amended and restated the prior tax receivable agreement to provide that, in lieu of the existing tax benefit payments under the prior tax receivable agreement for the 2015 taxable year and beyond, TRS I will pay to the Continuing LCFH Limited Partners 85% of the amount of the benefits, if any, that TRS I realizes or under certain circumstances (such as a change in control) is deemed to realize as a result of (i) the increases in tax basis resulting from the exchange of Series TRS LP Units for an equal number of TRS Shares by the Continuing LCFH Limited Partners, (ii) any incremental tax basis adjustments attributable to payments made pursuant to the TRA Amendment, and (iii) any deemed interest deductions arising from payments made by TRS I under the TRA Amendment. Ladder will no longer be directly obligated to make any payments under the TRA Amendment, save those for taxable year 2014. However, subject to certain limitations as set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement as to the maintenance of its REIT status, Ladder will guarantee the obligations of TRS I thereunder. The Tax Receivable Agreement was approved by our stockholders at a special meeting of stockholders in February 2015. For purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement, subject to certain exceptions noted below, the benefit deemed realized by TRS I generally will be computed by comparing the actual income tax liability of TRS I (calculated with certain assumptions) to the amount of such taxes that TRS I would have been required to pay had there been no increase to the tax basis of the assets of LCFH as a result of the purchases or exchanges of Series TRS LP Units and had TRS I not derived any tax benefits in respect of payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The term of the Tax Receivable Agreement will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless TRS I exercises its right to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement for an amount based on the present value of the agreed payments remaining to be made under the agreement. Estimating the amount of payments that may be made under the Tax Receivable Agreement is by its nature imprecise, insofar as the calculation of amounts payable depends on a variety of factors. The actual increase in tax basis, as well as the amount and timing of any payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement, will vary depending upon a number of factors, including:
• | the timing of any subsequent exchanges of Series TRS LP Units—for instance, the increase in any tax deductions will vary depending on the fair value, which may fluctuate over time, of the depreciable or amortizable assets of LCFH at the time of each exchange; |
• | the price of shares of our Class A common stock at or around the time of the exchange—the increase in any tax deductions, as well as the tax basis increase in other assets, of LCFH is affected by the price of shares of our Class A common stock at the time of the exchange; |
• | the extent to which such exchanges are taxable—if an exchange is not taxable for any reason, increased deductions will not be available; |
• | the amount and timing of our income—TRS I generally will be required to pay 85% of the deemed benefits as and when deemed realized; and |
• | the allocation of basis increases among the assets of LCFH and certain tax elections affecting depreciation. |
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If TRS I does not have taxable income, TRS I generally is not required (absent circumstances requiring an early termination payment) to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for that taxable year because no benefit actually will have been realized. Nevertheless, any tax benefits that do not result in realized benefits in a given tax year likely will generate tax attributes that may be utilized to generate benefits in previous or future tax years and the utilization of such tax attributes will result in payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. TRS I will have the right to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement by making payments to the existing owners of LCFH calculated by reference to the present value of all future payments that the existing owners of LCFH would have been entitled to receive under the Tax Receivable Agreement using certain valuation assumptions, including assumptions that any Series TRS LP Units that have not been exchanged are deemed exchanged for the market value of the TRS Shares at the time of termination and that LCFH will have sufficient taxable income in each future taxable year to fully realize all potential tax savings. There may be a material negative effect on our liquidity if, as a result of timing discrepancies or otherwise, (a) the payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement exceed the actual benefits we realize in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement and/or (b) distributions to TRS I by LCFH are not sufficient to permit TRS I to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement after it has paid its taxes and other obligations. TRS I Corp’s obligations pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement will rank pari passu with its other general trade creditors. The payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement are not conditioned upon any recipient’s continued ownership of us or LCFH. An existing owner that exchanges its Series TRS LP Units and shares of Class B common stock for our Class A common stock will receive payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement until such time that it validly assigns or otherwise transfers its right to receive such payments.
The effects of the Tax Receivable Agreement on our consolidated balance sheet upon exchange of Series TRS LP Units are as follows:
• | We will record an increase in deferred tax assets for the estimated income tax effects of the increase in the tax basis of the assets owned by Ladder based on enacted federal, state and local income tax rates at the date of the transaction. To the extent we estimate that we will not realize the full benefit represented by the deferred tax asset, based on an analysis of expected future earnings, we will reduce the deferred tax asset with a valuation allowance; |
• | We will record an increase in liabilities for 85% of the estimated realizable tax benefit resulting from (i) the increase in the tax basis of the purchased interests as noted above and (ii) certain other tax benefits related to entering into the Tax Receivable Agreement; and |
• | We will record an increase to additional paid-in capital in an amount equal to the difference between the increase in deferred tax assets and the increase in liability due to the existing owners of LCFH under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The amounts to be recorded for both the deferred tax assets and the liability for our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement have been estimated. All of the effects of changes in any of our estimates after the date of the purchase will be included in our net income. Similarly, the effect of subsequent changes in the enacted tax rates will be included in net income. |
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In certain instances, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement may be accelerated and/or significantly exceed the actual benefits we realize in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement. The Tax Receivable Agreement will provide that upon certain changes of control, or if, at any time, TRS I elects an early termination of the Tax Receivable Agreement, the amount of TRS I’s (or its successor’s) obligations with respect to exchanged or acquired Series TRS LP Units (whether exchanged or acquired before or after such transaction) would be based on certain assumptions. These assumptions will include the assumptions that (a) TRS I will have sufficient taxable income to fully utilize the deductions arising from the increased tax deductions and tax basis and other benefits related to entering into the Tax Receivable Agreement and (b) that the subsidiaries of LCFH will sell certain nonamortizable assets (and realize certain related tax benefits) no later than a specified date. Accordingly, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement may be made years in advance of the actual realization, if any, of the anticipated future tax benefits and may be significantly greater than the actual benefits TRS I realizes in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement. In case of an early termination, TRS I’s obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement could have a substantial negative impact on its liquidity and there is no assurance that we will be able to finance these obligations. Moreover, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be based on the tax reporting positions that we determine in accordance with the Tax Receivable Agreement. Although we are not aware of any issue that would cause the IRS to challenge a tax basis increase, TRS I will not be reimbursed for any payments previously made under the Tax Receivable Agreement if the IRS subsequently disallows part or all of the tax benefits that gave rise to such prior payments, although future payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be reduced on account of such disallowances. As a result, in certain circumstances, payments could be made under the Tax Receivable Agreement that are significantly in excess of the benefits that TRS I actually realizes in respect of (a) the increases in tax basis resulting from TRS I’s purchases or exchanges of Series TRS LP Units, (b) any incremental tax basis adjustments attributable to payments made pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, and (c) any deemed interest deductions arising from our payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Decisions made by the existing owners of LCFH in the course of running our business, such as with respect to mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes in control, may influence the timing and amount of payments that TRS I is required to make under the Tax Receivable Agreement. For example, the earlier disposition of assets following an exchange or acquisition transaction generally will accelerate payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement and increase the present value of such payments, and the disposition of assets before an exchange or acquisition transaction will increase LCFH’s existing owners’ tax liability without giving rise to any obligations to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Payments generally are due under the Tax Receivable Agreement within a specified period of time following the filing of TRS I’s tax return for the taxable year with respect to which the payment obligation arises, although interest on such payments will begin to accrue at a rate of LIBOR plus 200 basis points from the due date (without extensions) of such tax return.
The management team, Michael Mazzei and Alan Fishman, as individuals, and Douglas Durst, through a corporation, had an interest in this agreement during calendar year 2018.
Commercial Real Estate Loans
From time to time, the Company may provide commercial real estate loans to entities affiliated with certain of our directors, officers or large shareholders who are, as part of their ordinary course of business, commercial real estate investors. These loans are made in the ordinary course of the Company’s business on the same terms and conditions as would be offered to any other borrower of similar type and standing on a similar property.
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On March 13, 2017, Related Reserve IV LLC, an affiliate of Related Fund Management LLC (the “B Participation Holder”), purchased a $4.0 million subordinate participation interest (the “B Participation Interest”) in the up to $136.5 million mortgage loan (the “Loan”) secured by the Conrad hotels and condominiums in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from a subsidiary of the Company. The B Participation Interest earns interest at an annual rate of 17%, with the Company’s participation interest (the “A Participation Interest”) receiving the balance of all interest paid under the Loan. Upon an event of default under the Loan, all receipts will be applied to the payment of interest and principal on the Company’s share of the principal balance before the B Participation Holder receives any sums. The Company retains all control over the administration and servicing of the Loan, except that upon the occurrence of certain Loan defaults and other events, the B Participation Holder will have the option to trigger a buy-sell option, whereupon the Company shall have the right to either repurchase the B Participation Interest at par or sell the A Participation Interest to the B Participation Holder at par plus exit fees that would have been payable upon a borrower repayment. Because the participation interest was not pari passu and effective control continued to reside with the retained portions of the loans the transfers of any portion of this loan asset is considered a non-recourse secured borrowing in which the full loan asset remains on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets in mortgage loan receivables held for investment, net, at amortized cost and the sale proceeds are reported as debt obligations. The Company recorded $0.5 million and $0.5 million of interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which is included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets.
On December 12, 2018, Ladder provided a $6.4 million first mortgage interest-only loan to a borrower affiliated with principals of Related to facilitate the acquisition of a gym facility and associated parking located in Woodbury, New York. The borrowing entity is owned directly or indirectly by certain investors, including, among other principals of Related, Richard O’Toole, who owns an approximate 12% interest in the borrowing entity and is a member of Ladder’s board of directors. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company earned $19.3 thousand in interest income related to this loan.
Stockholders Agreement
On March 3, 2017, Ladder, Related and certain pre-IPO stockholders of Ladder, including affiliates of TowerBrook Capital Partners, L.P. and GI Partners L.P., closed a purchase by Related of $80.0 million of Ladder’s Class A common stock from the pre-IPO stockholders. As part of the closing of the transaction, Ladder and Related entered into a Stockholders Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2017, pursuant to which Jonathan Bilzin resigned from the Board, and all committees thereof, and Ladder appointed Richard O’Toole to replace Mr. Bilzin as a Class II Director on Ladder’s Board, each effective as of March 3, 2017. Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, Ladder granted to Related a right of first offer with respect to certain horizontal risk retention investments in which Ladder intends to retain an interest and Related agreed to certain standstill provisions.
Ladder Select Bond Fund
On October 18, 2016, Ladder Capital Asset Management LLC (“LCAM”), a subsidiary of the Company and a registered investment adviser, launched the Ladder Select Bond Fund (the “Fund”), a mutual fund. In addition, on October 18, 2016, the Company made a $10.0 million investment in the Fund, which is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2018, members of senior management have $0.9 million invested in the Fund. LCAM earns a 0.75% fee on assets under management, which may be reduced for expenses incurred in excess of the Fund’s expense cap of 0.95%.
