DEF 14A
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.    )

 

 

Filed by the Registrant  ☑                             Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐

Check the appropriate box:

 

  Preliminary Proxy Statement
  Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
  Definitive Proxy Statement
  Definitive Additional Materials
  Soliciting Material Under Rule Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

  No fee required.
  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
  1)  

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

     

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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

     

  4)  

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  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
  1)  

Amount previously paid:

 

     

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LOGO

FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 28, 2019,

AND PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Please take notice that the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Fair Isaac Corporation (“Annual Meeting”) will be held at the time and place and for the purposes indicated below.

 

TIME

9:30 A.M., local time, on Thursday, February 28, 2019

 

PLACE

Offices of Fair Isaac Corporation:

 
 

181 Metro Drive, Suite 600

 

San Jose, California 95110

 

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

1.

To elect eight directors to serve until the 2020 Annual Meeting and thereafter until their successors are elected and qualified;

 

  2.

To approve the adoption of the 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

 

  3.

To approve the amendment to the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan;

 

  4.

To approve the advisory (non-binding) resolution relating to the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement;

 

  5.

To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019; and

 

  6.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

All of the above matters are more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement.

 

RECORD DATE

You can vote if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on January 2, 2019. A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting, during ordinary business hours for at least ten days prior to the Annual Meeting at our offices at 181 Metro Drive, Suite 600, San Jose, California 95110.

 

ANNUAL REPORT

Our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K accompanies this proxy statement.

 

VOTING

Your Vote Is Important. We invite all stockholders to attend the meeting in person. However, to assure your representation at the meeting, you are urged to mark, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible in the postage-prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose or follow the Internet or telephone voting instructions on the proxy card. Any registered stockholder attending the meeting may vote in person even if he or she returned a proxy card.


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ADMITTANCE TO MEETING

Admittance to the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders. If you are a stockholder of record and plan to attend, please detach the admission ticket from your proxy card and bring it with you to the Annual Meeting. Stockholders who arrive at the Annual Meeting without an admission ticket will be required to present identification matching the corresponding stockholder account name at the registration table located outside the meeting room. If you are a stockholder whose shares are held by a bank, broker or other nominee, you will be asked to certify to such ownership at the registration table prior to the Annual Meeting.

 

 

LOGO

 

 

Mark R. Scadina

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

January 28, 2019


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PROXY SUMMARY

     1  

2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

     1  

Voting Methods

     1  

Voting Matters

     2  

Our Director Nominees

     2  

Our Corporate Governance Facts

     3  

Our Compensation Facts

     4  

2018 Elements of Compensation

     5  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     6  

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

     7  

PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     8  

Annual Elections

     8  

Majority Voting Standard

     8  

Director Nominee Selection Process

     8  

Stockholder-Recommended Director Candidates

     8  

Director Nominee Biographies

     9  

PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE 2019 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

     13  

Background

     13  

Description of the Plan as Proposed

     13  

New Plan Benefits

     18  

PROPOSAL 3: APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2012 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

     19  

Background

     19  

Determination of Share Increase

     19  

Description of the 2012 LTIP as Proposed to Be Amended

     20  

Incentive Awards Under the 2012 LTIP

     27  

PROPOSAL 4: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

     28  

PROPOSAL 5: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     29  

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

     29  

Policy on Audit Committee Preapproval of Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors

     29  

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     31  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSONS TRANSACTIONS

     32  

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     33  

Board Leadership Structure

     33  

Board Risk Oversight Role

     33  

Attendance at Board Meetings

     33  

Annual Board Self-Evaluations

     33  

Board Committees

     33  

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

     36  

Non-Employee Director Compensation

     36  

Director Stock Ownership Guidelines

     37  

Director and Officer Liability Insurance Policies

     37  

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2018

     38  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     40  

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

     40  


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Leadership Development and Compensation Committee Report

     54  

Leadership Development and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     54  

Compensation Policies and Practices in Relation to Risk Management

     54  

Summary Compensation Table

     56  

Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2018

     58  

Letter Agreements

     59  

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2018 Year End

     61  

Fiscal 2018 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

     62  

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2018

     62  

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

     64  

Executive Officer Management Agreements

     64  

Severance Arrangements

     65  

Equity Awards

     65  

Insurance Benefits

     65  

Estimated Payments That Would Have Been Made to the Named Executive Officers

     65  

Equity Compensation Plan Information

     72  

CEO Pay Ratio

     73  

HELPFUL INFORMATION AND ONLINE RESOURCES

     74  

OTHER INFORMATION

     78  


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PROXY SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you are advised to read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.

2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

Date and Time:

  

9:30 A.M., local time, on Thursday, February 28, 2019

Place:

  

Fair Isaac Corporation’s offices located at 181 Metro Drive, Suite 600, San Jose, California 95110

Record Date:

  

January 2, 2019

Voting Methods

 

By internet

www.proxyvote.com

  

Use the internet to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. The availability of internet voting for beneficial owners will depend on the voting processes of your broker, bank or nominee. We recommend that you follow the voting instructions in the materials you receive.

By telephone

1-800-690-6903

  

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. The availability of telephone voting for beneficial owners will depend on the voting processes of your broker, bank or nominee. We recommend that you follow the voting instructions in the materials you receive.

By mail   

Be sure to complete, sign and date the card and return it in the prepaid envelope. If you are a stockholder of record and you return your signed proxy card without indicating your voting preferences, the persons named in the proxy card will vote FOR the election of directors, FOR the approval of the adoption of the 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, FOR the approval of the amendment to the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan, FOR the approval of the advisory (non-binding) resolution relating to the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, and FOR the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2019.

In person at the Annual Meeting   

All stockholders may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner of shares, you must obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or nominee and present it to the inspector of election with your ballot when you vote at the meeting.

 

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Voting Matters

Stockholders are being asked to vote on the following matters at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Please see the corresponding page numbers for additional information regarding each proposal.

 

Proposals

   Vote
Required
     Board
Recommendation
   Page Number for
Additional
Information

1.

   Election of Directors      Majority      FOR    8

2.

   Approval of the Adoption of the 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan      Majority      FOR    13

3.

   Approval of the Amendment to 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan      Majority      FOR    19

4.

   Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation      Majority      FOR    28

5.

   Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm      Majority      FOR    29

Our Director Nominees

 

Name

  Age     Years as
Director
 

Principal Occupation

 

Independent

 

Committee
Memberships

  Other
Current
Public
Boards
                     

AC(1)

 

GNEC(2)

 

LDCC(3)

   

Braden R. Kelly

    48     6   Partner of Health Evolution Partners   Yes     LOGO   LOGO  

A. George Battle

    75     22   Former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Ask Jeeves, Incorporated   Yes     LOGO   LOGO   2

James D. Kirsner

    75     12   Former Chief Financial Officer and head of Barra Ventures at Barra, Inc.   Yes   LOGO   LOGO    

William J. Lansing

    60     13   Chief Executive Officer of Fair Isaac Corporation   No         1

Eva Manolis

    55     <1   Former Vice President of Amazon.com, Inc.   Yes       LOGO   1

Marc F. McMorris

    50     3   Managing Director and Co-Founder of Carrick Capital Partners, LLC   Yes   LOGO      

Joanna Rees

    57     4   Managing Partner at West   Yes       LOGO  

David A. Rey

    68     8   Former Executive Vice President and Chief Client Relationship Officer of UnitedHealth Group   Yes   LOGO      

 

(1) 

AC = Audit Committee

 

(2) 

GNEC = Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee

 

(3) 

LDCC = Leadership Development and Compensation Committee

LOGO   = Member       LOGO    = Chair

 

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Our Corporate Governance Facts

 

Board and Committee Summary

  

Current Size of Board

     8  

Current Number of Independent Directors

     7  

Board Committees Consist Entirely of Independent Directors

     Yes  

All Directors Attended at least 75% of Meetings Held

     Yes  

Annual Election of All Directors

     Yes  

Majority Voting for Directors

     Yes  

Plurality Carveout for Contested Elections

     Yes  

Director Resignation Policy

     Yes  

Separate Chairman and CEO

     Yes  

Chairman is Independent Director

     Yes  

Independent Directors Meet Regularly in Executive Session

     Yes  

Annual Board and Committee Self-Evaluations

     Yes  

Risk Oversight by Full Board and Committees

     Yes  

Annual Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

     Yes  

Prohibit Hedging and Short Sales of FICO Securities

     Yes  

Stock Ownership Requirements for Directors and Executive Officers

     Yes  

Executive Compensation Recovery Policy

     Yes  

Stockholder Rights Summary

  

Controlled Company

     No  

Classified Board

     No  

Vote Standard for Mergers/Acquisitions

     Majority  

Vote Standard for Charter or Bylaw Amendment

     66.67%  

Stockholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

     No  

Stockholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

     Yes  

Cumulative Voting

     No  

Board Ability to Issue Blank-Check Preferred Stock

     Yes  

Poison Pill

     No  

 

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Our Compensation Facts

As administered by our Leadership Development and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), our compensation program seeks to closely link the financial interests of our Company’s executives with those of our stockholders. In making compensation decisions at the outset of fiscal 2018 and throughout the year, the Committee sought to reinforce the linkage between Company performance and executive compensation. In keeping with this objective, base salaries for executive officers in fiscal 2018 remained flat as part of the continued focus on prominently featuring performance-based cash incentives and equity.

The Committee uses the following guidelines in our compensation program to help achieve this overarching goal.

 

    

What We Do:

     

What We Do Not Do:

LOGO

 

We closely link performance-based rewards with the achievement of performance goals.

 

LOGO

 

Our compensation plans do not have minimum guaranteed payout levels.

LOGO

 

We cap payouts under our plans to discourage excessive or inappropriate risk taking by our executives.

 

LOGO

 

We do not permit hedging or short sales of our stock.

LOGO

 

Two-thirds of our long-term incentives are performance-based.

 

LOGO

 

We do not permit repricing of underwater stock options without stockholder approval.

LOGO

 

We emphasize long-term incentives to align executives’ interests with those of our stockholders.

 

LOGO

 

We do not provide tax gross-ups for our executives (other than with respect to relocation benefits and required spousal travel).

LOGO

 

We have double-trigger change in control provisions.

 

LOGO

 

We do not provide material perquisites.

LOGO

 

We have stock ownership guidelines that encourage ownership and further align our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders.

   

LOGO

 

We have a peer group comprised of companies of similar size and from relevant industries.

   

LOGO

 

Our Committee retains an independent compensation consultant.

   

LOGO

 

We hold an annual advisory vote on executive compensation.

   

LOGO

 

We seek feedback on executive compensation through stockholder engagement.

   

LOGO

 

We have a compensation recovery, or “clawback,” policy pertaining to both cash and equity incentive-based compensation.

   

LOGO

 

We have a mandatory minimum vesting period of one year for equity awards.

   

LOGO

 

We limit the aggregate fair value of equity awards granted in any calendar year.

   

LOGO

 

We cap payouts under our severance policies.

   

 

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2018 Elements of Compensation

 

Element

 

Purpose and Philosophy

Base Salary  

•     Base salary provides executive officers with financial stability and predictable cash flow.

 

•     Individual base salaries are determined by evaluating the executive officer’s role within the Company, experience, performance, and potential for development, as well as the base salaries of comparable roles within the peer group companies and the broader marketplace.

Short-Term Cash Incentives  

•     This element rewards the achievement of annual Company and individual performance goals.

 

•     Cash incentives are expressed as a target percentage of base salary determined with reference to the peer group companies and the broader marketplace.

 

•     Participant may earn between zero and 250% of target, depending both upon Company and individual performance.

Long-Term Equity Incentives  

•     Long-term equity incentives directly link a significant portion of total executive officer compensation to the market value of our common stock, while promoting retention through multi-year vesting and performance periods.

 

•     Performance Share Units (“PSUs”) are earned based upon the extent to which annual Company financial targets are achieved with as few as zero and as many as 200% of target PSUs eligible to be earned. Earned units are then subject to multi-year vesting, promoting continued linkage to the market price of our common stock while also promoting retention.

 

•     Market Share Units (“MSUs”) are earned based on relative total stockholder return over one-year, two-year and three-year performance periods with as few as zero and as many as 200% of target MSUs eligible to be earned.

 

•     Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) represent a more stable equity-based compensation vehicle, ensuring linkage to the stock price performance of our common stock while promoting retention over a multi-year vesting period.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Except as otherwise indicated, the following table and accompanying footnotes show information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of December 3, 2018 by:

 

   

each person who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock;

 

   

each current director and nominee for director;

 

   

each named executive officer; and

 

   

all directors and executive officers as a group.

As of the dates indicated in footnotes (3), (4), (5) and (6) below, publicly available information indicated that certain stockholders were beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. The information in the table below is as reported in their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The percentages noted in the table are as provided by such beneficial owners as of the date of their filing and not as of December 3, 2018. Based on a review of such SEC filings, we are not aware of any other beneficial owner of more than five percent of our common stock.

Shares of common stock underlying options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the options for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. As of December 3, 2018, 28,845,478 shares of common stock were outstanding.

 

Directors, Nominees, Executive Officers

and 5% Stockholders

   Beneficial Ownership(1)  
   Number      Percent(2)  

BlackRock, Inc.(3)

     3,197,660        10.7

55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022

     

Eaton Vance Management(4)

     2,632,775        8.8

2 International Place, Boston, MA 02110

     

Vanguard Group, Inc.(5)

     2,578,462        8.6

100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355

     

Neuberger Berman Group LLC(6)

     1,745,730        5.8

1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104

     

William Lansing(7)

     592,724        2

James Wehmann(8)

     168,698        *  

Michael Pung(9)

     167,459        *  

Stuart Wells(10)

     134,214        *  

A. George Battle(11)

     72,387        *  

Braden Kelly(12)

     71,064        *  

Wayne Huyard(13)

     60,319        *  

James Kirsner(14)

     58,831        *  

David Rey(15)

     51,402        *  

Joanna Rees(16)

     35,539        *  

Marc McMorris(17)

     16,645        *  

Eva Manolis

             

All directors, nominees and executive officers as a group (15 persons)(18)

     1,763,381        6.1

 

*

Represents holdings of less than 1%.

 

(1) 

To the Company’s knowledge, the persons named in the table have sole voting and sole dispositive power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable and the information contained in the footnotes to this table.

 

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(2) 

If the named person holds stock options exercisable on or prior to February 1, 2019, or restricted stock units that will vest on or prior to February 1, 2019, the shares underlying those options or restricted stock units are included in the number for such person. Shares deemed issued to a holder of stock options or restricted stock units pursuant to the preceding sentence are not deemed issued and outstanding for purposes of the percentage calculation with respect to any other stockholder.

 

(3) 

Information as to this person (including affiliated entities) is based on the report on the Schedule 13G/A filed by this person as of January 19, 2018. BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power as to 3,132,411 shares and sole dispositive power as to 3,197,660 shares.

 

(4) 

Information as to this person is based on the report on the Schedule 13G/A filed by this person as of February 14, 2018. Eaton Vance Management has sole voting and dispositive power as to 2,632,775 shares.

 

(5) 

Information as to this person is based on the report on the Schedule 13G/A filed by this person as of February 9, 2018. The Vanguard Group has sole voting power as to 58,019 shares, shared voting power as to 4,189 shares, sole dispositive power as to 2,518,699 shares and shared dispositive power as to 59,763 shares.

 

(6) 

Information as to this person is based on the report on the Schedule 13G/A filed by this person as of February 15, 2018. Neuberger Berman Group LLC has shared voting power as to 1,734,560 shares and shared dispositive power as to 1,745,730 shares.

 

(7) 

Includes options to purchase 278,579 shares and restricted stock units representing 95,974 shares.

 

(8) 

Includes options to purchase 46,496 shares and restricted stock units representing 32,476 shares.

 

(9) 

Includes options to purchase 39,484 shares and restricted stock units representing 26,663 shares. The Michael and Debora Pung 2014 Living Trust holds 101,309 shares and Mr. Pung holds 3.6973 shares directly through the Company’s ESPP.

 

(10) 

Includes options to purchase 62,901 shares and restricted stock units representing 32,542 shares.

 

(11) 

Includes options to purchase 21,437 shares. The A. George Battle 2011 Separate Property Trust holds 50,950 shares. Excludes 5,230 shares held by the Battle Family Foundation as Mr. Battle does not have voting or dispositive power as to those shares.

 

(12) 

Includes options to purchase 60,350 shares.

 

(13) 

Includes restricted stock units representing 32,162 shares.

 

(14) 

Includes options to purchase 36,626 shares. 22,205 of Mr. Kirsner’s shares are held by the Kirsner Family Trust.

 

(15) 

Includes options to purchase 51,402 shares.

 

(16) 

Includes options to purchase 29,556 shares.

 

(17) 

Includes options to purchase 13,018 shares.

 

(18) 

Includes the shares in footnotes 7 through 17, including a total of 1,049,398 shares subject to options exercisable or restricted stock units.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Directors and persons who are considered “officers” of the Company for purposes of Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and greater than 10% stockholders are required to file reports with the SEC showing their holdings of and transactions in the Company’s securities. Our employees generally prepare these reports on the basis of information obtained from each director and officer. Based on the information available to us, we believe that all reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act to be filed by the Company’s directors, executive officers, and greater than 10% owners during the last fiscal year were filed on time.

 

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PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Annual Elections

Directors are elected each year at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to hold office until our next annual meeting or until a qualified replacement is duly elected. Our Bylaws specify that the Board of Directors will establish by vote how many directors will serve on the Board. The Board of Directors has currently set the number of directors at eight.

Majority Voting Standard

To be elected, the number of votes cast “FOR” a director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast “AGAINST” that nominee. The Company requires that all nominees submit an irrevocable letter of resignation as a condition to being named as a nominee, which resignation will be effective if (i) the nominee fails to receive a sufficient number of votes to be elected and (ii) the Board accepts such resignation. Cumulative voting for the election of directors is not permitted.

Director Nominee Selection Process

Our Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee selects nominees on the basis of recognized achievements and their ability to bring various skills and experience to the deliberations of the Board, as described in more detail in the Corporate Governance Guidelines available on the “Investors” page of our website at www.fico.com. The Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee also strongly values diversity and seeks opportunities to promote diversity within the Company’s leadership. This viewpoint is reflected in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee Charter, both of which include diversity as a consideration, and the Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee takes this into account when assessing our incumbents and candidates.

All of the current nominees to the Board were recommended as nominees by the Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee, and the full Board voted unanimously to designate them as nominees for election at the Annual Meeting. All of the nominees are presently serving on our Board, and all have been previously elected by our stockholders except for Ms. Manolis.

Stockholder-Recommended Director Candidates

Our Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee considers director candidates recommended by stockholders who are entitled to vote for the election of directors at the Annual Meeting and comply with the notice procedures described below. A stockholder who wishes to nominate a candidate must send a written notice to the FICO Corporate Secretary. Each notice must include the following information about the nominee:

 

   

Name, age, and business and residence addresses;

 

   

Principal occupation or employment;

 

   

Class, series and number of shares of FICO beneficially owned, and additional detailed “ownership information” regarding derivatives, voting arrangements, dividend interests, and related matters (as described in detail in our Bylaws);

 

   

A statement of the person’s citizenship; and

 

   

Any other information that must be disclosed about nominees in proxy solicitations pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including the nominee’s written consent to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected).

Each notice must also include the following information about the nominating stockholder and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made:

 

   

The name and address, as they appear in our records;

 

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The class, series and number of shares of FICO beneficially owned, and additional detailed “ownership information” regarding derivatives, voting arrangements, dividend interests, and related matters (as described in detail in our Bylaws);

 

   

A description of all agreements pursuant to which the nomination is being made, and any material interest of such stockholder or beneficial owner, or any affiliates or associates of such person, in such nomination;

 

   

A representation that the stockholder giving notice intends to appear in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice;

 

   

A representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner intends, or is part of a group that intends, to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of FICO’s outstanding shares required to elect the nominee or otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders in support of the nomination; and

 

   

Any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

We may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by us to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as a director.

Our Corporate Secretary must receive this information not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding Annual Meeting. In the case of an Annual Meeting which is held more than 25 days before or after such anniversary date, in order for notice by the stockholder to be considered timely, it must be received no later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date of the first public announcement of the date of the Annual Meeting.

Director Nominee Biographies

Set forth below is biographical information for each director nominee, as well as information regarding the particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of the nominees that led the Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee to conclude that they should serve as members of the Board. Each of these nominees is currently serving as a member of the Board.

Our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Kelly, Battle, Kirsner, McMorris and Rey and Mses. Rees and Manolis meet its independence standards, which are set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines on the “Investors” page of our website at www.fico.com. The Board defines an independent director as one who has no material relationship with the Company and its subsidiaries either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company. In addition, independent directors must meet the requirements to be considered independent directors as defined under the current rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Mr. Lansing is not independent, as he is employed by us as our CEO.

Each of the nominees has consented to being named in the proxy statement and to serve if elected. If any nominee becomes unavailable to serve, however, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote the shares represented by the proxy for the election of such other person or persons as may be nominated or designated by the Board of Directors, unless either they are directed by the proxy to do otherwise or the Board of Directors instead reduces the number of directors.

Braden R. Kelly.    Director since 2013 and Chairman of the Board of Directors since February 2016; Chair of the Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee; Member of the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee; Age 48.

Mr. Kelly has been a Partner at Health Evolution Partners, a private equity investment firm focused on the health care industry, since January 2015 and has served in various positions at Health Evolution Partners, including Investment Partner from June 2013 to December 2014 and Senior Advisor from August 2008 to May 2013. From August 1995 to December 2006, Mr. Kelly was an employee and then Partner and Manag-

 

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ing Director at General Atlantic Partners LLC, a global private equity investment firm focused on technology growth investing. Prior to joining General Atlantic Partners, Mr. Kelly worked in the investment banking division of Morgan Stanley & Co. as a member of the mergers, acquisitions and restructuring department. Mr. Kelly does not serve on any other public board nor has he served on any other public boards in the past five years. Mr. Kelly earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Mr. Kelly has a deep financial background and contributes a critical business and corporate development perspective to the Board of Directors through his extensive experience with strategic mergers and acquisitions, a key growth opportunity for the Company. Mr. Kelly’s extensive analysis of the technology and health care industries through his work as a private equity investor provides him with valuable insight into the business environments in which our Company and the companies in some of our key markets operate. The Board also benefits from Mr. Kelly’s significant experience as a strategic advisor to companies and his global experience working with growth companies in the United States, Europe and India.

A. George Battle.    Director since 1996; Chair of the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee; Member of the Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee; Age 75.

From January 2004 to August 2005, Mr. Battle served as Executive Chairman at Ask Jeeves, Inc., a provider of information search and retrieval services. From December 2000 until January 2004, Mr. Battle served as Chief Executive Officer at Ask Jeeves. From 1968 until his retirement in 1995, Mr. Battle was an employee and then partner at Arthur Andersen LLP and Andersen Consulting (now known as Accenture Ltd.), global accounting and consulting firms. Mr. Battle’s last position at Andersen Consulting was Managing Partner, Market Development, responsible for Andersen Consulting’s worldwide industry activities, its Change Management and Strategic Services offerings, and worldwide marketing and advertising. Mr. Battle is a director at the following public companies in addition to FICO: Expedia, Inc. and Workday, Inc. Within the last five years, Mr. Battle served on the boards of Netflix, Inc., Opentable, Inc. and LinkedIn Corporation, all public companies, and also served as a director of the Masters Select family of funds. Mr. Battle received an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Business School.

Mr. Battle brings strong leadership, seasoned business acumen, and a long career of diverse experience to the Board of Directors. He is our longest serving director, has in the past sat on all of our standing Board committees, and has extensive historical knowledge about the Company’s business units, technologies, and culture. We value his more than 25 years as a business consultant with a national consulting firm and his prior experience as a chief executive officer. He also serves on a number of other public and private company boards, which provides us with important perspectives on corporate governance and other matters, as well as best practices enacted at other companies.

James D. Kirsner.    Director since 2007; Chair of the Audit Committee; Member of the Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee; Age 75.

In 2001, Mr. Kirsner served as a consultant and interim Chief Operating Officer at Tukman Capital Management, an equity management firm. From 1993 until 2001, Mr. Kirsner was the Chief Financial Officer and head of Barra Ventures at Barra, Inc., an investment risk management services company. From 1967 until 1993, Mr. Kirsner was an audit professional with Arthur Andersen LLP, an international accounting and consulting firm. Mr. Kirsner was a partner in the firm from 1977 until his retirement in 1993. Within the last five years, Mr. Kirsner served on the board of the following public company: Advent Software, Inc. Mr. Kirsner received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Kirsner brings extensive financial and accounting expertise to the Board of Directors. He serves as Chair of the Company’s Audit Committee and is qualified as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under SEC guidelines. His significant public accounting, public company CFO, investment, and audit committee experience provide Mr. Kirsner with the financial acumen and leadership skills necessary to serve as Chair of our Audit Committee. He has also served on the board of another publicly traded com-

 

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pany in the software industry, which provides us with additional valuable perspectives on our industry and on issues affecting similarly situated publicly traded companies.

William J. Lansing.    Director since 2006; Age 60.

Since January 2012, Mr. Lansing has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. From February 2009 to November 2010, Mr. Lansing served as Chief Executive Officer and President at Infospace, Inc. From 2004 until 2007, Mr. Lansing served as Chief Executive Officer and President at ValueVision Media, Inc. (now EVINE Live Inc.). From 2001 to 2003, he served as a General Partner at General Atlantic LLC, a global private equity firm. From 2000 to 2001, he was Chief Executive Officer at NBC Internet, Inc., an integrated Internet media company. From 1998 to 2000, he served as President, then as Chief Executive Officer at Fingerhut Companies, Inc., a direct marketing company. From 1996 to 1998, he was Vice President, Corporate Business Development at General Electric Company. In 1996, he was Chief Operating Officer/Executive Vice President at Prodigy, Inc. From 1986 through 1995, Mr. Lansing worked with McKinsey & Company, Inc. In addition to serving on our Board, Mr. Lansing serves as chairman of the board for Shutterfly, Inc. He holds an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University and a J.D. from Georgetown University.

Mr. Lansing is the only member of management who serves on our Board of Directors. As our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lansing has extensive, first-hand knowledge of our corporate strategy, business units, operations, and employees, as well as the opportunities, risks, and challenges faced by our Company. Mr. Lansing brings to his roles as an executive officer and director an extensive background in management through his past chief executive officer and other senior management positions held at various companies. His experience in the technology industry, particularly in the areas of the Internet and e-commerce, provides significant value across several of our business units.

Eva Manolis.    Director since April 2018; Member of the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee; Age 55.

Ms. Manolis formerly served as Vice President of Consumer Shopping Experience from May 2010 to August 2016 — and previously held various management positions beginning in 2005 — at Amazon.com, Inc., an electronic commerce and cloud-computing company, where she led the worldwide development of core consumer-facing features, functionality and user interface designs across multiple websites, mobile apps, and business lines. Prior to joining Amazon, Ms. Manolis co-founded and served as Senior Vice President of Products at Shutterfly, Inc. from 1999 to 2002, and served as Senior Vice President, Product and Operations at KeepMedia, Inc., an online content provider, from 2002 to 2005. Since October 2016, Ms. Manolis has served as a director of Shutterfly, Inc., a public company, where she also serves as a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Ms. Manolis earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Brown University.

Ms. Manolis brings a strong background in leadership and management in the technology industry, with a focus on designing and building innovative customer products and services. We value her deep expertise in this area, as well as her knowledge of corporate governance matters from her service on the board of directors of Shutterfly, Inc.

Marc F. McMorris.    Director since 2015; Member of the Audit Committee; Age 50.

Mr. McMorris has been Managing Director at Carrick Capital Partners, a private equity investment firm that he co-founded, since January 2012. From September 1999 to December 2011, Mr. McMorris served in various leadership positions at General Atlantic, LLC, a global private equity investment firm focused on technology growth investing, including Managing Director from 2003 to December 2011. Within the last five years, Mr. McMorris served on the board of the following public company: ServiceSource International, Inc. Mr. McMorris earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. McMorris’s extensive experience in evaluating companies in the financial services and technology industries, together with his mergers and acquisitions experience, provides a strong complement to our

 

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Board. He currently provides guidance to technology companies in several different areas, including software as a service (“SaaS”), an area of strong focus for the Company moving forward. He is also qualified as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under SEC guidelines.

Joanna Rees.    Director since 2015; Member of the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee; Age 57.

Since June 2016, Ms. Rees has been a Managing Partner at West, a market creation company founded by the former head of marketing at Apple Inc., where she leads West’s investment activities. From 2012 to June 2016, Ms. Rees was a Managing Director of Soda Rock Partners, an investment and consulting firm, where she served as an investor, board member and senior advisor to several private high-growth companies. In 1996, Ms. Rees founded VSP Capital, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm, where she served as Managing Partner until 2011. During her tenure with VSP Capital, Ms. Rees served on the board of more than 25 private, venture-backed companies across a broad range of industries. From 1995 to 1996, Ms. Rees worked at Vrolyk & Company, a boutique merchant bank, and from 1993 to 1995, Ms. Rees worked at BA Securities, an investment banking subsidiary of Bank of America. Ms. Rees spent her early career in advertising and brand management. From 1984 to 1989, she held several senior marketing management positions with Groupe Danone, a $20+ billion global consumer products firm, with her last position as head of new product development. Ms. Rees began her career at Benton & Bowles (now DMB&B), an advertising agency, working on multiple consumer brands. Ms. Rees was the co-creator of the Build Brand Value CEO forum, which she ran from 1997 to 2003 as part of VSP Capital. Within the last five years, Ms. Rees served on the board of the following public companies: Care.com, Inc. and Leapfrog Enterprises. Ms. Rees earned her M.B.A. from Columbia University and a B.S. from Duke University.

Ms. Rees’s leadership and experience in investing in, advising and building leading growth companies are valuable to the Company as it seeks to continue to grow its business and broaden its portfolio with innovative new product categories. Ms. Rees has deep connections across a wide range of industries, including the technology and education industries, and access to thought leaders worldwide.

David A. Rey.    Director since 2011; Member of the Audit Committee; Age 68.

From December 2008 to May 2011, Mr. Rey served as Executive Vice President and Chief Client Relationship Officer of UnitedHealth Group. From 1972 until 2008, Mr. Rey was an employee and then partner at Accenture Ltd. (previously Andersen Consulting and Arthur Andersen LLP), a global consulting firm. Mr. Rey served as both the Global Managing Partner of the healthcare industry practice and, as a Senior Managing Partner, led Accenture’s large client relationship development program. Mr. Rey does not serve on any other public board nor has he served on any other public boards in the past five years. Mr. Rey holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California.

Mr. Rey brings financial reporting and accounting expertise to the Board of Directors, as well as global, cross-industry experience in developing and sustaining the kind of large client relationships that increasingly drive our Company’s business growth. Mr. Rey’s strong financial background qualifies him as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under SEC guidelines, and as such, he serves on the Company’s Audit Committee. In 2018, Mr. Rey earned the CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight from the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.

 

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PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE 2019 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Background

On November 7, 2018, on the recommendation of the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee, our Board of Directors adopted the Fair Isaac Corporation 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as used in this section, the “Plan”), subject to approval of the stockholders of the Company. The Plan is a broad-based plan that provides an opportunity for eligible employees of the Company and its designated subsidiaries and affiliates to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock (referred to in this section as “shares”) through periodic payroll deductions at a discount from the then-current market price. The Plan does not provide for discretionary grants.

If approved by stockholders, a total of 1,000,000 shares will be made available for purchase under the Plan. Upon stockholder approval, the Plan will replace the Company’s 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Prior Plan”), which became effective on February 1, 2000, but which has been suspended by the Board since January 1, 2009. Therefore, if stockholders approve the Plan, the Prior Plan shall terminate and any shares remaining available under the Prior Plan will not be transferred to the Plan.

Approval of the Plan by the stockholders will enable the Company to offer an updated and current market-competitive broad-based stock purchase plan to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates on a global basis. Our Board of Directors believes that the Plan is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders because it will help us attract, retain and reward eligible employees and strengthen the mutuality of interest between such employees and the Company’s stockholders.

Description of the Plan as Proposed

The principal features of the Plan are summarized below, but the summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan. A copy of the Plan is filed herewith as Exhibit A. For purposes of this section, “Committee” means the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors or such other committee appointed by our Board of Directors or the Committee to administer the Plan, and “Administrator” means the Committee or, subject to applicable law, one or more of the Company’s officers or management team appointed by our Board of Directors or the Committee to administer the day-to-day operations of the Plan.

Purpose of the Plan

The purpose of the Plan is to provide an opportunity for eligible employees of the Company and any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company that has been designated by the Administrator (each, a “Designated Company”) to purchase shares of the Company at a discount through voluntary contributions from such employees’ eligible pay, thereby attracting, retaining and rewarding such persons and strengthening the mutuality of interest between such employees and the Company’s stockholders.

The rights granted under the Plan are intended to be treated as either (i) purchase rights granted under an “employee stock purchase plan,” as that term is defined in Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States (as amended, the “Code”) (i.e., rights granted under a “Section 423 Offering”), or (ii) purchase rights granted under an employee stock purchase plan that is not subject to the requirements of Section 423 of the Code (i.e., rights granted under a “Non-423 Offering”). The Administrator has discretion to grant purchase rights under either a Section 423 Offering or a Non-423 Offering.

Shares Subject to Plan and Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization

A total of 1,000,000 of the Company’s shares will be initially authorized and reserved for issuance under the Plan. Such shares may be authorized but unissued shares of common stock, treasury shares or shares of common stock purchased on the open market.

 

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In the event of any change affecting the number, class, value, or terms of the shares of common stock of the Company, resulting from a recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, spinoff, split up, combination, reclassification or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, rights offering, separation, reorganization or liquidation or any other change in the corporate structure or shares, including any extraordinary dividend or extraordinary distribution (but excluding any regular cash dividend), then the Committee, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust the number and class of shares of common stock of the Company that may be delivered under the Plan (including numerical limits), the purchase price per share and the number of shares of common stock of the Company covered by each purchase right under the Plan that has not yet been exercised.

Administration

The Plan will be administered by the Committee. The Committee will have, among other authority, the authority to interpret, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any default in and apply the terms of the Plan, to determine eligibility and adjudicate disputed claims under the Plan, to determine the terms and conditions of purchase rights under the Plan, and to make any other determination and take any other action desirable for the administration of the Plan. For purchase rights granted under a Section 423 Offering, the Committee is authorized to adopt such rules and regulations for administering the Plan as it may deem necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. To the extent not prohibited by applicable laws, the Committee may delegate its authority to a subcommittee, the Administrator or other persons or groups of persons, including to assist with the day-to-day administration of the Plan.

Non-U.S. Sub-Plans

The Administrator will also have the authority to adopt such sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit the participation in the Plan by employees who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States. Such sub-plans may vary the terms of the Plan, other than with respect to the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, to accommodate the requirements of local laws, customs and procedures for non-U.S. jurisdictions. For this purpose, the Administrator is authorized to adopt sub-plans for non-U.S. jurisdictions that vary the terms of the Plan regarding, without limitation, eligibility to participate, the definition of eligible pay, the dates and duration of offering periods or other periods, the method of determining the purchase price and the discount at which shares may be purchased, any minimum or maximum amount of contributions a participant may make in an offering period or other specified period under the applicable sub-plan, the handling of payroll deductions and the methods for making contributions by means other than payroll deductions, the treatment of purchase rights upon a change in control or a change in capitalization of the Company, the establishment of bank, building society or trust accounts to hold contributions, the payment of interest, conversion of local currency, obligations to pay payroll tax, determination of beneficiary designation requirements, withholding procedures and handling of share issuances.

Eligibility

Generally, any individual in an employee-employer relationship with the Company or a Designated Company for income tax and employment tax withholding and reporting purposes is eligible to participate in the Plan and may participate by submitting an enrollment form or appropriate online form to the Company under procedures specified by the Administrator. As of January 2, 2019, approximately 3,800 employees, including all seven executive officers, were eligible to participate in the Plan.

However, the Administrator, in its discretion, may determine on a uniform basis for an offering that employees will not be eligible to participate if they: (i) have not completed at least two years of service since their last hire date (or such lesser period determined by the Administrator), (ii) customarily work not more than 20 hours per week (or such lesser number of hours determined by the Administrator), (iii) customarily work not more than five months per calendar year (or such lesser number of months determined by the Administrator), (iv) are highly compensated employees within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code, or (v) are highly compensated

 

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employees within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code with compensation above a certain level or who are officers subject to the disclosure requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.

No employee is eligible for the grant of any purchase rights under the Plan if, immediately after such grant, the employee would own shares possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of shares of the Company or of any subsidiary or parent of the Company (including any shares which such employee may purchase under all outstanding purchase rights), nor will any employee be granted purchase rights to buy more than $25,000 worth of shares (determined based on the fair market value of the shares on the date the purchase rights are granted) under the Plan in any calendar year such purchase rights are outstanding.

Eligible employees who are citizens or resident of a jurisdiction outside the United States may be excluded from participation in the Plan if their participation is prohibited under local laws or if complying with local laws would cause the Plan or a Section 423 Offering to violate Section 423 of the Code. In the case of a Non-423 Offering, eligible employees may be excluded from participation in the Plan or an offering if the Administrator has determined that participation of such eligible employees is not advisable or practicable for any reason.

Offering Periods

The Plan will be implemented by consecutive offering periods with a new offering period commencing on the first trading day of the relevant offering period and terminating on the last trading day of the relevant offering period. Unless and until the Administrator determines otherwise in its discretion, each offering period will consist of one approximately six-month purchase period, which will run simultaneously with the offering period. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, offering periods will run from September 1st (or the first trading day thereafter) through the last day of February (or the first trading day prior to such date) and from March 1st (or the first trading day thereafter) through August 31st (or the first trading day prior to such date).

The Administrator has the authority to establish additional or alternative sequential or overlapping offering periods, a different number of purchase periods within an offering period, or a different duration for one or more offering periods or purchase periods or different commencement or ending dates for such offering periods with respect to future offerings without stockholder approval, provided that no offering period may have a duration that exceeds 27 months. Additionally, to the extent that the Administrator establishes overlapping offering periods with more than one purchase period in each offering period, the Administrator will have discretion to structure an offering period so that if the fair market value of a share on the first trading day of the offering period in which a participant is currently enrolled is higher than the fair market value of a share on the first trading day of any subsequent offering period, the Company will automatically enroll the participant in the subsequent offering period and will terminate his or her participation in the original offering period.

Payroll Deductions

Except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, up to a maximum of 15% of a participant’s “eligible pay” (as defined in the Plan) may be contributed by payroll deductions or other payments that the Administrator may permit a participant to make toward the purchase of shares during each purchase period. A participant may elect to increase or decrease the rate of such contributions during any subsequent enrollment period by submitting the appropriate form online through the Company’s designated plan broker or to the Administrator. Any such new rate of contribution will become effective on the first day of the first purchase period following the completion of such form. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, during a purchase period, a participant may not increase contributions and may decrease the rate of contributions only one time. However, a participant may reduce the rate of contributions to zero percent at any time during a purchase period. Any change to a participant’s rate of contributions during a purchase period will become effective as soon as possible after completing an amended enrollment form (either through the Company’s online enrollment process or by submitting the appropriate form to the Administrator).

Purchase Price

Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator prior to the commencement of an offering period and subject to adjustment in the event of certain changes in our capitalization, the purchase price per share at which

 

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shares are sold in an offering period under the Plan will be 85% of the fair market value of the shares on the purchase date (i.e., the last trading day of the purchase period). For this purpose, “fair market value” generally means the closing sales price of a share of the Company’s common stock on the applicable date. The Administrator has authority to establish a different purchase price for any Section 423 Offering or Non-423 Offering, provided that the purchase price applicable to a Section 423 Offering complies with the provisions of Section 423 of the Code. As of January 2, 2019, the closing sales price of a share of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $185.49.