Firm Relationships
DLA Piper LLP (US), of which Mr. Jeffrey B. Steiner, a member of the Company’s board of directors, was a Partner until March 2018, and McDermott Will & Emery, of which Mr. Steiner is currently a Partner, each provide legal services to the Company. Expenditures by the Company to DLA Piper and McDermott Will & Emery for the year ended December 31, 2018, for legal services in the aggregate totaled $2.1 million. Mr. Steiner’s son, Andrew Steiner, is an associate at the Company; during the year ended December 31, 2018, his compensation from the Company exceeded $120,000. Andrew Steiner’s compensation and other benefits for the year ended December 31, 2018 were comparable to those of other employees of the Company in similar positions and determined by the Company consistent with its compensation practices applicable to other similarly situated employees.
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Conflicts of Interest and Related Party Transactions
The Board has adopted a written policy for approval of transactions between the Company and its directors, director nominees, executive officers, greater than five percent beneficial owners and their respective immediate family members, where the amount involved in the transaction exceeds or is expected to exceed $120,000 in a single calendar year and the related party to the transaction has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. The Audit Committee and Risk and Underwriting Committee review transactions subject to the policy and decide whether or not to approve or ratify those transactions. In doing so, such committees determine whether the transaction is in the best interests of the Company. In addition, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also determines the impact or potential impact on a director’s independence in the event the related party is a director, an immediate family member of a director, or an entity in which a director is a partner, stockholder or executive officer. We cannot assure you that these policies will be successful in eliminating the influence of conflicts of interest. These policies may be amended from time to time at the discretion of our Board.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
In this section we provide our stockholders with information to understand our compensation policies. We also discuss the compensation awarded to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and three other most highly compensated executive officers as of December 31, 2018 (collectively our “Named Executive Officers”).
Our Named Executive Officers for 2018 were:
• | Brian Harris, Chief Executive Officer; |
• | Pamela McCormack, President; |
• | Marc Fox, Chief Financial Officer; |
• | Thomas Harney, Head of Merchant Banking & Capital Markets (retired effective March 15, 2019); and |
• | Robert Perelman, Head of Asset Management. |
This section consists of our Compensation Discussion and Analysis, which explains how and why we paid our Named Executive Officers for their efforts in 2018, and compensation tables and accompanying notes that detail the specific amounts and types of compensation we paid to our Named Executive Officers for 2018 in comparison to 2017 and 2016.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This compensation discussion and analysis describes the key principles and factors underlying our executive compensation policies and decisions for 2018 for our Named Executive Officers. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with other information presented in this proxy statement, including the information in the compensation tables and the footnotes to those tables.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The Company strives to ensure its compensation program is simple and transparent. Our compensation philosophy is to align executive compensation with the interests of our stockholders and, therefore, to motivate our executives to attain financial objectives that our Board believes are primary determinants of long-term equity value while avoiding imprudent risk taking. The primary goal of our executive compensation program is to ensure that we hire and retain talented and experienced executives who are motivated to achieve or exceed our short-term and long-term Company goals. Our executive compensation programs are designed to reinforce a strong pay-for-performance orientation and to serve the following purposes:
• | to reward our Named Executive Officers for sustained financial and operating performance and leadership excellence; |
• | to align the interests of our Named Executive Officers with those of our stockholders; and |
• | to encourage our Named Executive Officers to remain with us for the long-term. |
Setting Executive Compensation
Compensation recommendations for our Named Executive Officers are made to the Board annually by our Compensation Committee. In recommending compensation amounts for 2018, the Compensation Committee took into account current compensation arrangements (including arrangements negotiated in connection with employment agreements), as well as business and individual performance in light of actual market conditions and the results of our 2018 “Say on Pay” advisory vote.
Company Performance Evaluation. In making compensation recommendations for 2018, the Compensation Committee reviewed the Company’s performance results as compared to Comparable Companies (as defined below) and the overall environment in the commercial real estate finance REIT sector.
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In its review of the Company’s 2018 performance, the Compensation Committee primarily focused on the following results:
• | Our core EPS* for 2018 was $2.03 per share, as compared to $1.54 per share in 2017. |
• | Our core earnings* for 2018 was $230.1 million, as compared to $178.8 million in 2017. |
• | Our after-tax core return on average equity (“after-tax core ROAE”)* for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was 14.9%, which represented performance above the 90th percentile of the commercial finance REITs listed below (the “Business Comparables”). |
• | Consideration of management’s continued emphasis to generate an attractive risk-adjusted after-tax core ROAE from primarily senior secured, moderately leveraged assets with a target adjusted leverage* ratio of 2x - 3x. During 2018, our adjusted leverage* ratio ranged between 2.3x and 2.7x at the end of each quarter. |
*This financial measure is not calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). For additional information concerning this non-GAAP financial measure, including a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP financial measure, please see the annex to this Proxy Statement.
As further described in the annex to this Proxy Statement, we believe that core earnings, core EPS and after-tax core ROAE are key performance metrics because they assist investors in comparing our operating performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding non-cash expenses and unrecognized results from derivatives and agency interest-only securities, which we believe makes comparisons across reporting periods more relevant by eliminating timing differences related to changes in the values of assets and derivatives.
The overall compensation levels for the Company over the past several years have placed the Company at the median of or below its peer group while its performance, as measured by after-tax core ROAE, has been near or at the top of the range amongst the Business Comparables.
Performance-Based, Formulaic Approach. The Company’s compensation program remains well aligned with the Company’s performance, as aggregate compensation adjusts formulaically as core earnings increase or decrease. We view this formulaic approach as a form of performance-based compensation (higher core earnings results in higher management compensation, while lower core earnings necessarily results in lower management compensation), although the overall percentage of core earnings represented by management incentive compensation, including both cash bonus and equity grants, has remained relatively consistent, at 10.9% for 2018, 12.2% for 2017 and 12.9% for 2016. Importantly, a formulaic approach tied to Company performance enables both management and the Board to in turn devote their full attention to the successful operation of the business.
Role of our CEO. The Compensation Committee relied in part on Mr. Harris, our Chief Executive Officer, who makes specific compensation recommendations to the Committee based on the objectives and approach set by the Committee. Mr. Harris, like the Compensation Committee, took into account current compensation arrangements (including arrangements negotiated in connection with employment agreements), as well as business and individual performance in light of actual market conditions. Specifically, for each executive, Mr. Harris makes recommendations regarding annual incentive awards and long-term incentive awards, for review and discussion with, and consideration by, the Committee. Mr. Harris may attend meetings of the Compensation Committee at the request of the Committee chair, but does not attend executive sessions. The Committee then recommends executive compensation to the full Board for approval.
Role of the Compensation Consultant and Use of Peer Group Data. The Compensation Committee retains FPL Associates, L.P. (“FPL”) as its independent compensation consultant to advise it on matters related to the compensation of our Named Executive Officers and compensation program design. Management retained FPL in 2016 to assist it in formulating its recommendations to the Compensation Committee. FPL no longer performs executive compensation services for the Company other than its services to the Compensation Committee, although the Company has asked FPL to perform discrete projects analyzing our employee equity plan and providing peer compensation data for rank and file employees. The Compensation Committee was aware of FPL’s previous work for management and has determined that FPL may serve as an independent adviser to the Compensation Committee in accordance with SEC guidelines.
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In 2018, FPL provided the Compensation Committee with comparative market data on compensation practices and programs based on an analysis of peer companies and provided guidance on best practices. The reference group set forth below (the “Comparable Companies”) is composed of the companies that the Compensation Committee considers Ladder’s closest peers. Ladder’s multi-faceted business, when combined with its internally-managed structure, limits its direct comparability to other REITs and finance companies. Each of the Comparable Companies is an internally-managed, primarily real estate finance-focused company or commercial real estate investment company with median equity market capitalization of approximately $1.9 billion.
• | Arbor Realty Trust |
• | Colony Capital, Inc. |
• | HFF, Inc. |
• | iStar Inc. |
• | Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc. |
• | MFA Financial, Inc. |
• | PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. |
• | Redwood Trust, Inc. |
• | W.P. Carey & Co. LLC |
• | Walker & Dunlop Inc. |
The data from the Comparable Companies was used by the Compensation Committee to develop an understanding of the compensation practices of companies with which the Company competes for executive talent. It was not used for the purpose of setting “benchmark” compensation levels for the Company’s executive officers. The Compensation Committee considered the relative size of Ladder’s management team and employee base versus peers, the alignment between pay and performance as well as the relationship between the percentage of total assets, total revenues, market capitalization, and total equity being paid out in total compensation.
The Compensation Committee annually reviews the composition of the Comparable Company group to ensure that the companies included are appropriately comparable to us in terms of size, structure, investment focus and scope of operations. The Compensation Committee may change the composition of the group from time to time as appropriate. In 2018, CYS Investments, Inc. and Nationstar Mortgage Holdings Inc. were removed due to their acquisition. Arbor Realty Trust was added to the peer group as its management team is now fully internalized. Colony Northstar Inc. and iStar Financial underwent name changes to Colony Capital Inc. and iStar Inc., respectively.
In addition to the above group of Comparable Companies (which was primarily used to understand the reasonableness of the Company’s pay level and structure as compared to the market), the Compensation Committee also evaluated our performance compared to the Business Comparables, i.e., internally- and externally-managed commercial finance REITs whose performance is more directly comparable to Ladder, namely:
• | Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. |
• | Arbor Realty Trust Inc. |
• | Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp. |
• | Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc. |
• | Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. |
• | iStar Inc. |
• | KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. |
• | Redwood Trust, Inc. |
• | Resource Capital Corp. |
• | Starwood Property Trust, Inc. |
• | TPG RE Finance Trust Inc. |
Our Business Comparables are the same as those used in last year’s Proxy Statement.
FPL also provided directional recommendations regarding the elements of compensation for each of the Named Executive Officers based on the Comparable Companies, the Company’s relative performance compared to commercial real estate finance REITs and Ladder’s compensation philosophy.
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Results of Say on Pay Vote. The Company considers the results of the non-binding stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation. 74.9% of the votes cast at our 2018 annual meeting approved, on an advisory basis, our executive compensation. The Company reviewed and considered the results and reached out to its largest stockholders to answer any follow up questions from our previous discussions prior to the Annual Meeting. We will continue to engage with our stockholders on this important topic.
Results of Say on Frequency Vote. While a frequency of one year received the most votes at the 2018 annual meeting, the frequency of three years received 42.3% of the vote. The Board has determined that a non-binding advisory vote on Named Executive Officer compensation that occurs once every three years is the most appropriate alternative for the Company as it permits a longer-term assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s executive compensation program, including Ladder’s formulaic approach to compensation, which is directly aligned with Company performance and allows management and the Board to devote their full attention to the business.