Purchase of Shares

Each purchase right will be automatically exercised on the applicable purchase date, and shares will be purchased on behalf of each participant by applying the participant’s contributions for the applicable purchase period to the purchase of whole shares at the purchase price in effect for that purchase date.

The maximum number of shares purchasable per participant during any single offering period may not exceed 5,000 shares (or such other limit as may be imposed by the Administrator), subject to adjustment in the event of certain changes in our capitalization.

Any participant contributions not applied to the purchase of shares on any purchase date because they were insufficient to purchase a whole share will be carried over to the next offering period. However, any amounts not applied to the purchase of shares during an offering period for any other reason will be refunded following the purchase date and will not be carried forward to any subsequent offering period.

Transferability

Purchase rights granted under the Plan are not transferable by a participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the participant’s lifetime only by the participant.

Withdrawals

A participant may withdraw from an offering period and receive a refund of contributions by submitting the appropriate form online through the Company’s designated plan broker or to the Administrator within the time period prescribed by the Administrator. A notice of withdrawal must be received no later than the last day of the month immediately preceding the month of the purchase date or by such other deadline as may be prescribed by the Administrator. Upon receipt of such notice, deductions of contributions on behalf of the participant will be discontinued commencing with the payroll period immediately following the effective date of the notice of withdrawal, and such participant will not be eligible to participate in the Plan until the next enrollment period. Amounts credited to the account of any participant who withdraws within the time period prescribed by the Administrator will be refunded, without interest, as soon as practicable.

Termination of Employment

If a participant ceases to be an eligible employee prior to a purchase date, contributions for the participant will be discontinued and any amounts credited to the participant’s account will be refunded, without interest, as soon as practicable, except as otherwise provided by the Administrator.

Subject to the discretion of the Administrator, if a participant is granted a paid leave of absence, the participant’s payroll deductions will continue and amounts credited to the participant’s account may be used to purchase shares as provided under the Plan. If a participant is granted an unpaid leave of absence, the participant’s payroll deductions will be discontinued and no other contributions will be permitted (unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by law), but any amounts credited to the participant’s account may be used to purchase shares on the next applicable purchase date. Where the period of leave exceeds three months, for purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship will generally be deemed to have terminated three months and one day following the commencement of such leave.

Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, a participant whose employment transfers or whose employment terminates with an immediate rehire (with no break in service) by or between the Company and a

 

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Designated Company will be treated as having terminated employment for purposes of participating in the Plan or an offering. Any amounts credited to the participant’s account will be refunded, without interest, as soon as practicable following the date of a participant’s transfer. A participant may elect to participate in the Plan for any subsequent offering period following such a transfer by re-enrolling in the Plan.

Change in Control

In the event of a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Plan), each outstanding purchase right will be equitably adjusted and assumed or an equivalent purchase right substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute the purchase right or is not a publicly traded corporation, the offering period then in progress will be shortened by setting a new purchase date before the date of the proposed Change in Control, after which the offering period will end.

Amendment and Termination of Plan

The Plan became effective upon its adoption by our Board of Directors, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company.

Our Board of Directors or the Committee may amend the Plan at any time, provided that if stockholder approval is required pursuant to the Code, securities laws or regulations, or the rules or regulations of the securities exchange on which the Company’s shares are listed or traded, then no such amendment will be effective unless approved by the Company’s stockholders within such time period as may be required. The Board may suspend the Plan or discontinue the Plan at any time, including shortening an offering period in connection with a spin-off or similar corporate event. Upon termination of the Plan, all contributions will cease, all amounts credited to a participant’s account will be equitably applied to the purchase of whole shares then available for sale, and any remaining amounts will be promptly refunded, without interest, to the participants.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Information

The following summary briefly describes the general U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchase rights under the Plan for participants who are tax resident in the United States, current as of January 2, 2019, but is not a detailed or complete description of all U.S. federal tax laws or regulations that may apply, and does not address any local, state or other country laws. Therefore, no one should rely on this summary for individual tax compliance, planning or decisions. Participants in the Plan should consult their own professional tax advisors regarding the taxation of purchase rights under the Plan. The discussion below concerning tax deductions that may become available to us under U.S. federal tax law is not intended to imply that we will necessarily obtain a tax benefit or asset from those deductions. Taxation of equity-based payments in countries other than the United States does not generally correspond to U.S. federal tax laws, and is not covered by the summary below.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Information for Section 423 Offerings.

Rights to purchase shares granted under a Section 423 Offering are intended to qualify for favorable federal income tax treatment available to purchase rights granted under an employee stock purchase plan which qualifies under the provisions of Section 423(b) of the Code. Under these provisions, no income will be taxable to a participant until the shares purchased under the Plan are sold or otherwise disposed of. If the shares are disposed of within two years from the purchase right grant date (i.e., the beginning of the offering period) or within one year from the purchase date of the shares, a transaction referred to as a “disqualifying disposition,” the participant will realize ordinary income in the year of such disposition equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the purchase date and the purchase price. The amount of such ordinary income will be added to the participant’s basis in the shares, and any additional gain or resulting loss recognized on the disposition of the shares after such basis adjustment will be a capital gain or loss. A capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant holds the shares for more than one year after the purchase date.

 

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If the shares purchased under the Plan are sold (or otherwise disposed of) more than two years after the purchase right grant date and more than one year after the shares are transferred to the participant, then the lesser of (i) the excess of the sale price of the shares at the time of disposition over the purchase price, and (ii) the excess of the fair market value of the shares as of the purchase right grant date over the purchase price (determined as of the first day of the offering period) will be treated as ordinary income. If the sale price is less than the purchase price, no ordinary income will be reported. The amount of any such ordinary income will be added to the participant’s basis in the shares, and any additional gain or resulting loss recognized on the disposition of the shares after such basis adjustment will be long-term capital gain or loss.

The Company (or applicable Designated Company) generally will be entitled to a deduction in the year of a disqualifying disposition equal to the amount of ordinary income realized by the participant as a result of such disposition, subject to the satisfaction of any tax reporting obligations and applicable limitations under the Code. In other cases, no deduction is allowed.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Information for Non-423 Offerings

If the purchase right is granted under a Non-423 Offering, then the amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the purchase date and the purchase price will be treated as ordinary income at the time of such purchase. In such instances, the amount of such ordinary income will be added to the participant’s basis in the shares, and any additional gain or resulting loss recognized on the disposition of the shares after such basis adjustment will be a capital gain or loss. A capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant holds the shares for more than one year after the purchase date.

The Company (or applicable Designated Company) generally will be entitled to a deduction in the year of purchase equal to the amount of ordinary income realized by the participant as a result of such disposition, subject to the satisfaction of any tax-reporting obligations and applicable limitations under the Code. For U.S. participants, FICA/FUTA taxes will generally be due in relation to ordinary income earned as a result of participation in a Non-423 Offering.

New Plan Benefits

The benefits to be received pursuant to the Plan by the Company’s officers and employees are not currently determinable as they will depend on the purchase price of our shares in offering periods after the implementation of the Plan, the market value of our common stock on various future dates, the amount of contributions that eligible officers and employees elect to make under the Plan and similar factors. As of the date of this proxy statement, no officer or employee has been granted any purchase rights under the proposed Plan.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on this proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the Fair Isaac Corporation 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. If stockholders do not approve this proposal, then the Plan will not become effective and the Prior Plan will remain in effect.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION OF THE FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION 2019 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.

 

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PROPOSAL 3: APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2012 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

Background

On November 30, 2011, our Board of Directors adopted the Fair Isaac Corporation 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2012 LTIP”), subject to stockholder approval. Our stockholders approved the 2012 LTIP at the annual meeting held on February 7, 2012. As adopted, the 2012 LTIP authorized the issuance of up to 6,000,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to awards granted thereunder. On December 17, 2013, January 7, 2016, December 8, 2016 and December 8, 2017, our Board of Directors adopted amendments to increase the number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the 2012 LTIP by an additional 4,100,000, 2,500,000, 2,000,000 and 1,500,000 shares, respectively, which our stockholders approved at the annual meetings held on February 11, 2014, February 24, 2016, February 15, 2017 and February 28, 2018, respectively. Consequently, the 2012 LTIP currently authorizes the issuance of up to 16,100,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to awards granted thereunder. Neither unused shares from predecessor equity plans nor any shares subject to awards made under predecessor equity awards that are forfeited or otherwise do not result in the issuance of shares are available for grants under the 2012 LTIP.

As of January 2, 2019, there were 3,069,156 shares of our common stock remaining available for awards under the 2012 LTIP, which is the only plan under which equity awards can currently be made to our employees and non-employee directors. Because of the importance we attach to providing competitive levels of equity-based compensation to our employees, the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) believes it prudent to continue an annual cadence of requesting stockholder approval to increase the number of shares authorized under the plan. This approach also provides stockholders with a more frequent opportunity to evaluate plan funding requests in the context of company performance and improves the efficacy of plan resources to support the dynamic needs of the business.

As a result, the Committee recommended, and on December 7, 2018 our Board of Directors adopted, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to increase the aggregate number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the 2012 LTIP by an additional 1,250,000 shares, to an aggregate of 17,350,000 shares (the “Amendment”). The Amendment does not modify the 2012 LTIP in any other respect.

Stockholder approval of the Amendment is being sought in order to (i) satisfy the stockholder approval requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, and (ii) obtain stockholder approval of the increased number of shares that may be subject to incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code.

Determination of Share Increase

The following table summarizes information regarding equity awards outstanding and available for future grant as of January 2, 2019 after taking into account the annual equity awards granted on December 10, 2018 and equity awards vested on December 8, 2018:

Outstanding Equity & Shares Available

(as of 01/02/19)

 

     Shares Subject to
Options Outstanding(1)
     Full-Value Awards
Outstanding(1)
     Shares Remaining
Available for
Future Grant(2)
 
     924,130        1,499,825        3,069,156  

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price of Options

   $ 61.99        

Weighted-Average

Remaining Term of Options

     2.72        

 

(1)  

Represents awards made under the 2012 LTIP and predecessor plan (1992 Long-term Incentive Plan).

 

(2) 

The 2012 LTIP is currently the only plan with shares available for grant to employees and non-employee directors at FICO.

 

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In making its recommendation to the Board of Directors to increase the 2012 LTIP’s share reserve by 1,250,000 shares through the Amendment, the Committee considered the factors discussed below.

Importance of Long-Term Equity Incentives.    Long-term equity incentives play a critical role in our executive compensation program, motivating executives to make decisions that focus on creating long-term value for our stockholders, aligning executives’ interests with the interests of stockholders and serving as an effective employment inducement and retention device. The Committee considers our ability to continue to provide a competitive level of long-term equity incentives to be critical to our success.

Historical Burn Rate.    The Company is committed to managing its use of equity incentives prudently to balance the benefits equity compensation brings to our compensation program with the dilution it causes our stockholders. As part of its analysis when considering adoption of the Amendment, the Committee considered our “burn rate,” or the number of shares subject to equity awards granted in each of the past three fiscal years expressed as a percentage of the weighted average number of shares outstanding for each of those fiscal years.

The Committee noted that our three-year average burn rate percentage is below the suggested burn-rate benchmark published by Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., a leading proxy advisory service (“ISS”), for our industry classification. The Committee believes that our equity grant practices during those years have been in the Company’s and our stockholders’ best interests, noting in particular that our active stock repurchase program has elevated our burn rate percentage over the past several years. Over the course of fiscal 2017 and 2018, we have repurchased approximately 3.3 million shares of our common stock from the market (not counting shares delivered by employees in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations). Importantly, these stock repurchases have returned value to our stockholders and have mitigated the dilutive effect of our equity grants. However, the repurchases have increased our burn rate percentage by shrinking the number of shares outstanding (the denominator in the burn rate calculation) by approximately 11%. The Committee believes that the stock repurchase activity has been beneficial to our Company and its stockholders and that the benefits outweigh the inflation of our burn rate numbers.

Stockholder Value Transfer Test.    When deciding on an appropriate number of shares to add to the 2012 LTIP’s share reserve, the Committee engaged Compensia, Inc. to estimate the stockholder value transfer of the request. Compensia evaluated the value of available shares and plan awards as a percentage of the Company’s market capitalization and determined that the addition of 1,250,000 shares to the 2012 LTIP share reserve was reasonable.

Expected Duration.    The Committee expects that the shares available for future awards, including the additional shares if the Amendment is approved, will be sufficient for currently anticipated awards under the 2012 LTIP at least through the next annual meeting of stockholders. Expectations regarding future share usage under the 2012 LTIP are based on a number of assumptions such as future growth in the population of eligible participants, including the need to make sizable inducement grants for hires made in the executive ranks and the consequences of acquiring other companies; the rate of future compensation increases; the rate at which shares are returned to the 2012 LTIP reserve upon awards’ expiration, forfeiture or cash settlement; the level at which performance-based awards pay out; and the future performance of our stock price. While the Committee believes that the assumptions it used are reasonable, future share usage will differ from current expectations to the extent that actual events differ from the assumptions utilized.

Description of the 2012 LTIP as Proposed to Be Amended

The major features of the 2012 LTIP as recently amended and as proposed to be amended are summarized below, and references to the “2012 LTIP” in the following discussion assume that the Amendment has been approved by our stockholders and becomes effective. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2012 LTIP, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit B. A stockholder may also obtain a copy of the 2012 LTIP from the Company upon request.

 

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Compensation Best Practices

The 2012 LTIP incorporates a range of compensation best practices, including the following key features:

 

   

No Repricing or Replacement of Underwater Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.    The 2012 LTIP prohibits, without stockholder approval, actions to reprice, replace or repurchase options or SARs when the exercise price per share of an option or SAR exceeds the fair market value of the underlying shares.

 

   

No In-the-Money Option or Stock Appreciation Right Grants.    The 2012 LTIP prohibits the grant of options or SARs with an exercise price less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant (except in the limited case of “substitute awards” as described below).

 

   

No Single-Trigger Accelerated Vesting/Payment Following a Change in Control.    The 2012 LTIP provides that payment for outstanding awards in connection with a merger or acquisition in which the Company is not the surviving entity will only be made if and to the extent that the successor entity does not continue, assume or replace such awards. The 2012 LTIP does not provide for automatic acceleration of vesting under any change in control situation.

 

   

No Liberal Share Counting.    Shares delivered or withheld to pay the exercise price or satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with any award, shares repurchased by the Company using option exercise proceeds, and any shares subject to a SAR that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the SAR upon its exercise, may not be used again for new grants.

 

   

Independent Administration.    The Leadership Development and Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, which consists of only independent directors, has overall administrative authority over the 2012 LTIP, and only this committee (or our Board acting as a whole) may make awards to executive officers and directors.

 

   

One-Year Minimum Vesting Period.    Service-based awards under the 2012 LTIP are subject to a minimum initial vesting period of one year. Awards under the 2012 LTIP whose vesting is subject to satisfying performance goals are subject to a minimum performance period of one year.

 

   

Limit on Awards to Non-Employee Directors.    The aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted during any calendar year to any non-employee member of our Board of Directors (excluding awards granted in lieu of compensation otherwise payable in cash) may not exceed $800,000.

 

   

Dividend Restrictions.    Any dividends, distributions or dividend equivalents payable with respect to the unvested portion of a performance-based award will be subject to the same restrictions applicable to the underlying shares, units or share equivalents.

 

   

Compensation Recovery Policy.    Incentive-based compensation under the 2012 LTIP is subject to the Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy adopted by the Board of Directors and described in this proxy statement under “Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy.” The Committee may also provide that awards under the 2012 LTIP shall also be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recovery upon the occurrence of participant misconduct.

Eligible Participants

All employees, consultants and advisors of our Company or any subsidiary, as well as all non-employee directors of the Company, will be eligible to receive awards under the 2012 LTIP. As of January 2, 2019, there were approximately 3,800 persons employed by our Company and its subsidiaries, approximately 330 persons providing service to our Company and its subsidiaries as contractors, and seven non-employee members of our Board of Directors, all of whom would be eligible to receive awards under the 2012 LTIP.

Administration

The 2012 LTIP is administered by the Committee. To the extent consistent with applicable law or stock exchange rules, the Committee may delegate its duties, power and authority under the 2012 LTIP to any of its

 

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members, to officers of the Company with respect to awards to participants who are not directors or executive officers of the Company or, in connection with non-discretionary administrative duties, to one or more agents or advisors.

The Committee has the authority to determine the persons to whom awards will be granted; the timing and size of any cash incentive award; the timing, type and number of shares covered by each equity award; and the terms and conditions of the awards. The Committee may also establish and modify rules to administer the 2012 LTIP, interpret the 2012 LTIP and any related award agreement, cancel or suspend an award or the exercisability of an award, or modify the terms of outstanding awards to the extent permitted under the 2012 LTIP. Unless an amendment to the terms of an award is necessary to comply with applicable laws or stock exchange rules, a participant who would be adversely affected by such an amendment must consent to it.

Except in connection with equity restructurings and other situations in which share adjustments are specifically authorized, the 2012 LTIP also prohibits the Committee from repricing any outstanding “underwater” option or SAR without prior approval of the Company’s stockholders. For these purposes, “repricing” includes amending the terms of an underwater option or SAR to lower the exercise price, canceling an underwater option or SAR and granting in exchange replacement options or SARs having a lower exercise price or other forms of awards, or repurchasing the underwater option or SAR.

Subject to certain limits in the 2012 LTIP, the Committee may also establish subplans or modify the terms of awards under the 2012 LTIP with respect to participants residing outside of the United States or employed by a non-U.S. subsidiary in order to comply with local legal requirements or meet the objectives of the 2012 LTIP.

Available Shares and Limitations on Awards

A maximum of 17,350,000 shares of common stock are available for issuance under the 2012 LTIP, any or all of which may be the subject of incentive stock option awards. The shares of common stock to be issued under the 2012 LTIP are either authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. Under the terms of the 2012 LTIP, the number of shares of common stock subject to options or SARs granted to any one participant during a calendar year may not exceed 1,000,000, and the number of shares subject to performance-based awards other than options or SARs granted to any one participant during any calendar year may not exceed 1,000,000. Further, the aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted during any calendar year to any non-employee member of our Board of Directors (excluding awards granted at the election of such non-employee member in lieu of all or any portion of retainers and fees otherwise payable in cash) may not exceed $800,000. These share limitations are subject to adjustment for changes in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, as described below. Payouts of performance-based awards denominated in cash may not exceed $6,000,000 to any one participant during any calendar year.

Shares of common stock that are issued under the 2012 LTIP or that are potentially issuable pursuant to outstanding awards will reduce the maximum number of shares remaining available for issuance under the 2012 LTIP by one share for each share issued or issuable pursuant to an option or SAR award, and by 2.17 shares for each share issued or issuable pursuant to an award other than an option or SAR.

Any shares of common stock subject to an award under the 2012 LTIP that expires, is forfeited, is settled or paid in cash or otherwise does not result in the issuance of all or a portion of such shares will, to the extent of such expiration, forfeiture, settlement or non-issuance, automatically again become available for issuance under the 2012 LTIP. Each share that again becomes available for issuance will be added back as (i) one share if the share was subject to an option or SAR granted under the 2012 LTIP, or (ii) as 2.17 shares if the share was subject to an award other than an option or SAR granted under the 2012 LTIP. However, any shares tendered or withheld to pay the exercise price or satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with any award, any shares repurchased by the Company using option exercise proceeds and any shares subject to a SAR that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the SAR on its exercise may not be used again for new grants.

Awards granted under the 2012 LTIP upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by an entity acquired by our Company or any of its subsidiaries (referred to as

 

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“substitute awards”) will not reduce the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2012 LTIP. Additionally, if a company acquired by our Company or any of its subsidiaries has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of that pre-existing plan may be used for awards under the 2012 LTIP and will not reduce the shares authorized for issuance under the 2012 LTIP, but only if the awards are made to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to our Company or any of its subsidiaries immediately prior to such acquisition.

Share Adjustment Provisions

If certain transactions with the Company’s stockholders occur that cause the per share value of the common stock to change, such as stock splits, spin-offs, stock dividends or certain recapitalizations (referred to as “equity restructurings”), the Committee will equitably adjust (i) the class of shares issuable and the maximum number and kind of shares subject to the 2012 LTIP, (ii) outstanding awards as to the class, number of shares and price per share, and (iii) award limitations prescribed by the 2012 LTIP. Other types of transactions may also affect the common stock, such as reorganizations, mergers or consolidations. If there is such a transaction and the Committee determines that adjustments of the type previously described in connection with equity restructurings would be appropriate to prevent any dilution or enlargement of benefits under the 2012 LTIP, the Committee will make such adjustments as it may deem equitable.

Types of Awards

The 2012 LTIP allows the Company to award eligible recipients stock options, SARs, restricted stock awards, stock unit awards, other stock-based awards and cash incentive awards. These types of awards are described in more detail below.

Options.    Employees of our Company or any subsidiary may be awarded options to purchase common stock that qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, and any eligible recipient may be awarded options to purchase common stock that do not qualify as incentive stock options, referred to as “non-statutory options.” The exercise price to be paid by a participant at the time an option is exercised may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of one share of common stock on the date of grant, unless the option is granted as a substitute award as described earlier. “Fair market value” under the 2012 LTIP as of any date means the closing sale price for a share of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on that date. On January 2, 2019, the closing sale price of a share of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $185.49.

The total purchase price of the shares to be purchased upon exercise of an option will be paid by the participant in cash unless the Committee allows exercise payments to be made, in whole or in part, (i) by means of a broker-assisted sale and remittance program, (ii) by delivery to the Company (or attestation as to ownership) of shares of common stock already owned by the participant, or (iii) by a “net exercise” of the option in which a portion of the shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the option are withheld by the Company. Any shares delivered or withheld in payment of an exercise price will be valued at their fair market value on the exercise date.

An option will vest and become exercisable at such time, in such installments and subject to such conditions as may be determined by the Committee, and no option may have a term greater than 10 years from its date of grant.

The aggregate fair market value of shares of common stock with respect to which incentive stock options granted to any participant may first become exercisable during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. Any incentive stock options that become exercisable in excess of this amount will be treated as non-statutory options.

Stock Appreciation Rights.    A SAR is the right to receive a payment from the Company, in the form of shares of common stock, cash or a combination of both, equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value of a specified number of shares of common stock on the date of exercise of the SAR, and (ii) the aggregate

 

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exercise price under the SAR of that number of shares. SARs will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of the 2012 LTIP, as may be determined by the Committee. The Committee will have the sole discretion to determine the form in which payment of SARs will be made to a participant.

The exercise price per share of a SAR will be determined by the Committee, but may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of one share of common stock on the date of grant, unless the SAR is granted as a substitute award as described earlier. A SAR will vest and become exercisable at such time, in such installments and subject to such conditions as may be determined by the Committee, and no SAR may have a term greater than 10 years from its date of grant.

Restricted Stock Awards.    A restricted stock award is an award of common stock that vests at such times and in such installments as may be determined by the Committee. Until it vests, the shares subject to the award are subject to restrictions on transferability and the possibility of forfeiture. The Committee may impose such restrictions or conditions to the vesting of restricted stock awards as it deems appropriate, including that the participant remain continuously employed by, or in the service of, the Company or a subsidiary for a certain period or that the participant or the Company (or any subsidiary or business unit of the Company) satisfy specified performance criteria. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee, a participant who receives a restricted stock award will have all of the rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote the shares of restricted stock.

Stock Unit Awards.    A stock unit award is a right to receive the fair market value of one or more shares of common stock, payable in cash, shares of common stock, or a combination of both, that vests at such times and in such installments as may be determined by the Committee. Until it vests, a stock unit award is subject to restrictions on transferability and the possibility of forfeiture. Stock unit awards will be subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the other provisions of the 2012 LTIP, as may be determined by the Committee.

Other Stock-Based Awards.    The Committee may grant awards of common stock and other awards that are valued by reference to and/or payable in common stock under the 2012 LTIP. The Committee has complete discretion in determining the terms and conditions of such awards.

Cash Incentive Awards.    The Committee may grant performance-based awards that are settled in cash or other forms of awards under the 2012 LTIP or a combination thereof. The Committee has complete discretion in determining the amount, terms and conditions of such awards.

Expiration and Vesting

Each award agreement will set forth the date of expiration of each award, which may not be more than 10 years from the grant date.

Awards that vest based solely on service-based vesting conditions will be subject to a vesting period of not less than one year from the grant date and awards with vesting subject to satisfaction of performance goals over a performance period will be subject to a performance period of not less than one year. These minimum vesting and performance periods will not, however, apply in connection with (a) a change in control, (b) termination of service due to death or disability, (c) a substitute award that does not reduce the vesting period of the award being replaced, (d) awards made to non-employee members of our Board of Directors who elect to receive awards in exchange for cash compensation to which they would otherwise be or become entitled, and (e) awards involving an aggregate number of shares not in excess of 5% of the share reserve of 17,350,000.

Dividends and Dividend Equivalents

No dividends are payable on options or SARs. Any dividends or distributions paid with respect to unvested shares of restricted stock will be subject to the same restrictions as the shares to which such dividends or distributions relate, except for regular cash dividends on shares that are subject only to service-based vesting conditions. The Committee may provide that a recipient of a stock unit award or other stock-based award will be entitled to receive dividend equivalents on the units or other share equivalents subject to the award based on dividends actually declared on our outstanding common stock. Any dividend equivalents paid with respect to unvested units or share equivalents that are subject to performance-based vesting will be subject to the same restrictions as the units or share equivalents to which such dividend equivalents relate.

 

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Term and Amendment of the 2012 LTIP

Unless terminated earlier, the 2012 LTIP will terminate on November 30, 2021. Awards outstanding under the 2012 LTIP at the time it is terminated may continue to be exercised, earned or become free of restriction, according to their terms. The Board of Directors may suspend or terminate the 2012 LTIP or any portion of it at any time. The Board of Directors may amend the 2012 LTIP from time to time, but no amendments to the 2012 LTIP will be effective without stockholder approval if such approval is required under applicable laws or regulations or under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, including stockholder approval for any amendment that seeks to modify the prohibition on underwater option repricing discussed above.

Termination, suspension or amendment of the 2012 LTIP will not adversely affect any outstanding award without the consent of the affected participant, except for amendments necessary to comply with applicable laws or stock exchange rules.

Transferability of Awards

In general, no right or interest in any award under the 2012 LTIP may be assigned, transferred or encumbered by a participant, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. However, the Committee may provide that an award (other than an incentive stock option) may be transferable by gift to a participant’s family member or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order. Any permitted transferee of such an award will remain subject to all the terms and conditions of the award applicable to the participant.

Performance-Based Compensation

The 2012 LTIP permits the Committee to grant restricted stock, stock unit, other stock-based awards or cash incentive awards that are intended to be “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. Prior to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Cuts Act”) in December 2017, Section 162(m) generally disallowed a tax deduction to public companies for compensation of more than $1 million paid in any taxable year to each “covered employee,” as defined therein. Amounts that qualified as “performance-based compensation” were exempt from this deduction limitation if our Company met specified requirements set forth in the Code and applicable treasury regulations. The Tax Cuts Act repealed the exemption for “performance-based compensation” from the deduction limit.

Change in Control of the Company

For purposes of the 2012 LTIP, a “change in control” of our Company generally occurs if (i) a person or group acquires 30% or more of our Company’s outstanding stock, (ii) certain changes occur in the composition of the Board of Directors, or (iii) a reorganization, merger or consolidation of our Company, or a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our Company’s assets, is consummated (unless our Company’s outstanding stock immediately prior to the transaction continues to represent over 70% of the outstanding stock of our Company or the surviving entity immediately after the transaction).

If a change in control of our Company occurs as a result of which our Company does not survive as an operating company or survives only as a subsidiary of another entity, then the consequences will be as described in this paragraph unless the Committee provides otherwise in an applicable award agreement. If any outstanding award is not continued, assumed or replaced by the successor entity in connection with such a change in control, the award will be canceled in exchange for a payment with respect to such award in an amount equal to the excess, if any, between the fair market value of the consideration to be received in the change in control for the number of shares remaining subject to the award over the aggregate exercise price (if any) for the shares remaining subject to such award (or, if there is no excess, such award may be canceled without payment). In the case of performance-based awards, the number of shares remaining subject to an award or the settlement amount of a cash incentive award will be calculated by deeming all performance measures to have been satisfied at targeted performance. If any outstanding award is continued, assumed or replaced by the successor entity in connection with such a change in control, the Committee may provide that such award will become fully vested and exercisable upon the involuntary termination of the participant without cause within a specified amount of time following the change in control.

 

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In the event of a change in control of our Company other than as described in the previous paragraph, the Committee may provide that (i) any award will become fully vested and exercisable upon the change in control or upon the involuntary termination of the participant without cause within a specified amount of time following the change in control, (ii) any option or SAR will remain exercisable during all or some portion of its remaining term, or (iii) awards will be canceled in exchange for payments in a similar manner as described above with respect to a change in control as a result of which our Company does not survive as an operating company or survives only as a subsidiary of another entity.

Effect of Termination of Employment or Other Services

If a participant ceases to be employed by or provide other services for our Company and all subsidiaries, awards under the 2012 LTIP then held by the participant will be treated as set forth below unless provided otherwise in the applicable award agreement.

Upon termination for any reason other than death or disability, all unvested and unexercisable portions of any outstanding awards shall be immediately forfeited, and the currently vested and exercisable portions of options and SARs may be exercised for 90 days after such termination. However, if a participant is 65 or more years old or is 55 or more years old and has been an employee of or provider of other services to our Company for at least 10 years, then the currently vested and exercisable portions of options and SARs may be exercised for one year after such termination.

Upon termination due to death or disability, all outstanding options and SARs will become fully exercisable and will remain exercisable for one year after such termination, and all other awards will fully vest immediately.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a summary of the principal United States federal income tax consequences to the Company and to participants subject to U.S. taxation with respect to awards granted under the 2012 LTIP. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not discuss the income tax laws of any city, state or foreign jurisdiction in which a participant may reside.

Non-Statutory Options.    If a participant is granted a non-statutory option under the 2012 LTIP, the participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of the option. Generally, the participant will recognize ordinary income at the time of exercise in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares acquired at the time of exercise and the exercise price paid. The participant’s basis in the common stock for purposes of determining gain or loss on a subsequent sale or disposition of such shares generally will be the fair market value of our common stock on the date the option was exercised. Any subsequent gain or loss will be taxable as a capital gain or loss. The Company will generally be entitled to a federal income tax deduction at the time and for the same amount as the participant recognizes ordinary income.

Incentive Stock Options.    If a participant is granted an incentive stock option under the 2012 LTIP, the participant will not recognize taxable income upon grant of the option. Additionally, if applicable holding period requirements (a minimum of two years from the date of grant and one year from the date of exercise) are met, the participant will not recognize taxable income at the time of exercise. However, the excess of the fair market value of the shares acquired at the time of exercise over the aggregate exercise price is an item of tax preference income potentially subject to the alternative minimum tax. If shares acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option are held for the holding period described above, the gain or loss (in an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value on the date of sale and the exercise price) upon disposition of the shares will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss, and the Company will not be entitled to any deduction. If the holding period requirements are not met, the incentive stock option will be treated as one that does not meet the requirements of the Code for incentive stock options and the tax consequences described above for non-statutory options will apply.

Other Awards.    The current federal income tax consequences of other awards authorized under the 2012 LTIP generally follow certain basic patterns. SARs are taxed and deductible in substantially the same manner as

 

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non-statutory options. An award of nontransferable restricted stock subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture results in income recognition by a participant in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received (determined as if the shares were not subject to any risk of forfeiture) at the time the restrictions lapse and the shares vest, unless the participant elects under Section 83(b) of the Code to accelerate income recognition and the taxability of the award to the date of grant. Stock unit awards and cash incentive awards generally result in income recognition by a participant at the time payment of such an award is made in an amount equal to the amount paid in cash or the then-current fair market value of the shares received, as applicable. In each of the foregoing cases, the Company will generally have a corresponding deduction at the time the participant recognizes income, subject to Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to certain “covered employees.” Section 162(m) of the Code denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to certain “covered employees” in a taxable year to the extent that compensation to the covered employee exceeds $1,000,000.

Section 409A of the Code.    The foregoing discussion of tax consequences of awards under the 2012 LTIP assumes that the award discussed is either not considered a “deferred compensation arrangement” subject to Section 409A of the Code, or has been structured to comply with its requirements. If an award is considered a deferred compensation arrangement subject to Section 409A but fails to comply, in operation or form, with the requirements of Section 409A, the affected participant would generally be required to include in income when the award vests the amount deemed “deferred,” would be required to pay an additional 20% income tax, and would be required to pay interest on the tax that would have been paid but for the deferral. The 2012 LTIP will be administered in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A.

Incentive Awards Under the 2012 LTIP

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Committee has not approved any awards in excess of the current share reserve under the 2012 LTIP and therefore has not approved awards in reliance on the Amendment. Because all awards under the 2012 Plan are granted under the discretion of the Committee, neither the number nor type of future 2012 LTIP awards to be received by or allocated to particular participants or groups of participants is presently determinable. Information regarding awards made to named executive officers under the 2012 LTIP during fiscal 2018 is provided under the caption “Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2018” of this proxy statement.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on this proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the Amendment. If stockholder approval is not obtained, then the Amendment to the 2012 LTIP will not become effective.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION 2012 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN.

 

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PROPOSAL 4: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, the Company seeks a non-binding advisory vote from its stockholders to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as described under “Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and the tabular disclosure regarding named executive officer compensation (together with the accompanying narrative disclosure) in this proxy statement.

This proposal gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the Company’s named executive officer compensation. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the Board of Directors. However, the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when making future executive officer compensation decisions.

As we discuss below in our Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we believe that our compensation policies and decisions are designed to deliver a performance-based pay philosophy, are aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders and are competitive. The Company’s principal compensation policies, which enable the Company to attract, motivate and retain talented executive officers to lead the Company in the achievement of our business objectives, include:

 

   

We make annual cash compensation decisions based on assessment of the Company’s performance against measurable financial goals, as well as each executive’s individual performance.

 

   

We emphasize long-term incentive compensation awards that collectively reward executive officers based on individual performance, external and internal peer equity compensation practices, and the performance of the Company’s stock.

 

   

We delivered approximately two-thirds of the targeted annual long-term award value to top executives for fiscal 2018 in the form of performance-based incentives.

 

   

We require stock ownership by our senior executive officers.

As a result, we are presenting this proposal, which gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to vote on our named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement by voting “FOR” or “AGAINST” the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and the related disclosure contained in the Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IS APPROPRIATE AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION AS DISCLOSED IN THE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS AND THE COMPENSATION TABLES AND OTHERWISE IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

 

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PROPOSAL 5: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

It is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to select and retain independent auditors. Our Audit Committee has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as our independent auditors for the Company’s fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. Although stockholder ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of independent auditors is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise, we are submitting the selection of Deloitte to stockholder ratification so that our stockholders may participate in this important corporate decision. If not ratified, the Audit Committee will reconsider the selection, although the Audit Committee will not be required to select different independent auditors for the Company.

Representatives of Deloitte will be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement and respond to questions from stockholders present at the meeting.

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, for the audit of our annual financial statements and fees for other services rendered by the firm during those respective periods.

 

     2018      2017  

Audit Fees

   $ 2,995,000      $ 2,443,000  

Audit-Related Fees

     714,000        635,000  

Tax Fees

     86,000        234,000  

All Other Fees

     2,000        2,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,797,000      $ 3,314,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Audit Fees.    Audit fees consisted of fees for services rendered in connection with the annual audit of our consolidated financial statements, quarterly reviews of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and the audit of internal control over financial reporting. Audit fees also consisted of services provided in connection with statutory audits, consultation on accounting matters and SEC registration statement services.

Audit-Related Fees.    Audit-related fees consisted principally of fees for audits of financial statements of employee benefit plans, vendor compliance audits, issuance of senior notes and fees related to financial and non-financial attestation services (Service Organization Control).

Tax Fees.    Tax services consisted of fees for tax consultation and tax compliance services.

All Other Fees.    All other fees consisted of fees for access to an online library of accounting and financial reporting literature.

Our Audit Committee considers whether the provision of services other than for audit fees is compatible with maintaining our independent auditor’s independence, and has determined that these services for fiscal 2018 and 2017 were compatible. The services described above were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.

Policy on Audit Committee Preapproval of Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors

Our Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation, and overseeing the work of the independent auditors. The Audit Committee has established a policy regarding preapproval of all audit and permitted non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. On an ongoing basis, management communicates specific projects and categories of service for which it requests the advance approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee reviews these requests and advises management if the Audit Committee approves the engagement of the independent auditors. On a periodic basis, management reports to the Audit

 

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Committee regarding the actual spending for such projects and services compared to the approved amounts. The Audit Committee may also delegate the ability to preapprove audit and permitted non-audit services to a subcommittee consisting of one or more members, provided that any such preapprovals are reported on at the next Audit Committee meeting.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2019.

 

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Audit Committee selects and retains an independent registered public accounting firm as the Company’s independent auditor and assists the Board in overseeing (1) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (2) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, (3) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditor, and (4) the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements related to financial affairs and reporting. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee that addresses the responsibilities of the Audit Committee. This charter is available on the “Investors” page of our website at www.fico.com.

While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in its charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable legal and other requirements. These are the responsibilities of management and the independent auditor. Additionally, in performing its oversight function, the Audit Committee necessarily relies on the work and assurances of, and information provided by, management and the independent auditor.

Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) served as the Company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. In fiscal 2018, the Audit Committee met and held discussions with management and Deloitte on numerous occasions. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and Deloitte the Company’s quarterly consolidated financial statements prior to the filing of each Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. The Audit Committee discussed with Deloitte matters required to be discussed by the applicable Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards. Deloitte also provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee discussed with Deloitte the firm’s independence and tenure.

Based upon the Audit Committee’s discussions with management and the independent auditor, and the Audit Committee’s review of the representations of management and the report of the independent auditor to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, as filed with the SEC.

Submitted by the Audit Committee:

James D. Kirsner, Chair

Marc F. McMorris

David A. Rey

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSONS TRANSACTIONS

We maintain a written policy for the approval of any related person transactions. A “Related Person,” for purposes of our policy, means:

 

   

Any person who is, or at any time since the beginning of our last fiscal year was, a director or executive officer or a nominee for director;

 

   

Any person known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock; or

 

   

Any immediate family member of the foregoing persons.

“Immediate family members” include children, stepchildren, parents, stepparents, spouses, siblings, mothers- and fathers-in-law, sons- and daughters-in-law, brothers- and sisters-in-law and any other person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of one of these individuals.

Under the Related Persons Transaction Policy, any transaction, arrangement or relationship in which the Company (including any of its subsidiaries) is or will be a participant and in which a Related Person has a direct or indirect interest (a “Related Persons Transaction”) must be reviewed by the Audit Committee, except that the following transactions, arrangements or relationships are exempt under the policy:

 

   

Payment of compensation by the Company to a director or executive officer of the Company for such person’s service to the Company in that capacity;

 

   

Transactions available to all employees or all stockholders of the Company on the same terms; and

 

   

Transactions that, when aggregated with the amount of all other transactions between the Company and the Related Person or any entity in which the Related Person has an interest, involve less than $120,000 in a fiscal year.

In determining whether to approve a Related Persons Transaction, the Audit Committee will consider the following:

 

   

Whether the terms are fair to the Company;

 

   

Whether the transaction is material to the Company;

 

   

The importance of the Related Persons Transaction to the Related Person;

 

   

The role the Related Person has played in arranging the Related Persons Transaction;

 

   

The structure of the Related Persons Transaction; and

 

   

The interests of all Related Persons in the Related Persons Transaction.