Elements of Compensation
Base Salary. We pay our Named Executive Officers a base salary based on the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of each officer. We believe base salaries are an important element in our overall compensation program because base salaries provide a fixed element of compensation that reflects job responsibilities and value to us.
Annual Cash Bonuses. Guidelines to determine annual cash bonuses (the “Bonus Guidelines”) for our Named Executive Officers are set forth in the Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between our operating subsidiary Ladder Capital Finance LLC (“LCF”) and Mr. Harris, dated May 22, 2017 (the “Harris Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the Harris Employment Agreement, with respect to any calendar year, the aggregate cash bonus for the senior management team, composed of our Named Executive Officers, is 9% of core earnings. Of such 9%, Mr. Harris is entitled to receive an annual cash bonus equal to no less than 4.05% of core earnings for such year. For each of 2016, 2017 and 2018, our Board, with recommendations from the Compensation Committee, determined the individual annual cash bonuses payable to our Named Executive Officers based on individual and Company performance. The below graph shows the consistency and clear alignment of management cash bonuses to core earnings for the past three years.
Long-Term Equity Compensation. The Company maintains the 2014 Ladder Incentive Equity Plan (the “2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan”) from which it grants annual equity incentive awards to its employees, directors and Named Executive Officers. We expect that future equity compensation to our Named Executive Officers will be granted under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
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We believe that providing our Named Executive Officers with an equity interest in the Company brings their interests in line with those of our stockholders and that the best way to ensure our Named Executive Officers’ personal commitment to our long-term goals is to ensure that their financial rewards as stockholders will, over the long term, outweigh the cash compensation they earn as employees. As of December 31, 2018, our Named Executive Officers collectively held interests in our Company comprising 6.9% of our total equity. In this regard, the interests of our Named Executive Officers and our other stockholders are strongly aligned. We also prohibit our employees (including officers) or directors, or any of their designees, from pledging our shares, purchasing financial instruments, or otherwise engaging in transactions that hedge or offset, or that are designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the market value of our equity securities either granted to the employee or director as compensation or held directly or indirectly by the employee or director.
Grants of equity awards under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan to members of management, directors and employees are generally made at the discretion of our Compensation Committee and our Board. In making equity award grants to our Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee considers a number of factors, including current compensation arrangements (including arrangements negotiated in connection with employment agreements), the executive’s position, the individual performance of the executive, the present equity ownership levels of the executive, internal pay equity and the level of the executive’s total annual compensation package compared to similar positions at other peer companies.
Pursuant to the Harris Employment Agreement, the Named Executive Officers’ annual equity incentive awards for each calendar year starting with 2017 will be of Class A common stock of the Company subject to the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Annual Restricted Stock Award”), with an aggregate value equal to not less than 1.0% of Ladder’s Equity Market Capitalization (as further described in the Harris Employment Agreement) for such calendar year. Mr. Harris’ portion of such pool is not less than 41%.
Including a vesting component to granted equity interests encourages our Named Executive Officers to remain with us over the applicable vesting period. For Ms. McCormack, fifty percent of each Annual Restricted Stock Award is subject to time-based vesting criteria, and the remaining fifty percent of each Annual Restricted Stock Award is subject to performance-based criteria. The time-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Award vests in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to Ms. McCormack’s continued employment on the applicable vesting date and subject to her Executive Retirement Eligibility Date, as defined in the section captioned, “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” For all other Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Harris, due to the attainment of their Executive Retirement Eligibility Date, fifty percent of each Annual Restricted Stock Award is fully vested at grant, and the remaining fifty percent of each Annual Restricted Stock Award is subject to performance-based criteria. The performance-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Award vests in three equal installments on December 31 of each of the three performance years if we achieve our Performance Target (a return on equity, based on core earnings divided by the Company’s average book value of equity, equal to or greater than 8% for the year) for the applicable performance year, the achievement of which is generally determined by our Compensation Committee and the Board in February following the applicable performance year. If we miss the Performance Target during either the first or second performance year but meet the Performance Target for a subsequent performance year during the three-year performance period and our return on equity for such subsequent year and any years for which we missed our Performance Target equals or exceeds the compounded return on equity of 8%, the previously unearned performance-vesting restricted stock will vest on the last day of such subsequent year, subject to continued employment on the last day of each applicable performance year. If the term “core earnings” is no longer used in the Company’s SEC filings and approved by the Compensation Committee, then the Performance Target will be calculated using such other performance measurement defined in the Company’s SEC filings, as determined by the Compensation Committee.
Other Supplemental Benefits. Our Named Executive Officers are eligible for the following benefits on a similar basis as other eligible employees:
• | health, dental and vision insurance; |
• | vacation and sick days; |
• | life insurance; |
• | short-term and long-term disability insurance; and |
• | 401(k) plan. |
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Compensation Committee Report
In connection with our oversight of the compensation programs of Ladder, we, the members of the Compensation Committee listed below, have reviewed and discussed with management, the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth above. Based upon the review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference in the Company’s 2018 Annual Report.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee:
Douglas Durst (Chair)
Alan Fishman
Jeffrey Steiner
The above report will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate the same by reference.
Summary Compensation Table
Under the rules and regulations of the SEC currently applicable to us, each year the “Summary Compensation Table” generally must disclose the salary paid, the annual cash incentive earned and the equity-based, long-term incentive granted to, and certain other compensation of, our Named Executive Officers for the three most recently completed fiscal years. The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation earned by our Named Executive Officers for 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary | Stock Awards (1) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (2) | All Other Compensation(3) | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Brian Harris | 2018 | $ | 1,000,000 | $ | 7,300,008 | $ | 9,000,000 | $ | 8,232 | $ | 17,308,240 | |||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer | 2017 | 1,000,000 | 6,412,032 | 7,200,000 | 3,919 | 14,615,951 | ||||||||||||||||
2016 | 1,000,000 | 4,699,998 | 4,750,000 | 2,481 | 10,452,479 | |||||||||||||||||
Pamela McCormack | 2018 | 750,000 | 2,399,995 | 2,250,000 | 3,360 | 5,403,355 | ||||||||||||||||
President | 2017 | 675,000 | 1,733,741 | 2,100,000 | 1,819 | 4,510,560 | ||||||||||||||||
2016 | 600,000 | 1,549,995 | 1,625,000 | 1,305 | 3,776,300 | |||||||||||||||||
Marc Fox | 2018 | 450,000 | 1,000,007 | 875,000 | 8,232 | 2,333,239 | ||||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer | 2017 | 450,000 | 815,893 | 750,000 | 3,919 | 2,019,812 | ||||||||||||||||
2016 | 450,000 | 599,996 | 650,000 | 2,481 | 1,702,477 | |||||||||||||||||
Thomas Harney | 2018 | 500,000 | 500,003 | 500,000 | 8,232 | 1,508,235 | ||||||||||||||||
Head of Merchant Banking & Capital Markets | 2017 | 500,000 | 817,959 | 700,000 | 3,919 | 2,021,878 | ||||||||||||||||
2016 | 500,000 | 499,999 | 600,000 | 2,481 | 1,602,480 | |||||||||||||||||
Robert Perelman | 2018 | 300,000 | 500,003 | 650,000 | 8,232 | 1,458,235 | ||||||||||||||||
Head of Asset Management | 2017 | 300,000 | 744,032 | 725,000 | 3,919 | 1,772,951 | ||||||||||||||||
2016 | 300,000 | 499,999 | 725,000 | 1,641 | 1,526,640 | |||||||||||||||||
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(1) | The values provided in this column represent the grant date fair value of restricted stock awards made to the Named Executive Officers with respect to the applicable fiscal years. For 2017, the values include Class A common and restricted stock granted on January 24, 2017 and February 18, 2017 that were intended to represent dividends in type and amount that the 2015 and 2016 stock option grants to management would have received had such options had dividend equivalent rights since grant. For a discussion of the assumptions made in the valuation of the restricted stock awards made with respect to fiscal year 2018, see Note 15 to the notes to consolidated financial statements set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 for the assumptions made in determining ASC 718 grant date fair values. |
(2) | The values provided in this column reflect the annual cash bonuses paid to our Named Executive Officers with respect to the applicable fiscal year pursuant to their respective employment agreements and the actual achievement of performance goals. Annual cash bonuses are generally paid by February 28 of the calendar year following the calendar year to which such annual cash bonus relates. |
(3) | For 2018, 2017 and 2016, the values provided in this column include group term life insurance coverage and long-term disability coverage that were imputed income to each of our Named Executive Officers as follows: |
Name | Year | Group Term Life Imputed Income | Long Term Disability Imputed Income | |||||||
Brian Harris | 2018 | $ | 7,482 | $ | 750 | |||||
2017 | 3,225 | 694 | ||||||||
2016 | 1,806 | 675 | ||||||||
Pamela McCormack | 2018 | 2,610 | 750 | |||||||
2017 | 1,125 | 694 | ||||||||
2016 | 630 | 675 | ||||||||
Marc Fox | 2018 | 7,482 | 750 | |||||||
2017 | 3,225 | 694 | ||||||||
2016 | 1,806 | 675 | ||||||||
Thomas Harney | 2018 | 7,482 | 750 | |||||||
2017 | 3,225 | 694 | ||||||||
2016 | 1,806 | 675 | ||||||||
Robert Perelman | 2018 | 7,482 | 750 | |||||||
2017 | 3,225 | 694 | ||||||||
2016 | 966 | 675 | ||||||||
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal Year
No plan-based awards were granted to our Named Executive Officers in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Cash and equity bonuses earned for 2017 were paid or granted in December 2017.
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table summarizes the total outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2018, for each Named Executive Officer.