We will only enter into a Related Persons Transaction if the Audit Committee determines that the Related Persons Transaction is beneficial to the Company, and the terms of the Related Persons Transaction are fair to the Company. No Related Persons Transactions occurred during fiscal 2018.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Leadership Structure

The Board of Directors does not have a policy with respect to the separation of the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interest of the Company for the Board of Directors to make a determination on this matter when it appoints a new Chief Executive Officer or Chairman. The Board of Directors has determined that, currently, the most effective leadership structure is to have a separate Chairman of the Board, a position held by Mr. Kelly since February 2016 (and previously held by Mr. Battle from 2002 to February 2016), and Chief Executive Officer, a position held by Mr. Lansing since January 2012, as it provides us the best access to the judgments and experience of both individuals while providing a mechanism for the Board’s independent oversight of management. As a result, the Chairman presides over the meetings of the Board of Directors and the stockholders, and the Chief Executive Officer is allowed more time to focus energies on the management of the Company’s business.

Board Risk Oversight Role

Our management is responsible for identifying the various risks facing the Company, formulating risk management policies and procedures, and managing the Company’s risk exposures. Our Board of Directors’ responsibility is to monitor the Company’s risk management processes by informing itself concerning our material risks and evaluating whether management has reasonable controls in place to address the material risks. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has been monitoring management’s responsibility in the area of risk oversight. Accordingly, our internal risk management team regularly reports to the Audit Committee on our major risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including our risk assessment and risk management policies. The Audit Committee, in turn, reports on the matters discussed at the committee level to the full Board of Directors.

Attendance at Board Meetings

During fiscal 2018, the Board of Directors met four times. Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which such director served.

Health permitting, all Board members are expected to attend our Annual Meeting. All directors serving on the Board at the time attended the 2018 Annual Meeting.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that independent directors will meet in executive session without the Chief Executive Officer or other management present at each regular Board meeting. Braden R. Kelly, the Chairman of the Board, is independent and presides at executive sessions held in accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

Annual Board Self-Evaluations

The Board of Directors and committees conduct annual self-evaluations to assess the qualifications, attributes, skills and experience represented on the Board and to determine whether the Board and its committees are functioning effectively.

Board Committees

Our Board has three standing committees: Audit; Leadership Development and Compensation; and Governance, Nominating and Executive. All of the members of the committees are independent directors under the applicable SEC rules and NYSE listing standards. Each committee’s charter expressly provides that the committee has the sole discretion to retain, compensate, and terminate its advisors. Current copies of the charters of the three committees are available on the “Investors” page of our website at www.fico.com. The following sets forth membership of each of our committees as of January 28, 2019.

 

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Audit Committee

       

Primary Responsibilities:

2018 Meetings: 8

James D. Kirsner (Chair)

Marc F. McMorris

David A. Rey

     

Assists the Board in overseeing the integrity of our financial statements;

 

     

Oversees the qualifications and independence of our independent auditor;

 

     

Oversees performance of our internal audit function and independent auditor;

 

     

Oversees our company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to financial affairs and reporting;

 

     

Appoints, retains, compensates, and replaces the independent auditor; and

 

     

Reviews the audited financial statements with management and the independent auditor, and on an annual basis it provides an Audit Committee Report wherein it states that it recommends to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

      Independence:
     

Each member of the Audit Committee is independent as defined in Rule 10A-3 adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and in the NYSE listing rules; and

     

The Board determined that all members of the Audit Committee are “audit committee financial experts” under the SEC regulations and financially literate under NYSE listing rules.

Leadership Development and
Compensation Committee

       

Primary Responsibilities:

2018 Meetings: 6

A. George Battle (Chair)

Braden R. Kelly

Eva Manolis

Joanna Rees

     

Overall oversight responsibility for the directors’ and executive officers’ compensation plans and the compensation policies and programs of the Company;

 

     

Reviews and approves the level and terms of the executive officers’ annual and long-term compensation;

 

     

Administers the 2012 LTIP, as well as makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the adoption of certain plans, such as the 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as well as other incentive plans;

 

     

Makes recommendations to the Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee with respect to the form and amount of director compensation, and, jointly with the Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee, recommends changes in director compensation to the Board; and

 

     

Monitors compliance by directors and officers with the Company’s stock ownership guidelines.

      Independence:
     

Each member of the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee is independent as required by the NYSE listing rules.

 

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Governance, Nominating and Executive
Committee

       

Primary Responsibilities:

2018 Meetings: 4

Braden R. Kelly (Chair)

A. George Battle

James D. Kirsner

     

Reviews annually with the Board the composition (e.g., skills, experience, diversity, age) of the Board, the requisite skills and characteristics of new Board members, and the performance and continued tenure of incumbent Board members;

 

     

Seeks individuals qualified to become Board members for recommendation to the Board;

     

Develops and recommends to the Board the criteria for identifying and evaluating director candidates, and recommends candidates for election or reelection to the Board;

     

Establishes the agenda for each Board meeting in cooperation with the CEO and appropriate senior management;

     

Recommends the membership of the Audit and Leadership Development and Compensation Committees;

     

Reviews and assesses the adequacy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines and recommends any proposed changes to the Board for approval;

     

Receives recommendations of the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee with respect to the form and amount of director compensation, and, jointly with the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee, recommends changes in director compensation to the Board;

     

Takes action between meetings, subject to defined limits, with respect to investment, budget, and capital and exploratory expenditure matters arising in the normal course of the Company’s business; and

     

Takes action between meetings, subject to defined limits, to sell, lease, pledge, mortgage or otherwise dispose of property or assets of the Company.

      Independence:
     

Each member of the Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee is independent as required by the NYSE listing rules.

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

Non-Employee Director Compensation

The following compensation components are paid to our non-employee directors:

 

   

Annual retainer fees;

 

   

An equity grant upon initial election to the Board; and

 

   

Annual equity grants.

Our Program is as described below. For a description of our compensation program in effect prior to this date, see last year’s proxy statement.

Under the Program, each non-employee director was entitled to receive annual retainer fees in the amounts set forth below and was paid in cash quarterly in arrears during their annual term commencing upon their election or re-election at each Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Such amounts will be pro-rated for appointments made to the Board of Directors, Chair of the standing Board committee or Chairman of the Board between Annual Meetings.

 

  

 

Annual retainer fee payable to all non-employee directors

   $ 60,000  
   

Additional annual retainer fee payable to Chairs of the Board’s Audit Committee, Leadership Development and Compensation Committee and Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee

   $ 25,000  
   

Additional annual retainer fee payable to Independent Chairman of the Board

   $ 120,000  
   

Additional annual retainer fee payable to non-Chair members of the Audit Committee and Leadership Development and Compensation Committee

   $ 15,000  

The stock price used for purposes of all calculations made under the Program equaled the average closing price of a share of the Company’s stock for the trading days within the 30-calendar-day period that ended on the eleventh calendar day before the date of grant.

Each non-employee director had the right, prior to the Annual Meeting, to elect to receive some or all of these annual retainer fees in the form of fully vested nonqualified stock options instead of cash. A director who elected to receive some or all of these annual retainer fees in the form of a stock option received an option to purchase a number of shares equal to the amount of the retainer or portion of the retainer being converted divided by the Black Scholes value of an option.

Upon initial election to the Board, each non-employee director was entitled to receive a number of nonqualified stock options subject to three-year ratable vesting equal to $460,000 divided by the Black Scholes value of a nonqualified stock option. The director was able to elect to convert either 50% or 100% of these stock options to restricted stock units subject to three-year ratable vesting. The number of restricted stock units was determined by dividing the aggregate Black Scholes value of the nonqualified stock options being exchanged by the value of a restricted stock unit.

Annual equity grants made to non-employee directors who were re-elected at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders after serving on the Board at least since the previous Annual Meeting were in the form of stock options subject to one-year cliff vesting equal to $230,000 divided by the Black Scholes value of a nonqualified stock option, and each committee chair received an additional annual grant in the form of stock options subject to one-year cliff vesting equal to $30,000 divided by the Black Scholes value of a nonqualified stock option. Each director was able to elect to convert either 50% or 100% of these stock options to restricted stock units subject to one-year cliff vesting. The number of restricted stock units was determined by dividing the aggregate Black Scholes value of the nonqualified stock options being exchanged by the value of a restricted stock unit. Equity awards granted upon an Annual Meeting that are subject to vesting will vest upon the dates of successive Annual Meetings.

 

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Our Program is expected to remain unchanged for fiscal 2019.

Director Stock Ownership Guidelines

Our policy requires non-employee directors to hold 10,000 shares within five years of beginning service on the Board. All of the directors currently meet the stock ownership guidelines or are making acceptable progress to their applicable level.

Director and Officer Liability Insurance Policies

Directors are covered under our director and officer liability insurance policies for claims alleged in connection with their service as directors. We have entered into indemnification agreements with all of our directors agreeing to indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by law for claims alleged in connection with their service as directors.

 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2018

The table below summarizes the compensation paid by the Company to each non-employee director for the year ended September 30, 2018.

 

Name (a)

   Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash ($)
(b)(1)
    Stock
Awards
($)(11), (12)
(c)
     Option
Awards
($)(11), (13)
(d)
     Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
(e)
     Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
(f)
     All Other
Compensation
($)
(g)
    Total
($)
(h)
 

A. George Battle

     85,000 (2)       267,316                                   352,316  

Mark W. Begor

     75,000 (3)       236,387                             11,550 (4)       322,937  

Braden R. Kelly

     220,000 (5)       267,316                               487,316  

James D. Kirsner

     85,000 (6)       267,316                                   352,316  

Eva Manolis

     27,500 (7)              439,675                467,175  

Marc F. McMorris

     112,500 (8)       118,278        120,521                            351,299  

Joanna Rees

     75,000 (9)       236,387                                   311,387  

David A. Rey

     85,000 (10)              240,983                            325,983  

 

(1)  

All fees under this column represent fees paid to the directors under the Compensation Program for Non-Employee Directors adopted December 8, 2016 (the “Program”) (described above). The Program anticipates fees commencing with the directors’ election year (February to February) whereby the compensation reported in this table is that paid during our fiscal year (October through September). Fees that are paid in cash are paid quarterly in arrears. Fees that, at the election of the director, are paid in stock options are paid in one annual grant upon the director’s election to the Board. As a result, when a director’s election with respect to receiving fees in cash or stock options changes from one year to the next, the director’s compensation disclosed in this column differs from the annual fees described under “Non-Employee Director Compensation” above. Messrs. McMorris and Rey made election changes during fiscal 2018.

 

(2) 

Represents an annual board retainer and committee chair retainer for the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee paid quarterly to Mr. Battle during fiscal 2018.

 

(3) 

Represents the $75,000 annual board and committee retainer fees payable upon his re-election foregone by Mr. Begor to instead receive 1,324 stock options which were fully vested upon his leaving the Board on April 2, 2018. The amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in fiscal 2018 with respect to such options, which was $78,606, is excluded from the “Option Awards” column.

 

(4) 

Represents the retirement gift given in recognition of Mr. Begor’s tenure on the Board; he resigned from the Board effective April 2, 2018.

 

(5) 

Represents the $220,000 annual board and committee retainers, annual independent chairman of the board retainer and committee chair retainer for the Governance, Nominating and Executive Committee payable upon his re-election in February foregone by Mr. Kelly to instead receive 3,883 stock options. The amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in fiscal 2018 with respect to such options, which was $230,534, is excluded from the “Option Awards” column.

 

(6) 

Represents an annual board retainer and committee chair retainer for the Audit Committee paid quarterly to Mr. Kirsner during fiscal 2018.

 

(7)

Represents two quarterly payments of a pro-rata annual board retainer of $55,000 paid to Ms. Manolis during fiscal 2018. Ms. Manolis joined the Board on April 2, 2018.

 

(8) 

Includes the $37,500 annual retainer fees paid quarterly in the first and second quarter of fiscal 2018 and the $75,000 annual board and committee retainer fees payable upon his re-election in February foregone by Mr. McMorris to instead receive 1,324 stock options. The amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in fiscal 2018 with respect to such options, which was $78,606, is excluded from the “Options Awards” column.

 

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(9) 

Represents the $75,000 annual board and committee retainer fees payable upon her re-election foregone by Ms. Rees to instead receive 1,324 stock options. The amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in fiscal 2018 with respect to such options, which was $78,606, is excluded from the “Option Awards” column.

 

(10) 

Includes the $50,000 annual board and committee retainer fees paid quarterly during fiscal 2018 and $35,000 of his $75,000 annual board and committee retainer fees payable upon his re-election in February foregone by Mr. Rey to instead receive 618 stock options. The amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in fiscal 2018 with respect to such options, which was $36,691, is excluded from the “Option Awards” column.

 

(11) 

The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of each award computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For information on the assumptions used to calculate the value of the awards, refer to Note 14 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, as filed with the SEC.

 

(12) 

As of September 30, 2018, the restricted stock unit awards outstanding for each director are as follows: Mr. Battle — 1,573; Mr. Begor — 0; Mr. Kelly — 1,573; Mr. Kirsner — 1,573; Ms. Manolis — 0; Mr. McMorris — 1,594; Ms. Rees — 1,391; Mr. Rey — 0.

 

(13) 

As of September 30, 2018, the option awards outstanding for each director are as follows: Mr. Battle — 21,437; Mr. Begor — 0; Mr. Kelly — 60,350; Mr. Kirsner — 36,626; Ms. Manolis — 7,692; Mr. McMorris — 15,048; Ms. Rees — 29,556; Mr. Rey — 55,461.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Overview of Company Performance in Fiscal 2018

During fiscal 2018, our growth initiatives continued to generate significant free cash flow. We utilized our cash to enhance stockholder value through investments in long-term growth initiatives and our stock repurchase program.

We continued to transform our business from on-premise to recurring revenue associated with our cloud-based solutions in our Applications and Decision Management Software segments. Our continued product innovation provides growth opportunities with customers that can benefit from the affordability and simplicity of these solutions. The majority of our software solutions are available through the FICO® Analytic Cloud, and starting in fiscal 2017 we added AWS as our primary cloud infrastructure provider. We have migrated several core applications, including the FICO® Decision Management Suite, to AWS and will migrate additional applications over the next couple of years. Our cloud bookings accounted for 35% and 24% of our total bookings during fiscal 2018 and 2017, respectively, directly demonstrating the willingness among our customers to engage our cloud-based solutions.

For our Scores segment, our industry leading business-to-business FICO® Scores have achieved a multi-year expansion in the growing U.S. consumer market. We have launched numerous new FICO® Score based products, and continue to grow our partnership with Experian, a leading global information services provider. This partnership provides consumers the FICO® Scores that lenders most commonly use in evaluating credit when determining applicant eligibility for new credit cards, car loans, mortgages or other lines of credit and can be accessed through Experian.com. The FICO® Score Open Access program launched in 2014, which allows our participating clients to provide their customers with a free FICO® Score along with content to help them understand the FICO® Score their lender uses, has more than 310 million consumer accounts with access to their free FICO® Scores. During fiscal 2018, we continued our previously announced FICO Financial Inclusion Initiative, a global effort to increase access to affordable credit for consumers and businesses with limited or no credit history, through the use of alternative data. We also continue to pursue additional partners to distribute FICO® Scores with their product offerings sold directly to consumers, and we are pursuing opportunities to make FICO® Scores available to third-parties for affinity and other white-labeled programs to further penetrate and expand the markets where our scores are available.

We continue to enhance stockholder value by returning cash to stockholders through our stock repurchase program. During fiscal 2018, we repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares at a total repurchase price of $336.9 million. As of September 30, 2018, we had $199.3 million remaining under our current stock repurchase program.

Fiscal 2018 was also a good year from the perspective of our stockholders, with continued strong returns illustrated by the chart below for the past three fiscal years.

FICO vs. Russell 3000 3-Year Indexed Total Stockholder Return

(10/1/15 through 10/1/18)

 

 

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Overview of Fiscal 2018 Executive Compensation Program

As administered by our Leadership Development and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), our executive compensation program seeks to closely link the financial interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders. The Committee uses the following guidelines in our executive compensation program to help achieve this overarching goal.

 

Emphasis on Pay for Performance

     

Base salaries are adjusted infrequently and, accordingly, the base salaries for our executive officers remained flat in fiscal 2018;

 

     

Variable short-term cash incentive compensation plan funding is based upon Company performance, with individual awards linked closely to individual performance; and

     

Emphasis on long-term incentive compensation opportunities to align our executive officers’ interests with those of our stockholders, with two-thirds of their target long-term incentive compensation value weighted towards performance-based equity vehicles, the value of which depends on meeting the Company’s financial performance targets and our stock price performance.

Quality Pay Practices and Policies

     

No “single-trigger” accelerated vesting or payment for equity awards upon a change in control of the Company;

 

     

Executive stock ownership guidelines that encourage ownership and further align our executive officers’ interests with those of our stockholders;

     

Prohibition on hedging of Company common stock;

     

A compensation recovery, or “clawback,” policy pertaining to both cash and equity incentive-based compensation;

     

Mandatory minimum vesting period of one year for equity awards;

     

Annual compensation peer group review with appropriate adjustments to ensure valid comparisons;

     

No tax “gross-ups” allowed except with respect to relocation benefits and required spousal travel; and

     

Independent compensation consultant engaged by the Committee that does not provide any other services to the Company.

In making compensation decisions at the outset of fiscal 2018 and throughout the year, the Committee continued to reinforce the link between Company performance and executive compensation.

The target level of short-term cash incentive awards for each executive officer, expressed as a percentage of annual base salary, remained unchanged in fiscal 2018. At the beginning of the fiscal year, our Board of Directors approved an Adjusted Revenue target of $990.0 million and an Adjusted EBITDA target of $293.0 million. These performance measures were selected by the Committee to determine funding of the fiscal 2018 cash incentive pools and to drive sustainable top-line and bottom-line growth, balancing both short and longer-term considerations. Our fiscal 2018 results of $1,032.5 million in Adjusted Revenue and $310.5 million in Adjusted EBITDA exceeded target, resulting in funding under both the Broad-Based and Management Incentive Plans at 125% of budgeted target. “Adjusted Revenue” and “Adjusted EBITDA” are defined on page 39. In selecting these two financial measures, both of which are used to determine short-term cash incentive funding and Performance Share Unit earnings, the Committee relied on the fact that the Company is making significant investments in technology infrastructure, solution innovation and distribution which tend to sacrifice short-term performance on certain other metrics (e.g., earnings per share) in favor of enabling longer-term stockholder value

 

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creation. The Committee believes that these performance measures best balance the delivery of steady growth against the investments the Company makes. Further, using one-year performance periods for short-term cash incentive plan funding, as well as Performance Share Unit earnings, allows the Committee to reward performance for a time period over which the Company has better visibility. Setting goals over a longer term is difficult because of the complexity and evolving nature of the business problems addressed by our solutions and would lead to an increased probability of setting inaccurate or inappropriate goals.

To align our executive officers’ interests with the creation of stockholder value, equity-based incentive compensation represents a substantial portion of their target total direct compensation opportunities, and we have continued to maintain a diverse mix of equity award types which favor those that are performance-based instead of simply time-based. This mix of long-term incentive vehicles helps ensure our executive compensation program operates effectively across a wide variety of business scenarios.

Long-term equity incentive awards granted to our executive officers in fiscal 2018 were granted in December 2017 as part of the Company’s annual year-end performance review and compensation planning process. Two-thirds of the annual long-term incentive awards were performance-based, with only one-third time-based. Specifically, the Committee granted one-third of the target annual long-term award value to our executive officers in the form of Performance Share Units (“PSUs”), which were designed to reward the achievement of pre-established Adjusted Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA goals. Based on our actual performance with respect to these measures, 200% of the target PSUs granted in fiscal 2018 were earned. The Committee granted another one-third of the target annual long-term award value in the form of Market Share Units (“MSUs”). MSUs are earned based on our total stockholder return relative to the Russell 3000 index over performance periods of one, two and three years. Based on our one-year total stockholder return from December 1, 2017 to November 30, 2018, 181% of the target awards for the first performance period of the fiscal 2018 MSUs were earned. Based on our two-year total stockholder return from December 1, 2016 to November 30, 2018, 200% of the target awards for the second performance period of the fiscal 2017 MSUs were earned. And based on our three-year stockholder return from December 1, 2015 to November 30, 2018, third period earnings for the fiscal 2016 MSUs were equal to 200% of the total target units granted less those units earned in the first and second periods.

Our strong linkage of pay and performance is illustrated in the chart below. The dollar amounts shown for the target total direct compensation figures reflect the grant date value of the equity awards. The dollar amounts shown for realized total direct compensation figures reflect the fiscal 2018 realized PSUs at 200% of targeted earnings and fiscal 2018 MSUs at 181% of the target awards for the first performance period, with the target earnings for the second and third performance periods reflected at target.

Target v. Realized Compensation for Named Executive Officers in FY18

 

 

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Preview of Fiscal 2019 Compensation Program

The Committee’s decisions made at the outset of fiscal 2019 reflect a continuation of the philosophy employed during fiscal 2018. Specifically, our emphasis on long-term incentives continues and the long-term incentive program continues to reflect a strong emphasis on performance-based vehicles. As described more fully below, and as was the case in fiscal 2018, two-thirds of the value of the annual equity awards made to our executive officers in fiscal 2019 were made in the form of performance-based vehicles.

In November 2018, the Committee approved the inclusion of retirement provisions in the equity award agreements for the awards granted to our executive officers beginning in December 2018. Such provisions allow for continued vesting of outstanding equity awards upon an executive officer’s retirement provided that certain age and service requirements have been met. In order to qualify for continued vesting, the executive officer must provide at least one year’s notice of his or her retirement and must also be available to provide service to the Company, if requested, during the continued vesting period. In addition, during the continued vesting period, the executive officer may not become employed by another entity or organization. The Committee approved the inclusion of the retirement provisions in order to enhance retention of the current executive officers, to improve the executive transition process by ensuring sufficient time to plan for a successor and to ensure continued support from the former executive officer following retirement.

Named Executive Officers

Our named executive officers for fiscal 2018 consist of the following persons:

 

   

William Lansing, our Chief Executive Officer,

 

   

Michael Pung, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,

 

   

Wayne Huyard, our Executive Vice President, Sales, Services and Marketing,

 

   

Stuart Wells, our Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, and

 

   

James Wehmann, our Executive Vice President, Scores.

Determination of Compensation

Committee Process

Members of executive management participate in the Committee’s meetings at the Committee’s request. Management’s role is to contribute input and analysis, which the Committee considers in making its decisions. The Committee is not bound by management’s recommendations, but the Committee relies on the insights of our CEO and Chief Human Resources Officer in determining compensation for our executive officers, other than our CEO. The Committee also consults with its external compensation consultant during its review of executive officer compensation. Prior to making decisions on executive compensation, the Committee refers to comprehensive statements and reports prepared by its consultant and management that reflect the amount and elements of each executive’s total compensation relative to competitive market practices.

The Committee conducts an annual performance review of our CEO in connection with the determination of his compensation. As part of this process, one or more Committee members and/or the Chairman of the Board meet with each senior executive to discuss our CEO’s performance using a structured interview approach. In addition, each Board member completes a written evaluation of our CEO and submits it to the Committee. Based on these interviews and written evaluations, as well as on its own determinations regarding our CEO’s performance, the Committee prepares a final performance review for our CEO. The Committee then submits a recommendation for our CEO’s compensation to the Board for discussion. Following such discussion, the Committee finalizes its determination of our CEO’s compensation and informs our CEO of such determination, together with the final performance review.

Compensation Peer Group

In connection with our fiscal 2018 executive compensation program, the Committee reviewed summary reports prepared by its consultant and by management reflecting current and proposed base salary, short-term

 

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cash incentive and equity award levels for our executive officers. Each element was analyzed relative to the Company’s compensation peer group. The peer group consisted of 20 companies that were selected as being similar in size to the Company and operating in the application software, data processing and outsourced services, research and consulting services and communication equipment sub-industries within the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) taxonomy.

The 20 peer companies that were included in the analysis referenced by the Committee when it set compensation for fiscal 2018 were as follows:

 

ACI Worldwide

  

Manhattan Associates

ANSYS

  

MicroStrategy

Blackbaud

  

MSCI

Broadridge Financial Solutions

  

Nuance Communications

Cadence Design Systems

  

Pegasystems

CoreLogic

  

PTC

CSG Systems International

  

Splunk

Equifax

  

TransUnion

FactSet Research Systems

  

Verint Systems

Jack Henry & Associates

  

Verisk Analytics

The composition of the compensation peer group is reviewed annually at a minimum, with adjustments made that the Committee, with the assistance of its compensation consultant, believes are appropriate to maintain comparability within the employment marketplace and to reflect any mergers or acquisitions or significant size changes among the subject companies.

Specific information with respect to relative position follows, using values available at the time the compensation levels were being determined in November 2017:

 

    

Revenue

($ in millions)

   

Market Capitalization

($ in millions)

   

Gross Profit

($ in millions)

   

Net Income

($ in millions)

 

75th percentile of peer group

  $ 1,850     $ 8,485     $ 1,079     $ 262  

50th percentile of peer group

  $ 1,143     $ 6,492     $ 827     $ 122  

25th percentile of peer group

  $ 903     $ 3,357     $ 563     $ 38  

Company

  $ 901     $ 4,014     $ 647     $ 128  

Percentile rank

    25%       38%       30%       57%  

The Committee considered the peer group information in addition to the factors described above when setting the compensation levels for our executive officers for fiscal 2018. The Committee does not benchmark total compensation or individual elements of compensation to particular percentiles but aims to create competitive pay packages that reflect the Company’s performance and that are generally intended to deliver above market median compensation if long-term equity incentives pay out at or above target based on challenging required levels of performance.

Use of Consultants

The Committee retains an external compensation consultant to assist it in analyzing our executive compensation program and assessing market levels of compensation. For fiscal 2018, the Committee engaged Compensia, Inc. to provide competitive practice and market compensation data, advice regarding the design of compensation programs for our executive officers and non-employee directors, input regarding specific compensation actions for our executive officers, analysis of the composition of our compensation peer group, and analysis concerning the structure of and any necessary amendments to our 2012 LTIP.

 

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Compensation Consultant Conflict of Interest Analysis

The Committee has considered the relationships that the compensation consultant it engaged in fiscal 2018 has had with the Company, the members of the Committee and the Company’s executive officers, as well as the policies that the consultant has in place to maintain its independence and objectivity, and has determined that no conflicts of interest arose from the work performed by such consultant.

Stockholder Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation

At our last Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on February 28, 2018, we asked our stockholders to approve, by advisory vote, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and the related disclosures contained in our proxy statement for that Annual Meeting. The proposal was approved by our stockholders with approximately 98.9% of the votes cast being “for” approval (or 98.8%, including abstentions). The Committee continues to evaluate and adjust the Company’s compensation policies and practices as it deems appropriate to advance the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and the Company engages in periodic discussions with certain of our largest stockholders to obtain feedback on our compensation practices. In light of the high approval rate of our executive compensation program, policies and practices by our stockholders at our last Annual Meeting, the Committee has largely maintained the existing compensation program, policies and practices during fiscal 2018.

Elements of Compensation

The fiscal 2018 executive compensation program consisted of three principal elements: (1) base salary; (2) short-term cash incentives; and (3) long-term equity incentives in the form of performance share units (“PSUs”), market share units (“MSUs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”).

 

Compensation Element

       

Purpose and Philosophy

Base Salary

     

Base salary provides executive officers with financial stability and predictable cash flow.

     

Individual base salaries are determined by evaluating the executive officer’s role within the Company, experience, performance, and potential for development, as well as the base salaries of comparable roles within the peer group companies and the broader marketplace.

Short-Term Cash Incentives

     

This element rewards the achievement of annual Company and individual performance goals.

     

Cash incentives are expressed as a target percentage of base salary determined with reference to the peer group companies and the broader marketplace.

     

Participant may earn between zero and 250% of target, depending both upon Company and individual performance.

Long-Term Equity Incentives

     

Long-term equity incentives directly link a significant portion of total executive officer compensation to the market value of our common stock, while promoting retention through multi-year vesting and performance periods.

     

Performance Share Units (“PSUs”) are earned based upon the extent to which annual Company financial targets are achieved with as few as zero and as many as 200% of target PSUs eligible to be earned. Earned units are then subject to multi-year vesting, promoting continued linkage to the market price of our common stock while also promoting retention.

 

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Compensation Element

       

Purpose and Philosophy

     

Market Share Units (“MSUs”) are earned based on our relative total stockholder return measured over one-year, two-year and three-year performance periods with as few as zero and as many as 200% of target MSUs eligible to be earned.

     

Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) represent a more stable equity-based compensation vehicle, ensuring linkage to the stock price performance of our common stock while promoting retention over a multi-year vesting period.

Base Salary in Fiscal 2018

None of our named executive officers received an increase in base salary as part of the Company’s annual year-end performance review and compensation process in November 2017. This conservative approach reflects the Committee’s continued commitment to incentive compensation elements directly linked to the achievement of target financial goals and the creation of stockholder value.

 

Named Executive Officer    Fiscal 2018
Base Salary
     Fiscal 2017
Base Salary
 

William Lansing

   $  750,000      $  750,000  

Michael Pung

   $  400,000      $  400,000  

Wayne Huyard

   $  500,000      $  500,000  

Stuart Wells

   $  500,000      $  500,000  

James Wehmann

   $  500,000      $  500,000  

Short-Term Cash Incentives in Fiscal 2018

We offer a short-term incentive opportunity in the form of cash incentive awards to our executive officers. For fiscal 2018, these incentive awards were paid from a single, centralized pool that supported short-term cash incentive payments to our executive officers under our Management Incentive Plan and to other eligible employees under our Broad-Based Incentive Plan. The Committee established a formula to determine a maximum amount that may be paid to each of our named executive officers under the Management Incentive Plan. The Committee then had the discretion to pay amounts to our named executive officers under the Management Incentive Plan that were less than the maximum amounts.

In fiscal 2018, the Committee determined our named executive officers’ cash incentive payments using the framework set forth below (which was the same for our named executive officers as for all other participants in the Management Incentive Plan and Broad-Based Incentive Plan):

 

     

  Company Budget and Performance Factor

   =     

A value ranging from 0 to 125%, which was equal to the amount of the budgeted level of bonus pool funding in the fiscal year’s operating plan divided by the aggregate amount of plan participants’ target-level awards multiplied by the extent to which Company Adjusted Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets were achieved. Fiscal year 2018 = 121%.

     

  Participant Performance Factor

   =     

A value ranging from 0 to 200%, reflecting the extent to which individual participant performance goals were achieved.

     

  Participant Target %

   =     

The percentage of each participant’s annual base salary that represents his or her target cash incentive payment amount.

 

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As an illustrative example, a participant with an annual base salary of $500,000, a Participant Target % of 50% of base salary, and a Participant Performance Factor of 100% would have earned $302,500 for fiscal 2018 (compared to a target payment of $250,000).

The Committee establishes the size of the cash incentive pool by determining the Company Budget and Performance Factor, which is equal to the amount of the budgeted level of bonus pool funding in the fiscal year’s operating plan divided by the aggregate amount of plan participants’ target-level awards multiplied by the extent to which Adjusted Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets are achieved. “Adjusted Revenue” means the Company’s GAAP Revenue as adjusted to remove the impact of revenues related to acquisitions or events deemed by the Committee to have been out of management’s control and occurring in the measurement year. “Adjusted EBITDA” means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) as adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, restructuring and acquisition-related charges, and other items reflected in the Regulation G schedule published by the Company as an attachment to its quarterly earnings releases. The threshold, target and maximum performance levels for each performance measure, along with the related Company Budget and Performance Factor, for fiscal 2018 were as follows:

 

Financial Metric
(Weighting)
  Threshold
Funding Level
       Targeted
Funding Level
       Maximum
Funding Level
  Actual
Performance

Adjusted Revenue (50%)

  $950.0
million
  $960.0
million
  $990.0
million
  $998.0
million
  $1,007.0
million
  $1,032.5
million

Adjusted EBITDA (50%)

  $270.8
million
  $282.9
million
  $293.0
million
  $294.5
million
  $298.2
million
  $310.5
million

Company Budget and Performance Factor

  25%   50%   100%   112.5%   125%   121%

In accordance with this calculation, a Company Budget and Performance Factor of 121% was applied to the cash incentive pool and uniformly affected payments made to all participants in the Management Incentive Plan and Broad-Based Incentive Plan. This fiscal 2018 Company Budget and Performance Factor was slightly higher than in fiscal 2017, when above-target Company performance yielded a multiplier of 119%. While our fiscal 2018 financial performance yielded the maximum plan funding (125% of budgeted target), significant hiring activity during the fiscal year caused the sum of participant target awards to be above plan, reducing the actual Company Budget and Performance Factor to 121%.

The Participant Performance Factor is a function of the extent to which individual performance goals are achieved. These goals can include Company-wide measures as well as business unit metrics and goals that are highly specific to the functions over which the individual has primary responsibility. Our CEO’s performance goals were established by the Committee after considering input from each outside director, and our CEO’s individual annual performance evaluation was completed by the Committee. Individual performance goals for our executive officers other than our CEO were established by our CEO, and annual performance evaluations for these executive officers were completed by our CEO and discussed with the Committee. If an executive officer receives the lowest performance rating on a three-point scale (“Improvement Needed”), his participant performance factor and his resulting cash incentive payment will generally be reduced to zero. Conversely, if an executive officer receives the highest overall performance rating (“Outstanding”), his Participant Performance Factor may be as high as 200%. Distribution guidelines applicable to these performance ratings ensure that participants in the short-term cash incentive program are not all rated on the high or low end of the scale, but are instead distributed above and below the target levels. The Committee may exercise discretion to make adjustments within the performance scale.

 

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The Participant Performance Factor values for our named executive officers for fiscal 2018, along with key factors considered by the Committee and our CEO, as applicable, in making these determinations, were as follows:

 

Named Executive
Officer
  Participant
Performance
Factor
  Key Factors

William Lansing

  132%  

•   set and oversaw implementation of our overarching business strategy

•   sustained focus on top talent acquisition, motivation and retention

Michael Pung

  107%  

•   effectively built and ensured discipline surrounding the operating expense budget

•   ensured investor understanding of FICO strategy, solutions and growth potential

Wayne Huyard

  124%  

•   grew global sales capacity

•   expanded reach in existing markets and won business in new markets

•   delivered strong fiscal 2018 financial results, particularly involving cloud-based bookings

Stuart Wells

  124%  

•   led key technology innovation efforts

•   ensured the effective implementation of cloud-based versions of major enterprise applications

•   Effectively managed professional services implementation teams, driving attractive revenues and margins while expanding global capacity

James Wehmann

  124%  

•   oversaw strong revenue growth in the Scores business

•   leveraged partner relationships to open up new scores growth opportunities

The Participant Target % for each participant in the Management Incentive Plan is based on the Company’s desire to continue to emphasize long-term incentives and the Committee’s review of market-competitive short-term compensation levels for executives in comparable roles at the peer group companies. As provided in their respective employment agreements, Mr. Lansing’s Participant Target % is 100% of his annual base salary, and the other named executive officers each have a Participant Target % of 50% of their annual base salary.

The combined effect of these inputs led to the following payments for the named executive officers under the Management Incentive Plan for fiscal 2018 performance, shown along with the target payment levels:

 

Named Executive Officer   Target Payout
for Fiscal 2018
    Amount Attributable
to Company
Performance Factor
    Participant
Performance Factor
    Actual Payout
for Fiscal 2018
 

William Lansing

  $ 750,000     $ 907,355       132   $ 1,200,000  

Michael Pung

  $ 200,000     $ 241,961       107   $ 260,000  

Wayne Huyard

  $ 250,000     $ 302,452       124   $ 375,000  

Stuart Wells

  $ 250,000     $ 302,452       124   $ 375,000  

James Wehmann

  $ 250,000     $ 302,452       124   $ 375,000  

Totals

  $ 1,700,000     $ 2,056,672           $ 2,585,000  

Long-Term Equity Incentives in Fiscal 2018

The third key element of our executive compensation program for fiscal 2018 was long-term incentive equity awards. This component of compensation is used to drive achievement of the Company’s financial targets while linking compensation to the market value of our common stock. The Company has chosen to emphasize long-term equity incentives in our executive compensation program to help to ensure alignment with our stockholders over time.

 

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In determining the value of annual equity awards for fiscal 2018, the Committee considered an analysis of competitive market data prepared by its outside compensation consultant and described above under “Determination of Compensation — Peer Group Analysis,” the individual performance of each executive officer, the need to reinforce positive levels of collaboration and teamwork across members of the executive team, and our retention objectives.

The proportion of each type of equity award granted in fiscal 2018 is broken down as follows:

 

Performance Share Units
1/3
   Market Share Units
1/3
   Restricted Stock Units
1/3

Performance Share Units. For fiscal 2018, PSUs represented one-third of the target annual equity awards granted in December 2017 to our executive officers. The PSUs granted in fiscal 2018 were earned on the basis of a one-year performance period but vest over the three years following the date of grant. The Committee used a one-year performance period because market uncertainties made it difficult to accurately forecast our Adjusted Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA beyond that point. The Committee believes the complexity of our major products, along with the complexity of our major customers, yields a very long selling cycle, which in turn contributes significant uncertainty into our revenue stream and resulting EBITDA. Using a one-year performance period allows the Committee to reward performance for a time period over which the Company has better visibility instead of creating goals over a longer term that are more likely to be problematic. In addition, requiring that any earned shares be distributed over an additional two years creates long-term alignment with our stockholders and satisfies our retention objectives.

The maximum number of PSUs that could have been earned over the performance period of fiscal 2018 by each named executive officer was specified in the applicable award agreement. In each case, the named executive officer could earn up to 200% of the target payout if the Company’s GAAP Revenue for fiscal 2018, equaled or exceeded the base amount of $900 million. The Committee had discretion to determine a lesser number of PSUs that would be earned and established the following earnings matrix when the awards were granted to inform its exercise of this negative discretion:

 

Financial Metric (Weighting)   Threshold
Performance
           Target
Performance
           Maximum
Performance
 

Adjusted Revenue (50%)

  $ 950.0 million     $ 960.0 million     $ 990.0 million     $ 998.0 million     $ 1,007.0 million  

Adjusted EBITDA (50%)

  $ 270.8 million     $ 282.9 million     $ 293.0 million     $ 294.5 million     $ 298.2 million  

PSUs Earned (as percentage of target)

    25%       50%       100%       150%       200%  

Based on the Company’s above-target performance of $1,032.5 million of Adjusted Revenue and $310.5 million of Adjusted EBITDA in fiscal 2018, and using the above matrix as a guide, the Committee applied a multiplier of 200% to the target number of PSUs.

The target number of PSUs and the number of shares of common stock earned by each named executive officer for fiscal 2018 performance are as follows:

 

Named Executive Officer    Target Number
of PSUs
Granted for
Fiscal 2018
     Actual Number
of PSUs
Earned for
Fiscal 2018
 

William Lansing

     20,147        40,294  

Michael Pung

     4,720        9,440  

Wayne Huyard

     5,488        10,976  

Stuart Wells

     5,488        10,976  

James Wehmann

     5,488        10,976  

 

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One-third of earned shares were paid following the end of fiscal 2018 and two-thirds will vest over the next two fiscal years and be payable assuming the named executive officer remains with the Company as of each vesting date or vesting of the PSUs continues pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreement.

Market Share Units. For fiscal 2018, MSUs represented one-third of the target annual equity awards granted in December 2017 to our executive officers. The MSUs granted in fiscal 2018 (as well as those granted in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016) are earned based on the Company’s total stockholder return relative to the Russell 3000 index over performance periods of one, two and three years. The Committee decided to measure performance over a total of three years to integrate a longer, multi-year performance period into the Company’s equity compensation program.