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2018
Name | Option awards (1) | Stock awards (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable (2) (3) | Equity incentive plan awards: number of securities underlying unexercised unearned options (#) | Option exercise price ($) (3) | Option expiration date | Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#) | Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested ($) (4) | Equity incentive plan awards: number of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested (#) | Equity incentive plan awards: market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian Harris | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 Annual Award | (5) | 132,022 | $ | 11.87 | 2/18/26 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 Annual Award | (6) | 317,062 | — | $ | 16.35 | 2/18/25 | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Total | 449,084 | — | — | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pamela McCormack | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 Annual Award | (7) | 126,582 | $ | 1,958,224 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 Option Grant Dividends | (8) | 90 | $ | 1,392 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 Annual Award | (9) | 74,609 | $ | 1,154,201 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 Annual Award | (5) | 23,876 | 11,939 | $ | 11.87 | 2/18/26 | 32,468 | $ | 502,280 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2014 Annual Award | (6) | 84,903 | — | — | $ | 16.35 | 2/18/25 | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||
Total | 108,779 | 11,939 | — | — | 233,749 | $ | 3,616,097 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Marc Fox | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 Annual Award | (7) | 59,568 | 921,517 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 Option Grant Dividends | (8) | 43 | 665 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 Annual Award | (9) | 28,881 | 446,789 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 Annual Award | (5) | 11,236 | 5,618 | $ | 11.87 | 2/18/26 | 15,279 | 236,366 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 Annual Award | (6) | 39,797 | — | $ | 16.35 | 2/18/25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 51,033 | 5,618 | — | — | 103,771 | $ | 1,605,337 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas Harney | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 Annual Award | (7) | 59,568 | $ | 921,517 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 Option Grant Dividends | (8) | 59 | $ | 913 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 Annual Award | (9) | 24,067 | $ | 372,316 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 Annual Award | (5) | 15,450 | 7,724 | $ | 11.87 | 2/18/26 | 21,005 | $ | 324,947 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2014 Annual Award | (6) | 59,695 | — | $ | 16.35 | 2/18/25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 75,145 | 7,724 | — | — | 104,699 | $ | 1,619,693 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Robert Perelman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 Annual Award | (7) | 54,356 | $ | 840,887 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 Option Grant Dividends | (8) | 35 | $ | 541 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 Annual Award | (9) | 24,067 | $ | 372,316 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 Annual Award | (5) | 9,364 | 4,681 | $ | 11.87 | 2/18/26 | 12,729 | $ | 196,918 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2014 Annual Award | (6) | 32,158 | — | $ | 16.35 | 2/18/25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 41,522 | 4,681 | — | — | 91,187 | $ | 1,410,662 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | All share-based awards were granted pursuant to the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. |
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(2) | In connection with 2015 performance, the Named Executive Officers were granted Annual Option Awards on February 18, 2016, which vest in three equal installments on February 18 of each of 2017, 2018 and 2019, subject to continued employment on such applicable vesting dates. The options granted to Mr. Harris became fully vested in 2017 in accordance with the terms of the Harris Employment Agreement discussed below. |
(3) | The 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan provides for the equitable adjustment of outstanding awards upon the occurrence of certain events, including an extraordinary dividend, in order to preserve the intrinsic value of such awards. The Compensation Committee, which holds the authority to administer and interpret the Plan, determined it was necessary and appropriate, and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, to equitably adjust the outstanding stock option and restricted stock awards in respect of an extraordinary dividend paid in the fourth quarter of 2015 and to increase the number of shares available under the Plan to reflect the equitable adjustment of the stock options and restricted stock. The exercise price of the stock options was correspondingly equitably adjusted to reflect the additional shares. Such equitable adjustment is reflected in the table above. Not reflected in the chart is an equitable adjustment made to outstanding options in the first quarter of 2019 for the Company’s stock dividend paid on January 24, 2019. |
(4) | This value represents the product of the closing market price of the Company’s Class A common stock on December 31, 2018 of $15.47 per share and the number of unvested Restricted Stock Awards held by each Named Executive Officer, assuming the threshold performance goals are achieved for those shares subject to performance-based criteria. |
(5) | These are Annual Restricted Stock Awards granted in 2016 based on 2015 performance. The description of the vesting provisions with respect to the 2017 Restricted Annual Stock Awards below applies to the 2015 Annual Stock Awards as well, except that the vesting of the restricted performance and time-based shares that would have vested in early 2018 were accelerated and vested on December 21, 2017 for tax planning purposes. The restricted stock granted to Mr. Harris vested on his Retirement Eligibility Date in early 2017 in accordance with the terms of the Harris Employment Agreement and is therefore not depicted in this table. The Annual Option Awards for 2015 vest in equal amounts on each February 18 of 2017, 2018 and 2019 and include dividend equivalent rights. |
(6) | These are Annual Option Awards granted in 2015 based on 2014 performance. The description of the vesting provisions with respect to the 2015 Annual Option Awards referenced above applies to the 2014 Annual Option Awards as well, with vesting of the 2014 Annual Option Awards occurring in 2016, 2017 and 2018. |
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(7) | These are Annual Restricted Stock Awards granted on December 21, 2017 based on 2017 performance. For Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Harris, fifty percent of each Annual Restricted Stock Award is subject to time-based vesting criteria, and the remaining fifty percent of each Annual Restricted Stock Award is subject to performance-based criteria. The time-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Award vests in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to the applicable Annual Award Grantee’s continued employment on the applicable vesting date and subject to the applicable Executive Retirement Eligibility Date, as defined in the section captioned, “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” The performance-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Award vests in three equal installments on December 31 of each of the three performance years if we achieve our Performance Target (a return on equity, based on core earnings divided by the Company’s average book value of equity, equal to or greater than 8% for the year) for the applicable performance year, the achievement of which is generally determined by our Compensation Committee and the Board in February following the applicable performance year. If we miss the Performance Target during either the first or second performance year but meet the Performance Target for a subsequent performance year during the three-year performance period and our return on equity for such subsequent year and any years for which we missed our Performance Target equals or exceeds the compounded return on equity of 8%, the previously unearned performance-vesting restricted stock will vest on the last day of such subsequent year, subject to continued employment on the last day of each applicable performance year. If the term “core earnings” is no longer used in the Company’s SEC filings and approved by the Compensation Committee, then the Performance Target will be calculated using such other performance measurement defined in the Company’s SEC filings, as determined by the Compensation Committee. The stock granted to Mr. Harris was fully vested at grant following his Retirement Eligibility Date in early 2017 in accordance with the terms of the Harris Employment Agreement and is not depicted in this table. |
(8) | These shares represent stock dividends paid on the number of shares subject to the 2016 options (had such shares been outstanding) and vest with the time-vesting 2016 options they are associated with, subject to the Retirement Eligibility Date of the respective member of management. The stock dividends granted to Mr. Harris vested on his Retirement Eligibility Date in early 2017 in accordance with the terms of the Harris Employment Agreement and are therefore not depicted in this table. |
(9) | These are Annual Restricted Stock Awards granted in 2017 based on 2016 performance. The description of the vesting provisions with respect to the 2017 Annual Restricted Stock Awards above applies to the 2016 Annual Stock Awards as well, except that the vesting of the restricted performance and time-based shares that would have vested in early 2018 were accelerated and vested on December 21, 2017. The restricted stock granted to Mr. Harris vested on his Retirement Eligibility Date in early 2017 in accordance with the terms of the Harris Employment Agreement and is therefore not depicted on this table. |
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Grants Made Pursuant to the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Annual Incentive Awards Granted in 2019 With Respect to 2018 Performance
On February 18, 2019, Mr. Harris, Ms. McCormack and Messrs. Fox, Harney, and Perelman received Annual Restricted Stock Awards with respect to 2018 performance with grant date fair values of $7.3 million, $2.4 million and $1 million, $0.5 million, and $0.5 million respectively, as follows:
Named Executive Officer | Grant date fair value of Annual Restricted Stock Award | Shares of Class A common stock subject to Annual Restricted Stock Award | |||||
Brian Harris | $ | 7,300,008 | 415,718 | ||||
Pamela McCormack | 2,399,995 | 136,674 | |||||
Marc Fox | 1,000,007 | 56,948 | |||||
Thomas Harney | 500,003 | 28,474 | |||||
Robert Perelman | 500,003 | 28,474 | |||||
In accordance with the Harris Employment Agreement, Mr. Harris’ annual awards were fully vested at grant. In accordance with Messrs. Fox, Harney, and Perelman’s respective Employment Agreements, because they had each reached Retirement Eligibility on February 11, 2019, all outstanding time-based shares from Messrs. Fox, Harney, and Perelman’s prior grants vested on February 11, 2019, and fifty percent of each of their annual awards granted on or after that date, including the February 18, 2019 award, are fully vested at grant, and the remaining fifty percent of each of their Annual Restricted Stock Awards are subject to performance-based criteria. For Ms. McCormack, the vesting of her annual awards is the same as described for the Annual Restricted Stock Awards with respect to 2017 performance.
Other Stock Awards Granted in 2019
On January 24, 2019, the Named Executive Officers received cash in the aggregate gross amount of $17,828 and a Restricted Stock Award with a grant date fair value of $6,478, representing 390 shares of restricted Class A common stock. These shares represent stock dividends paid on the number of shares subject to the 2016 options (had such shares been outstanding) and vest with the time-vesting 2016 options they are associated with, subject to the Retirement Eligibility Date of the respective Named Executive Officer.
The award was granted as follows:
Named Executive Officer | Grant date fair value of Other Stock Awards | Shares of Class A common stock subject to Other Stock Awards | |||||
Brian Harris | $ | — | — | ||||
Pamela McCormack | 2,575 | 155 | |||||
Marc Fox | 1,213 | 73 | |||||
Thomas Harney | 1,678 | 101 | |||||
Robert Perelman | 1,013 | 61 | |||||
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Annual Incentive Awards Granted in 2017 With Respect to 2017 Performance
On December 21, 2017, Mr. Harris, Ms. McCormack and Messrs. Fox, Harney, and Perelman received Annual Restricted Stock Awards with respect to 2017 performance with grant date fair values of $6.4 million, $1.7 million and $0.8 million, $0.8 million, and $0.7 million respectively, as follows:
Named Executive Officer | Grant date fair value of Annual Restricted Stock Award | Shares of Class A common stock subject to Annual Restricted Stock Award | |||||
Brian Harris | $ | 6,375,944 | 468,131 | ||||
Pamela McCormack | 1,724,047 | 126,582 | |||||
Marc Fox | 811,316 | 59,568 | |||||
Thomas Harney | 811,316 | 59,568 | |||||
Robert Perelman | 740,329 | 54,356 | |||||
In accordance with the Harris Employment Agreement, Mr. Harris’ annual awards were fully vested at grant. For Ms. McCormack and Messrs. Fox, Harney, and Perelman, fifty percent of each Annual Restricted Stock Award is subject to time-based vesting criteria, and the remaining fifty percent of each Annual Restricted Stock Award is subject to performance-based criteria. The time-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Award vests in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to the applicable Annual Award Grantee’s continued employment on the applicable vesting date and subject to the applicable Executive Retirement Eligibility Date, as defined in the section captioned, “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.” The performance-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Award vests in three equal installments on December 31 of each of the three performance years if we achieve our Performance Target (a return on equity, based on core earnings divided by the Company’s average book value of equity, equal to or greater than 8% for the year) for the applicable performance year, the achievement of which is generally determined by our Compensation Committee and the Board in January following the applicable performance year. If we miss the Performance Target during either the first or second performance year but meet the Performance Target for a subsequent performance year during the three-year performance period and our return on equity for such subsequent year and any years for which we missed our Performance Target equals or exceeds the compounded return on equity of 8%, the previously unearned performance-vesting restricted stock will vest on the last day of such subsequent year, subject to continued employment on the last day of each applicable performance year. If the term “core earnings” is no longer used in the Company’s SEC filings and approved by the Compensation Committee, then the Performance Target will be calculated using such other performance measurement defined in the Company’s SEC filings, as determined by the Compensation Committee.