The number of MSUs earned by a named executive officer in each of the one- and two-year performance periods is determined by taking one-third of the target units in the applicable award agreement multiplied by the relative return factor for the relevant performance period. The number of MSUs earned by a named executive officer in the three-year performance period is determined by taking the total number of the target units in the applicable award agreement multiplied by the relative return factor for the relevant performance period, and then subtracting any shares of our common stock earned in the one-year and two-year performance periods from the result. The total number of shares earned in the one-year and two-year periods is not adjusted if the three-year calculation, less shares earned in prior periods, is a negative number. The relative return factor for each performance period is calculated as follows:

 

Relative TSR Performance (Fiscal 2016, 2017 and 2018)    Relative  Return Factor

+33.33% or greater

   200%

+16.67%

   150%

0%

   100%

-12.5%

   50%

-25% or less

   0%

Generally, the Company’s relative TSR performance is calculated by taking the difference between our total stockholder return minus the Russell 3000 index’s total stockholder return for the relevant performance period. Importantly, the MSU earnings slope for below-target performance is steeper than the slope for above-target performance, meaning that the penalty for under-performance is higher than the premium for over-performance.

 

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Based on our total stockholder return of 33% for fiscal 2018, 181% of the MSUs granted in fiscal 2018 were earned at the conclusion of the first performance period and settled for shares of our common stock. Based on our total stockholder return of 68% for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2018, 200% of the MSUs granted in fiscal 2017 were earned at the conclusion of the second performance period and settled for shares of our common stock. Finally, based on our total stockholder return of 121% for fiscal 2016, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2018, 200% of the MSUs granted in fiscal 2016 were earned at the conclusion of the third performance period and settled for shares of our common stock. The target number of MSUs and the number of shares of our common stock earned by each named executive officer for fiscal 2018 performance are as follows:

 

Named Executive Officer   

Target Number

of FY18 MSUs

Subject to One-Year
Performance

    

Actual Number

of MSUs

Earned

 

William Lansing

     6,716        12,155  

Michael Pung

     1,574        2,848  

Wayne Huyard

     1,830        3,312  

Stuart Wells

     1,830        3,312  

James Wehmann

     1,830        3,312  
     
Named Executive Officer   

Target Number

of FY17 MSUs

Subject to Two-Year
Performance

    

Actual Number

of MSUs

Earned

 

William Lansing

     7,520        15,040  

Michael Pung

     2,083        4,166  

Wayne Huyard

     2,423        4,846  

Stuart Wells

     2,423        4,846  

James Wehmann

     2,423        4,846  
     
Named Executive Officer   

Target Number

of Total FY16
MSUs

    

Actual Number

of MSUs

Earned(1)

 

William Lansing

     6,828        14,954  

Michael Pung

     2,192        4,801  

Wayne Huyard

     2,800        6,132  

Stuart Wells

     2,282        4,998  

James Wehmann

     2,868        6,281  

 

(1)  

The actual number of MSUs granted in fiscal 2016 and earned in fiscal 2018 was calculated by multiplying the total number of target units by the relative return factor, then subtracting the fiscal 2016 MSUs earned at the conclusion of the first and second performance periods, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units. For fiscal 2018, RSUs represented the final one-third of the target annual equity awards granted in December 2017 to our executive officers. The RSUs granted in fiscal 2018 provide a link to our stock price performance, as well as promote our retention objectives over a multi-year vesting period. Generally, the RSUs granted by the Committee vest in four equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

As in prior years, the Committee permitted our executive officers to exchange up to 100% of annual time-vested RSUs for non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”) on an economically equivalent basis, while maintaining the existing four-year vesting schedule. In connection with the retention of this flexibility, which was initially implemented in fiscal 2015, the Committee determined that NQSOs provide attractive leverage to the recipient and permit the holder to determine when taxable income events occur via a decision to exercise their NQSO. In fiscal 2018, however, none of our executive officers elected to receive a NQSO in place of an RSU award.

 

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In the event that a named executive officer was to make such an election, the ratio constituting an economically equivalent basis would be determined as follows:

 

     

  Value of One “Whole” Share

   =     

Accounting value determined based upon the average closing market price of our common stock during the 30 calendar days ending 11 days before the grant date

     

  Value of One “Option” Share

   =     

Black-Scholes accounting value based upon the average closing market price of our common stock during the 30 calendar days ending 11 days before the grant date

     

  Exchange Ratio for RSUs to NQSOs

   =     

Accounting value of one “whole” share divided by Black-Scholes accounting value of one “option” share

In fiscal 2018, the value of one “whole” share would be determined to be $151.8680, while the value of one “option” share would be determined to be $45.6303. The resulting ratio would be 3.3282 “option” shares for each “whole” share, meaning our executive officers could receive a NQSO for that number of shares equal to 3.3282 multiplied by the number of shares that would be subject to their RSU for fiscal 2018.

Evolution of Long-Term Equity Incentive Program

The following charts depict the evolution of our long-term equity incentive program over the last several years to increasingly emphasize performance-based vehicles over those based solely on time vesting. The values reflected (i) assume that all executives elected to convert the maximum allowable portion of their annual stock option grants in fiscal 2013 and earlier to RSUs, which was the typical pattern, and (ii) depicts PSUs and MSUs at target level. The fiscal 2014–2018 chart reflects RSUs, though executives may have elected to convert those RSUs to stock options on an economically equivalent basis, as detailed above. The fiscal 2013 chart reflects the annual grants made to named executive officers other than the CEO, who received an additional 70,000 stock options that were not convertible into RSUs and are not reflected below.

 

 

LOGO

Retirement Arrangements

We offer a Section 401(k) plan for all eligible employees. Under this program, our executive officers (like all of our eligible employees) can receive a Company matching contribution on amounts they contribute to the 401(k) plan as follows: 100% match of the first 3% of eligible compensation contributed by the executive officer, followed by a 50% match of the next 2% of eligible compensation contributed by the executive officer. Our executive retirement and savings plan allows our vice presidents and more senior executive officers to defer up to 25% of their base salary and 75% of their cash incentive awards into an investment account. Amounts in this account are payable upon certain termination events as specified in the plan.

 

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Other Compensation Arrangements

Our executive officers participate in our general employee benefit plans and programs, including health and dental benefits, on the same terms as all of our other full-time employees. We also pay the premiums for group life, accidental death and dismemberment, and business travel accident insurance for all eligible employees, including executive officers, in a coverage amount based upon their base salary.

Post-Employment Compensation Arrangements

Each of our current named executive officers is party to a Letter Agreement that, among other things, provides for payments and benefits in the event of termination of employment by the Company without cause or by the executive officer for good reason, and a Management Agreement that provides for payments and benefits in the event of such a termination of employment in connection with a change in control of the Company. These agreements are described in detail later in this proxy statement. The Committee believes that these severance and change-in-control arrangements are meaningful recruitment and retention devices, are important components in a competitive compensation package for our named executive officers, and will mitigate concerns that the executive officers may have regarding their continued employment prior to or following a change in control, thereby allowing them to focus their undivided attention on advancing the interests of the Company and its stockholders. The change-in-control arrangements are “double-trigger” and the named executive officers are not eligible to receive tax payments or gross-ups in connection with any change-in-control arrangement.

Equity Award Grant Processes

Equity awards granted to our named executive officers in fiscal 2018 were granted under the 2012 LTIP. Equity awards for all executive officers are approved by the Committee. The Committee has delegated authority to our CEO to approve the granting of equity awards to employees who are not executive officers, subject to certain parameters approved by the Committee. The exercise price of stock options is set at fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, with annual equity awards generally granted by the Committee on a pre-determined day in December of each fiscal year.

Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines

Our Board of Directors has adopted stock ownership guidelines for our executive officers. Our CEO is required to own at least 100,000 shares of our common stock, and our Executive Vice Presidents are required to own shares valued at least five times the Executive Vice President’s base salary. The guidelines provide that executive officers should achieve the stated guidelines within five years of appointment. As of the end of fiscal 2018, all of our executive officers had met or exceeded their required stock ownership level.

Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy

Our Board of Directors has adopted an Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy that governs cash and equity incentive-based compensation received by our executive officers, including our named executive officers. Under this policy, the Company will, in the appropriate circumstances as determined by the Committee and to the extent permitted by applicable law, require reimbursement or forfeiture of such compensation from an executive officer in the event that the Company materially restates its consolidated financial statements due to material non-compliance with applicable financial reporting requirements if such executive officer engaged in fraud or intentional misconduct that was a significant contributing factor to the restatement. In each such instance, the Company will seek to recover or cancel the amount by which such executive officer’s incentive-based compensation that was granted, vested or earned during the preceding three-year period exceeds the amount that would have been granted, vested or earned based on the restated financial results, net of taxes paid or payable by the executive officer with respect to the recovered compensation. The Committee will consider relevant facts and circumstances in determining whether to require reimbursement, cancellation or recovery of such incentive-based compensation.

 

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Tax Matters

Section 162(m) of the Code, as in effect prior to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Cuts Act”) in December 2017, generally disallowed a tax deduction to public companies for compensation of more than $1 million paid in any taxable year to each “covered employee,” consisting of the CEO and the three other highest paid executive officers employed at the end of the year (other than the CFO). Amounts that qualified as “performance-based compensation” were exempt from this deduction limitation if the company met specified requirements set forth in the Code and applicable treasury regulations. As a general matter, in making its previous compensation decisions with respect to our named executive officers, the Committee was mindful of the benefit to the Company of the full deductibility of compensation, while believing that it should maintain flexibility in compensating the Company’s executive officers in a manner that could best promote our corporate objectives.

The Tax Cuts Act retained the $1 million deduction limit, but repealed the “performance-based compensation” exemption from the deduction limit and expanded the definition of “covered employees,” effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Consequently, compensation paid in fiscal 2019 and later years to our named executive officers in excess of $1 million will not be deductible unless it qualifies for transitional relief applicable to certain binding, written performance-based compensation arrangements that were in place as of November 2, 2017. No assurance can be given that the compensation associated with these awards will qualify for the transitional relief, due to ambiguities and uncertainties as to the application and interpretation of newly revised Section 162(m) and the related requirements for transitional relief.

The Committee may determine to pay non-deductible compensation to one or more of the named executive officers in excess of $1 million in future years and reserves the discretion to do so if it considers that such compensation is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Leadership Development and Compensation Committee Report

The Committee has discussed and reviewed the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” with management. Based upon this review and discussion, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Submitted by the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee:

A. George Battle, Chair

Braden R. Kelly

Eva Manolis

Joanna Rees

Leadership Development and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee serves or has served as an officer of the Company. No executive officer serves, or in the past has served, as a member of the Board of Directors or compensation committee of any entity that has any of its executive officers serving as a member of our Board of Directors or the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee.

Compensation Policies and Practices in Relation to Risk Management

The Company’s management and the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee are committed to continually assessing the structure of the Company’s compensation programs in the context of recognized best practices. Total compensation consists of a mix of fixed and variable elements, and among our executives a significant component of total compensation comes in the form of long-term equity incentives that are earned over several years. The stock ownership guidelines in place for our executive officers also work to align their long-term interests with those of our stockholders.

 

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Our short-term cash incentive program applicable to both our executives and other employees is structured to reward achievement of diverse goals, some of which are tied to Company-wide performance and some of which are tied to business unit performance, but all of which are designed to benefit the Company and our stockholders on a long-term basis. In addition, the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee retains discretion to adjust awards under the short-term cash incentive program if a payout determined under the formula is not appropriate in the circumstances, and award maximums or “caps” are in place to prevent windfalls. Finally, our system of internal controls places a strong focus on avoiding undue financial risk through rigorous review processes.

In light of the risk-limiting features of our compensation policies and practices, the Company has concluded that any risks arising from its compensation policies and practices for its employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table summarizes all compensation earned in fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 by our named executive officers.

 

Name and Principal Position (a)

  Fiscal
Year
(b)
    Salary
($)
(c)
    Bonus
($)
(d)
    Stock
Awards
($)(1)(2)
(e)
    Option
Awards
($)
(f)
    Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan

($)(3)
(g)
    Change in
Pension Value
and Non-
Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings

($)
(h)
    All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
(i)
    Total
($)
(j)
 

William Lansing

    2018       750,000             10,255,714             1,200,000             41,767       12,247,481  

Chief Executive Officer

    2017       750,000             8,637,629             1,200,000             41,831       10,629,460  
    2016       675,000             6,065,814             1,100,000             41,365       7,882,179  

Michael Pung

    2018       400,000             2,402,667             260,000             20,552       3,083,219  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    2017       400,000             2,392,854             260,000             26,845       3,079,699  
    2016       400,000             1,947,219             260,000             23,704       2,630,923  

Wayne Huyard

    2018       500,000             2,793,612             375,000             23,684       3,692,296  

Executive Vice President, Sales, Services and Marketing

    2017       500,000             2,782,602             375,000             29,871       3,687,473  
    2016       420,000             2,487,324             350,000             11,168       3,268,492  

Stuart Wells

    2018       500,000             2,793,612             375,000             11,070       3,679,682  

Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

    2017       500,000             2,782,602             375,000             25,182       3,682,784  
    2016       500,000             2,027,169             375,000             12,057       2,914,226  

James Wehmann

    2018       500,000             2,793,612             375,000             11,070       3,679,682  

Executive Vice President, Scores

    2017       500,000             2,782,602             375,000             10,485       3,668,087  
    2016       450,000             2,547,730             350,000             18,091       3,365,821  

 

(1)  

The amounts in the “Stock Awards” column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of each award granted during the fiscal year, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For information on the assumptions used to calculate the value of the awards, refer to Note 14 of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, as filed with the SEC.

 

(2) 

Stock Awards include the grant date fair value of the time-based RSU, PSU and MSU awards granted on December 8, 2017 under the 2012 LTIP.

 

  

The PSUs were tied to the achievement of certain performance goals during fiscal 2018, and the named executive officer must be an employee on the vesting dates of December 8th of 2018, 2019 and 2020 in order to realize the earned PSU value. The values included in the table for the PSUs are at target value, representing the probable outcome of the performance conditions as calculated at the time of grant. The maximum value of the award on the grant date, assuming the highest level of performance conditions achieved, would be $6,338,650 vs. target of $3,169,325 for Mr. Lansing; $1,485,006 vs. target of $742,503 for Mr. Pung; $1,726,634 vs. target of $863,317 for Mr. Huyard; $1,726,634 vs. target of $863,317 for Dr. Wells; and $1,726,634 vs. target of $863,317 for Mr. Wehmann. The named executive officers earned 200% of their respective target award, resulting in 40,294 units for Mr. Lansing, 9,440 units for Mr. Pung, 10,976 units for Mr. Huyard, 10,976 units for Dr. Wells, and 10,976 units for Mr. Wehmann.

 

  

The MSUs were tied to the achievement of certain performance goals over three performance periods ending on November 30, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The named executive officers must be employed on the vesting dates of December 8th of 2018, 2019 and 2020 in order to realize the earned MSU value. The values included in the table for the MSUs are at target value, representing the probable outcome of the performance conditions as calculated at the time of grant. The maximum value of the award on the grant date, assuming the highest level of performance conditions achieved, would be $7,834,128 vs. target of $3,917,064 for Mr. Lansing; $1,835,322 vs. target of $917,661 for Mr. Pung; $2,133,956 vs. target of $1,066,978 for Mr. Huyard; $2,133,956 vs. target of $1,066,978 for Dr. Wells, and $2,133,956 vs. target of $1,066,978 for Mr. Wehmann. The named executive officers earned 181% of their respective

 

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target award for the first performance period ending on November 30, 2018, resulting in 12,155 units for Mr. Lansing, 2,848 units for Mr. Pung, 3,312 units for Mr. Huyard, 3,312 units for Dr. Wells, and 3,312 units for Mr. Wehmann.

 

(3) 

Represents amounts paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 based on performance during fiscal 2018 under our Management Incentive Plan.

 

(4) 

The amounts shown for fiscal 2018 are detailed in the supplemental table below entitled “All Other Compensation Table.”

All Other Compensation Table

 

Elements of All Other Compensation

   William
Lansing
    Michael
Pung
     Wayne
Huyard
     Stuart
Wells
     James
Wehmann
 

401(k) Match($)(1)

     11,000       11,416               10,800        10,800  

Life Insurance Premium($)(2)

     405       216        270        270        270  

Spousal/Dependent Travel(3)

     9,239       5,294        13,488                

Tax Gross Ups($)(4)

     10,273       3,626        9,926                

Other($)

     10,850 (5)                             

Total($)

     41,767       20,552        23,684        11,070        11,070  

 

(1)  

Represents the aggregate value of the Company’s cash contribution under the FICO 401(k) Plan during fiscal 2018.

 

(2) 

Represents the aggregate incremental cost for the named executive officer’s basic life insurance premium, which is offered to all employees at one times current salary.

 

(3) 

Represents amounts spent on commercial aircraft travel by the named executive officers’ spouses and/or dependents to attend certain Company events.

 

(4) 

Represents gross-up payments to offset imputed income for the cost of spousal travel. Company policy allows gross-ups only for required spousal travel and Company-paid relocation costs, when applicable.

 

(5) 

Represents tax preparation fees incurred by Mr. Lansing, as provided in his Letter Agreement, discussed in “Letter Agreements” below.

 

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GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS FOR FISCAL 2018

The following table summarizes grants of plan-based compensation made during fiscal 2018 to our named executive officers.

 

                                               All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)
(i)
    All Other
Option
Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
(j)
    Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/SH)
(k)
    Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock
and
Option
Awards
($)
(l)(5)
 

Name

(a)

  Grant
Date
(b)
    Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)
    Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
 
  Threshold
($)
(c)
    Target
($)
(d)
    Maximum
($)
(e)
    Threshold
(#)
(f)
    Target
(#)
(g)
    Maximum
(#)
(h)
 

William Lansing

      0       750,000       1,875,000                
    12/8/2017             0 (2)       20,147 (2)       40,294 (2)             3,917,064  
    12/8/2017             0 (3)       20,147 (3)       40,294 (3)             3,169,325  
    12/8/2017                   20,147 (4)           3,169,325  

Michael Pung

      0       200,000       500,000                
    12/8/2017             0 (2)       4,720 (2)       9,440 (2)             917,661  
    12/8/2017             0 (3)       4,720 (3)       9,440 (3)             742,503  
    12/8/2017                   4,720 (4)           742,503  

Wayne Huyard

      0       250,000       625,000                
    12/8/2017             0 (2)       5,488 (2)       10,976 (2)             1,066,978  
    12/8/2017             0 (3)       5,488 (3)       10,976 (3)             863,317  
    12/8/2017                   5,488 (4)           863,317  

Stuart Wells

      0       250,000       625,000                
    12/8/2017             0 (2)       5,488 (2)       10,976 (2)             1,066,978  
    12/8/2017             0 (3)       5,488 (3)       10,976 (3)             863,317  
    12/8/2017                   5,488 (4)           863,317  

James Wehmann

      0       250,000       625,000                
    12/8/2017             0 (2)       5,488 (2)       10,976 (2)             1,066,978  
    12/8/2017             0 (3)       5,488 (3)       10,976 (3)             863,317  
    12/8/2017                   5,488 (4)           863,317  

 

(1)  

The amounts shown in these columns represent the estimated threshold (or minimum), target, and maximum possible cash incentive awards for each of the named executive officers. Under our Management Incentive Plan, Mr. Lansing’s target amount is equal to 100% of his base salary and the target amount for each of the other named executive officers is equal to 50% of his base salary. The maximum amount in each case equals 2.5 times the target amount, which would result if the Company Performance Factor were 125% and the Participant Performance Factor were 200%. Additional detail regarding the determination of cash incentives to executives for fiscal 2018 is included above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” Actual payments are set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” above.

 

(2) 

Amounts shown reflect MSUs that were granted under our 2012 LTIP and were subject to the achievement of specific performance goals related to the Company’s total stockholder return relative to the Russell 3000 index over performance periods of one, two and three years, approved by the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee. On December 7, 2018, the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee certified that for all named executive officers, 181% of the target awards for the first performance period were earned for that tranche of awards eligible to vest on December 8, 2018. The remaining portion of the target awards may be earned subject to achievement of specific performance goals for the two and three year performance periods and then subsequently vest subject to the named executive officers’ continued Service as a Service Provider (as defined in the 2012 LTIP) through December 8, 2019 and December 8, 2020, respectively. These awards do not pay dividend equivalents.