Other Stock Awards Granted in 2017
On January 24, 2017, Named Executive Officers received a Restricted Stock Award with a grant date fair value of $30,455, representing 2,191 shares of restricted Class A common stock. These shares represent stock dividends paid on the
number of shares subject to the 2016 options (had such shares been outstanding) and vest with the time-vesting 2016
options they are associated with, subject to the Retirement Eligibility Date of the respective member of management.
On February 18, 2017, Named Executive Officers received cash of $1.0 million and a Stock Award with a grant date fair value of $48,475, representing 3,500 shares of Class A common stock, intended to represent dividends in type and
amount that the 2015 stock option grant to management would have received had such options had dividend equivalent
rights since grant. This grant also provides for future dividend equivalents that vest according to the vesting schedule of
the 2015 stock option grant.
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The total of both grants are as follows:
Named Executive Officer | Grant date fair value of Other Stock Awards | Shares of Class A common stock subject to Other Stock Awards | |||||
Brian Harris | $ | 36,088 | 2,602 | ||||
Pamela McCormack | 9,695 | 699 | |||||
Marc Fox | 4,577 | 330 | |||||
Thomas Harney | 6,643 | 479 | |||||
Robert Perelman | 3,703 | 267 | |||||
Options Exercised and Stock Vested in Fiscal Year
The following table summarizes the options exercised and stock vested in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, for each Named Executive Officer. The vesting of the restricted performance and time-based shares that would have vested in
early 2018 were accelerated and vested on December 21, 2017 for tax planning purposes. The amounts in the table below include the value attributable to the vesting of dividends pursuant to the dividend equivalent rights associated with options that vested in 2018.
Options Exercised and Stock Vested in the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018
Options Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||||
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Value Realized on Exercise ($) | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | Value Realized on Vesting ($)(1) | |||||||
Brian Harris | N/A | N/A | — | $ | — | ||||||
Pamela McCormack | N/A | N/A | 90 | 1,330 | |||||||
Marc Fox | N/A | N/A | 43 | 636 | |||||||
Thomas Harney | N/A | N/A | 59 | 872 | |||||||
Robert Perelman | N/A | N/A | 35 | 517 | |||||||
(1) | Represents the grant date fair value on the vesting date (closing price of shares on the vesting date multiplied by the number of shares that vested on that date). |
Pension Benefits for 2018
We do not provide pension benefits to our Named Executive Officers.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2017
We provided no defined contribution plan for the deferral of compensation by our Named Executive Officers on a basis that is not tax-qualified during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
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Employment Agreements
Brian Harris. The Harris Employment Agreement provides for an indefinite term of employment, a base salary which shall not be less than $1,000,000 per annum and the opportunity to participate in LCF’s standard employee benefit programs. Pursuant to the Harris Employment Agreement, Mr. Harris is also eligible to receive an annual cash bonus for each calendar year of his employment with the Company of not less than 4.05% of core earnings for such calendar year. Mr. Harris is also eligible to receive an annual incentive stock award of an amount not less than 41% of the Senior Management Team’s Annual Equity Incentive Amount for such year, granted pursuant to the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The Senior Management Team’s Annual Equity Incentive Amount for the respective year is an amount that is not less than 1.0% of Ladder’s equity market capitalization, as further described in the Harris Employment Agreement. On February 11, 2017, in accordance with the Harris Employment Agreement, all outstanding equity awards held by Mr. Harris became fully vested; per such agreement future awards are fully vested upon grant. Mr. Harris is subject to a confidentiality covenant (with some specified exceptions), a one-year post- termination non-competition covenant and a two-year post-termination employee and customer non-solicitation covenant.
Pamela McCormack. In connection with her promotion to President, a second amended and restated employment agreement was entered into between LCF and Ms. McCormack (the “Amended McCormack Employment Agreement”), effective January 18, 2018 and provides for an indefinite term of employment, a base salary which shall not be less than $750,000 per annum, and the opportunity to participate in LCF’s standard employee benefit programs. For calendar years 2018 and thereafter, Ms. McCormack shall be eligible to receive a cash bonus of an amount to be reasonably determined by Mr. Harris, in his capacity as our Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the framework in the Harris Employment Agreement. If Mr. Harris is no longer our Chief Executive Officer, Ms. McCormack shall receive a cash bonus of an amount not less than the greater of 1.2% of core earnings or the amount (expressed as a percentage) equal to the average of the percentage of core earnings represented by Ms. McCormack’s annual cash bonus for each of the most recent two calendar years for which Ms. McCormack was paid an annual cash bonus prior to Mr. Harris’ departure. For calendar years 2018 and thereafter, while Mr. Harris is our Chief Executive Officer, Ms. McCormack shall be eligible to receive an annual equity incentive grant with respect to such calendar year of her employment in such amount, type and terms as determined by Mr. Harris, subject to her Retirement Eligibility Date (described below). If Mr. Harris is no longer our Chief Executive Officer, Ms. McCormack shall receive an annual equity incentive grant for each calendar year during her continued employment with a value of at least the greater of $1,700,000 or the average of the value of the annual equity incentive grant awarded to Ms. McCormack for each of the two most recent calendar years for which she was granted an annual equity incentive grant while Mr. Harris was our Chief Executive Officer. The time-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Award vests in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to Ms. McCormack’s continued employment on the applicable vesting date. The performance-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Award vests in three equal installments on December 31 of each of the three performance years if we achieve a return on equity, based on core earnings divided by the our average book value of equity, equal to or greater than 8% for such year. Ms. McCormack is subject to a confidentiality covenant, a one year post- termination non-competition covenant and an eighteen-month post-termination employee and customer non-solicitation covenant.
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Marc Fox. The amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Fox (the “Fox Employment Agreement”) dated as of January 23, 2014, and effective upon the closing of our IPO, provides for an indefinite term of employment, a base salary which shall not be less than $450,000 per annum, and the opportunity to participate in LCF’s standard employee benefit programs. For calendar years 2015 and thereafter, Mr. Fox is eligible to receive a discretionary annual cash bonus, if any, from the targeted annual cash bonus pool for our management team, as established by the Board and the Compensation Committee in accordance with the Bonus Guidelines (which total target of annual cash bonus pool for our management team, including the amount targeted for Mr. Harris as described above, represents 9% of the Adjusted Net Income, if we achieve a certain return on average equity threshold and subject to the discretion of the Board). For fiscal year 2015 and thereafter, Mr. Fox will be eligible to receive a discretionary annual equity incentive grant deemed appropriate by the Board and the Compensation Committee, in consultation with our Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the Bonus Guidelines and the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, of which 90% by value is an Annual Restricted Stock Award and 10% by value is an Annual Option Award. In 2017, in light of Ladder’s REIT status, the Board discontinued the use of options as part of executive compensation. Fifty percent of each Annual Restricted Stock Award is subject to time-based vesting criteria, and the remaining fifty percent of each Annual Restricted Stock Award is subject to performance-based criteria. The time-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Award vests in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to the Mr. Fox ’s continued employment on the applicable vesting date. The performance-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Award vests in three equal installments on December 31 of each of the three performance years if we achieve a return on equity, based on core earnings divided by the our average book value of equity, equal to or greater than 8% for such year. Pursuant to the Fox Employment Agreement, Mr. Fox is subject to a confidentiality covenant, a 90-day post- termination non-competition covenant and a one-year post-termination employee and customer non-solicitation covenant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, LCF, with the approval of the Board and after consultation with Mr. Harris, so long as Mr. Harris remains our Chief Executive Officer, may extend the post-termination non-compete period for an additional 90-day period if it provides Mr. Fox with severance payments equal to three months of his base salary, payable in three monthly installments during such period of extension, and reimbursements for continued health care for up to six months.
Thomas Harney. The amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Harney (the “Harney Employment Agreement”) dated as of January 23, 2014, and effective upon the closing of our IPO, provides for an indefinite term of employment, a base salary which shall not be less than $500,000 per annum, and the opportunity to participate in LCF’s standard employee benefit programs. The compensation provisions and confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants in the Harney Employment Agreement are the same as those contained in the Fox Employment Agreement.
Robert Perelman. The amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Perelman (the “Perelman Employment Agreement”) dated as of January 23, 2014, and effective upon the closing of our IPO, provides for an indefinite term of employment, a base salary which shall not be less than $300,000 per annum, and the opportunity to participate in LCF’s standard employee benefit programs. The compensation provisions and confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants in the Perelman Employment Agreement are the same as those contained in the Fox Employment Agreement.
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Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Cash Severance Pursuant to Employment Agreements
Brian Harris. Pursuant to the Harris Employment Agreement, upon a termination by LCF without cause or by Mr. Harris for good reason (in each case as defined in the agreement), subject to Mr. Harris’ execution of a release of claims in favor of LCF and its affiliates, he will be entitled to receive (i) cash severance equal to the greater of $10,000,000 or two times the sum of Mr. Harris’ annual base salary in effect at the time of termination and the average of the annual cash bonuses paid to him with respect to the two calendar years immediately preceding his termination (the “Harris Cash Severance”), 50% of which will be payable in a lump sum and 50% of which will be payable in twelve equal monthly installments, (ii) a prorated portion of Mr. Harris’ minimum annual cash bonus for the year in which such termination occurs, payable at the same time that performance bonuses for such calendar year are paid to our other senior executives, (iii) a prorated portion of Mr. Harris’ minimum annual equity incentive award for the year in which such termination occurs, payable at the same time as comparable equity incentives for such calendar year are granted to our other senior executives, and (iv) reimbursements for continued health care for up to two years immediately following Mr. Harris’ termination (as allowed by law). If Mr. Harris’ termination occurs within one year of a change in control (as defined in the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan) or if, as of the date of Mr. Harris’ termination, the Company has previously entered into a definitive binding agreement with a buyer that would result in a change in control and such definitive binding agreement remains in effect, then all of the Harris Cash Severance will be payable in a lump sum, as permitted by law.
Pamela McCormack. Pursuant to the Amended McCormack Employment Agreement, upon a termination without cause by us or a termination for good reason by her (in each case as defined in the agreement), subject to Ms. McCormack’s execution of a release of claims in favor of LCF and its affiliates, Ms. McCormack would be entitled to receive (i) cash severance equal to one and a half times the sum of her annual base salary in effect at the time of termination and the average of her annual cash bonuses with respect to the two calendar years immediately preceding her termination (the “McCormack Cash Severance”), 50% of which will be payable in a lump sum and 50% of which will be payable in twelve equal monthly installments, (ii) a prorated portion of Ms. McCormack’s target annual cash bonus for the year in which such termination occurs (the “Prorated Bonus”), as reasonably determined by Mr. Harris in his capacity as our Chief Executive Officer, based on our performance as of Ms. McCormack’s termination date, or if Mr. Harris is no longer our Chief Executive Officer at the time of Ms. McCormack’s termination, then a prorated portion of the greater of 1.2% or the amount (expressed as a percentage) equal to the average of the percentage of core earnings represented by Ms. McCormack’s annual cash bonus for each of the most recent two calendar years for which Ms. McCormack has been paid a year end bonus prior to Mr. Harris’ transition from his position as Chief Executive Officer, payable at the same time performance bonuses for such calendar year are paid to our other senior executives; (iii) a prorated portion of the amount of Ms. McCormack’s target annual equity incentive grant for the year in which such termination occurs, as reasonably determined by Mr. Harris in his capacity as our Chief Executive Officer, based on our performance as of Ms. McCormack’s termination date relative to the hurdles set, or if Mr. Harris is no longer our Chief Executive Officer at the time of Ms. McCormack’s termination, then a prorated portion of a value equal to not less than the greater of $1,700,000 or the average of the value (at the time of grant) of the Annual Equity Incentive Grant granted to Ms. McCormack for each of the two most recent calendar years for which Ms. McCormack was granted an annual equity incentive grant prior to Mr. Harris’ transition from his position as Chief Executive Officer, payable at the same time performance bonuses for such calendar year are paid to our other senior executives; (iv) reimbursements for continued health care for up to eighteen months immediately following Ms. McCormack’s termination. If Ms. McCormack’s termination occurs within one year of a change in control (as defined in the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan) or if, as of the date of Ms. McCormack’s termination, the Company has previously entered into a definitive binding agreement with a buyer that would result in a change in control and such definitive binding agreement remains in effect, then all of the McCormack Cash Severance will be payable in a lump sum, as permitted by law.
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Marc Fox, Pursuant to the Fox Employment Agreement, upon a termination by LCF without cause or by Mr. Fox for good reason (in each case as defined in the agreement), subject to Mr. Fox’s execution of a release of claims in favor of LCF and its affiliates, Mr. Fox will be entitled to receive (i) cash severance equal to the lesser of $1,000,000 and the sum of Mr. Fox’s annual base salary in effect at the time of termination and the average of Mr. Fox’s annual cash bonuses with respect to the two calendar years immediately preceding his termination (the “Fox Cash Severance”), 50% of which will be payable in a lump sum and 50% of which will be payable in twelve equal monthly installments, (ii) a prorated portion of Mr. Fox’s target annual cash bonus for the year in which such termination occurs (the “Prorated Bonus”), based on our performance as of Mr. Fox’s termination date as determined by our Compensation Committee, in consultation with our Chief Executive Officer, payable at the same time performance bonuses for such calendar year are paid to our other senior executives (provided that such Prorated Bonus, together with the Fox Cash Severance, cannot exceed $1,000,000), and (iii) reimbursements for continued health care for up to three months (or six months, if LCF elects to extend the post-termination non-competition period applicable to Mr. Fox) immediately following Mr. Fox’s termination. If Mr. Fox’s termination occurs within one year of a change in control (as defined in the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan) or if, as of the date of Mr. Fox’s termination, the Company has previously entered into a definitive binding agreement with a buyer that would result in a change in control and such definitive binding agreement remains in effect, then all of the Fox Cash Severance will be payable in a lump sum, as permitted by law.
Thomas Harney and Robert Perelman. The provisions governing potential payments upon termination or change in control for each of Messrs. Harney and Perelman are the same as those contained in the Fox Employment Agreement.
Equity Acceleration
Annual Incentive Equity Awards. With respect to the Annual Restricted Stock Awards and Annual Option Awards granted to our Named Executive Officers, upon a termination of employment or service due to death, disability, termination by us without cause or termination by the Named Executive Officer for good reason (each, as defined in the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which references the definitions in their employment agreements), the time-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Awards and the Annual Option Awards will accelerate and vest in full, and the unvested performance-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Awards will remain outstanding for the performance period and will vest to the extent we meet the applicable performance targets. On February 11, 2017, in accordance with the terms of the Harris Employment Agreement, all outstanding Annual Restricted Stock Awards, including the time-vesting portion and the performance-vesting portion, and all outstanding Annual Option Awards granted to Mr. Harris became fully vested, and any Annual Restricted Stock Awards and Annual Option Awards granted after the Harris Retirement Eligibility Date are fully vested at grant. For Messrs. Fox, Harney, and Perelman, upon February 11, 2019, and December 8, 2019 for Ms. McCormack (as applicable, the “Executive Retirement Eligibility Date”), the time-vesting portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Awards and the Annual Option Awards will become fully vested, and the time-vesting portion of any Annual Restricted Stock Awards and Annual Option Awards granted after the applicable Executive Retirement Eligibility Date will be fully vested at grant. Upon the occurrence of their respective Executive Retirement Eligibility Date, the performance-vesting portion of Ms. McCormack’s and Messrs. Fox, Harney, and Perelman’s Annual Restricted Stock Awards will remain outstanding for the performance period and will vest to the extent we meet the applicable performance target, regardless of continued employment with us or our subsidiaries following such Executive Retirement Eligibility Date.
Upon a change in control (as defined in the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan), any unvested portion of the Annual Restricted Stock Awards and Annual Option Awards granted to each of our Named Executive Officers will become fully vested, subject to continued employment through the closing of the change in control. Our Compensation Committee retains the right, in its sole discretion, to provide for the accelerated vesting (in whole or in part) of the Annual Restricted Stock Awards and Annual Option Awards.
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Termination, Severance and Change in Control Arrangements
The table below sets forth payments that would have been due to each Named Executive Officer in case of termination without cause or resignation for good reason or a change in control as of December 31, 2018.
Named Executive Officer | Category of Payment | Termination Without Cause or Termination for Good Reason | Termination Upon Death or Disability | Change in Control Without Termination | Termination Without Cause or Termination for Good Reason Upon Change in Control | |||||||||||||
Brian Harris | Cash Severance(1) | $ | 13,950,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 13,950,000 | |||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Stock-Based Awards(2) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Continuation of Benefits and Perquisites(3) | 74,982 | — | — | 74,982 | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 14,024,982 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 14,024,982 | ||||||||||
Pamela McCormack | Cash Severance(1) | $ | 3,918,750 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,918,750 | |||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Stock-Based Awards(2) | 1,851,717 | 1,851,717 | 3,659,077 | 3,659,077 | ||||||||||||||
Continuation of Benefits and Perquisites(3) | 47,783 | — | — | 47,783 | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 5,818,250 | $ | 1,851,717 | $ | 3,659,077 | $ | 7,625,610 | ||||||||||
Marc Fox | Cash Severance(1) | $ | 1,112,500 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,112,500 | |||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Stock-Based Awards(2) | 823,211 | 823,211 | 1,625,562 | 1,625,562 | ||||||||||||||
Continuation of Benefits and Perquisites(3) | 14,222 | — | — | 14,222 | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,949,933 | $ | 823,211 | $ | 1,625,562 | $ | 2,752,284 | ||||||||||
Thomas Harney | Cash Severance(1) | $ | 1,125,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,125,000 | |||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Stock-Based Awards(2) | 838,094 | 838,094 | 1,647,500 | 1,647,500 | ||||||||||||||
Continuation of Benefits and Perquisites(3) | 15,928 | — | — | 15,928 | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,979,022 | $ | 838,094 | $ | 1,647,500 | $ | 2,788,428 | ||||||||||
Robert Perelman | Cash Severance(1) | $ | 1,075,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,075,000 | |||||||||
Accelerated Vesting of Stock-Based Awards(2) | 722,454 | 722,454 | 1,427,514 | 1,427,514 | ||||||||||||||
Continuation of Benefits and Perquisites(3) | 15,915 | — | — | 15,915 | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,813,369 | $ | 722,454 | $ | 1,427,514 | $ | 2,518,429 | ||||||||||
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(1) | The values in this row represent the cash severance payable to the Named Executive Officers pursuant to their employment agreements upon a termination without cause by us or a termination for good reason by the Named Executive Officers, assuming a termination date of December 31, 2018, subject to an execution of a release of claims in favor of the Company. The cash severance provided with respect to Messrs. Fox, Harney, and Perelman assumes that they would each receive $1,000,000 of cash severance in connection with a qualifying termination and would receive an additional $112,500, $125,00, and $75,000 respectively, upon the Company’s election tod extend their non-competition restrictions for an additional ninety days following each of their qualifying terminations, respectively. For a description of the employment agreements generally, see the section captioned, “—Employment Agreements.” As further described in the section captioned, “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control,” each of the Named Executive Officers is also entitled to receive a prorated portion of his or her target annual cash bonus for the year in which such termination occurs, payable at the same time that performance bonuses for such calendar year are paid to our other senior executives. In the case of Messrs. Fox, Harney, and Perelman, such prorated bonus, together with each of their cash severances, cannot exceed $1,000,000, and for such prorated bonus to be payable, their severance cannot each exceed $1,000,000, not including the payment for the non-competition election. A termination on December 31, 2018, would require payment of a full-year annual cash bonus to Mr. Harris and Ms. McCormack. The actual annual cash bonus amounts paid to Mr. Harris and Ms. McCormack for calendar year 2018 is detailed in the section captioned, “—Summary Compensation Table,” under the column entitled Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation. Ms. McCormack is also entitled to a prorated portion of her target annual equity bonus for the year in which such termination occurs, and Mr. Harris is also entitled to a prorated portion of his minimum Annual Equity Incentive Grant. |
(2) | The values in this row represent the value of stock-based awards that would be accelerated upon the specified events in the column headings, based on the closing market price of Class A common stock on December 31, 2018 of $15.47 per share. Upon a termination without cause or resignation for good reason on December 31, 2018, Ms. McCormack and each of Messrs. Fox, Harney, and Perelman would have fully vested in the time-vesting portion of the executive’s Annual Restricted Stock Awards. Performance-based shares remain outstanding eligible to vest upon the necessary return hurdles being met by the Company. Upon a termination due to death or disability on December 31, 2018, each of our Named Executive Officers would have fully vested in the remaining unvested time-vesting portion of any of his or her Annual Restricted Stock Award. Upon such a termination, performance-based shares remain outstanding and eligible to vest upon the necessary return hurdles being met by the Company. The fair market values of the outstanding performance-based shares on December 31, 2018 for Ms. McCormack, Messrs. Fox, Harney and Perelman are $1,807,360, $802,352, $809,406 and $705,061, respectively; these values are not included in the table. If, upon a change in control (or after the signing of definitive documentation related to the change in control but prior to its closing), the Named Executive Officer’s employment is terminated without cause or due to death or disability or the Named Executive Officer resigns for good reason, each of our Named Executive Officers would have fully vested in his or her Annual Restricted Stock Awards. Annual Option Awards vest in the same manner as the time-vesting portion of any Annual Restricted Stock Award. The unvested 2015 Annual Option Awards, with a strike price of $11.87, were “in the money” as of December 31, 2018. The spread between the $11.87 strike price of the 2015 Annual Option Awards and the closing market price of Class A common stock on December 31, 2018, multiplied by the number of such unvested options outstanding, is included in the table. |
(3) | The values in this row represent the value of reimbursements for continued health benefits and life and disability insurance to which the Named Executive Officers would be entitled pursuant to their employment agreements upon a termination without cause by us or a termination for good reason by the Named Executive Officers, assuming a termination date of December 31, 2018: $74,981 represents reimbursements for continued health care for up to two years immediately following Mr. Harris’ termination; $47,783 represents reimbursements for continued health care for up to 18 months immediately following Ms. McCormack’s termination; $14,222, $15,928, and $15,915 represent reimbursements for continued health care for up to six months immediately following each of Mr. Fox, Mr. Harney, and Mr. Perelman’s terminations, respectively, assuming that LCF elects to extend the post-termination non-competition period applicable to Messrs. Fox, Harney, and Perelman. |
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CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure
As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“the Dodd-Frank Act”), and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information for the year ended December 31, 2018:
• | The median of the annual total compensation of all employees of the Company (other than our CEO), was $365,752; and the annual total compensation of Mr. Harris, our CEO, was $17,308,240. |
• | Based on this information, for 2018, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was 47 to 1. |
We completed the following steps to identify the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees and to determine the annual total compensation of our median employee and CEO:
• | As of December 31 2018, our employee population consisted of 74 employees. |
• | To find the median of the annual total compensation of our employees (other than our CEO), we used each employee’s annualized year end base salary, cash bonus earned for 2018, overtime payments, sign-on bonuses and the grant date fair value of equity compensation granted in 2019 for 2018 performance. In making this determination, we annualized base salaries for full-time permanent employees who were employed on December 31, 2018, but did not work for us the entire year. |
• | We identified our median employee using this compensation measure and methodology, which was consistently applied to all our employees included in the calculation. |
• | After identifying the median employee, we added together all of the elements of such employee’s compensation for 2018 in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K, resulting in annual total compensation of $365,752, which includes group term life insurance coverage and long-term disability coverage imputed as income to all employees, to be consistent with the CEO annual total compensation described in the next sentence. With respect to the annual total compensation of our CEO, we used the amount reported in the “Total” column of our 2018 Summary Compensation Table in this proxy statement, which is also in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x). |
The Company’s CEO pay ratio disclosure may not provide a useful comparison of the Company to its peers because of the flexibility that each company is permitted in determining its ratio.