 

(3) 

Amounts shown reflect PSUs that were granted under our 2012 LTIP and were subject to the achievement of specific performance goals related to revenue and net income metrics approved by the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee. For all named executive officers, 200% of the target awards were earned, one-third of the earned units vested on December 8, 2018 and the remaining two-thirds are scheduled to vest in annual installments beginning December 8, 2019 (subject to the named executive officers’ con-

 

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tinued Service as a Service Provider (as defined in the 2012 LTIP)). These awards do not pay dividend equivalents.

 

(4) 

Reflects RSUs that were granted under our 2012 LTIP which vest in four equal increments on the first four anniversaries of the grant date subject to the named executive officer’s continued Service as a Service Provider (as defined in the 2012 LTIP). These awards do not pay dividend equivalents.

 

(5) 

Represents the grant date fair value of each MSU, PSU, or RSU, as applicable, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The values included in the table for the MSU and PSUs are at target value, representing the probable outcome of the performance conditions as calculated at the time of grant.

Letter Agreements

The Company is a party to Letter Agreements with each of the named executive officers. The material provisions of such Letter Agreements related to the executive officers’ ongoing compensation arrangements are described below.

William Lansing

For each full fiscal year of the Company during the term of his Letter Agreement, Mr. Lansing will be eligible to receive a cash incentive award with a target value equal to 100% of his annual base salary at the rate in effect at the end of such fiscal year, pursuant to the Company’s Management Incentive Plan and the terms and conditions established by the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee from time to time.

If Mr. Lansing’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or if he voluntarily resigns for Good Reason (both as defined below) prior to the expiration of the term of the Letter Agreement, Mr. Lansing will be entitled to the following severance pay and benefits pursuant to the Letter Agreement: (i) a cash payment in an amount equal to two times the sum of (a) his annual base salary in effect on the last day of his employment (but in no event less than $675,000), plus (b) the annual cash incentive payment last paid to him before the termination of his employment, such cash payment to be made in a lump sum on the 70th day following Mr. Lansing’s separation from service, and (ii) continuation of certain benefits pursuant to COBRA for 18 months. Mr. Lansing’s receipt of severance pay and benefits would be conditioned on his execution of a release of claims against the Company, his compliance with the terms of any agreements in effect between him and the Company, his cooperation in the transition of his duties, and his agreement not to disparage the Company.

Mr. Lansing’s Letter Agreement also provides that the Company will reimburse him annually up to $25,000 related to financial planning and/or personal income tax preparation and accounting services.

Other Named Executive Officers

For each full fiscal year of the Company during the term of each executive officer’s Letter Agreement, the executive officer will be eligible to receive a cash incentive award with a target equal to 50% of his annual base salary at the rate in effect at the end of such fiscal year, pursuant to the Company’s Management Incentive Plan and the terms and conditions established by the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee from time to time.

If an executive officer’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or if he voluntarily resigns for Good Reason (both as defined below) prior to the expiration of the term of his Letter Agreement, he will be entitled to the following severance pay and benefits pursuant to the Letter Agreement: (1) a cash payment in an amount equal to one times the sum of (a) his annual base salary in effect on the last day of his employment, plus (b) the annual cash incentive payment last paid to him before the termination of his employment, such cash payment to be made in a lump sum on the 70th day following his separation from service (subject to certain exceptions), and (2) continuation of certain benefits pursuant to COBRA for 12 months. The executive officer’s receipt of severance pay and benefits would be conditioned on his release of claims against the Company, his compliance with the terms of any agreements in effect between him and the Company, his cooperation in the transition of his duties, and his agreement not to disparage the Company.

 

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Definitions

In all of the Letter Agreements, “Cause” generally means a good faith determination by the Company of one or more of the following: (i) commission by the executive officer of a felony, (ii) an intentional act of fraud or material dishonesty connected with the executive officer’s employment with the Company or otherwise likely to cause the Company material harm, (iii) the executive officer’s willful failure or refusal to perform in all material respects his duties, or (iv) a material breach by the executive officer of the Company’s policies or codes of conduct or of another written agreement between the Company and the executive officer.

In Mr. Lansing’s Letter Agreement, “Good Reason” generally means that one of the following conditions occurs without his consent and the Company does not cure the condition after receiving notice of it: (i) a material diminution in Mr. Lansing’s status or position as Chief Executive Officer, (ii) a requirement that Mr. Lansing relocate to an office located more than 50 miles away from his current office location, (iii) a material breach by the Company of the terms of the Letter Agreement, or (iv) a failure by the Company to obtain agreement from any successor to assume the Letter Agreement.

In the other named executive officers’ Letter Agreements, “Good Reason” generally means that one of the following conditions occurs without the executive officer’s consent and the Company does not cure the condition after receiving notice of it: (i) a material reduction in the executive officer’s base salary, (ii) a material reduction in the executive officer’s annual cash incentive target expressed as a percentage of base salary, (iii) a requirement that the executive officer relocate to an office located more than 50 miles away from his current office location, (iv) a material breach by the Company of the terms of the Letter Agreement, or (v) a failure by the Company to obtain agreement from any successor to assume the Letter Agreement.

 

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2018 YEAR END

 

Name

(a)

                                      Stock Awards  
  Option Awards     Grant
Date
    Number
of
Shares
or
Units
of  Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)
(g)
    Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(1)
(h)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)
(i)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)(1)
(j)
 
  Grant
Date
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
(b)
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
(c)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number
of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
(d)
    Option
Exercise
Price
($)
(e)
    Option
Expiration
Date
(f)
 

William Lansing

    12/13/2012       96,000                   41.89       12/12/2019       12/08/2015       10,242 (3)       2,340,809       14,954 (7)       3,417,736  
    12/08/2014       64,040       21,346 (2)             72.06       12/07/2021       12/08/2015       11,387 (4)       2,602,498              
    12/08/2014       72,895       24,298 (2)             72.06       12/07/2021       12/08/2016       16,920 (3)       3,867,066       36,248 (8)       8,284,480  
                                        12/08/2016       26,415 (5)       6,037,148              
                                        12/08/2017       20,147 (3)       4,604,596       10,073 (9)       2,302,298  
                                        12/08/2017       40,294 (6)       9,209,193              

Michael Pung

    12/13/2012       7,500                   41.89       12/12/2019       12/08/2015       3,288 (3)       751,472       4,801 (7)       1,097,268  
    12/08/2014       23,988       7,996 (2)             72.06       12/07/2021       12/08/2015       3,655 (4)       835,350              
                                        12/08/2016       4,687 (3)       1,071,213       10,041 (8)       2,294,870  
                                        12/08/2016       7,318 (5)       1,672,528              
                                        12/08/2017       4,720 (3)       1,078,756       2,360 (9)       539,378  
                                        12/08/2017       9,440 (6)       2,157,512              

Wayne Huyard

                                        11/05/2014       10,000 (3)       2,285,500              
                                        12/08/2015       4,200 (3)       959,910       6,132 (7)       1,401,468  
                                        12/08/2015       4,669 (4)       1,067,099              
                                        12/08/2016       5,451 (3)       1,245,826       11,677 (8)       2,668,778  
                                        12/08/2016       8,510 (5)       1,944,960              
                                        12/08/2017       5,488 (3)       1,254,282       2,744 (9)       627,141  
                                        12/08/2017       10,976 (6)       2,508,564              

Stuart Wells

    04/25/2012       40,000                   43.05       04/24/2019       12/08/2014       1,119 (3)       255,747              
    12/13/2012       22,500                   41.89       12/12/2019       12/08/2014       1,647 (3)       376,421              
    12/08/2014       4,126       4,126 (2)             72.06       12/07/2021       12/08/2015       3,422 (3)       782,098       4,998 (7)       1,142,292  
    12/08/2014       6,075       6,074 (2)             72.06       12/07/2021       12/08/2015       3,806 (4)       869,861              
                                        12/08/2016       5,451 (3)       1,245,826       11,677 (8)       2,668,778  
                                        12/08/2016       8,510 (5)       1,944,960              
                                        12/08/2017       5,488 (3)       1,254,282       2,744 (9)       627,141  
                                        12/08/2017       10,976 (6)       2,508,564              

James Wehmann

    04/01/2012       45,001                   43.90       03/31/2019       12/08/2015       4,302 (3)       983,222       6,281 (7)       1,435,522  
    12/08/2014       23,988       7,996 (2)             72.06       12/07/2021       12/08/2015       4,783 (4)       1,093,154              
    12/08/2014       10,497       13,499 (2)             72.06       12/07/2021       12/08/2016       5,451 (3)       1,245,826       11,677 (8)       2,668,778  
                                        12/08/2016       8,510 (5)       1,944,960              
                                        12/08/2017       5,488 (3)       1,254,282       2,744 (9)       627,141  
                                        12/08/2017       10,976 (6)       2,508,564              

 

(1)  

The market value of stock awards that have not vested was determined by multiplying the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on September 28, 2018 ($228.55) by the number of stock awards.

 

(2) 

All stock options vest in four equal increments on the first four anniversaries of the grant date subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment for stock options granted prior to December 8, 2016 and continued Service as a Service Provider (as defined in the 2012 LTIP) for stock options granted on or after December 8, 2016.

 

(3) 

All RSUs vest in four equal increments on the first four anniversaries of the grant date subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment for RSUs granted prior to December 8, 2016 and continued Service as a Service Provider (as defined in the 2012 LTIP) for RSUs granted on or after December 8, 2016.

 

(4) 

These earned PSUs vest in shares in three equal increments on the 8th of December in 2016, 2017, and 2018, subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment.

 

(5) 

These earned PSUs vest in shares in three equal increments on the 8th of December in 2017, 2018, and 2019, subject to the named executive officer’s continued Service as a Service Provider (as defined in the 2012 LTIP).

 

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(6) 

These earned PSUs vest in shares in three equal increments on the 8th of December in 2018, 2019, and 2020, subject to the named executive officer’s continued Service as a Service Provider (as defined in the 2012 LTIP).

 

(7) 

These MSUs are earned upon achievement of performance goals related to the Company’s total stockholder return relative to the Russell 3000 index over performance periods of one, two and three years and then vest on the 8th of December in 2016, 2017, and 2018, subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment.

 

(8) 

These MSUs are earned upon achievement of performance goals related to the Company’s total stockholder return relative to the Russell 3000 index over performance periods of one, two and three years and then vest on the 8th of December in 2017, 2018, and 2019, subject to the named executive officer’s continued Service as a Service Provider (as defined in the 2012 LTIP).

 

(9) 

These MSUs are earned upon achievement of performance goals related to the Company’s total stockholder return relative to the Russell 3000 index over performance periods of one, two and three years and then vest on the 8th of December in 2018, 2019, and 2020, subject to the named executive officer’s continued Service as a Service Provider (as defined in the 2012 LTIP).

FISCAL 2018 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

 

     Option Awards             Stock Awards  

Name

(a)

   Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Exercise
(#)
(b)
     Value
Realized
on Exercise
($)(1)
(c)
            Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting
(#)
(d)
     Value Realized
On Vesting
($)(2)
(e)
 

William Lansing

     24,002        4,078,524             86,912        13,661,323  

Michael Pung

                        27,994        4,400,095  

Wayne Huyard

                        41,039        6,408,245  

Stuart Wells

     10,500        1,963,276             32,935        5,176,936  

James Wehmann

     80,000        13,316,693             32,486        5,106,304  

 

(1)  

Equal to the number of shares acquired on exercise multiplied by the difference between the market price of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the options.

 

(2) 

Equal to the number of shares vested multiplied by the closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of vesting.

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2018

 

Name

(a)

   Executive
Contributions in
Last FY
($)(1)
(b)
     Registrant
Contributions in
Last FY
($)
(c)
     Aggregate Earnings
in Last FY
($)(2)
(d)
     Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
(e)
     Aggregate Balance
at Last FYE
($)
(f)
 

William Lansing

                   104,262               732,021 (3)  

Michael Pung

                                  

Wayne Huyard

                                  

Stuart Wells

                                  

James Wehmann

     223,557               68,990               543,868 (4)  

 

(1)  

The amount reported in this column has been reported as compensation in the 2018 Summary Compensation Table.

 

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(2) 

The amount reported in this column was not reported in the Summary Compensation Table as part of the individual’s compensation for the most recent fiscal year because none of the earnings are considered to be “above market” or “preferential.”

 

(3) 

Of the amounts shown in this column, the following amounts were previously reported as compensation in column (c) of the Summary Compensation Table: $0.00 for fiscal 2015, $0.00 for fiscal 2016 and $0.00 for fiscal 2017.

 

(4) 

Of the amounts shown in this column, the following amount was previously reported as compensation in column (c) of the Summary Compensation Table: $29,423 for fiscal 2016 and $185,192 for fiscal 2017.

This plan is intended for a select group of employees of the Company who are in the highest salary band. Employees can defer up to 25% of base salary and up to 75% of incentive award compensation into the plan. These elections are irrevocable and stay in place for the entire calendar year. The Company does not make any employer contributions to this plan, and employees are always 100% vested in their contributions. Employees make their own investment election decisions from a select group of investment choices designated by the Company.

Participating employees also make an irrevocable election for distributions from the plan at retirement. If they terminate employment prior to retirement, then participating employees will receive their distribution on the first day of the seventh calendar month following separation from service due to any reason.

 

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POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

The information below describes the compensation that would become payable under existing plans and arrangements if a named executive officer’s employment terminates under certain circumstances or if a change in control of the Company occurs.

Executive Officer Management Agreements

Each of our executive officers is a party to a Management Agreement, as amended (the “Management Agreement”), with the Company. The Management Agreements are for a fixed term with automatic one-year extensions. Except in the case of Mr. Lansing, if during the term of the Management Agreements a change of control Event occurs, and if the executive officer’s employment is terminated within 60 days before or two years following the Event due to an involuntary termination by the Company without Cause or for Good Reason by the executive (as defined below), the executive will be entitled to the following pay and benefits: (i) a cash payment in an amount equal to one times the sum of (a) his annual base salary in effect on the last day of his employment, plus (b) the annual cash incentive payment last paid to him before the termination of his employment, such cash payment to be made in a lump sum on the 70th day following his separation from service (subject to certain exceptions), and (ii) continuation of certain benefits pursuant to COBRA for 12 months. In addition, all of such officer’s unvested stock options, restricted stock units, performance share units and market share units will vest in full, subject to certain limitations specified in the Management Agreement. The officer’s receipt of these severance amounts is conditioned on the officer’s delivery of a release of claims and agreement not to solicit Company employees for one year following termination of employment.

Mr. Lansing’s Management Agreement provides for the same general non-economic provisions described above. In the case of a qualifying termination of employment in connection with or following a change of control Event, Mr. Lansing’s severance will be in the amount of three times the sum of base salary and the incentive payment for the prior fiscal year, calculated in the same manner described above, and he is entitled to 18 months of continued benefits pursuant to COBRA.

In all of the Management Agreements, an “Event” generally means (i) the acquisition by a person of 30% or more the shares of our Company’s common stock, (ii) continuing directors no longer represent a majority of the members of the Board, (iii) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company or a statutory share exchange unless immediately following such transaction, all or substantially all of the persons who were the beneficial owners of the Company’s stock before the transaction own more than 70% of the common stock of the resulting corporation, or (iv) approval by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution or the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets unless the sale is made to a corporation more than 70% of whose shares are held by persons who were the beneficial owners of the Company’s stock before the transaction.

In all of the Management Agreements, “Cause” generally means (i) willful and gross neglect by the executive officer of his duties, or (ii) a felony committed by the executive officer that is substantially detrimental to the Company.

In all of the Management Agreements, “Good Reason” generally means that one of the following conditions occurs without the executive officer’s consent and the Company does not cure the condition after receiving notice of it: (i) a material reduction in the executive officer’s authority, duty or responsibilities, (ii) a material reduction in the executive officer’s annual base salary or target incentive, (iii) a material reduction in the aggregate benefits the executive officer enjoys under the Company’s wellness and compensatory programs, (iv) a requirement that the executive officer relocate to an office located more than 50 miles away from his current office location, or (v) a failure by the Company to obtain agreement from any successor to assume the Letter Agreement.

If an executive officer receives any payment or benefit under his management agreement following termination of employment, he will not be entitled to receive severance benefits under his Letter Agreement.

 

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Severance Arrangements

See the description of the named executive officers’ Letter Agreements above for information about severance pay and benefits.

Equity Awards

Under the stock option and RSU agreements entered into pursuant to the Company’s 1992 Long-term Incentive Plan (the “1992 LTIP”), those equity awards will vest in full upon an award recipient’s death or disability. The 2012 LTIP also provides for full vesting of equity awards granted under that plan, including stock options and RSUs, in the event of a recipient’s death or disability. In addition, the award agreements for the PSUs granted to executive officers under the 2012 LTIP provide that 50% of the number of units subject to those awards will vest upon the death or disability of the award recipient or upon a change in control in which the Company does not survive as an operating company or only survives as a subsidiary of another entity; if the death or disability or change in control occurs during the performance period, the target number of units will be deemed earned and will vest in full, and if the death or disability or change in control occurs after the units have been earned but before they are fully vested, the number of earned units will vest in full.

The award agreements for the MSUs granted to executive officers under the 2012 LTIP provide that upon a change in control in which the Company does not survive as an operating company or only survives as a subsidiary of another entity (i) each performance period is truncated to end on the day of such change in control; (ii) the units earned at the end of each adjusted performance period are calculated with a modified calculation of the relative return factor; (iii) a portion of these adjusted period earned units vest immediately (determined by multiplying the adjusted period earned units by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the adjusted performance period and the denominator of which is the days in the performance period before adjustment); and (iv) the unvested units after the previous calculation will vest monthly. Furthermore, if the award recipient is terminated for reasons other than Cause all unvested units described in the preceding sentence will vest in full. Except upon an award recipient’s death or disability after the final performance period in the applicable award agreement for an MSU (where only earned units will vest in full), all units will vest in full upon an award recipient’s death or disability.

Insurance Benefits

All FICO employees are covered under our Short and Long Term Disability Policies. For the first six months of a disability, the employee receives 60% of base salary under the Short Term Disability Policy. After six months of disability, the employee becomes eligible to receive 50% of base salary (up to a maximum of $5,000 per month) under the Long Term Disability Policy. These payments continue for the first five years as long as the employee cannot perform the essential functions of his or her own occupation. If after five years the employee is still unable to perform the essential functions of his or her own occupation, he or she can receive benefits until he or she reaches the age of 65. Supplemental disability insurance can also be purchased by employees to increase the percentage of base salary to which they are entitled under the policies.

All employees are also covered by a Company-provided life insurance policy, which provides for the lump sum payment of one times the employee’s base salary in the event of death, or two times base salary in the event of accidental death. Additional amounts may be payable under a Company-provided business travel accident insurance policy.

Estimated Payments That Would Have Been Made to the Named Executive Officers

The tables below quantify the estimated payments and benefits that would have been provided to our named executive officers in connection with the termination of their employment under the circumstances indicated. In all cases, the information assumes that the triggering event occurred on the last day of fiscal 2018, and the price per share of our common stock is the closing market price on September 28, 2018 (which was $228.55). Benefits payable under our Short and Long Term Disability Policies and Company-provided life insurance policy are not reflected in the following tables.

 

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William Lansing

 

Payment or Benefit

  Voluntary
Termination
by NEO
($)
    Termination
by Us for
Cause
($)
    Termination
by Us
Without
Cause or by
NEO with
Good
Reason
($)
    Termination
by Us
Without
Cause or
by the NEO
with Good
Reason in
Connection
with a
Change in
Control
($)
    Retirement
($)
    Disability
($)
    Death
($)
 

Value of Cash Severance(1)

                3,900,000       5,850,000                    

Value of Benefits(2)

                30,980       30,980                    

Market Value of Accelerated Stock Option Awards(3)

                      10,431,935             10,431,935       10,431,935  

Market Value of Accelerated Restricted Stock Unit Awards(4)

                      10,812,471             10,812,471       10,812,471  

Market Value of Accelerated Performance Share Unit Awards(5)

                      17,848,841             17,848,841       17,848,841  

Market Value of Accelerated Market Share Unit Awards(6)

                      9,602,755             9,602,755       9,602,755  

Total

                3,930,980       54,576,982             48,696,002