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Director Compensation
The following table shows the compensation earned by each of our non-management directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Director Compensation Table for the Year Ended December 31, 2018
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash | Stock Awards (1) | Total | |||||||||
Alan Fishman | $ | 300,000 | $ | 74,994 | $ | 374,994 | ||||||
Mark Alexander | 115,000 | 74,994 | 189,994 | |||||||||
Douglas Durst | 125,000 | 74,994 | 199,994 | |||||||||
Michael Mazzei | 100,000 | 74,994 | 174,994 | |||||||||
Richard O’Toole | 100,000 | 74,994 | 174,994 | |||||||||
Jeffrey Steiner | 45,161 | 75,001 | 120,162 | |||||||||
(1) | Represents the grant date fair value of the award, which is also the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. No assumptions were used in the calculation of grant date fair value. |
Narrative Disclosure Regarding Director Compensation Table
Director Annual Cash Compensation. LCF entered into a director agreement with Alan Fishman, dated September 22, 2008, which provides Mr. Fishman with a $300,000 fee per year for being our Non-Executive Chairman. The director agreement may terminate upon written notice of termination by Mr. Fishman or the Board of the Company or upon sale of the Company. Each of Messrs. Alexander, Durst, O’Toole, and Mazzei receive an annualized cash payment of $100,000 per year for his service on our Board, payable in monthly installments in the calendar month immediately following each completed month of service (or a prorated portion for any partial month of service). Additionally, our non-employee directors may receive $15,000 annually for service as a chairperson of our Audit Committee or Compensation Committee and $10,000 for service as a chairperson of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Director Annual Restricted Stock Awards. On February 18, 2018, we granted restricted shares of our Class A common stock, pursuant to the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Director Annual Restricted Stock Awards”), to Messrs. Fishman, Alexander, Durst, Mazzei, and O’Toole each with a grant date fair value of $74,994, representing 5,074 shares each. The Director Annual Restricted Stock Awards vest in full on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant or upon a change in control of the Company, subject to continued service on our Board. Upon his appointment to the Board, Mr. Steiner received a Commencement Restricted Stock Award with a grant date fair value of $75,001, representing 4,720 shares. The Commencement Restricted Stock Award vests equally on each of the first three (3) anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continued service on the Board on each such applicable vesting date.
In connection with Mr. Mazzei’s retirement as President, LCF and Mr. Mazzei entered into a separation agreement, dated June 22, 2017 (the “Separation Agreement”). Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Mr. Mazzei was appointed as a Class III director of Ladder and, subject to certain exceptions, Mr. Mazzei’s unvested stock and stock options as of that date will continue to vest as they would have had he continued to be employed with Ladder as long as he continues to serve on the Board. The vesting of such unvested stock and stock options will not be subject to the original retirement eligibility date provided for in his employment agreement.
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In order to further align their interests with the long-term interests of stockholders and further promote the Company’s commitment to sound corporate governance, all non-employee directors who serve in their individual capacity are subject to stock ownership guidelines for as long as they continue to serve as directors of the Company. We also prohibit our employees (including officers) or directors, or any of their designees, from pledging our shares, purchasing financial instruments, or otherwise engaging in transactions that hedge or offset, or that are designed to hedge or offset, any decrease in the market value of our equity securities either granted to the employee or director as compensation of held directly or indirectly by the employee or director.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The following is the report of the Audit Committee with respect to the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018. The information contained in this report shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or otherwise considered “filed” with the SEC, and such information shall not be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates such information by reference in such filing.
The Audit Committee currently consists of three members: Messrs. Alexander, Fishman and O’Toole. All of the members are independent directors under the NYSE and SEC audit committee membership requirements. The Audit Committee has certain duties and powers as described in its written charter adopted by the Board. A copy of the charter can be found on the Company’s website at ir.laddercapital.com.
In fulfilling its oversight responsibility of appointing and reviewing the services performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee carefully reviews the policies and procedures for the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm, including the scope of the audit, audit fees, auditor independence matters and the extent to which the independent registered public accounting firm may be retained to perform non-audit services.
Management of the Company is responsible for the Company’s system of internal control and its financial reporting process. The Company’s independent registered public accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), are responsible for performing an independent integrated audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and its internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee is responsible for the monitoring and oversight of these processes.
In connection with these responsibilities, the Audit Committee met with management and PwC to review and discuss the December 31, 2018 audited consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent registered public accountants the matters required by Auditing Standard No. 1301 (Communications with Audit Committees). The Audit Committee also received written disclosures and the letter from PwC as required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accountants their independence.
Based on the foregoing reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements referred to above be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Submitted by the Members of the Audit Committee
Mark Alexander (Chair), Alan H. Fishman and Richard O’Toole
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PROPOSALS
Overview of Proposals
This Proxy Statement contains the following proposals requiring stockholder action:
(1) | Proposal 1 requests the reelection of Alan Fishman and the election of Pamela McCormack and David Weiner to the Board of Directors. |
(2) | Proposal 2 requests the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2019. |
Each proposal is discussed in more detail below.
Proposal 1 — Election of Directors
The Board has nominated Mr. Fishman, Ms. McCormack and Mr. Weiner to serve as directors until the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
At the Annual Meeting, proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of individuals than the nominees named in this Proxy Statement. Holders of proxies solicited by this Proxy Statement will vote the proxies received by them as directed on the proxy card or, if no direction is made, for the election of the Board’s nominees. If a nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders may vote for any nominee designated by the present Board to fill the vacancy.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF ALAN FISHMAN, PAMELA MCCORMACK AND DAVID WEINER TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Proposal 2 — Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Under the Audit Committee’s charter, the Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, retention and termination, evaluation, compensation, review and oversight of Ladder’s independent auditor. In fulfilling this responsibility, the Audit Committee evaluates and monitors the auditor’s qualifications, performance and independence and reviews and evaluates the lead audit partner. The Audit Committee also approves all audit engagement fees and terms associated with the retention of the independent auditors.
The Audit Committee has re-appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and as auditors of the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. PwC has served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm since April 2009. PwC has no other ties to management or the Company other than this engagement. The Audit Committee and the Board believe that the continued retention of PwC as the Company’s independent auditor is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders are being asked to ratify the appointment of PwC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2019. In the event of a negative vote on such ratification, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection. Even if this appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Representatives of PwC are expected to attend the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to questions.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.
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Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table shows the fees accrued or paid to the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
Audit Fees(1) | $ | 2,891,884 | $ | 3,249,740 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees(2) | 30,000 | 31,100 | ||||||
Tax Fees(3) | 2,550,501 | 1,949,371 | ||||||
All Other Fees (4) | 1,960 | 1,960 | ||||||
Total | $ | 5,564,345 | $ | 5,232,171 | ||||
(1) | Audit fees relate to professional services rendered in connection with the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and internal control over financial reporting included in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly review of financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, issuance of a comfort letter and consents, review of proxy disclosures, and audit services provided in connection with other statutory and regulatory filings. |
(2) | Audit-related fees comprise fees for professional services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements. |
(3) | Per the table below, tax fees relate to professional services rendered in connection with tax audits, tax compliance, and tax consulting and planning services. Below is a breakout of the tax compliance services and consulting and advisory services provided by PwC during 2018 and 2017. Tax compliance services include the preparation of original and amended tax returns, refund claims, audit support, and tax payment planning. Consulting and advisory services include tax advice, planning, and consulting services. The evaluation, planning, and implementation of these tax-sensitive corporate strategies, and the development of an infrastructure to facilitate ongoing compliance with rules applicable to REITs, required substantial expertise. |
Tax Service | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
Compliance | $ | 1,866,383 | $ | 1,549,363 | ||||
Consulting and Advisory | 684,118 | 400,008 | ||||||
Total | $ | 2,550,501 | $ | 1,949,371 | ||||
(4) | Consists entirely of a subscription renewal for a license used for researching accounting guidance. |
Pursuant to its Charter, the Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditor and shall not engage the independent auditor to perform the specific non-audit services proscribed by law or regulation.
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Other Matters
The Company knows of no other matters to be submitted to the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, other than the proposals referred to in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters properly come before the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named on the proxy to vote the shares represented thereby on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
Dated: April 22, 2019 | |
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, | |
/s/ Alan H. Fishman | |
Alan H. Fishman | |
Chairman of the Board of Directors | |
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Annex
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
We present core earnings, core EPS, and after-tax core return on average equity (“after-tax core ROAE”), which are non-GAAP financial measures, as supplemental measures of our performance. We believe core earnings, core EPS and after-tax core ROAE assist investors in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a more relevant and consistent basis by excluding certain non-cash expenses and unrecognized results as well as eliminating timing differences related to changes in the values of assets and derivatives. In addition, we use core earnings, core EPS and after-tax core ROAE: (i) to evaluate our earnings from operations and (ii) because management believes that it may be a useful performance measure for us. Core earnings is also used as a factor in determining the annual incentive compensation of our senior managers and other employees.
We consider the Class A common shareholders of the Company and limited partners of Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP other than Ladder Capital Corp (“Continuing LCFH Limited Partners”) to have fundamentally equivalent interests in our pre-tax earnings and net income. Accordingly, for purposes of computing core earnings, core EPS and after-tax core ROAE, we start with pre-tax earnings or net income and adjust for other noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures but we do not adjust for amounts attributable to noncontrolling interest held by Continuing LCFH Limited Partners.
Core Earnings
We define core earnings as income before taxes adjusted for: (i) real estate depreciation and amortization; (ii) the impact of derivative gains and losses related to the hedging of assets on our balance sheet as of the end of the specified accounting period; (iii) unrealized gains/(losses) related to our investments in fair value securities and passive interest in unconsolidated joint ventures; (iv) economic gains on securitization transactions not recognized under GAAP accounting for which risk has substantially transferred during the period and the exclusion of resultant GAAP recognition of the related economics during the subsequent periods; (v) non-cash stock-based compensation; and (vi) certain transactional items.
For core earnings, we include adjustments for Economic Gains on Securitization transactions not recognized under GAAP accounting for which risk has substantially transferred during the period and exclusion of resultant GAAP recognition of the related economics during the subsequent periods. This adjustment is reflected in core earnings when there is a true risk transfer on the mortgage loan transfer and settlement. Historically, this has represented the impact of economic gains/(discounts) on intercompany loans secured by our own real estate which we had not previously recognized because such gains were eliminated in consolidation. Conversely, if the economic risk was not substantially transferred, no adjustments to net income would be made relating to those transactions for core earnings purposes. Management believes recognizing these amounts for core earnings purposes in the period of transfer of economic risk is a reasonable supplemental measure of our performance.
We do not designate derivatives as hedges to qualify for hedge accounting and therefore any net payments under, or fluctuations in the fair value of, our derivatives are recognized currently in our income statement. However, fluctuations in the fair value of the related assets are not included in our income statement. We consider the gain or loss on our hedging positions related to assets that we still own as of the reporting date to be “open hedging positions.” While recognized for GAAP purposes, we exclude the results on the hedges from core earnings until the related asset is sold and the hedge position is considered “closed,” whereupon they would then be included in core earnings in that period. These are reflected as “Adjustments for unrecognized derivative results” for purposes of computing core earnings for the period. We believe that excluding these specifically identified gains and losses associated with the open hedging positions adjusts for timing differences between when we recognize changes in the fair values of our assets and changes in the fair value of the derivatives used to hedge such assets.
Our investments in Agency interest-only securities and equity securities are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in current period earnings. We believe that excluding these specifically identified gains and losses associated with the fair value securities adjusts for timing differences between when we recognize changes in the fair values of our assets.
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Core EPS
Core EPS is defined as after-tax core earnings divided by the adjusted weighted average diluted shares outstanding during the period. The adjusted weighted average diluted shares outstanding is defined as the GAAP weighted average diluted shares outstanding, adjusted for shares issuable upon conversion of all Class B shares, if excluded from the GAAP measure because they would have an anti-dilutive effect. The inclusion of shares issuable upon conversion of Class B shares is consistent with the inclusion of income attributable to noncontrolling interest in operating partnership in core earnings and after-tax core earnings.
Set forth below is an unaudited reconciliation of net income to after-tax core earnings, and an unaudited computation of core EPS ($ in thousands, except per share data):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 221,676 | $ | 125,879 | $ | 113,720 | |||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 6,643 | 7,712 | 6,320 | ||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes | 228,319 | 133,591 | 120,040 | ||||||||
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures and operating partnership (GAAP)(1) | (15,895 | ) | (258 | ) | 109 | ||||||
Our share of real estate depreciation, amortization and gain adjustments(2) | 9,935 | 35,891 | 33,828 | ||||||||
Adjustments for unrecognized derivative results(3) | (19 | ) | (10,139 | ) | (11,105 | ) | |||||
Unrealized (gain) loss on fair value securities | 1,050 | (1,405 | ) | 56 | |||||||
Adjustment for economic gain on securitization transactions not recognized under GAAP for which risk has been substantially transferred, net of reversal/amortization | (788 | ) | 1,026 | (482 | ) | ||||||
Non-cash stock-based compensation | 9,994 | 20,043 | 19,039 | ||||||||
Transactional adjustments(4) | (2,488 | ) | — | (3,272 | ) | ||||||
Core earnings | 230,108 | 178,749 | 158,213 | ||||||||
Core estimated corporate tax benefit (expense)(5) | (3,680 | ) | (9,265 | ) | 627 | ||||||
After-tax core earnings | $ | 226,428 | $ | 169,484 | $ | 158,840 | |||||
Adjusted weighted average diluted shares outstanding(6) | 111,280 | 109,705 | 107,639 | ||||||||
Core EPS | $ | 2.03 | $ | 1.54 | $ | 1.48 | |||||
(1) | Includes $31 thousand, $32 thousand and $29 thousand of net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures which are included in net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in operating partnership on the combined consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. |
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(2) | The following is a reconciliation of GAAP depreciation and amortization to our share of real estate depreciation, amortization and gain adjustments amounts presented in the computation of core earnings in the preceding table ($ in thousands): |
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||
Total GAAP depreciation and amortization | $ | 41,959 | $ | 40,332 | $ | 39,447 | |||||
Less: Depreciation and amortization related to non-rental property fixed assets | (75 | ) | (93 | ) | (114 | ) | |||||
Less: Non-controlling interest in consolidated joint ventures’ share of accumulated depreciation and amortization and unrecognized passive interest in unconsolidated joint ventures | (4,087 | ) | (1,290 | ) | (2,519 | ) | |||||
Our share of real estate depreciation and amortization | 37,797 | 38,949 | 36,814 | ||||||||
Realized gain from accumulated depreciation and amortization on real estate sold (see below) | (27,968 | ) | (2,277 | ) | (3,007 | ) | |||||
Less: Non-controlling interest in consolidated joint ventures’ share of accumulated depreciation and amortization on real estate sold | 1,845 | 17 | 21 | ||||||||
Our share of accumulated depreciation and amortization on real estate sold | (26,123 | ) | (2,260 | ) | (2,986 | ) | |||||
Less: Operating lease income on above/below market lease intangible amortization | (1,739 | ) | (798 | ) | — | ||||||
Our share of real estate depreciation, amortization and gain adjustments | $ | 9,935 | $ | 35,891 | $ | 33,828 | |||||
GAAP gains/losses on sales of real estate include the effects of previously recognized real estate depreciation and amortization. For purposes of core earnings, our share of real estate depreciation and amortization is eliminated and, accordingly, the resultant gain/losses also must be adjusted. Following is a reconciliation of the related consolidated GAAP amounts to the amounts reflected in core earnings:
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||
GAAP realized gain on sale of real estate, net | $ | 95,881 | $ | 11,423 | $ | 20,636 | |||||
Adjusted gain/loss on sale of real estate for purposes of core earnings | (69,758 | ) | (9,163 | ) | (17,650 | ) | |||||
Our share of accumulated depreciation and amortization on real estate sold | $ | 26,123 | $ | 2,260 | $ | 2,986 | |||||
(3) | The following is a reconciliation of GAAP net results from derivative transactions to our hedging unrecognized result presented in the computation of core earnings in the preceding table ($ in thousands): |
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||
Net results from derivative transactions | $ | 15,926 | $ | (12,641 | ) | $ | (1,409 | ) | |||
Hedging interest expense | 7,234 | 15,320 | 29,870 | ||||||||
Hedging realized result | (23,141 | ) | 7,460 | (17,356 | ) | ||||||
Adjustments for unrecognized derivative results | $ | 19 | $ | 10,139 | $ | 11,105 | |||||
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(4) | During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2016, the Company recorded an additional $3.3 million income tax expense for a tax settlement for pre-acquisition liabilities on certain corporate entities acquired at the time of its IPO. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2016, the Company also recorded other income of $2.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively, relating to the recovery of these amounts pursuant to indemnification. While these items are presented on a gross basis, there was no impact to core earnings. Accordingly, since December 31, 2018 and 2016 pre-tax income excludes the tax effect but includes the recovery of $2.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively, pursuant to the indemnification, the recovery amounts have been excluded from core earnings. |
(5) | Core estimated corporate tax benefit (expense) based on effective tax rate applied to core earnings generated by the activity within our taxable REIT subsidiaries. |
(6) | Set forth below is an unaudited reconciliation of weighted average diluted shares outstanding to adjusted weighted average diluted shares outstanding (shares in thousands): |
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted) | 97,652 | 109,705 | 107,639 | |||||
Weighted average shares issuable to converted Class B shareholders | 13,628 | — | — | |||||
Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding (diluted) | 111,280 | 109,705 | 107,639 | |||||
After-Tax Core ROAE
After-tax core ROAE is presented on an annualized basis and is defined as after-tax core earnings divided by the average total shareholders' equity and noncontrolling interest in operating partnership during the period. The inclusion of noncontrolling interest in operating partnership is consistent with the inclusion of income attributable to noncontrolling interest in operating partnership in after-tax core earnings. Set forth below is an unaudited computation of after-tax core ROAE ($ in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||
After-tax core earnings | $ | 226,428 | $ | 169,484 | $ | 158,840 | |||||
Average shareholders' equity and NCI in operating partnership | 1,523,192 | 1,477,479 | 1,486,772 | ||||||||
After-tax core ROAE | 14.9 | % | 11.5 | % | 10.7 | % | |||||
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Adjusted leverage
We present adjusted leverage, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as a supplemental measure of our performance. We define adjusted leverage as the ratio of (i) debt obligations, net of deferred financing costs, adjusted for non-recourse debt obligations related to securitizations that are consolidated on our GAAP balance sheet to (ii) GAAP total equity. We believe adjusted leverage assists investors in comparing our leverage across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding non-recourse debt related to securitized loans. Set forth below is an unaudited computation of adjusted leverage ($ in thousands):
December 31, 2018 | December 31, 2017 | ||||||
Debt obligations, net | $ | 4,452,574 | $ | 4,379,826 | |||
Less: CLO debt(1) | (601,543 | ) | (688,479 | ) | |||
Adjusted debt obligations | 3,851,031 | 3,691,347 | |||||
Total equity | 1,643,635 | 1,488,146 | |||||
Adjusted leverage | 2.3 | 2.5 | |||||
(1) | We contributed over $888.4 million worth of balance sheet loans into two CLO securitizations that remain on our balance sheet for accounting purposes, but are excluded from debt obligations for adjusted leverage calculation purposes. |
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